Underwear size chart : How do I know my underwear size?
This post was last updated on March 8th, 2023 at 08:07 pm
The best way to know your underwear size is to measure your waistline. A flexible tape measure is all you require! To show off your natural waistline crease, bend your body to the sides. Where you usually wear your pants, wrap the measuring tape around your waist. This measurement in inches will determine your underwear size. The Underwear Size Chart is the start for men and women looking for comfortably fitting underwear.
Jump immediately to the frequently asked questions about underwear size on this page
How can I be sure my underwear fits me?
Underwear shouldn’t generally be overly tight or loose. The ideal fit falls in the middle and is neither loose nor tight on your body. While wearing your underwear under clothing, you should be able to move around freely and comfortably. A set of underwear allows for comfort and mobility while providing the coverage and support you need.
Table of content
- How do I know my underwear has the correct size?
- How do I know my underwear is too small?
- Women’s underwear size guide
- Women’s Underwear plus Size Chart
- Underwear sizing : how to avoid wearing wrong size underwear (video)
- Understanding bra sizing
- Underwear Size chart extra: Bikini Size Chart
- How do I convert men’s underwear sizes to women’s sizes?
- Men’s underwear size chart
- Children’s underwear size guide for boys and girls
- How to measure my Underwear size?
- FAQ
How do I know my underwear is too small?
Your underwear is too small and must be changed when:
- you feel constrained by them.
- If removing your underwear leaves marks on your skin
- if it’s causing the skin on your hips to sag.
- If you see clear marks through your clothing
What does size of Underwear mean exactly ?
Size of Underwear is usually described as the measurements of items of clothing worn beneath outer clothes, mostly in direct contact with the skin, meaning it’s a term that groups Bras, Pants (or panties/knickers) worn by women today, while men wear tees, tanktops, singlets, briefs, trunks, boxer shorts or boxer briefs. As underwear should feel comfortable, an underwear size chart will help you find the correct size for the type of underwear you want.
Typical synonyms for underwear are undies, undergarments, where women’s underwear often is referred to as Lingerie or Intimates.
Underwear Size chart for Women’s Pants
The underwear size guide below shows the hip measurement conversion into pant size. The hip measurement is shown in inches and centimeters.
| Underwear Size | Hips | Pant Size |
| 4 XS (Extra Small) | 34 – 35″ 86 – 89 cm | 2 – 4 |
| 5 S (Small) | 36 – 37″ | 4 – 6 |
| 6 M (Medium) | 38 – 39″ | 8 – 10 |
| 7 L (Large) | 40 – 41″ | 12 – 14 |
| 8 XL (Extra Large) | 42 – 43″ | 14 – 16 |
| 9 2XL or XXL | 44 – 45″ | 16 – 18 |
| 10 3XL or XXXL | 46 – 47″ | 18 – 20 |
What size underwear for size 16 pants?
A size 16 pants would require XL to XXL large underwear
Women’s Panties Underwear plus Size Chart
The below handy underwear size chart converts plus sizes into a plus size dress
| Size | Hips | Dress |
| 9 | 45 – 46.5 | 14W/16W |
| 10 | 47 – 48.5 | 18W/20W |
| 11 | 49 – 51.5 | 22W/24W |
| 12 | 52 – 55.5 | 26W/28W |
| 13 | 56 – 59.5 | 30W – 32W |
| 14 | 60 – 63.5 | 34W – 36W |
Underwear sizing : how to avoid wearing wrong size underwear (video)
Bra size
The two major aspects of bra size are the band size and the cup size. Find below a summary which gives you an idea about how the sizing of bras work, but we advise to check out the dedicated Bra Size Charts here
Band size (frame size)
The band size is the size of the bra band around the torso. However, band sizes come in different measurements in different countries, such as small, medium, and large, equate to different measurements. Refer to the table below for some size measurements, though some variation from the published measurements is possible.
| Band Size | FR/BE/ES | EU (Standard EN 13402) | US and UK | AU, NZ |
| XXS | 75 | 60 | 28 | 6 |
| XS | 80 | 65 | 30 | 8 |
| S | 85 | 70 | 32 | 10 |
| M | 90 | 75 | 34 | 12 |
| L | 95 | 80 | 36 | 14 |
| XL | 100 | 85 | 38 | 16 |
| XXL | 105 | 90 | 40 | 18 |
| 3XL | 110 | 95 | 42 | 20 |
| 4XL | 115 | 100 | 44 | 22 |
| 5XL | 120 | 105 | 46 | 24 |
Cup size
The cup size can be calculated using the difference between bust and band sizes. Refer to the table below.
| Bust/band difference in inches | US cup size | UK/AU cup size |
| <1 | AA | AA |
| 1 | A | A |
| 2 | B | B |
| 3 | C | C |
| 4 | D | D |
| 5 | E or DD | DD |
| 6 | F or DDD | E |
| 7 | G or DDDD | F |
| 8 | H | FF |
| 9 | I | G |
| 10 | J | GG |
| 11 | K | H |
| 12 | L | HH |
| 13 | M | J |
| 14 | N | JJ |
| Bust/band difference in cm | Continental Europe cup size |
| 10-11 | AA |
| 12-13 | A |
| 14-15 | B |
| 16-17 | C |
| 18-19 | D |
| 20-21 | E |
| 22-23 | F |
| 24-25 | G |
| 26-27 | H |
| 28-29 | I |
| 30-31 | J |
| 32-33 | K |
Related Underwear size guide articles
- Bra plus size chart
- Bra size for breast implants – a full guide to getting your new bra size
- Bralette size Chart And Sizing Guide
- Brami Size chart and fitting guide for all sizes
- Breast size chart for all boob sizes : What is a normal breast size?
- Breastfeeding Bra Size Chart – find your nursing bra size
- Fantasie Size Charts
- Freya Size Charts
- Gucci Bra size charts and fitting guide
- International Bra size chart and sister sizes chart
- My Daughters’ first bra
- Pepper Bra Size Charts
- Plus Size Charts And Styling Guide
- Push-up Bras Size Chart for Every Woman of Any Size
Related: Kids Socks Size Chart by age: What are sock sizes for boys & girls , Sock Size Chart – The full sock fitting guide for men, women and kids
Underwear Size chart extra: Bikini Size Chart
As swimwear or summer wear is not 100% the same as underwear, the size charts are added here, but you can dig deeper into the bikini size charts here. It might be you need to choose a larger size than your regular underwear size.
Bikini Top
Sizing of bikini tops generally follows the same system observed in bra sizes. Size labels combine numbers and letters corresponding to a particular cup size and underbust measurement. For example, you’re probably familiar with bra sizes like 32B and 36C.
Related: Bikini size Chart And Sizing Guide
Bikini Bottom
On the other hand, Bikini bottom sizes are typically labeled the same as standard or classic clothing sizes. Sizes are usually numerical and are based on measuring waist and/or hip circumferences. For example, a size 4 or 6 is usually for petite women, while sizes 18 and 20 are for those with a curvier size waist. However, there are swimwear brands that use the best-known international sizing system (e.g., Small, Medium, Large, etc.) to classify their bikini bottom sizes
How to convert men’s underwear sizes to women’s sizes?
There’s no real rule to convert the correct size between female and male underwear. Start with your natural waist measurement and some common sense. The below table converts men’s underwear sizes to women’s sizes, including waist sizes in both inches and centimeters:
| Men’s Underwear size | Women’s Underwear Size | Waist Size Inches | Waist Size Cm |
| S | M | 28-30 | 71-76 |
| M | L | 32-34 | 81-86 |
| L | XL | 36-38 | 91-96 |
| XL | XXL | 40-42 | 101-106 |
| XXL | XXXL | 44-46 | 111-116 |
Note that these male to female underwear size conversions are approximate and may vary depending on the brand and style of underwear.
Underwear Sizing chart for Men’s Pants
Men’s Underwear sizing is a bit more easy. Find the correct waist size and convert it into alfa sizes. It’s built on standard adult sizes and normal size hips.
| Size | Waist (inches) |
|---|---|
| S | 28 – 30 |
| M | 32 – 34 |
| L | 36 – 38 |
| XL | 40 – 42 |
| 2XL | 44 – 46 |
| 3XL | 48 – 50 |
Kid’s underwear size guide for boys and girls
Boys and girls’ underwear size table with columns for alpha sizes, waist sizes in centimeters and inches, age indications, starting from baby size to teens size:
| Alpha Size | Waist Size (cm) | Waist Size (inches) | Age Indication |
| 0-3M | up to 44 cm | up to 17.3 inches | 0-3 months |
| 3-6M | 44-46 cm | 17.3-18.1 inches | 3-6 months |
| 6-9M | 46-48 cm | 18.1-18.9 inches | 6-9 months |
| 9-12M | 48-50 cm | 18.9-19.7 inches | 9-12 months |
| 12-18M | 50-52 cm | 19.7-20.5 inches | 12-18 months |
| 18-24M | 52-54 cm | 20.5-21.3 inches | 18-24 months |
| 2T | 52-54 cm | 20.5-21.3 inches | 2 years |
| 3T | 54-56 cm | 21.3-22 inches | 3 years |
| 4T | 56-58 cm | 22-22.8 inches | 4 years |
| XS | 50-55 cm | 19.7-21.7 inches | 4-5 years |
| S | 55-60 cm | 21.7-23.6 inches | 6-7 years |
| M | 60-65 cm | 23.6-25.6 inches | 8-9 years |
| L | 65-70 cm | 25.6-27.6 inches | 10-11 years |
| XL | 70-75 cm | 27.6-29.5 inches | 12-13 years |
| XXL | 75-80 cm | 29.5-31.5 inches | 14+ years |
Note: These are general guidelines, and it’s essential to consider the individual child’s measurements and preferences when choosing underwear size.
Related: Baby Romper Size Guide , My Daughters’ first bra
How to measure my Underwear size?
Waist Measurement
Measure around your waist, slightly below your natural waist, where you normally wear your pants. Insert your forefinger between the tape and your body to allow ease in fit.
Tip:Â For the most accurate results, measure yourself in your undergarments.
In between Sizes?
Pick the next larger size in the chart if your measurements are between standard adult sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What size boxer briefs should i wear as a woman?
The size of boxer briefs for women depends on the natural waistline measurement. There’s no real rule of thumb to convert male brief sizes into women’s. Briefs, boxers, and boxer briefs for men often come in standard sizes based on a man’s waistline (small, medium, large, etc.). For instance, waist sizes between 28 and 30 inches are typically categorized as small and would be a Medium for women’s Briefs , 32 to 34 inches as medium, resulting in a Large size brief for women.
Should I size up or down in Boxer briefs sizing?
While looking for new underwear, if your underwear size is in the middle of two sizes on a size chart, wear boxer briefs that are the bigger size. This advice stands for women’s, men’s and unisex sizing
Drawlz
What size underwear is a 32 waist?
A 32 waist measurement (or hips size) equals medium size for men or large size for women’s underwear. (panties, boxers, briefs)
What size underwear is XL?
Extra-Large (XL) sized underwear for men equals 40 – 42 inch waist (101 – 106 cm) , for women this is for a 36 – 38 inch waist size (91 – 96 cm)
What is the underwear size for 85-90?
An 85 – 90 cm waist size corresponds with a Medium to Large underwear size for men. Women with 85 – 90 hips size should look for Large to XL sized underwear
Where is the chart for boys? That is what I searched for. NOT WOMEN OR MEN!
Hello Terri, thanks for pointing this out to us. We have put the boys and girls underwear size charts on our content planning to add in a later phase. Have a nice day. Pablo