International Panty Size Conversion Chart for Easy Shopping

Panties are sized differently in every country, and a size M in the United States is not the same as a size M in France, Italy, or Japan. This guide gives you a complete international panty size conversion chart covering US, UK, EU, French, Italian, Japanese, and Australian sizing systems, so you can shop from any retailer worldwide and order the correct size on your first attempt.

How International Panty Sizing Systems Work

Panty sizing systems fall into three broad categories: letter-based systems (XS, S, M, L, XL), number-based systems that use waist measurements in centimeters, and number-based systems that use arbitrary numeric codes with no direct measurement link.

The United States and United Kingdom use letter sizes (XS through 3XL), while the European Union and most continental European countries use even numbers that correspond roughly to waist circumference in centimeters, such as 34, 36, 38, 40, and 42. France and Italy use a different numeric scale entirely, starting around 36 to 38 for a small and increasing by two increments per size step. Japan uses a numeric system where a size 9 corresponds roughly to a US Small and a size 13 corresponds roughly to a US Large. Australia uses a system nearly identical to the UK but with occasional half-size differences at the larger end of the range.

Understanding which category a country’s system falls into tells you immediately whether to look up a letter equivalent or a number equivalent, and that distinction prevents the most common sizing mistakes when shopping internationally.

International Panty Size Conversion Chart: US, UK, EU, FR, IT, JP, and AU

Use the table below to convert your panty size across the seven most commonly used sizing systems in global lingerie retail.

Size M (US) is highlighted as the most commonly referenced benchmark size. All conversions are based on standardized waist measurement ranges used by major lingerie brands including Victoria’s Secret, Marks and Spencer, H&M, and Intimissimi. Individual brands may vary by up to one size step. Always confirm with the specific retailer’s size chart before ordering.

The most important insight from this chart is that French and Italian numeric sizes are consistently 6 to 8 numbers higher than their EU counterparts, which catches many shoppers off guard when browsing European lingerie brands directly.

How to Measure Your Waist for Panty Sizing

Accurate waist measurement is the only reliable anchor for international panty size conversion. A flexible body measuring tape placed around the narrowest part of your natural waist, typically 1 inch above the navel, gives you the centimeter measurement that unlocks every number-based system in the chart above.

Stand upright, breathe out naturally, and wrap the tape snugly but not tight enough to compress the skin. Record the measurement in both inches and centimeters, since some brand size charts use one unit and some use the other.

The International Size Label Standard, maintained by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) under ISO 8559-1, defines waist measurement as the circumference at the narrowest point of the torso. This standard serves as the reference point for EU sizing and for most number-based systems globally.

Measure at the same time of day each time, since waist circumference can fluctuate by up to 1 inch across the course of a single day depending on food intake and hydration, according to research published in the International Journal of Obesity.

Your waist measurement in centimeters maps directly to EU panty sizes: a 71 cm waist corresponds to EU 38, a 76 cm waist corresponds to EU 40, and an 84 cm waist corresponds to EU 44. Each 5 to 6 cm increase in waist circumference moves you up by approximately one EU size step.

US vs UK Panty Sizes: Key Differences

US and UK panty sizes use the same letter labels (XS, S, M, L, XL) but UK retailers also commonly publish a parallel numeric system where size 6 equals XS, size 8 equals S, size 10 to 12 equals M, size 14 equals L, and size 16 equals XL.

The letter sizes are functionally equivalent between the US and UK for most brands, which means a US Medium and a UK Medium cover the same waist range of approximately 28 to 30 inches (71 to 76 cm). The confusion arises when UK retailers publish only their numeric dress-size equivalent rather than the letter label, since a UK size 10 looks like a very small size to shoppers accustomed to US numeric systems where a size 10 refers to a larger garment.

Marks and Spencer, one of the UK’s largest lingerie retailers, uses the numeric system alongside letter labels on all of their lingerie packaging, which makes their labeling among the clearest for international shoppers to interpret. Victoria’s Secret uses US letter sizing globally but includes waist measurement ranges on their international shipping pages, making direct centimeter-to-letter conversion straightforward.

The most common error when shopping UK lingerie brands is interpreting a UK numeric size as equivalent to a US dress size, so treating a UK 12 as equivalent to a US 12. A UK 12 in panties corresponds to a US Medium, while a US size 12 dress would correspond to a US XL or 2XL in bottoms depending on the brand’s cut.

EU Panty Sizes Explained

EU hipster panties and bikini underwear use even numbers derived from waist circumference in centimeters, with EU 34 representing the smallest standard size and EU 56 or higher representing extended sizes. The EU system is used across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Scandinavia, and it is the dominant sizing system for brands such as Triumph, Schiesser, and Hunkemoller.

EU size is calculated by taking the waist measurement in centimeters and rounding to the nearest even number within the brand’s size range. A 68 cm waist falls at the upper boundary of EU 36 and the lower boundary of EU 38, which is why brands recommend ordering EU 38 if you are between sizes to ensure coverage without the waistband digging in.

EU sizes published by German and Austrian brands tend to run slightly more generous in the seat and hip than the same EU number from a French or Spanish brand, reflecting differences in fit model specifications across countries. When shopping from a brand you have not used before, check whether their size chart shows hip measurements as well as waist measurements, since hip fit affects how a panty sits on the body more than waist fit alone for most styles.

French and Spanish Panty Sizes

French and Spanish panties use a numeric system where sizes begin at 36 for the smallest standard size and increase by two increments for each size step. French size 36 corresponds to a US XS, French size 38 to 40 corresponds to a US Small, French size 42 to 44 corresponds to a US Medium, French size 46 to 48 corresponds to a US Large, and French size 50 to 52 corresponds to a US XL.

The French system matches the EU dress-size scale used in France rather than the EU lingerie sizing scale, which is why French size numbers are 6 to 8 higher than the EU lingerie numbers for the same waist measurement. A shopper with a 76 cm waist wears EU lingerie size 40 but French size 44, and confusing these two will result in ordering two sizes too small from a French retailer.

Spanish sizing uses the same scale as French sizing, so Calzedonia and other Spanish lingerie brands publish size charts identical to French brand charts for the same measurement ranges. Portuguese lingerie brands also follow the French scale in most cases, though some smaller Portuguese retailers have begun adopting EU sizing to align with the broader European market.

Chantelle, Simone Perele, and Aubade are among the most internationally recognized French lingerie brands, and all three publish waist and hip measurement ranges alongside their French numeric sizes on their international retail pages, making size conversion straightforward even if you are unfamiliar with the French scale.

Italian Panty Sizes

Italian lingerie brands use a numeric scale almost identical to the French system, with sizes beginning at 36 for XS and increasing by two for each size step. Italian size 42 corresponds to a US Small at the upper boundary, Italian size 44 corresponds to a US Medium at the lower boundary, and Italian size 46 to 48 corresponds to a US Large.

Intimissimi, La Perla, and Cosabella are the most globally distributed Italian lingerie brands, and each publishes size charts that map Italian sizes to waist measurements in centimeters alongside US and UK letter equivalents. La Perla in particular is known for sizing that runs narrow through the hip and seat, so shoppers with a hip-to-waist ratio above 0.9 are generally advised to size up one step from their standard measurement-based size.

Italian sizing and French sizing are so closely aligned that a shopper who knows their French size can use the same number when ordering from an Italian brand without conversion in most cases. The minor variation occurs at the upper end of the standard size range (sizes 50 and above), where some Italian brands use a different increment scale than French brands, so measurement confirmation is recommended for sizes above Italian 48.

Japanese Panty Sizes

Japanese cotton underwear and lingerie uses odd numbers starting at 7 for XS, with size 9 corresponding to a US Small, size 11 corresponding to a US Small-Medium boundary, size 13 corresponding to a US Large, and size 15 corresponding to a US XL. Some Japanese brands also publish sizes as M, L, and LL (equivalent to XL), with LL being the most common extended size label rather than XL or 2XL.

Japanese sizing runs smaller than US sizing in the hip and seat in particular, since fit models used by Japanese brands typically have a narrower hip-to-waist differential than the Western standard. A US Medium (waist 28 to 30 inches) may correspond to Japanese size 11 or even 13 depending on the brand’s hip allowance, so hip measurement is especially important when ordering from Japanese lingerie retailers such as Wacoal Japan or Peach John.

Wacoal Japan publishes one of the most detailed size conversion charts in the global lingerie industry, mapping waist circumference, hip circumference, and height simultaneously to their Japanese numeric sizes. Their international English-language site reproduces these charts, making them a useful reference point even for shoppers ordering from other Japanese brands.

Japanese size 9 (approximately 66 to 69 cm waist) is the most commonly purchased size in Japan, according to sales data published by the Japan Intimate Fashion Association, which defines size 9 as the reference fit size for the Japanese lingerie market.

Australian Panty Sizes

Australian underwear sizing uses a numeric system derived from dress sizing where size 6 equals XS, size 8 equals S, size 10 to 12 equals M, size 14 equals L, and size 16 equals XL. This scale is nearly identical to the UK numeric system and differs meaningfully from US sizing only at the largest end of the standard range, where Australian size 20 maps to a US 3XL while a US 2XL covers the same measurement range as an Australian 18.

Target Australia, Bonds, and Berlei are among the dominant intimate apparel retailers in Australia, and all three use the Australian numeric system exclusively on domestic packaging. Bonds in particular publishes detailed measurement tables for each numeric size, including both waist and hip ranges, which makes their charts useful as a reference even when shopping from other Australian brands.

New Zealand uses the same numeric system as Australia, so size charts published for the Australian market apply directly to New Zealand retail without adjustment. South African lingerie sizing also aligns with the Australian and UK numeric scales in most cases, though some South African brands publish both numeric sizes and EU sizes on the same label to accommodate imported inventory.

Size Conversion for Plus-Size Panties

Plus-size underwear conversions follow the same proportional system as standard sizes but require attention to a specific issue: not all international brands extend their numbering system consistently beyond EU 52 or US XL. Some EU brands use the labels 52, 54, and 56, while others switch to S, M, L, XL, and XXL relabeling at the extended end, creating a gap in the numeric sequence that does not match standard conversion tables.

Use the table below to convert plus-size panty sizes across the major international systems.

Plus-size conversions become less standardized above 3XL. Waist measurement in centimeters is the most reliable anchor for ordering at extended sizes. Always cross-reference with the retailer’s specific size chart for sizes above EU 56 or US 3XL.

For plus-size international orders, always measure in centimeters and reference the retailer’s own measurement table directly rather than relying on label-to-label conversion alone, since size grade increments are inconsistent between brands above EU 56.

The following interactive conversion tool helps you find your panty size equivalent across all seven major international sizing systems based on your waist measurement.

Panty Style and Cut Considerations When Converting Sizes

Panty cut affects how size conversion tables apply in practice. A thong is cut with minimal fabric in the back and relies primarily on waist measurement for sizing, which means international conversion charts apply with high accuracy for this style. A boyshort or full-coverage brief, by contrast, requires both waist and hip measurements to fit correctly, since the cut extends across the full seat and hip circumference.

For styles with significant seat and hip coverage, use this rule: if your hip-to-waist ratio exceeds 10 inches (25 cm), meaning your hips measure more than 10 inches larger than your waist, order based on your hip measurement rather than your waist measurement and check the seat width specification in the brand’s size chart. This applies particularly to Brazilian, bikini, and high-leg cut styles from European brands where hip allowance is often narrower than US brands at the same waist size.

Use the table below to determine which measurement should anchor your size selection based on panty cut.

Panty cut determines which body measurement should drive your size selection internationally, and using waist for hipster or boyshort styles is one of the most common sources of poor fit when ordering from European or Asian retailers.

Brand-Specific Size Variations to Know

International size conversion charts provide a reliable starting point, but individual brands apply their own fit models and grading increments that create consistent deviations from the standard chart. Victoria’s Secret US sizes run slightly smaller in the hip compared to their stated measurements, meaning shoppers at the upper end of any size range should order up one step for bikini and hipster styles. Hanky Panky, known for their signature lace thong, uses a one-size model sized for US 4 to 14 and a one-size-plus model for US 14 to 20, making their sizing unusually non-standard for conversion purposes.

Triumph International, headquartered in Germany and selling across Europe, Asia, and Australia, uses EU sizing as their primary scale and publishes centimeter-to-EU conversion tables on their website for all 40 countries where they retail. Their EU sizing is considered one of the most consistent in the industry for standard sizes up to EU 52, making their charts useful as a cross-reference for other EU brands as well.

Wacoal USA sizes their panties using US letter sizing but grades them according to fit data from their proprietary 3D body scanning research, which involved measurements of over 3,600 women in the United States according to data Wacoal has published in their fit research documentation. Their US sizes tend to have slightly more generous hip allowance than the Victoria’s Secret equivalent size, particularly in full-coverage and high-waist styles.

La Perla uses Italian sizing but their luxury construction includes less stretch in the fabric compared to mass-market lingerie brands, which means a La Perla Italian 44 will fit more closely than a mass-market Italian 44. Shoppers who wear stretchy everyday underwear should consider sizing up by one step when ordering La Perla for the first time.

How to Convert Sizes When the Brand Size Chart Is Missing

When a retailer does not publish a measurement-based size chart and provides only a label-to-label conversion (such as “our L equals a US M”), use the standard waist measurement ranges from the ISO 8559-1 reference scale as your conversion anchor. Waist 71 to 76 cm is the globally accepted definition of a Medium in ISO sizing, and any brand claiming their Medium matches a US Medium should accommodate a waist in that range.

If the retailer provides only a letter size label with no measurement reference and no ISO-aligned description, the safest approach is to order your size and the size above simultaneously from retailers with free returns, since the absence of a measurement chart is the single highest-risk factor for international sizing errors, according to fitting guidance published by Marks and Spencer’s international customer service documentation.

Contact the retailer’s customer service before ordering if the purchase is above $50 and no measurement table is available. Most European and Japanese lingerie brands with international shipping have English-language customer service available by email, and they can confirm whether their sizing runs true to ISO measurement ranges or whether they have a known deviation in a particular direction.

A body measuring tape kept with your lingerie for reference when ordering makes this process faster and eliminates the need to rely on your memory of what you measured the last time you shopped internationally.

Common Size Conversion Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequently reported international sizing error is treating EU dress sizing and EU lingerie sizing as the same scale. EU dress sizes and EU lingerie sizes use the same number labels but are calculated differently: EU dress sizing uses bust and hip measurements, while EU lingerie sizing for panties uses waist circumference. A shopper who wears EU 40 in dresses may wear EU 38 or EU 42 in panties depending on her waist-to-hip differential.

The second most common error is converting Japanese sizes using the number as a direct waist reference. Japanese panty size 9 does not mean a 9 cm waist. Japanese size 9 is a sequential code equivalent to approximately 66 to 69 cm waist, and Japanese size 13 corresponds to approximately 79 to 84 cm waist. Treating the Japanese number as a measurement unit rather than a code produces completely incorrect results.

A third common error occurs with French and Italian sizing when shoppers see a low number (such as 36 or 38) and assume these are small sizes comparable to US sizes 4 to 6 in dress sizing. French panty size 36 is indeed an XS, but French size 44 is a US Medium, not a US size 12 in dress sizing. The French lingerie scale and the US dress size scale are unrelated numerical systems that happen to use some overlapping numbers for very different size categories.

Avoid all three errors by anchoring every international conversion to your waist measurement in centimeters and using that centimeter value to look up the correct number or letter in each system’s scale independently, rather than converting from one label to another label across systems.

Panty Size Conversion for Maternity and Postpartum

Maternity underwear from international brands presents an additional sizing challenge because waist measurements change significantly across the three trimesters, and most maternity lingerie brands build 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of stretch allowance into the waistband to accommodate growth. EU maternity panty sizing published by brands such as Carriwell and Anita Maternity uses the pre-pregnancy EU size as the base reference, with a universal stretch coverage of two to three EU size increments built into each labeled size.

Postpartum underwear from international retailers presents the opposite challenge: the sizing label reflects a pre-production standard measurement, but the postpartum body may be transitioning between two size brackets simultaneously. The safest approach for postpartum international orders is to use the larger of your current waist and hip measurements as the anchor and order up to the next size step if either measurement is within 2 cm of the upper boundary of a size range.

Japanese maternity brand Sweet Mommy and German brand Carriwell both publish measurement charts that show waist ranges across all three trimesters for each labeled maternity size, making their documentation among the most useful for cross-country ordering during pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions About International Panty Size Conversion

What is a US size Medium in European panty sizing?

A US size Medium in panties corresponds to EU sizes 38 to 40, which accommodates a waist measurement of approximately 71 to 76 cm (28 to 30 inches). In the French and Italian systems, a US Medium corresponds to sizes 42 to 44. Always confirm the specific brand’s size chart, as some European brands grade their sizes slightly larger or smaller than the ISO standard range for EU 38 to 40.

Is a UK panty size the same as a US panty size?

UK and US panty letter sizes (XS, S, M, L, XL) cover the same waist measurement ranges and are generally interchangeable for the standard size range from XS through XL. The difference becomes relevant when UK retailers publish numeric sizes instead of letter sizes: a UK size 10 to 12 equals a US Medium, and a UK size 14 equals a US Large. Treating a UK numeric size as equivalent to a US numeric dress size produces the wrong result in every case.

How do I convert my panty size to Japanese sizing?

Japanese panty sizing uses odd sequential numbers where size 7 equals XS (61 to 64 cm waist), size 9 equals Small (66 to 69 cm waist), size 11 equals the Small-Medium boundary (approximately 71 to 74 cm waist), size 13 equals Large (79 to 84 cm waist), and size 15 equals XL (86 to 91 cm waist). Measure your waist in centimeters and match it to the Japanese size number using the range table, rather than attempting a letter-to-number conversion. Japanese brands often provide hip allowance data alongside waist ranges, which is especially useful for hipster and boyshort styles.

Do French panty sizes run small compared to US sizes?

French panty sizes use a different numeric scale (beginning at 36 for XS and increasing to 52 and above for plus sizes) rather than a size scale that is larger or smaller per se. A French size 44 corresponds to a US Medium with a waist of 71 to 76 cm, and a French size 42 corresponds to a US Small at the upper boundary. French panty construction, particularly from luxury brands such as Chantelle and Simone Perele, may have narrower hip allowances relative to the waist measurement compared to US brands, which can make a correctly sized French panty feel snug in the seat even if the waistband fits correctly.

What does EU size 40 mean in panties?

EU size 40 in panties indicates a waist circumference of approximately 74 to 76 cm (29 to 30 inches), corresponding to a US Medium at the upper end of that size range. EU size 40 is one of the two most commonly sold sizes across European lingerie markets, alongside EU 38. The EU sizing system for lingerie is derived from waist circumference in centimeters rounded to the nearest even number, which means EU 40 specifically targets the 73 to 77 cm waist range depending on the brand’s grading tolerance.

How do I find my panty size if I only know my dress size?

Panty size and dress size are determined by different body measurements and do not convert directly. Dress size is based primarily on bust and hip circumference, while panty size is based primarily on waist circumference. Measure your natural waist with a flexible measuring tape at the narrowest point, approximately 1 inch above the navel, and use that centimeter measurement to look up your panty size on the international conversion chart above. A woman who wears a US dress size 12 may wear a US panty size Large or XL depending on her waist measurement, which varies independently of dress size.

Are Brazilian panty sizes the same as European sizes?

Brazilian lingerie uses a numeric size system distinct from both EU and French/Italian sizing. Brazilian panty sizes run as follows: Brazilian 36 to 38 equals XS, Brazilian 40 to 42 equals Small, Brazilian 44 to 46 equals Medium, Brazilian 48 to 50 equals Large, and Brazilian 52 to 54 equals XL. These numbers align more closely with French and Italian sizing than with EU sizing, but the precise waist ranges per step differ from French sizing by approximately 2 cm in the medium and large ranges. Brands such as Lenny Niemeyer and Hope publish measurement tables in centimeters on their international e-commerce pages.

Having your waist measurement in centimeters stored on your phone or written inside your lingerie drawer removes the guesswork from every future international order, regardless of which country’s sizing system you encounter.