Underwear Size Chart
Underwear is one of the most returned items bought online — and in many places it can’t be returned at all once opened, so getting the size right first time matters. This calculator uses your waist (and hips, for women’s sizes) to find your size in letter, numeric and European systems, and the charts below explain how different styles fit.
- Free to use
- No sign-up
- Runs in your browser
Underwear size calculator
Underwear Size Chart Pack
Printable men’s and women’s underwear size charts in inches and centimetres, a wallet-size measurement card and a style fit guide.
- Women’s chart (PDF/XLSX)
- Men’s chart (PDF/XLSX)
- Measurement card (PDF)
Formats: PDF, XLSX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out before publishing.
$5.00 USD, one-time 3 files · about $1.67 each
- Instant download
- 7-day refund
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7-day money-back guarantee. Full refund within 7 days of purchase, even after you download.
Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
Free printables
Single sheets you can print right now, no sign-up. The full pack adds every sheet in one download plus the editable files.
Women’s underwear size chart
| Letter | Numeric | Waist (in) | Hips (in) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 4 | 23–24 | 33–34 | 58–61 | 84–86 |
| S | 5 | 25–26 | 35–36 | 64–66 | 89–91 |
| M | 6 | 27–28 | 37–38 | 69–71 | 94–97 |
| L | 7 | 29–30 | 39–40 | 74–76 | 99–102 |
| XL | 8 | 31–32 | 41–42 | 79–81 | 104–107 |
| 2XL | 9 | 33–34 | 43–44 | 84–86 | 109–112 |
| 3XL | 10 | 35–36 | 45–46 | 89–91 | 114–117 |
| 4XL | 11 | 37–39 | 47–49 | 94–99 | 119–124 |
| 5XL | 12 | 40–42 | 50–52 | 102–107 | 127–132 |
Numeric women’s underwear sizes (5, 6, 7, 8…) are used by many US brands and are different from dress sizes: a size 6 in underwear is roughly a medium, which fits a US dress size of about 6–8. Always compare measurements rather than numbers.
Men’s underwear size chart
| Letter | European (German) | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) | Trouser waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 4 | 28–30 | 71–76 | 28–30 |
| M | 5 | 32–34 | 81–86 | 32–34 |
| L | 6 | 36–38 | 91–97 | 36–38 |
| XL | 7 | 40–42 | 102–107 | 40–42 |
| 2XL | 8 | 44–46 | 112–117 | 44–46 |
| 3XL | 9 | 48–50 | 122–127 | 48–50 |
| 4XL | 10 | 52–54 | 132–137 | 52–54 |
Men’s underwear is sized mainly by waist. Your trouser waist size is a reasonable starting point, but measure your actual waist — trouser labels often run small due to vanity sizing. European numeric sizes (4, 5, 6…) are common in German brands; other European brands may use different numbers.
How to measure
- Waist: measure around where the waistband of your underwear sits — often slightly below the natural waist for low-rise styles. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
- Hips: stand with feet together and measure around the fullest part of your hips and bottom.
- Measure over bare skin or thin underwear, not clothes.
- Stand relaxed and breathe out normally.
- If you are between sizes, see the style tips below before choosing.
Fit by style — women’s
| Style | Coverage | Fit notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brief / full brief | Full | Sits at or near the natural waist; forgiving fit |
| Hipster | Medium | Sits on the hips; size by hip measurement |
| Bikini | Medium-low | Sits below the waist; higher leg cut |
| Boyshort | Full seat, short leg | Leg openings should not dig in; size up if between sizes |
| Thong | Minimal | Waistband fit matters most |
| High-waist / shapewear | Full to waist | Often sized smaller for compression — follow the brand chart |
| Period underwear | Varies | Absorbent gusset must sit flat; don’t size down |
Fit by style — men’s
| Style | Fit notes |
|---|---|
| Brief | Close fit with no leg; size by waist |
| Trunk | Short leg; a snug fit prevents riding up |
| Boxer brief | Longer leg; if thighs are muscular and you are between sizes, size up |
| Woven boxer | Loose fit; many men size up for comfort |
| Athletic / performance | Moisture-wicking fabrics; snug fit for support |
Fabrics change the fit: cotton-elastane blends stretch and recover; 100% cotton shrinks slightly and has less stretch; microfibre and modal feel smoother and drape more.
Worked example
A woman measures a 29-inch waist and 39-inch hips. On the chart, the waist falls in L (29–30) and the hips in L (39–40), so she chooses L — size 7 in US numeric sizing. Another shopper measures 27 inches at the waist but 40 inches at the hips: waist says M, hips say L. The calculator recommends L, since a waistband can stretch a little but a too-small seat and leg openings will ride up — or a high-rise brief in M if she prefers a snug waist.
When underwear doesn’t fit
- Waistband rolls down: too small at the hips, or the rise is too low.
- Digging leg openings: size up or choose a different cut.
- Bunching or sagging fabric: size down.
- Riding up: common with boyshorts and trunks that are too loose or too small — try the other size.
- Visible lines under clothes: try seamless or laser-cut edges in your correct size rather than sizing up.
Sizes around the world
| Region | Women’s | Men’s |
|---|---|---|
| US | Letter (S–3XL) or numeric 4–12 | Letter by waist |
| UK | Often dress sizes 8–24 | Letter or waist in inches |
| Germany / Central Europe | Numeric 36–52 (like dress sizes) | Numeric 4–10 |
| France / Italy | Numeric T1–T6 or 1–6 in some brands | Numeric or letter |
| Asia | Letter sizes often run one size smaller than US | Letter sizes often run small |
When shopping internationally, convert from your measurements in centimetres rather than from a size label; Asian brands in particular often run smaller, so check their charts carefully.
Buying underwear online
- Read the brand’s size chart and any “fits small” or “true to size” notes from the brand.
- Check the fabric: stretch blends are more forgiving between sizes.
- Look at the rise (low, mid, high) — it changes where the waistband sits and which measurement matters.
- Check the returns policy; opened underwear often can’t be returned for hygiene reasons.
- Buy one pair first when trying a new brand.
Care and replacement
Washing underwear in warm water and drying on low heat helps elastic last longer; high heat breaks down elastane. Many people replace everyday underwear every six to twelve months, or when the elastic loses its stretch.
Privacy
Your measurements are used only in your browser to show the size and are never sent or stored.
Frequently asked questions
What size underwear is a 30 inch waist for women?
Usually a large (size 7) if hips are around 39–40 inches.
What is a size 6 in women’s underwear?
Typically a medium: about 27–28 inch waist and 37–38 inch hips.
What size underwear is a 34 waist for men?
Usually a medium (European size 5).
Should I size up or down in underwear?
Choose by your larger measurement; size up for looser styles like woven boxers.
Are underwear and dress sizes the same?
No. Numeric underwear sizes use a different scale from dress sizes.
Are my measurements saved?
No. They stay in your browser.