Underwear Size Chart: Women's and Men's Sizes by Waist and Hips
Women's underwear is sized mainly by hip measurement and men's mainly by waist, which is why a pair labeled M can fit very different bodies. These charts give the typical measurements behind each label, the numeric and European equivalents, and how the cut changes the fit.
Women's underwear sizes usually follow the hips: S (panty size 5) fits about 35-36 in (89-91 cm), M (6) 37-38 in (94-97 cm) and L (7) 39-40 in (99-102 cm). Men's underwear follows the waist: S 28-30 in (71-76 cm), M 32-34 in (81-86 cm), L 36-38 in (91-97 cm) and XL 40-42 in (102-107 cm).
- Women's M (size 6)
- hips 37-38 in
- Men's M
- waist 32-34 in
- Men's L
- waist 36-38 in
- Size step
- about 2 in (5 cm)
On this page
Women's underwear size chart
Hip measurement decides the size for most women's styles; the waist matters for high-rise briefs and shapewear. If your hip and waist point to different sizes, follow the hip for bikinis, hipsters and thongs, and the larger of the two for full briefs.
| Size | Panty size | 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 | 29-31 | 39-40 | 74-79 | 99-102 |
| XL | 8 | 32-33 | 41-42 | 81-84 | 104-107 |
| 2XL | 9 | 34-36 | 43-45 | 86-91 | 109-114 |
| 3XL | 10 | 37-39 | 46-48 | 94-99 | 117-122 |
Ranges shift by up to a size between brands, and plus-size labels often restart at 1X. When a measurement falls in the gap between two rows, the stretch of the fabric decides: cotton-spandex and microfiber stretch enough to take the smaller size; lace and woven cotton usually need the larger.
Women's sizes: US, UK and EU
Underwear letter sizes line up with dress sizes on most international charts. UK sizes are US + 4, and European sizes are US + 30 (or UK + 28).
| Letter | US dress | UK | EU (DE, NL) | FR / ES |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0-2 | 4-6 | 30-32 | 32-34 |
| S | 4-6 | 8-10 | 34-36 | 36-38 |
| M | 8-10 | 12-14 | 38-40 | 40-42 |
| L | 12-14 | 16-18 | 42-44 | 44-46 |
| XL | 16-18 | 20-22 | 46-48 | 48-50 |
For common searches: UK 8 is EU 36 and US 4; UK 10 is EU 38 and US 6; UK 12 is EU 40 and US 8. French and Spanish labels run one size (2 numbers) above German and Dutch ones. Australian sizes follow UK numbers.
Men's underwear size chart
Men's underwear is sized by natural waist, which is often an inch or two above where jeans sit. Your trouser waist size is a good starting point, but tape-measure your waist if you are near a boundary.
| Size | Waist (in) | Waist (cm) | German / Central European | Trouser waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 28-30 | 71-76 | 4 | 28, 29, 30 |
| M | 32-34 | 81-86 | 5 | 31, 32, 33, 34 |
| L | 36-38 | 91-97 | 6 | 35, 36, 38 |
| XL | 40-42 | 102-107 | 7 | 40, 42 |
| 2XL | 44-46 | 112-117 | 8 | 44, 46 |
| 3XL | 48-50 | 122-127 | 9 | 48, 50 |
Odd waists between ranges (31, 35, 39 in) go to the smaller size in stretchy fabrics and to the larger in woven boxers. Big-and-tall ranges continue in 2 in steps.
How to measure for underwear
- Waist: measure around your natural waist, the narrowest part of the torso, usually just above the navel. Keep the tape snug but not tight, and breathe out normally.
- Hips: stand with feet together and measure around the fullest part of the hips and seat, about 7-9 in (18-23 cm) below the waist.
- Rise (optional): for women's high-waist styles, measure from the crotch to where you want the waistband to sit.
- Compare with the chart for the cut you are buying; a brand's own chart overrides a generic one.
Cut and rise: why the same size fits differently
| Cut | Waistband sits | Size by |
|---|---|---|
| Thong / G-string | Low on the hips | Hips |
| Bikini | Below the navel, on the hip bones | Hips |
| Hipster | Low, with a wider band across the hips | Hips |
| Boyshort | Low to mid rise, with short legs | Hips and upper thigh |
| Brief / full brief | At or near the natural waist | Waist and hips (use the larger) |
| High-waist | At or above the natural waist | Waist |
| Style | Leg (inseam) | Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Brief | None | Close; full seat coverage |
| Trunk | About 2-4 in (5-10 cm) | Close; short leg |
| Boxer brief | About 4-6 in (10-15 cm) | Close; mid-thigh |
| Long boxer brief | About 8-9 in (20-23 cm) | Close; stops leg ride-up in sport |
| Boxer (woven) | About 3-5 in (8-13 cm) | Loose; size by waist, with an elastic or button waist |
Leg lengths vary by brand; product pages usually list the inseam for a size M. For thigh-heavy builds, a boxer brief with a longer leg rides up less than a size up would.
Signs your underwear is the wrong size
- Waistband rolls down or folds: too small at the waist, or the rise is wrong for your shape.
- Leg bands dig in or leave marks: too small at the hip or thigh.
- Fabric bunches at the seat or the waistband gapes: too large.
- Boxer brief legs ride up: leg opening too loose or inseam too short for your thighs.
All-cotton underwear can shrink noticeably in a hot wash and dryer, enough to move it toward the next size down. Cotton with a few percent elastane, and synthetics, hold their size better. Wash new cotton pairs once before deciding they are too big.
For matching tops see the bra size chart; for trouser sizes that relate to these waist figures, the pants size chart and jeans size guide. Sock sizes are in the sock size chart, and every clothing guide is listed on the clothing hub.
Frequently asked questions
What size women's underwear fits someone with a men's 30 waist?
Measure the hips, because women's underwear is sized mostly by hip. A 30 in (76 cm) waist on its own points to a women's L (7), but with hips of 36-38 in (91-97 cm) a women's M (6) usually fits. Cut matters too: briefs need the waist to fit, bikinis and hipsters sit lower and follow the hips.
What does panty size 5, 6, 7 mean?
These are US numeric underwear sizes: 5 = S, 6 = M, 7 = L, 8 = XL, 9 = 2XL and 10 = 3XL. They are separate from dress sizes; a size 6 panty fits a US dress size of about 8-10.
Should underwear be one size smaller than pants?
No. Men whose trousers have a 34 in waist usually wear M (32-34) underwear; women generally take the underwear size that matches their hip measurement. Going down a size for a firmer fit causes rolling waistbands and leg bands that dig in.
What is a UK size 10 in European underwear sizes?
UK 10 is EU 38 and US 6, which is usually a women's S or M in underwear depending on the brand. UK sizes are 4 above US dress sizes and 28 below European sizes.
What do German men's underwear sizes 5, 6, 7 mean?
Many German and Central European brands use numbers for men's underwear: 4 = S, 5 = M, 6 = L, 7 = XL, 8 = XXL. A size 5 fits a waist of about 32-34 in (81-86 cm).