Japanese Clothing & Shoe Sizes Explained: JP to US/UK/EU Conversion Guide
Japanese clothing uses S/M/L and numeric sizes that run smaller than US/EU equivalents, so most shoppers size up one step. Shoes are measured in centimeters (foot length), making conversion precise: measure your foot in cm to match JP sizing directly, then cross-check US/UK/EU charts.
How Japanese Clothing Sizing Works
Japanese apparel commonly uses S/M/L/LL lettering alongside numeric systems. Womenswear often appears as 7, 9, 11, 13 (9 roughly equals a US 6 / UK 10 / EU 38), while menswear may use chest measurements in centimeters or S/M/L. As a general rule, Japanese sizes run smaller than US and EU equivalents, so many international buyers move up one letter or one numeric step. Because cuts are tailored to a Japanese fit, always prioritize the garment's actual measurements (chest, waist, length in cm) over the label letter when judging fit.
Decoding Japanese Shoe Sizes (cm-Based)
Japanese shoes are sized by foot length in centimeters, which is one of the clearest systems to convert. A 27 cm shoe equals roughly US 9 men's, UK 8.5, and EU 42.5; a 24 cm equals about US 7 women's, UK 4.5, and EU 37.5. Because the number is your literal foot length, you can match it directly once you've measured. Half sizes typically appear in 0.5 cm increments. Width also matters in Japan, where widths are marked from A (narrow) up to 4E or F (wide), so check the width letter alongside the cm figure.
How to Measure Yourself Accurately
For shoes, stand on a sheet of paper, trace your foot, and measure heel to longest toe in centimeters; measure both feet in the evening when feet are largest and use the longer measurement. For clothing, take chest, waist, hip, shoulder, and sleeve measurements with a soft tape and compare them to the cm figures in each listing rather than relying on letter labels. jpdrop lists items in 6 languages with original measurements where available, so you can match numbers confidently before buying.
Tips for Buying Secondhand Fashion & Sneakers from Japan
Secondhand pieces vary by wear, era, and brand cut, so read the condition notes and every listed measurement closely. Vintage and older sneakers may run differently from current sizing, and materials can stretch or shrink with age. With jpdrop, every parcel is inspected at our warehouse in Japan before it ships worldwide via EMS or DHL in roughly 7-14 days. Pricing is transparent with a tiered 5-15% service fee (minimum $5, maximum $50) and no hidden markups, with hourly exchange rates applied at checkout.
- Do Japanese sizes run smaller than US sizes?
- Yes, Japanese clothing generally runs smaller than US and EU equivalents. Many international shoppers size up one letter or numeric step, but checking the garment's cm measurements is the most reliable approach.
- How do I convert Japanese shoe sizes?
- Japanese shoes are sized by foot length in centimeters, so measure your foot in cm and match the number directly. For reference, 27 cm is about US 9 men's, UK 8.5, and EU 42.5.
- Can I trust secondhand sizing when buying from Japan?
- Read the condition notes and listed cm measurements rather than relying on the letter size, since vintage cuts vary. With jpdrop, each item is also inspected at our warehouse in Japan before international shipping.