Size charts April 25, 2026 9 min read

Women's Dress Size Chart (US, UK, EU, AU) — Complete Guide

The chart that decodes US, UK, EU, AU sizing — plus the size adjustments specific to wedding gowns, bridesmaid dresses, petite and tall cuts, and a body-type fit guide.

A US size 8 dress at one brand fits a 36-inch bust. A size 8 at a luxury brand fits a 34-inch bust. A bridesmaid dress in "size 8" fits a 33-inch bust because bridal sizing runs two sizes smaller than ready-to-wear.

Dress sizing is a chaos of brand calibration, country systems, and category-specific quirks. Wedding dresses, cocktail dresses, formal gowns, and everyday dresses all follow different rules even when the label says the same number.

This guide gives you the complete women's dress size chart with US, UK, EU, and AU conversions, plus the size adjustments specific to wedding gowns (size up 1 to 2), bridesmaid dresses (size up 1), petite cuts (5'4" and under), and tall cuts (5'9" and above). Includes a body-type fit guide for picking dresses that flatter without alterations.

How Women's Dress Sizes Work

Three measurements determine women's dress size.

Bust

Around the fullest part of the chest, with a properly fitted bra. Determines primary size.

Waist

Narrowest part of the torso, usually 1 inch above the belly button. Determines fit through the midsection.

Hips

Fullest part of the lower body. Determines fit through the skirt or lower portion of the dress.

For fitted and tailored dresses, all three matter. For shift, A-line, and loose dresses, bust dominates and waist matters less.

Women's Dress Size Chart

US	UK	EU	AU	Bust	Waist	Hips
00	4	32	4	31–32" / 79–81 cm	23–24" / 58–61 cm	33–34" / 84–86 cm
0	6	34	6	32–33" / 81–84 cm	24–25" / 61–64 cm	34–35" / 86–89 cm
2	8	36	8	33–34" / 84–86 cm	25–26" / 64–66 cm	35–36" / 89–91 cm
4	10	38	10	34–35" / 86–89 cm	26–27" / 66–69 cm	36–37" / 91–94 cm
6	12	40	12	35–36" / 89–91 cm	27–28" / 69–71 cm	37–38" / 94–97 cm
8	14	42	14	36–37" / 91–94 cm	28–29" / 71–74 cm	38–39" / 97–99 cm
10	16	44	16	37–39" / 94–99 cm	29–31" / 74–79 cm	39–41" / 99–104 cm
12	18	46	18	39–41" / 99–104 cm	31–33" / 79–84 cm	41–43" / 104–109 cm
14	20	48	20	41–43" / 104–109 cm	33–35" / 84–89 cm	43–45" / 109–114 cm
16	22	50	22	43–45" / 109–114 cm	35–37" / 89–94 cm	45–47" / 114–119 cm
18	24	52	24	45–47" / 114–119 cm	37–39" / 94–99 cm	47–49" / 119–124 cm
20	26	54	26	47–49" / 119–124 cm	39–41" / 99–104 cm	49–51" / 124–130 cm

UK and AU run identical. EU is generally 30+ from US. Asian sizing (Japan, South Korea, China) runs 1 to 2 sizes smaller than US — an Asian L often fits a US 4 to 6.

How to Use the Chart

Measure your bust, waist, and hips

See the linked measurement guides at the bottom of this post.

Find the row where all three measurements fall

Read across all three columns.

If the rows disagree, go by the largest

Tailor down at the smaller dimensions.

Fitted vs loose: different priorities

For fitted dresses, hips often determine the size because a too-tight skirt is unwearable. For loose and A-line cuts, bust dominates.

Wedding Dress Sizing: The 1 to 2 Size Jump

Wedding dresses run 1 to 2 sizes smaller than your ready-to-wear size.

A woman who wears US 8 in everyday dresses typically wears US 10 to 12 in wedding gowns. This is true across most bridal brands.

Why the difference exists: bridal sizing follows a 1950s sizing standard that has not been updated, while ready-to-wear has been vanity-sized smaller every decade. The result is that bridal feels two sizes too tight if you order your "regular" size.

How to handle it

Take your bust, waist, and hip measurements.
Compare to the bridal designer's specific size chart, not a general dress chart.
Order at the size that matches your largest measurement.
Plan for alterations regardless. Most wedding dresses are altered 1 to 3 sizes during the fitting process.

Allow 8 to 12 weeks for alterations

Order the dress 9 to 12 months before the wedding to leave room for fitting.

Bridesmaid Dress Sizing

Bridesmaid dresses run smaller than ready-to-wear, similar to wedding gowns but less dramatically.

Most bridesmaid lines use the same chart as bridal, which means a US 8 ready-to-wear customer often wears a US 10 in bridesmaid sizes.

Order based on the brand's specific bridesmaid size chart, not the general women's chart. Order 4 to 6 months before the wedding to leave time for alterations.

Cocktail and Formal Dress Sizing

Most cocktail dresses follow the standard women's dress chart. The exception is European designer cocktail brands, which often run 1 size smaller than American brands at the same numerical label.

Formal gowns vary widely by brand. Always check the brand-specific size chart. Common patterns:

American mass-market formal (Macy's, BCBG, Adrianna Papell)

Match the standard chart.

European luxury (Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Roberto Cavalli)

Run 1 size smaller. Order up.

American luxury (Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta)

Match the standard chart or slightly small.

Made-to-measure formal

No sizing. Tailored to your exact measurements.

Petite Sizing (5'4" and Under)

Petite cuts are designed for women 5'4" (162 cm) and shorter. The proportions adjust:

Shoulder seams positioned higher.
Bust apex moved up by 1 to 2 inches.
Waist positioned higher.
Sleeves shortened by 1 to 2 inches.
Skirt length shortened by 2 to 4 inches.
Overall dress length reduced by 2 to 4 inches.

Petite size 8 = regular size 8 + better proportions

A petite size 8 has the same bust, waist, and hip as a regular size 8. The difference is where those measurements sit on the body.

If you are 5'4" or under, petite cuts fit better off-the-rack. If you order regular sizing, expect to alter the shoulder, sleeve, waist position, and length, which is expensive.

Petite sizing is usually labeled with a "P" suffix: 8P, 10P, 12P.

Tall Sizing (5'9" and Above)

Tall cuts are designed for women 5'9" (175 cm) and above. Proportions adjust in the opposite direction from petite:

Sleeves lengthened by 1 to 2 inches.
Skirt length extended by 2 to 4 inches.
Bust apex positioned lower.
Overall dress length increased by 2 to 4 inches.

A tall size 8 has the same bust, waist, and hip as a regular size 8. The difference is the placement and length.

If you are 5'9" or taller, tall cuts (often labeled with a "T" suffix or sold under separate tall lines) fit better. Brands like Long Tall Sally, Banana Republic Tall, and ASOS Tall specialize in tall sizing.

If you order regular sizing as a tall woman, expect mid-calf dresses to hit above the knee, sleeves to ride up, and the bust apex to land in the wrong place.

Plus Size Dress Sizing

Plus size dress sizing typically starts at US 14W, 16W, 18W, 20W, 22W, 24W, 26W, 28W, 30W, 32W. The "W" suffix indicates plus-size cut, not standard.

Plus-size cuts are not just larger versions of straight sizes. The proportions shift to better fit fuller curves:

Wider shoulders relative to bust.
Different bust-to-waist ratio (less dramatic difference).
Wider hips relative to waist.

A plus-size 18W fits a different body than a straight-size 18 even at the same bust, waist, and hip numbers. The cut is different.

Many brands now publish "extended sizing" that goes from 0 to 26 in straight sizes, which is different from W-suffix plus sizing. Read the brand's own size guide carefully.

Body Type Fit Guide

Five body types, each with a dress sizing rule.

Hourglass (defined waist, similar bust and hip)

Order by bust. Fitted and tailored dresses work without major alterations. Wrap dresses, sheath dresses, fit-and-flare all suit this shape.

Pear (smaller bust, larger hips)

Order by hips. Dresses with structure on top (fitted bodice, defined shoulder) and flow at the bottom (A-line, fit-and-flare) balance the body. Avoid bodycon dresses that emphasize hip-to-waist ratio without structure.

Apple (broader midsection, narrower hips)

Order by bust or whichever is larger between bust and waist. Empire-waist dresses, V-necks, and dresses that skim instead of cinch the waist work best. Avoid bodycon and tight wrap dresses.

Rectangle (similar bust, waist, hip)

Order by bust. Dresses with belts, ruching, peplum, or fit-and-flare cuts create the appearance of waist definition. Boxy and shift dresses work as intentional silhouettes.

Inverted triangle (broad shoulders, narrower hips)

Order by bust. Dresses with fuller skirts (A-line, fit-and-flare) balance the upper body. Avoid heavy shoulder details, halters, and structured shoulders. V-necks and scoop necks soften the upper body.

Five Mistakes That Wreck Dress Sizing

Buying by your "old size" or your friend's size

Sizing varies between brands and decades. Always re-measure for each purchase.

Skipping bust measurement

Bust is the primary fit point for dresses. Skipping it means relying on guesses for the most important fit dimension.

Treating wedding and bridesmaid dresses like regular dresses

Bridal sizing is 1 to 2 sizes smaller. Order based on the bridal-specific chart.

Ignoring length and proportion

A size 8 dress may fit at the bust but be wrong in length if you are petite or tall. Use petite or tall lines.

Trusting fit photos on models

Models are 5'9" to 6'0" and wear sample sizes. Photos predict style, not fit on your body.

When to Size Up vs. Size Down

Fitted and bodycon dresses: match the chart. Too small is unwearable, too big looks sloppy.
A-line, shift, and loose dresses: match the chart. Loose cuts forgive both ways.
Wedding and bridesmaid dresses: size up by 1 to 2 from your ready-to-wear size.
Maxi dresses: match the chart. Verify length matches your height (petite or tall as needed).
Bodysuits and tight cocktail dresses: size up if between two sizes.
Sheath dresses for work: match the chart precisely. Tailoring fixes minor issues.

FAQs

Why do bridal sizes run smaller than regular dress sizes?

Bridal sizing is based on a 1950s sizing standard that hasn't been updated. Ready-to-wear has been vanity-sized smaller every decade. The result is a 1 to 2 size gap.

Can I order a wedding dress in my regular size and tailor down?

You can, but it costs more. Most bridal alterations involve taking the dress in by 1 to 2 sizes anyway. Order according to the bridal chart, not your regular size.

Should I size up if I am between two sizes?

For fitted dresses, yes. A loose dress can be tailored. A tight dress cannot be made larger without rebuilding.

My measurements span three different sizes (bust, waist, hip). What do I do?

Order the largest of the three sizes and tailor down at the smaller dimensions. This is normal for many body types and is what tailors are paid to handle.

Is petite sizing the same as small sizing?

No. Petite is about height and proportion (5'4" and under). Small is about size. A 5'4" woman with a 38-inch bust wears petite XL or 14P, not regular S.

How much smaller do wedding dresses run vs ready-to-wear?

Wedding dresses run 1 to 2 sizes smaller than your ready-to-wear size. A woman who wears US 8 in everyday dresses typically wears US 10 to 12 in wedding gowns. Bridesmaid dresses follow a similar pattern but less dramatically.

Save Your Numbers Once

Five numbers and one note are all you need to shop dresses online from any brand in any country.

Bust circumference (inches and cm)
Waist circumference (inches and cm)
Hip circumference (inches and cm)
Height (inches and cm) — determines petite, regular, or tall
Body type — hourglass, pear, apple, rectangle, or inverted triangle
Note: bridal and bridesmaid orders sized 1 to 2 up

Match against the brand's specific chart, factor the petite/tall/bridal adjustments, and the next dress you buy lands at your front door fitting like it was made for your body. Stores running Tailor Size Guide let shoppers save these numbers and reuse them across every dress.

Need help measuring? See how to measure your bust, how to measure your waist, and how to measure your hips.

Selling dresses, gowns, or formalwear on Shopify?

Sizing returns destroy margin in dress categories more than any other apparel. Tailor Size Guide adds smart size charts, body-type fit recommendations, and custom measurement forms to your product pages so customers pick the right size and the right cut on the first try.

Install the Shopify app Read the docs