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 sizes usually fit smaller than US sizes, so you almost never want to order your usual US M and hope for the best from a Chinese seller. The reliable way is to ignore the letter on the tag, measure your body in centimeters, and match those numbers to each seller’s chart. In practice, that often means choosing a Chinese size 1-2 labels larger than your US size, but only when the measurements in the chart line up with your body.
How Chinese Clothing Sizes Differ From US Sizes
Chinese sizing systems are built around body measurements in centimeters, while many US shoppers are used to vague letters (XS–XL) and vanity-sized numbers. That’s why the same “M” can feel totally different.
Two things matter most:
- Chinese sizes often run smaller. Many guides point out that a Chinese medium frequently lines up with a US extra-small or small, and a Chinese large with a US small or medium. Treat this as a pattern, not a strict rule. Some brands cut slimmer, some looser.
- Numeric labels like 165/80 are measurement-based. On a typical Chinese tag:
- The first number (e.g., 165) is the target wearer’s height in centimeters.
- The second number (e.g., 80) is chest or bust circumference in centimeters.
So a size label 165/80 is roughly “for someone 165 cm tall (about 5’5″) with an 80 cm chest (about 31.5″).” That may be tagged as S or M domestically, but you shouldn’t trust the letter by itself.
Export-focused garments from China sometimes skip the numeric code and just use XS, S, M, L, etc. Even then, those letters usually reflect Chinese-cut measurements, not US retail standards. That’s why the safest habit is: use the size chart, not the tag.
A more detailed breakdown of common Chinese-to-US size relationships is available in this external guide: Chinese Size Chart: US, EU & UK Conversion.
Here’s a simplified editorial rule of thumb for tops and jackets:
| Tag on Chinese garment | Often fits like US | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese S | US XXS–XS | Very slim, short through torso and arms |
| Chinese M | US XS–S | Fitted; may feel tight in shoulders/chest |
| Chinese L | US S–M | Closer to everyday US small/medium |
| Chinese XL | US M–L | Often still slimmer than US XL |
This table is not a guarantee; it’s a sanity check. If a listing’s chart claims a Chinese M has a 110 cm chest, you’re looking at a very different cut.
To anchor the numeric labels, here is a simple example for a common hoodie cut:
| Chinese numeric label | Approx. body height (cm) | Approx. chest (cm) | Typical US letter feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165/84 | 160-165 | 84-88 | Often feels like US XS |
| 170/88 | 165-170 | 88-92 | Often feels like US S |
| 175/92 | 170-175 | 92-96 | Often feels like US M |
| 180/96 | 175-180 | 96-100 | Often feels like US L |
These ranges are approximate and will shift by brand, but they give you a quick sense of how codes like 170/88 often sit around a US small.
Step‑by‑Step: Convert Your Measurements Into the Right Chinese Size
Think of this as a workflow you repeat for every new seller instead of a one-time conversion.
1. Measure your body in centimeters
Use a soft tape and write the numbers down:
- Bust/chest: around the fullest part, tape parallel to the floor
- Waist: narrowest point or where your pants sit
- Hips: fullest part of your seat
- Shoulder width (for tailored tops/jackets): tip-to-tip across the back
- Inseam (for pants): from crotch to ankle along inner leg
- Height: in cm (1 inch ≈ 2.54 cm)
Convert inches to cm: multiply by 2.54. For example, a 36″ chest ≈ 91.4 cm.
2. Find the seller’s size chart – or ask for one
On cross-border marketplaces, each listing often has its own chart. For Chinese clothing this usually shows:
- Size label (S, M, L or 160, 165, 170…)
- Chest/bust in cm
- Length, shoulder, sleeve, waist, hip in cm
If a listing has no measurements in cm, only vague “Asian size, please choose bigger” text, treat that as a red flag. For a higher-value item or a bulk order, message the seller and request the full chart before you buy.
3. Match your measurements to the chart – not your usual US size
Now line your numbers up against the chart:
- Start with the most critical dimension:
- Tops/jackets: chest/bust and shoulder
- Pants/jeans: waist and hip
- Dresses: bust first, then waist/hip depending on the cut
- Look for the size where the garment measurement is 2-6 cm larger than your body measurement in that area. That’s your breathing room.
Worked example (women’s hoodie):
- Your bust: 94 cm (about 37″)
- Seller chart:
- M: bust 90 cm
- L: bust 94 cm
- XL: bust 98 cm
If you pick L, the hoodie is exactly your bust size – likely tight, especially over a T-shirt. XL gives you 4 cm of ease, which usually feels like a relaxed US medium. Here, Chinese XL is probably your best choice.
4. Use “size up” as a check, not a blind rule
When converting Chinese to US sizes, many buyers need to go 1-2 labels up from their usual US size for Chinese-made tops and outerwear. So if you normally wear a US M:
- Expect to land somewhere between Chinese L and XL for fitted items.
- Double-check the chart; only follow the size-up rule if the measurements support it.
For stretchy knits or oversized streetwear, you might only need to go up one label, or even stick close to your usual size. The chart always wins.
5. Test with a single piece before a bigger order
Because different suppliers interpret sizes differently, a small test order is standard practice for resellers and a smart move for regular buyers too:
- Order one item (or one full size run if you’re a reseller) from a new supplier.
- Try it on or fit it on a model/mannequin.
- Compare the real garment measurements with the chart.
If you see big gaps between the advertised and actual numbers, adjust your size picks on future orders or switch sellers entirely.
Using This Conversion Method on DHgate and Other Marketplaces
DHgate, Taobao, AliExpress, and similar platforms depend on individual sellers to supply size charts. That means your process has to be listing-specific, not platform-specific.
Here’s how to apply the steps above when you’re browsing DHgate for clothing:
- Scan the listing layout. Look for a clear table with sizes in one column and measurements (bust, waist, length, etc.) in centimeters. If you only see US size letters with no measurements, you’re relying on guesswork.
- Check for Chinese numeric codes. Some listings include tags like 165/88A in the photos or description. Treat 165 as height and 88 as chest, then see if those numbers match your cm measurements and your height.
- Cross-check photos and reviews. When buyers upload try-on photos and mention their height/weight along with the size they chose, you get an extra reality check. If multiple reviewers say they “sized up two sizes and it fit,” that supports your sizing-up decision; if they say “true to US size,” you know this supplier may have adjusted patterns for export.
- Be pickier for bulk or resale. If you’re buying batches to resell:
- Avoid sellers who only provide vague “Asian sizing” warnings without precise charts.
- Prefer listings where the seller shows both Chinese cm measurements and a suggested US size range, so you can build your own Chinese→US chart for your customers.
- Order samples before committing to a full run; this is a practical way to validate charts.
By treating DHgate and other marketplaces as measurement-first catalogues instead of letter-size stores, you cut the odds of mis-sized orders.
How Resellers Should Present Chinese-to-US Sizes
If you’re importing Chinese clothing to sell to US customers, good size conversion isn’t just nice to have – it’s a return-reduction tool.
Practical steps:
- Build your own conversion chart per supplier. Start from the supplier’s cm chart, order samples, then map each Chinese size to the nearest US label based on how it actually fits. For example, you might decide that for one hoodie line, Chinese XL will be sold as “US M (runs slim).”
- Publish the cm measurements openly. Don’t just say “US M.” Add “best for 96-100 cm chest” on your product page so customers who know their measurements can self-serve.
- Warn about slim or generous cuts. If your test batch shows that a “US M” fits more like a US small, say so directly. A short warning line is cheaper than processing avoidable returns.
Over time, a clear Chinese-to-US size chart becomes an asset you reuse for similar products and a trust signal that you understand how these garments fit.
One simple next step
Before your next Chinese clothing order – on DHgate or anywhere else – grab a tape measure, convert your key body measurements to centimeters, and save them in your phone. Then, for every listing, ignore the size letters and buy only when the cm chart matches your body plus a few centimeters of ease. That habit does more to protect you from mis-sized orders than any generic “Asian size, please order bigger” warning ever will.