What Size Is XL in Numbers?
Letter sizes and numeric sizes describe the same body — here's how XL (and its neighbours) translate.
Women's XL ≈ US 16–18 (EU 48–50). Men's XL ≈ 44–46 in chest (EU 56–58). Each letter covers a small range of numbers, not a single value.
A letter size like XL isn't one number — it's a band of measurements that a brand groups under one label. European sizing (standardised loosely under EN 13402) ties the letter to body measurements in centimetres, which is why the numeric equivalent is always a range. The reliable move is to measure your bust/chest, waist and hip and match those to the specific brand's chart.
Women's: letter to number
| Letter | US | EU |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 0–2 | 32–34 |
| S | 4–6 | 36–38 |
| M | 8–10 | 40–42 |
| L | 12–14 | 44–46 |
| XL | 16–18 | 48–50 |
| XXL | 20–22 | 52–54 |
Men's tops: letter to chest
| Letter | Chest (in) | EU |
|---|---|---|
| S | 35–37 | 44–46 |
| M | 38–40 | 48–50 |
| L | 41–43 | 52–54 |
| XL | 44–46 | 56–58 |
| XXL | 47–49 | 60–62 |
Approximate. Brands set their own cut-offs — one label's XL can be another's L or XXL.
FAQ
What size is XL in numbers?
For women, XL is roughly a US 16–18 (EU 48–50). For men's tops, XL is about a 44–46 inch chest (EU 56–58). Letter sizes map to a small range of numbers, not a single one.
What number is L (Large)?
Women's L is about a US 12–14 (EU 44–46); men's L is roughly a 41–43 inch chest (EU 52–54).
Why don't letters convert to one exact number?
Letter sizes (S–XXL) each cover a band of body measurements, while numeric sizes are finer steps. Brands also set their own cut-offs, so XL from one label can equal L or XXL from another. Measure your body and compare to the brand's chart.
Is XL the same for men and women?
No. The letter is the same but the underlying measurements differ — men's sizing is built around chest/waist, women's around bust/waist/hip. Always use the chart for the right gender.
Letter-to-number mapping follows common apparel conventions (EN 13402 for EU). General reference; always check the brand's own size chart.