Why are Chinese sizes different?
If you've bought on Weidian, Taobao or 1688, you've probably already experienced it: you order an M that fits like an XS, or a size 42 sneaker that's too loose. Chinese sizes don't follow the same scale as European ones, and the reason comes down to three key factors every buyer should know before adding to cart.
First, the Chinese market uses its own sizing system. The CN (China) size for footwear is based on foot length in centimetres or on its own number system that differs from the EU system. For example, a European 42 roughly equals a Chinese 260 (26.0 cm foot), but it's not a fixed rule: every factory and every batch can vary between 0.5 and 2 cm on the actual insole.
Second, Asian body proportions differ from European ones. The average build in China tends to be slighter: narrower shoulders, shorter arms and a more compact torso. That's why a Chinese XL hoodie often equals a European L or even an M. Brands that make clothes for the Chinese domestic market adapt their patterns to that audience, and when you buy from Spain, the same size number translates into a smaller garment.
Finally, the lack of a unified standard between factories makes the problem worse. Two different Weidian sellers can label garments as "L" with completely different measurements. That's why the only reliable way to get the size right is to measure yourself and compare with the seller's charts. QC photos with measurements in hand are your best ally.
Sneaker size conversion table
Footwear is the most critical because a sneaker that doesn't fit ends up in the closet forever. Use this table as an orientation reference to convert between systems. The most important column is CM (insole length): always ask the agent to measure the insole in the QC photos and compare it with your foot.
| EU | CN | US (H) | US (M) | UK | CM (foot) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 225 — 230 | 4 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 22.5 |
| 37 | 230 — 235 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 23.0 |
| 38 | 240 — 245 | 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 24.0 |
| 39 | 245 — 250 | 6.5 | 8 | 6 | 24.5 |
| 40 | 250 — 255 | 7 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 25.0 |
| 41 | 255 — 260 | 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 25.5 |
| 42 | 260 — 265 | 8.5 | 10 | 8 | 26.0 |
| 43 | 265 — 270 | 9.5 | 11 | 9 | 26.5 |
| 44 | 275 — 280 | 10 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 27.5 |
| 45 | 280 — 285 | 11 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 28.0 |
| 46 | 290 — 295 | 12 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 29.0 |
| 47 | 300 — 305 | 13 | 14 | 12.5 | 30.0 |
Important: Brands like Nike or Adidas in Chinese batches can run up to half a size above or below this table. If you have wide feet, go up an extra size. And if you're buying Yeezys, Chinese sizes usually run half to a full size smaller than European ones: always order one size up.
Clothing size conversion table
For clothing, the conversion is more complex because each seller has their own measurements. The table below gives you an approximate equivalence between sizes, but I insist: never rely on the label alone. Always check the size chart in centimetres that the seller publishes on the product page.
| EU | CN (label) | US | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hips (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | M | XS | 86 — 91 | 71 — 76 | 86 — 91 |
| S | L | S | 91 — 97 | 76 — 81 | 91 — 97 |
| M | XL | M | 99 — 104 | 84 — 89 | 99 — 104 |
| L | 2XL | L | 107 — 112 | 91 — 97 | 107 — 112 |
| XL | 3XL | XL | 114 — 119 | 99 — 104 | 114 — 119 |
| 2XL | 4XL | 2XL | 122 — 127 | 107 — 112 | 122 — 127 |
| 3XL | 5XL | 3XL | 129 — 135 | 114 — 120 | 129 — 135 |
As you can see, the general rule holds: one Chinese size equals one European size smaller. A Chinese L is a Spanish S. But again: this table is only a starting guide. There are exceptions: Chinese brands that export regularly (like some streetwear brands) sometimes already adjust their sizes to the international standard. And Chinese oversized garments are still oversized even if the label says XL.
How to measure yourself correctly
If you don't know your exact measurements, everything else is irrelevant. Grab a tape measure and follow these steps. Always measure against the skin or in very thin clothing, never with a coat on.
Chest
Wrap the tape measure around your torso at the widest part of the chest, just below the armpits. Keep the tape parallel to the floor, neither too tight nor too loose: it should sit snug without digging in. Breathe normally and take the measurement at the end of a gentle exhale. Note the number in centimetres.
Waist
Find the narrowest point of your torso, usually just above the belly button. If you can't find it, lean to one side: the crease that forms marks your natural waist. Measure there with the tape snug but not tight. Don't measure where you wear your trousers: that's your hips, not your waist.
Hips
Measure around the widest part of your hips and glutes, roughly at hip-bone height. It's especially important for trousers and shorts. The tape should go around both hips parallel to the floor.
Feet
Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel touching the wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe with a pencil. Measure the distance between the wall and the mark in centimetres. Do it with both feet (almost nobody has two exactly equal feet) and use the measurement of the bigger foot. Add between 0.5 and 1 cm of margin. That number in centimetres is what you should compare with the seller's insole.
Practical tips for getting the size right
1. Always ask for QC photos with measurements
All the agents recommended at RepsFinder —Kakobuy, USFans and Litbuy— offer free quality control photos. When the product arrives at the agent's warehouse, explicitly ask them to measure the insole or the key dimensions of the garment (length, chest width, sleeves). That way you confirm what they've sent matches what you ordered. If it doesn't match, you still have time to return it to the Chinese seller.
2. Check the reviews and photos from other buyers
On Weidian and the replica subreddits, other buyers often post about their sizing experiences. Search "size guide", "sizing" or reviews of the specific product you want. If three people say "size up twice", listen to them.
3. If you're between two sizes, choose the bigger one
A bigger t-shirt you can wear as oversized. A smaller one you'll never wear. Especially with sneakers: one size up can be fixed with an extra insole. One size down is gift wrapping.
4. Compare with clothes you already own
Take your favourite hoodie, lay it flat on the bed and measure the dimensions (length, chest width, sleeves). Compare those measurements with the Chinese seller's chart. It's the most reliable method there is, because you already know how that garment fits you.
5. Beware of seller charts: sometimes they lie
Some Chinese sellers copy and paste generic charts that don't match their actual product. If a size chart looks suspiciously perfect or identical to other sellers', be wary. QC photos with measurements are your only certainty.
What do I do if the size doesn't fit?
Let's be realistic: returns from Spain to China are slow, expensive and frustrating. The return shipping can cost more than the product itself, and Chinese sellers don't always accept returns from international buyers. That's why measuring properly before buying is so important.
That said, you have a few options if the size is wrong:
- Resell in Spain: Platforms like Vinted, Wallapop or community Telegram groups are your best way out. You lose some money but recover part of it and avoid the logistical hassle.
- Return to the agent: If you spot the mistake during the QC stage (while the product is still in China), the agent can handle the return to the original seller. It's fast, cheap and the ideal option. That's why reviewing the QC photos carefully is so critical.
- Contact the seller: Some Weidian sellers offer size exchanges if the product hasn't left China yet. But once the package is flying to Spain, forget it.
- Gift or trade it: The Chinese buying community in Spain is big. There's always someone looking for exactly the size that doesn't fit you.
In short: the best return is the one you never have to make. Spend five minutes measuring yourself properly, check the charts, ask for QC photos with a tape measure and size up if you have doubts. Your future self will thank you.
Ready to shop? Take a look at our catalog of verified finds and the free tools to convert links instantly.