Letter sizes like S, M, and L are convenient shorthand, but they don't tell you the exact measurements you need when shopping online or converting between brands. This guide translates common letter sizes into numeric body measurements and dress sizes, and answers frequent conversion questions such as what a men's 36 waist means in women's sizing. For exact numbers based on your own measurements, use our size converter.
What Size Is Medium in Numbers?
Medium is one of the most commonly purchased sizes, but its numeric equivalent differs between men's and women's clothing and between garment categories. In general, a women's Medium corresponds to a US dress size 8-10, while a men's Medium corresponds to roughly a 38-40 inch chest.
| Category | Medium (US) | Bust/Chest (in) | Waist (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's tops | 8-10 | 36-37.5 | 28.5-30 |
| Women's dresses | 8-10 | 36-37.5 | 28.5-30 |
| Men's tops | 38-40 | 38-40 | 32-34 |
Because "Medium" is not standardized across brands, always check a brand's specific size chart or take your own measurements using our how to measure yourself guide before buying.
What Size Is Large in Numbers?
Large sits one size band above Medium. In women's sizing, a Large typically corresponds to a US 12-14, and in men's sizing, a Large corresponds to roughly a 42-44 inch chest.
Looking for a specific brand?
Fit varies far more between brands than between size systems.
Browse 30+ brand size charts| Category | Large (US) | Bust/Chest (in) | Waist (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's tops | 12-14 | 39-41 | 31.5-33.5 |
| Women's dresses | 12-14 | 39-41 | 31.5-33.5 |
| Men's tops | 42-44 | 42-44 | 36-38 |
Full Letter-to-Number Size Chart (Women's)
Here is a broader breakdown across the standard letter range for women's clothing, useful when a listing only gives a letter size with no numeric equivalent.
| Letter | US Dress Size | Bust (in) | Waist (in) | Hip (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0-2 | 32-33 | 24-25 | 34.5-35.5 |
| S | 4-6 | 34-35.5 | 26.5-28 | 37-38.5 |
| M | 8-10 | 36-37.5 | 28.5-30 | 39-40.5 |
| L | 12-14 | 39-41 | 31.5-33.5 | 42-44 |
| XL | 16-18 | 43-45 | 35.5-37.5 | 46-48 |
| XXL | 20-22 | 47-49 | 39.5-41.5 | 50-52 |
Men's Waist Size 36 in Women's Sizing
A men's 36 inch waist refers to an actual waist circumference measurement in inches, since men's pants are typically sized by direct waist measurement rather than a letter or arbitrary number. Converting this to women's sizing means finding the women's size with the closest waist measurement — a 36 inch waist lines up closely with a women's US size 16-18, or roughly an XL.
| Men's Waist (in) | Approx. Women's US Size |
|---|---|
| 30 | 6-8 |
| 32 | 10-12 |
| 34 | 14 |
| 36 | 16-18 |
| 38 | 18-20 |
32 Inch Waist in Women's Sizing
A 32 inch waist measurement generally falls into a women's US size 10-12, or a Medium to Large depending on the brand's specific block. Since jeans and pants are often labeled by actual waist inches (like "32") rather than letter sizes, this number can be used directly to cross-reference against the dress size chart above. If you're shopping Nike size charts or another specific brand for bottoms, always check that brand's own waist measurement table, since a 32 inch label can mean different finished garment measurements depending on cut and stretch.
Why Letter Sizes Vary So Much
There's no single mandatory standard that all clothing brands must follow for letter sizing, so a Medium at one retailer can be a Large at another. Factors like target demographic, garment cut (slim vs. relaxed), and regional sizing conventions all shift where the letter-to-number boundaries fall. This is also why converting between US vs EU sizing for the same letter size often results in a mismatch of one or two sizes. The safest approach is always to measure your actual body, compare it to the brand's specific numeric chart, and treat the letter itself as a rough label rather than a guarantee of fit.
How to Use These Conversions When Shopping
When you see a letter size on a listing, look for the retailer's own size chart first. If none is available, use the tables above as a reasonable estimate, and lean toward sizing up if you are between two letter sizes or if the brand is known to run small. Keeping your own recent body measurements on hand — bust, waist, and hip in inches — makes any letter-to-number conversion, including the men's-to-women's waist comparisons above, much faster and more accurate.
Men's Letter Sizes to Numbers
Men's tops also use a letter system that maps to a chest measurement in inches, similar to how women's letter sizes map to a bust and dress size. A men's Small typically corresponds to a 34-36 inch chest, a Medium to 38-40 inches, a Large to 42-44 inches, and an XL to 46-48 inches. Men's pants, by contrast, are usually labeled with the actual waist measurement in inches rather than a letter, which is why a "36 waist" pair of pants gives you an exact number instead of a size band.
Converting Between International Letter Sizes
Letter sizes are not universal, so a Medium in US sizing does not always match a Medium in UK, EU, or Asian sizing. UK letter sizes are usually closer to US sizing (sometimes with a one-size offset for women's items), while EU numeric sizing (like 38, 40, 42) is a completely different scale that doesn't use letters at all in most cases. If you're comparing a European retailer's size chart to a US letter size, always convert through actual body measurements rather than assuming the letters line up, and check our US vs EU sizing guide for a full numeric breakdown.