Men's Suit Size Chart: 36 to 50 with Drop, Length, and EU Conversions
A 40R is a 40-inch chest in regular length, with a 34 trouser at standard 6-drop. That's the suit-sizing system in one sentence. Here's the full chart from 36 to 50, the drop variations, and the international conversions.
Quick answers
- What does 40R mean?
- 40" chest, regular length
- What is the drop?
- Chest minus trouser waist (usually 6)
- 40R trouser waist
- ≈ 34" (6-drop)
- S / R / L length
- Short <5'8", Reg 5'8"–6'1", Long >6'1"
- US 40 in EU
- ≈ EU 50
- How to find suit size
- Measure chest at fullest point
Men's suit sizing is more codified than most clothing categories. The number is your chest size in inches. The letter (S/R/L) is your jacket length. The drop is the chest-to-waist relationship. Three numbers, three decisions, and the suit fits.
What confuses people: brands cut the same nominal size (e.g., 40R) with different drops, so a Brooks Brothers 40R and a Suit Supply 40R have different trouser sizes inside. Here's the full reference.
Standard US Men's Suit Size Chart (6-Drop)
Most US off-the-rack suits use 6-drop sizing. The trouser waist is 6 inches smaller than the jacket chest.
| Suit size | Chest | Waist (6-drop) | Jacket length (R) | Sleeve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36R | 36" | 30" | 30" | 24" |
| 38R | 38" | 32" | 30.5" | 24.5" |
| 40R | 40" | 34" | 31" | 25" |
| 42R | 42" | 36" | 31.5" | 25.5" |
| 44R | 44" | 38" | 32" | 26" |
| 46R | 46" | 40" | 32.5" | 26.5" |
| 48R | 48" | 42" | 33" | 27" |
| 50R | 50" | 44" | 33.5" | 27.5" |
Length Letters: S, R, L, XL
| Letter | Means | Best for height | Jacket length adj |
|---|---|---|---|
| S (Short) | Shorter jacket length | 5'5"–5'8" | −1.5" from regular |
| R (Regular) | Standard length | 5'8"–6'1" | Standard |
| L (Long) | Longer jacket length | 6'1"–6'4" | +1.5" from regular |
| XL (Extra Long) | Extra-long length | 6'4"+ | +3" from regular |
So a 40S has a 40-inch chest and shorter overall jacket length compared to 40R. A 40L has the same chest but +1.5\" of jacket length and sleeve.
Drop Variations
| Drop | Cut style | Trouser at 40 chest | Best for build |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-drop | Portly / Big & Tall | 37" trouser | Fuller mid-section |
| 4-drop | American classic | 36" trouser | Average/fuller waist |
| 5-drop | American mid | 35" trouser | Average build |
| 6-drop | US standard | 34" trouser | Athletic build (most common) |
| 7-drop | Italian / European slim | 33" trouser | Lean-athletic |
| 8-drop | Italian slim / athletic | 32" trouser | V-shaped athletic |
For more on drop see our drop decoder guide.
International Conversions
| US / UK | EU / IT / FR | Chest |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 46 | 36" / 91 cm |
| 38 | 48 | 38" / 96 cm |
| 40 | 50 | 40" / 102 cm |
| 42 | 52 | 42" / 107 cm |
| 44 | 54 | 44" / 112 cm |
| 46 | 56 | 46" / 117 cm |
| 48 | 58 | 48" / 122 cm |
| 50 | 60 | 50" / 127 cm |
EU = US + 10. UK uses the same numbers as US. JP roughly tracks chest in cm with a different label ("100A" for ~40 chest).
How to Find Your Suit Size
- Measure your chest. Around the fullest part, under the arms, parallel to floor. See our chest measurement guide.
- Find your length letter. 5'5"–5'8" = S. 5'8"–6'1" = R. 6'1"–6'4" = L.
- Find your drop. Measure waist; subtract from chest. The result picks the brand whose drop matches yours within 1–2 inches. See how drop works.
- Check sleeve length. Most off-the-rack jackets have 1.5–2" of let-down room in the sleeve. If sleeves on the listed size run too long, alterations are easy; too short = harder.
Brand Calibration Notes
Brooks Brothers, Jos. A. Bank, traditional US
J.Crew, Banana Republic, Bonobos
Suit Supply, Ralph Lauren Polo, Hugo Boss
Italian (Brioni, Canali, Boglioli, Isaia)
Indochino, Black Lapel, Suitsupply MTM
Common Mistakes
Buying by jacket size alone
A 40R has a 34 trouser at 6-drop, 36 trouser at 4-drop, 32 trouser at 8-drop. Always check the actual trouser waist.
Wearing the same size as your shirt
Shirt size = chest only. Suit size = chest plus length plus drop. A man in a 40 shirt may need a 38R, 40R, or 42L suit depending on chest and height.
Trusting an online photo
Models in suit photos are pinned at the back. The visible front fit isn't what shows up in your mirror at home. Buy by chart, expect alterations.
Skipping the shoulder check
Shoulder fit can't be altered cheaply. If the shoulder seam falls down your upper arm, the suit is too big — even if the rest fits.
FAQs
How do men's suit sizes work?
Number = chest in inches. Letter = jacket length (S/R/L). Drop = chest-to-waist difference.
What is suit drop?
Difference between chest and waist on the suit. US standard 6-drop; European slim 7–8; classic American 4.
What's the difference between 40S, 40R, 40L?
All 40 chest. S = short jacket (5'5–5'8). R = standard (5'8–6'1). L = long (6'1+).
What size suit if my chest is 42 inches?
A 42 chest. S/R/L by height. Trouser depends on drop.
How do US suit sizes convert to EU?
US + 10. US 40 = EU 50.
Should I size up or down?
Buy true chest size. Waist alters easily; shoulders don't.
Three Numbers, Right Suit
Chest, length letter, drop. For builds that fall outside the standard 6-drop, look for brands that explicitly cut 4-drop (Brooks Brothers Classic, Jos. A. Bank Traditional) or 8-drop (Italian, Suit Supply slim). For builds outside 4–8 drop, made-to-measure is the path.
For deeper drop math see what does drop mean on men's suits; for shirt sizing under the suit, our men's shirt size chart.
Selling suits on Shopify? Show drop in the size chart.
Tailor Size Guide adds chest, drop, and length to every suit listing — so customers find the suit whose trouser actually pairs with their jacket size.