Asian Size to US Size: Charts, Chinese Sizes & Taobao Guide (2026)

I’ve returned more Taobao items because of sizing than every other reason combined. And I know why — for my first six months of buying, I treated “L” on Taobao like “L” anywhere else. It is not. A Chinese L is closer to a Western S. A Chinese XL fits like a Western M. By the time I figured this out, I had a drawer full of hoodies that fit like crop tops on a guy who’s 5’11”.

The fix is embarrassingly simple: ignore letter sizes entirely and use centimeter measurements. Every Taobao listing includes a detailed cm size chart. If you can match a few of your own measurements to a chart, you’ll never order the wrong size again. This guide walks through exactly how to do it.

Asian Size to US Size: The Quick Conversion Table

Searching for an Asian size to US size conversion? Here is the honest version first: there is no universal chart — Chinese, Japanese and Korean brands each cut differently, and individual sellers drift from any standard. But as a starting point, Asian sizes typically run one to two sizes smaller than US sizes:

Approximate only — use it to shortlist, then confirm with the seller’s own centimeter chart using the method below. The same logic applies whether you’re converting CN size to US, or shopping any Chinese marketplace — Taobao, 1688 or Weidian.

Why Letter Sizes Don’t Work

Chinese clothing sizes are calibrated to average Asian body measurements, which trend smaller than Western averages. The “Large” label on a Taobao listing was designed for someone with a chest measurement around 100-104 cm. The “Large” label on an American H&M hoodie was designed for someone with a chest of roughly 108-112 cm. Same letter, ~10 cm difference in actual fit.

Now stack on the variability between Taobao sellers. One seller’s “L” might fit like another seller’s “M.” Some streetwear brands run oversized intentionally, adding another 5-10 cm to standard measurements. Without checking actual cm numbers, you’re guessing across two unknown variables (Western vs Chinese baseline + seller-specific variation).

The solution is to skip the letter system entirely and work directly in centimeters.

The 4 Measurements You Need

Grab a soft measuring tape (the cloth kind, not the rigid metal kind) and take these four measurements of yourself or a well-fitting garment you already own:

1. Chest width (胸围 — chest circumference): Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest with your arms relaxed at your sides. Note the cm. For garment-flat measurement, lay your shirt flat and measure from armpit to armpit, then double it.

2. Shoulder width (肩宽): Measure across the back from the outer edge of one shoulder to the outer edge of the other. This is the most overlooked measurement and the one that determines whether a shirt sits correctly.

3. Sleeve length (袖长): From the shoulder seam down the outside of the arm to the wrist.

4. Total length (衣长): From the top of the shoulder (next to the neck) straight down to where you want the garment to end (typically mid-hip for shirts, longer for hoodies and jackets).

Write all four numbers down. These become your “Taobao sizing reference card” — the same numbers work for every order forever. I keep mine as a note on my phone.

How to Match Your Numbers to a Taobao Size Chart

Every Taobao listing includes a size chart, usually displayed as an image at the bottom of the product page. It looks something like this:

Find the row where the chest measurement is 4-8 cm larger than your actual chest (allowing room for movement). That’s the size to order. Cross-check with shoulder width — if the shoulder number on the chart is more than 2 cm wider than your actual shoulder, the shirt will look slouchy. More than 4 cm and it’ll look oversized intentionally. Less than your actual shoulder and it’ll be too tight.

Concrete example: My chest is 100 cm and my shoulders are 47 cm. Looking at the chart above, I’d pick L (108 cm chest = 8 cm of room, 48 cm shoulder = nearly perfect). Even though my Western size is M, I’m ordering L on this Taobao listing because the chest number tells me the truth.

How to Read Chinese Sizes Like 165/88A

Many Chinese listings use the national sizing notation: height/chest + fit letter — for example 165/88A means “fits someone about 165 cm tall with an 88 cm bust/chest, regular fit”. The letters: Y = slim fit, A = regular, B = fuller, C = fullest. So 170/92A is roughly a men’s US S–M for someone 5’7”, and 175/96A a US M–L for 5’9”.

This notation is actually more reliable than letter sizes, because it states real body measurements — if you know your height and chest in centimeters, you can match it directly without any conversion chart.

Chinese Number Sizes: 90, 100, 110, 120 and Up

Many Taobao listings skip letters and print a number instead. There are two different number systems, and mixing them up is the most common sizing mistake.

Adult tops: the number is the chest in centimetres

On adult tops, sizes that step in fives from 90 to 120 describe the chest the garment is made to fit. Sellers often print a letter next to it (100 is frequently labelled L), but the number is the part to trust, because it is an actual measurement. Convert it to inches and compare with US sizing:

Kids’ clothing: the number is the child’s height

Children’s clothing (童装) uses sizes from 73 up to 170 in steps of about ten. Here the number is the child’s height in centimetres.

How to tell which system a listing uses: if the options run 90, 95, 100, 105 on an adult item, it is chest size. If they run 90, 100, 110, 120 on a children’s listing, it is height. When in doubt, open the seller’s centimetre chart — it settles it in seconds.

What about 3XL and 4XL?

Big letter sizes on Chinese labels are rarely big by US standards. A Chinese 3XL usually fits like a US L to XL, and a 4XL like a US XL. If you normally wear a US 2XL, look for a Chinese 5XL or a chest measurement of about 127 cm (50 in).

Western to Chinese Size Conversion Cheat Sheet

If you absolutely must guess without measurements, here’s a rough conversion. Use this only as a starting point — always cross-check with the actual cm chart on each listing.

Notice the pattern: almost always size up by 1-2 letters. A Western M is rarely a Chinese M. This conversion is safer than ordering by letter alone, but cm measurements remain the gold standard.

Sizing for Pants, Shoes, and Special Cases

Pants: Measure your waist and hips in cm, plus inseam length. Pants charts typically show waist (腰围), hips (臀围), and inseam (裤长). Same logic — match the cm numbers, ignore letter sizes.

Shoes: Chinese shoe sizing uses cm or EU sizing. The cm number refers to insole length. Measure your foot from heel to longest toe, add 0.5-1 cm for comfort, that’s your shoe size in cm. Or convert your US size to EU using a standard chart and use that. Always ask the seller (via your agent) to confirm the insole length for the specific shoe — sneaker sizing varies wildly between sellers.

Oversized/streetwear items: Many trendy listings are intentionally oversized. The “L” on an oversized hoodie listing might have a 120 cm chest measurement designed to fit loose on someone with a 100 cm chest. Read the cm chart — the seller’s intent shows in the numbers.

Children’s clothing: Sized by age and height in cm. A “120” label means designed for a child around 120 cm tall. Always check the actual measurements; brands vary.

Why QC Photos Are Your Sizing Safety Net

Even with perfect measurements, sometimes a Taobao listing’s actual product doesn’t match its stated size chart. This happens because some sellers reuse generic charts that don’t reflect the specific item.

This is where QC photos through a Taobao agent save you. When your item arrives at the agent’s warehouse, you can request a measurement check. Through Fishgoo, you can leave order notes asking the warehouse team to measure the chest width or insole length and include it in your QC photos. If the actual measurement doesn’t match what was promised, return it within China for free — much cheaper than discovering the problem after international shipping.

This is one of the underrated benefits of using an agent: physical verification of measurements before commitment. Direct international shipping (AliExpress, Shein, Temu) gives you no such option. You order, you wait, you hope.

→ QC photos: what to check

FAQ

Is Asian size the same as US size?

No. Asian sizes typically run one to two sizes smaller than US sizes — a US M usually maps to an Asian XL. Cuts also tend to be slimmer in the shoulders and sleeves. Always confirm against the seller’s centimeter measurements rather than the letter on the tag.

What does 165/88A mean on Chinese clothing?

It’s the Chinese national sizing notation: height 165 cm, bust/chest 88 cm, A = regular fit (Y is slim, B fuller, C fullest). It’s the most reliable sizing information on a listing because it describes real body measurements.

How do I know my Taobao size?

Measure yourself in centimeters (chest, shoulder, sleeve, length) and match to each seller’s cm size chart. Don’t rely on letter sizes — Chinese L often fits like Western S.

Are Taobao sizes accurate?

The cm measurements are usually accurate to within 1-2 cm. Letter sizes are inconsistent across sellers. Always trust the numbers over the letters.

What if I’m between sizes?

Size up. A slightly loose shirt is more wearable than a tight one, and Chinese sizing tends to run small.

How do I verify sizing before shipping internationally?

Through a Taobao agent with QC photos. Request the warehouse measure the item flat and confirm dimensions match the listing. If it’s wrong, return it within China for free.

Which agent is best for handling sizing issues?

Fishgoo — 5 free QC photos per item, free domestic returns, English customer support for measurement requests.

→ Best Taobao Agent 2026

→ Verify sizing with Fishgoo’s QC photos before shipping

→ Complete Taobao Agent Guide

→ Best Taobao Agent 2026

→ How to Buy from Taobao

→ QC Photos Guide

→ Best Things to Buy on Taobao