Indian Size Chart for Women: US, UK, EU and AU Conversions
An Indian size M usually fits a 36 in (91 cm) bust, about a US 8, UK and Australian 12 or EU 40. Use these tables as a general guide, then check the piece's own chart.
In short
- As a general guide, Indian S fits a 34 in (86 cm) bust, M 36 in (91 cm), L 38 in (97 cm) and XL 40 in (102 cm).
- An Indian M is close to a US 8, a UK or Australian 12 and an EU 40, though published charts can differ by a size.
- From L upward, an Indian letter tends to sit about one size below the same letter on a US or UK chart, so go by inches or centimetres.
- The size chart on the piece you are choosing always beats any conversion table, this one included.
- A size chart can list your body or the finished garment, and the two usually differ by 1 to 2 in (3 to 5 cm).
An Indian women's size M usually fits a 36 in (91 cm) bust, close to a US 8, a UK or Australian 12 and an EU 40. Indian labels do not all share one chart, so treat these tables as a general guide, measure yourself, and let the chart on the piece you choose decide.
How do Indian sizes convert to US, UK, EU and Australian sizes?
Match your bust in inches first, then read across. The number in the second column is the one to remember, because charts and tailors both work from it. Readers in the UAE, Singapore or anywhere else can use whichever column their usual label shows, or go straight to the inches.
| Indian size | Fits bust (in) | US | UK and AU | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32 | 4 | 8 | 36 |
| S | 34 | 6 | 10 | 38 |
| M | 36 | 8 | 12 | 40 |
| L | 38 | 10 | 14 | 42 |
| XL | 40 | 12 | 16 | 44 |
| XXL | 42 | 14 | 18 | 46 |
| 3XL | 44 | 16 | 20 | 48 |
| 4XL | 46 | 18 | 22 | 50 |
| 5XL | 48 | 20 | 24 | 52 |
Here is how we built it. The Indian column is the typical "to fit" bust across more than 10,000 dress charts on this store. The other columns come from a published dress size table that sets US size at bust minus 28 and UK size at bust minus 24. The EU column uses French-style numbers, and German labels usually read two below it, so an EU 40 is a German 38.
Other published charts move these lines by a size, most of all at the small end. Some UK guides put a UK 8 at a 34 in bust rather than 32, which is the reading in our guide to Indian wedding outfits in the UK. Those disagreements are the reason to trust the tape over the label.
What are the bust, waist and hip measurements for each Indian size?
These are body measurements, the typical numbers a chart lists as "to fit" on a dress.
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32 in / 81 cm | 26 in / 66 cm | 35 in / 89 cm |
| S | 34 in / 86 cm | 28 in / 71 cm | 37 in / 94 cm |
| M | 36 in / 91 cm | 30 in / 76 cm | 39 in / 99 cm |
| L | 38 in / 97 cm | 32 in / 81 cm | 41 in / 104 cm |
| XL | 40 in / 102 cm | 34 in / 86 cm | 43 in / 109 cm |
| XXL | 42 in / 107 cm | 36 in / 91 cm | 46 in / 117 cm |
| 3XL | 44 in / 112 cm | 38 to 43 in / 97 to 109 cm | 48 in / 122 cm |
| 4XL | 46 in / 117 cm | 40 to 44 in / 102 to 112 cm | 50 in / 127 cm |
| 5XL | 48 in / 122 cm | 42 to 46 in / 107 to 117 cm | 52 in / 132 cm |
One pattern is worth knowing. Bust and hips here land almost exactly on the US table: a 36 in bust and 39 in hips in both. The waist does not. An Indian M lists a 30 in waist where the US size with the same bust lists 29, and at XS the gap is 2 in. If your waist is your largest number relative to the chart, an Indian label may suit you better than your usual size suggests.
What size chart does India use?
India has no one chart that every label follows. Manufacturers have long worked from US, UK and EU charts adjusted for their own brands, and in 2021 the textile minister said plainly that the country had no body size chart for its own population.
That is changing. INDIAsize, the National Sizing Survey of India, scanned more than 26,000 people in six cities using 3D body scanners, and was completed in 2023. A trade report from February 2025 describes the results as 27 charts, 13 for women and 14 for men, built around three height groups and five body shapes. We found nothing saying a brand must use them, and the spread in the charts further down shows labels still set their own numbers.
How do you measure yourself for Indian clothes?
Use a soft tape, wear the bra you plan to wear under the outfit, and keep the tape level and snug but not tight. Write everything down in both inches and centimetres, since charts use either.
- Bust: around the fullest part, with the tape straight across your back.
- Waist: around the narrowest part of your torso. A lehenga or saree petticoat sits wherever you plan to tie it, so measure that spot too.
- Hips: around the fullest part, feet together.
- Shoulder: across your back from one shoulder bone to the other.
- Length: from the top of the shoulder down to where you want the hem, wearing the shoes you plan to wear.
Why does the same size fit differently across brands?
Because each label cuts to its own chart, and because a chart can describe two different things. "To fit" means your body. "Bust" or "chest" on its own usually means the finished garment. On the charts we read, the finished bust runs about 1 to 2 in (3 to 5 cm) larger than the to-fit bust.
| Size | Dress finished bust | Kurta set finished bust | Kurta set fits bust | Blouse fits bust | Lehenga fits waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 33 / 84 | 34 / 86 | 32 to 34 | 32 / 81 | 28 / 71 |
| S | 35 / 89 | 36 / 91 | 34 to 36 | 34 / 86 | 30 / 76 |
| M | 37 / 94 | 38 / 97 | 36 to 38 | 36 / 91 | 32 / 81 |
| L | 40 / 102 | 40 / 102 | 38 to 40 | 38 / 97 | 34 / 86 |
| XL | 42 / 107 | 42 / 107 | 40 to 42 | 40 / 102 | 36 / 91 |
| XXL | 44 / 112 | 44 / 112 | 42 to 44 | 42 / 107 | 38 / 97 |
Read the kurta set column closely. An M can be cut for a 36 in bust or a 38 in bust, depending on the label. So a woman with a 37 in bust could be an M in one kurta set and an L in another, while most dresses would put her in an L.
A kurta set where M fits a 38 in bust
This flared embroidered set shows why the chart matters. Its M is listed to fit a 38 in (97 cm) bust, with a finished bust of 39 in (99 cm), where a typical dress M is cut for 36 in. Going by the letter alone, you could easily choose the wrong size.
- Viscose rayon, machine wash
- Finished hips of 42 in (107 cm) in M
- Calf-length kurta with trousers and dupatta
Kurta sets to compare, size chart by size chart
Straight, A-line and flared cuts, including a plus-size style.
Dresses in Indian sizing
Close-cut and wrap styles need the waist and hip numbers too; tiered ones mostly need the bust.
What does free size really mean?
Free size means one cut made to suit a range of bodies, not every body, so it still needs checking. The typical one-size dress we read is listed for a 36 to 42 in bust, and a loose kaftan can measure 54 in (137 cm) around.
- Kaftans: look at length as well as width. One here runs 52 in (132 cm) from the shoulder, and another is 33 in (84 cm), so the first falls close to the floor on many women and the second is a short style.
- Half measurements: a free-size chart listing a 24 in bust is probably measured flat, so doubling it gives about 48 in (122 cm).
- Sarees: the drape itself has no size. Many run 5.5 m plus a 0.8 m blouse piece, and some list 6.5 m with the blouse piece included. Height affects how you pleat, and the blouse is what must fit.
- Dupattas: usually one size, and nothing to measure.
Free-size kaftans and sarees
Read the length line on each before choosing.
How should a saree blouse fit?
A saree blouse should sit close with no gaping at the chest and no pull across the back, which makes it the least forgiving piece in this guide. Choose by your bust, then check the extra numbers below, because a ready-made saree blouse has little room to spare.
- Bust and underbust: take both. A blouse that fits the bust can still ride up if the band below it is loose.
- Shoulder and armhole: a tight armhole is what makes a blouse uncomfortable by the end of a long function.
- Length: measure from shoulder to where you want it to end, and decide how much midriff you want to show.
- Fabric: stretch knits and flexible styles forgive a little. Stiff silk and heavy zari work do not, so measure twice.
Many sarees come with an unstitched blouse piece, and a tailor can cut that to your exact measurements. Give them a blouse you like as the pattern.
Ready-made blouses in standard sizes
Padded, non-padded and stretch styles.
How do you choose a lehenga size?
Choose a lehenga by your waist and length first, then the blouse. The skirt has to sit at one exact spot on your body, while its flare hides the hips. Lehenga charts also tend to be more generous at the waist than dress charts: a lehenga M typically fits a 32 in (81 cm) waist where a dress M fits 30 in (76 cm).
- Skirt length: the typical lehenga on our charts is about 40 in (102 cm). Measure from where you will tie it down to the floor in your shoes.
- Blouse (choli) length: usually about 15 to 16 in (38 to 41 cm).
- Semi-stitched styles: a tailor finishes the skirt to your measurements, and the blouse usually comes as uncut fabric. Budget time for stitching before the event.
- Ready-to-wear styles: the waist is already set, so read the chart carefully.
Browse the lehengas and gowns with your waist number in hand, and see our guide to what to wear as a wedding guest for which function calls for one.
Semi-stitched and ready-to-wear lehengas
Check whether the skirt and blouse need a tailor.
What is the Indian size chart for men's shirts and kurtas?
Indian men's shirts usually carry a number close to the chest in inches: charts that give a to-fit figure put a 40 at a 40 in (102 cm) chest, the same number as a US or UK jacket size 40. Kurtas use letters and run roomy: an M measures about 43 in (109 cm) around the chest when finished.
| Shirt size | Kurta size | Fits chest | US and UK jacket | EU jacket | Finished chest, shirt / kurta (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | S | 38 in / 97 cm | 38 | 48 | 40 / 41 |
| 40 | M | 40 in / 102 cm | 40 | 50 | 42 / 43 |
| 42 | L | 42 in / 107 cm | 42 | 52 | 45 / 45 |
| 44 | XL | 44 in / 112 cm | 44 | 54 | 47 / 47 |
| 46 | XXL | 46 in / 117 cm | 46 | 56 | 50 / 49 |
| 48 | 3XL | 48 in / 122 cm | 48 | 58 | 52 / 51 |
One trap: a formal shirt marked 39 or 40 can mean the collar in centimetres rather than the chest in inches. A 39 cm collar is about a 15½ in neck, and 40 cm about 15¾ in. The chart on the shirt tells you which. For the wider picture, see what men wear to an Indian wedding, or browse men's kurtas and shirts.
Men's kurtas and shirts
Check chest, shoulder and length on each chart.
What should you do if you are between sizes?
Go up, then have it taken in. A tailor can almost always remove fabric, but adding it back is hard. The exception is a stretch blouse or a bias-cut dress, where your true size often sits better.
- Open the chart on the piece and check whether it says "to fit" or lists the garment.
- Compare your bust first, your hips for a close-cut dress, and your waist for a lehenga or trousers.
- Note the model's height where it is listed. It tells you more about length than any table.
- Check the fabric. Cotton and silk give little, while knits and jersey give more.
Keep reading
Questions people ask
What is XL size in India for women's clothing?
As a general guide, an Indian women's XL fits about a 40 in (102 cm) bust, 34 in (86 cm) waist and 43 in (109 cm) hips. That is close to a US 12, a UK or Australian 16 and an EU 44. Kurta set charts vary, so an XL may be cut for a 40 or a 42 in bust.
Is UK size and Indian size the same?
No. A UK size is a dress number, while Indian clothes usually carry a letter or a bust number in inches. As a general guide, an Indian M with a 36 in bust is close to a UK 12. So compare the inches, not the numbers.
What is size 38 in clothes in India?
A 38 usually refers to the bust or chest in inches, about 97 cm. For women that is usually an Indian L, near a US 10 or UK 14. For men it is a shirt for a 38 in chest, usually paired with a kurta in S. It is not an EU 38, which is a much smaller dress size.
Are Indian sizes smaller than US sizes?
Often, from about L upward. An Indian L fits about a 38 in bust, which is a US 10, while a US chart usually calls that size a medium. S and M line up more closely, but the only reliable check is the measurements on the piece itself.
How do I know my blouse size?
Measure around the fullest part of your bust and match it to the chart: a 34 in bust is generally an S, 36 in an M and 38 in an L. Then take your underbust, shoulder width and blouse length as well, because a saree blouse sits close to the body. Measuring a blouse that already fits you well is the quickest way to confirm.
Does a piece's own size chart override this guide?
Yes, always. The tables here describe typical numbers and are only a general guide, while the chart on a piece gives that garment's own measurements for each size. Where the two disagree, go with the piece's chart.
About the numbers
- Wikipedia, Dress size, read 2026-11-03: US size as bust minus 28 and UK size as bust minus 24; bust, waist and hip for US 4 to 12; French and German size columns; men's collar, chest and jacket size tables
- TiaBow product size charts, read 2026-11-03: Typical (median) to-fit and finished measurements by size across more than 10,000 charts each for dresses and kurta sets, and the charts for blouses, lehengas, men's shirts and men's kurtas; saree, kaftan and lehenga lengths quoted from individual product pages
- INDIAsize, National Sizing Survey of India, project site, read 2026-11-03: Sanctioned by the Ministry of Textiles; body data from over 26,000 people aged 15 and above using 3D whole-body scanning; completed in 2023
- Online Clothing Study, trade reports on INDIAsize, March 2024 and February 2025, read 2026-11-03: 26,324 people across six cities; Indian manufacturers mostly relied on modified US, EU and UK charts; 27 charts, 13 for women and 14 for men, across three height groups and five body shapes
- FashionUnited India, report on the IndiaSize project, September 2021, read 2026-11-03: The textile minister's statement that India had no body size chart for its population
- A published international women's letter-size table, read 2026-11-03: S as about US 4 to 6, UK and AU 8 to 10, EU 36 to 38; M as about US 8 to 10, UK and AU 12 to 14, EU 40 to 42; L as about US 12 to 14, UK and AU 16 to 18, EU 44 to 46
