How to read clothing sizes from China
How many cm is a size L? There is no single answer. S, M, L and XL have no shared standard across brands, so one shop's L can be another shop's M or XL. What you can rely on is the centimetre figures in that item's size chart, matched against your body or a piece of clothing you already own.
Measure yourself first
Use a tailor's tape and measure over thin clothing.
| Measurement | How |
|---|---|
| Chest | Around the fullest part of the chest, level with the floor |
| Waist | Around the narrowest part of the waist, usually just above the navel |
| Hips | Around the fullest part of the hips |
| Height | Standing straight, without shoes |
| Weight | In kilograms |
Or measure clothes that fit you
This is often more accurate, because sellers' size charts usually give garment measurements, not body measurements. Lay a well-fitting piece flat and measure:
- Chest width: armpit to armpit. Double it for the garment's chest circumference.
- Length: from the highest point of the shoulder to the hem.
- Shoulder width: from the left shoulder seam to the right.
- Sleeve length: from the shoulder seam to the cuff.
Match these figures against the size chart. If a size fits the chest but is too short, go with what matters most to you.
Reading a Chinese seller's size chart
Size charts from Chinese sellers are often images in Chinese. The words that come up most:
| Text | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 尺码 / 码 | Size |
| 胸围 | Chest |
| 腰围 | Waist |
| 臀围 | Hips |
| 衣长 | Garment length |
| 肩宽 | Shoulder width |
| 袖长 | Sleeve length |
| 裤长 | Trouser length |
| 身高 | Height |
| 建议体重 | Suggested body weight |
| 均码 | One size |
| 平铺测量 | Measured laid flat |
| 误差 1-3cm | May differ by 1–3 cm (measured by hand) |
Weight is in 斤, not kilograms
The weight column in a Chinese size chart is usually in 斤 (jin). One jin is 0.5 kg, so "100-120斤" means a body weight of 50–60 kg. Halve the number.
Circumference or width?
If the chart says 平铺 (laid flat) and its chest figure is about half your chest measurement, it's a width, not a circumference. Double it before you compare.
What labels like 160/84A and 165/88A mean
Many clothes from China carry a size label from China's national standard (GB/T 1335). The format is height/girth + a body-shape letter:
- First number: body height in cm.
- Second number: chest girth in cm for tops, or waist girth for bottoms.
- Letter: body shape, from the difference between chest and waist.
So 165/88A on a top means it is made for someone about 165 cm tall with a chest of about 88 cm and body shape A. The numbers on this label are body measurements, not garment measurements.
For women's clothing, the standard (GB/T 1335.2-2008) sorts body shapes like this:
| Letter | Chest minus waist |
|---|---|
| Y | 19–24 cm |
| A | 14–18 cm |
| B | 9–13 cm |
| C | 4–8 cm |
Choosing a clothing size on Singaya
On a Singaya item page, sizes appear as options, and we buy exactly the size you pick (choosing an option). Before you pick:
- Check the description and photos. The seller's size chart is often in one of the photos.
- Match the chest, length or suggested weight against your own measurements.
- If you fall between two sizes, pick the larger one.
For shoes, see shoe sizes from China in cm. Buying from China for the first time? Read how to buy goods from China for delivery in Indonesia.