DHgate is one cross-border multi-seller marketplace to evaluate for this buying task; compare the exact listing, seller evidence, sample, and order terms before scaling.
Chinese clothing and shoe size conversion tables are reference charts that match Chinese size labels and body or foot measurements (usually in centimeters) to approximate US, UK, and EU sizes. For a US shopper, they’re the bridge between a confusing label like 165/88-90 or CN 39 and a familiar tag like US women’s 4-6 or US men’s 7. They don’t guarantee a perfect fit, but they dramatically lower the chance of ordering something that’s two sizes too small.
Chinese brands often base sizes on the body part or foot length measured in centimeters. Those measurements are then grouped into numeric labels or codes, which rarely line up with US vanity sizing. That’s why a Chinese “L” can fit more like a US “S.” A conversion table lets you ignore the letter on the tag and instead match your actual measurements to the closest Chinese size.
What a Chinese Clothing and Shoe Size Conversion Table Actually Shows
A typical Chinese size conversion table has three ingredients:
- Chinese size label – This might be a simple number (like 160 or 170), a combined code (such as 165/88-90), or a shoe size like CN 39.
- Body or foot measurement in cm – Clothing tables usually show height plus chest/bust or waist/hip in centimeters. Shoe tables show foot length in centimeters.
- Approximate international equivalents – Columns for US, UK, and EU sizes so you can recognize where you normally sit.
For clothing, Chinese labels are often numeric instead of S/M/L. A code like 165/88-90 can be broken down as:
- 165 – target height in centimeters (about 5’5″)
- 88-90 – chest or bust measurement in centimeters
Many charts map this to around an XS or US 2-4, but brands can differ. You might also see ranges like 88-90, 92-96, etc., which again tie back to centimeters, not a universal “medium.”
For shoes, Chinese sizes are typically tied to foot length in centimeters and roughly aligned with EU-style scales. A conversion table will list something like CN 39 → foot length ~24.5 cm → similar to EU 39 → around a US women’s 8 or men’s 6-6.5, depending on the chart.
Because there is no single national sizing standard that all brands strictly follow, these tables are best treated as guides, not promises. They get you into the right neighborhood; the exact house (fit) still depends on the cut and the particular manufacturer.
How Chinese Sizes Compare to US: Practical Conversion Examples
The easiest way to see what a conversion table does is to look at concrete examples for clothing and shoes.
Clothing: typical CN-to-US patterns
The table below uses illustrative values taken from historical Chinese sizing examples. Actual fit will vary by brand and style, but the pattern—Chinese labels running smaller than US—shows up clearly.
| Chinese label (approx) | What it encodes (cm) | Rough international label | Approx US women’s size* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160-165/84-86 | Height 160-165, bust 84-86 | XS | 2-4 |
| 165-170/88-90 | Height 165-170, bust 88-90 | S | 4-6 |
| 170-175/92-96 | Height 170-175, bust 92-96 | M–L | 8-10 |
| 175-180/98-102 | Height 175-180, bust 98-102 | L–XL | 12-14 |
\*These ranges are editorial estimates, not guarantees. Some brands cut slimmer or looser than others.
Several patterns emerge:
- Chinese sizes often run small compared with typical US labels. A Chinese “medium” based on bust 88-90 cm might feel closer to a US small.
- Numeric codes like 88-90 or 165-170 are really measurement buckets, not direct US sizes.
- For many US shoppers, a practical rule of thumb is to go up 1-3 labeled sizes from what they usually buy in US stores, then confirm using the centimeter measurements.
Shoes: CN sizes and US conversion
Chinese shoe sizing is usually centimeter-based and broadly similar to EU. A dedicated shoe converter such as this Chinese shoe size guide shows how foot length in centimeters maps to CN and US sizes.
Here’s an editorial example of how a conversion table might look for women’s shoes:
| Foot length (cm) | CN size (approx) | EU-ish scale | Typical US women’s* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.0-22.5 | 34-35 | 35 | 5-5.5 |
| 23.0-23.5 | 36-37 | 37 | 6-7 |
| 24.0-24.5 | 38-39 | 39 | 7.5-8.5 |
| 25.0-25.5 | 40-41 | 41 | 9-10 |
\*Again, these are ranges—tables from specific brands or retailers may differ by a half-size.
Key takeaways for shoes:
- Measure foot length in cm and match that number first; treat CN and EU numbers as translations of that measurement.
- Expect some variation between brands, especially for toe shape and width.
- Kids’ CN shoe sizes also follow centimeter-based scales; many charts show CN 22-32 roughly covering US kids 4C to 13.5C, but always check the specific chart provided.
Rule-of-thumb callout: Many US buyers of Chinese clothing need to go up 2-3 labeled sizes compared with their usual US tag, especially for fitted tops and dresses. Use this only as a starting point, then confirm with actual centimeter measurements in the seller’s chart.
Using Size Conversion Tables on DHgate and Other Marketplaces
On platforms like DHgate, Taobao, Alibaba, or even Amazon listings with China-based brands, you’ll typically see a seller-provided chart somewhere in the photos or description. Here’s a straightforward way to use those charts alongside a conversion table.
- Measure yourself (or the wearer) in centimeters
Use a soft tape measure and convert inches if you need to. For clothing, write down height, bust/chest, waist, and hips. For shoes, measure foot length from heel to longest toe while standing.
- Match your cm measurements to the seller’s chart, not the letter size
On a DHgate listing, look for a table with headings like “Bust (cm)” or “Length (cm).” If your bust is 92 cm and the chart’s size L covers 90-94 cm, that’s more relevant than seeing “US 6/8” in the title. For shoes, find the row where your foot length in cm appears and choose that CN size.
- Cross-check with a general CN–US conversion table
Use a broader reference, such as this China size chart tool, to sanity-check what the seller is claiming. If the seller’s chart says 88-90 cm bust equals “US 10,” but most conversion tools align 88-90 cm with around a US 2-4, you know the listing is using very generous US labels and should trust the centimeters instead.
- Apply a cautious “size-up” strategy where charts are thin
If a listing only shows vague S/M/L with one or two measurements, many US shoppers choose the next size up from what a chart suggests, especially for tailored or non-stretch fabrics. For example, if your bust is exactly at the top of a size M range, choosing L can give breathing room.
- Read reviews for real-world fit clues
On DHgate and similar sites, buyers often mention “runs small” or “fits big,” sometimes even sharing height/weight and photos. Use those comments to adjust your pick: if several US-based reviewers your size all say “I wish I’d sized up,” that’s a strong signal.
- Know when to walk away from a listing
Conversion tables reduce risk but can’t fix bad or missing data. If a seller provides no measurements in cm, only vague labels, or obviously inconsistent size info, the safest move is to skip that item altogether and choose one with a clear chart.
Using this workflow, a US buyer on DHgate might start from their known US size, look up the approximate CN equivalent in a conversion table, then fine-tune using the specific seller chart and reviews. The goal isn’t to “translate” a tag perfectly—it’s to match a real body or foot to a realistic centimeter range, then pick the closest Chinese size with a small margin for variation.
By combining a general Chinese size conversion table, seller-specific charts, and a conservative size-up rule where data is fuzzy, US shoppers dramatically improve their odds of getting Chinese clothing and shoes that actually fit on arrival.