Korean clothing sizes use letter labels, numeric designations and product-specific measurements. For shoppers accustomed to US or UK sizing, the useful comparison is the chart for the exact garment—not a universal conversion based on the country where it is sold.
This guide explains adult clothing labels, body and garment measurements, and Korean shoe-size references. The examples are specific to Nike, UNIQLO and New Balance; they are not a promise that another brand, category or model will fit the same way.
Reading Korean Clothing Sizes
A label such as M, 95 or 55 is a starting point, not a complete description of fit. Establish which brand, category and sizing chart the item uses before comparing it with a familiar US or UK size.
Keep a distinction between a size designation and a measurement. A number printed beside a letter size does not automatically describe the garment’s width, length or the wearer’s exact chest circumference.
Men’s numeric labels: a Nike example
Nike’s men’s tops chart for Asian sizing pairs letter sizes with Korean numeric labels. Its M corresponds to 95, L to 100 and XL to 105. The accompanying chest, waist and hip ranges are body measurements, not dimensions taken from a shirt lying flat.
For example, the M/95 column gives a chest range of 91 - 97 cm and a waist range of 79 - 85 cm. That does not mean the finished shirt has a 95 cm chest circumference. Use the complete body-measurement range, then check the item’s own dimensions where provided.
Women’s 44, 55, 66 and 77 labels
Nike’s women’s tops chart for Asian sizing includes Korean numbers in overlapping ranges. Its S is shown as 80 (44-55), M as 85 (55-66), and L as 90 (66-77). Those overlaps are a reason not to turn the labels into a universal rule such as “55 always equals S.”
In that chart, M covers a body bust of 85 - 89.5 cm, waist of 71.5 - 75.5 cm and hips of 92.5 - 96.5 cm. These ranges belong to that specific category. They do not establish an equivalent dress size for every Korean retailer.
US and UK numbers are separate systems
Nike’s women’s tops chart for US sizing provides a separate international comparison. Read the US and UK rows independently rather than using a bare number without its country label.
S in this Nike US-sizing chart: US 4 - 6 / UK 8 - 10.
M in this Nike US-sizing chart: US 8 - 10 / UK 12 - 14.
L in this Nike US-sizing chart: US 12 - 14 / UK 16 - 18.
Even within Nike, the same letter can describe different body ranges in different charts. Women’s M in its Asian-sizing tops chart has a bust range of 85 - 89.5 cm; M in its US-sizing tops chart has a bust range of 90 - 97 cm.
Check which chart applies to the item. Neither comparison supports automatically buying one size larger in Korea, and a garment’s location in a Korean store does not replace its product-specific sizing information.
Compare Body Measurements with Garment Measurements
Two charts can use centimetres while measuring different things. Body measurements describe the wearer; garment measurements describe the physical item. Matching their numbers without checking the measuring method can lead to the wrong comparison.
UNIQLO’s Korean guide distinguishes 신체 사이즈, recommended body measurements, from 제품 사이즈, measurements of the actual product. Its price tags carry body measurements.
The illustration below shows the two approaches side by side. The left heading means product size and the right heading means body size.
Measure around the body for a body-size chart
For Nike’s adult tops charts, keep the tape horizontal. Measure around the fullest part of the chest or bust, around the narrowest part of the waist, and around the fullest part of the hips.
Compare each result with the corresponding field, not just the letter at the top of the column. Check whether the chart is showing centimetres or inches before reading it. Nike’s apparel guides provide both unit views.
Lay the garment flat for an actual-size chart
UNIQLO directs shoppers to lay a garment on a flat surface and smooth it before measuring. Wrinkles and different measuring positions can change the result. It also notes that material characteristics can produce a 1-2 cm difference; this is its own qualification, not a tolerance to apply to every retailer.
In its top-measurement illustration, 가슴너비 means the side-to-side width between the seams below the armpits. That is a flat garment width, not the circumference measured around your chest.
Length fields also have different starting points. UNIQLO’s 기장 uses the centre back neckline to the hem, while 총기장 uses the neckline endpoint to the hem, with a front-side reference for knitwear. Follow the illustrated measuring points instead of treating every “length” field as interchangeable.
Check trouser measurements separately
Do not use a shirt-size decision as a trouser-size conversion. Look at the lower-body chart and the actual product dimensions supplied for the trousers. UNIQLO’s inseam guide explains that measuring methods differ with design and seam construction.
An inseam follows the inside leg seam; it is not the overall length measured from the waistband. For the construction described in its rolled-seam instructions, UNIQLO starts at the inner-thigh stitching point and follows the seam, measuring curves in sections.
On UNIQLO’s Korean product pages, 사이즈 안내 opens the size guidance and actual garment measurements. 제품 사이즈 비교 allows comparison of selected product sizes. Use those item-specific dimensions rather than assuming every garment marked M has the same cut.
Korean Shoe Sizes: US, UK and KR Labels
For footwear, identify the brand and whether the chart is for men’s or women’s shoes. Nike Korea lists KR (mm), JP (cm), US and UK references alongside a separate measured-foot-length row. The label and the foot measurement must remain separate.
Nike explicitly warns that the CM size printed on a shoe box or label differs from foot length in centimetres. A KR 270 designation therefore should not be read as an instruction to choose that size solely because a foot measures 270 mm.
Nike men’s footwear examples
These entries come from Nike Korea’s men’s footwear chart. The foot-length figure is a separate column value, not a calculation from the KR label.
KR 250: US men’s 7 / UK 6 / foot length 24.5 cm.
KR 260: US men’s 8 / UK 7 / foot length 25.4 cm.
KR 270: US men’s 9 / UK 8 / foot length 26.2 cm.
KR 280: US men’s 10 / UK 9 / foot length 27.1 cm.
Nike women’s footwear examples
Use the women’s chart for these examples. Do not substitute a men’s US number for a women’s US number, even if the number itself looks familiar.
KR 230: US women’s 6 / UK 3.5 / foot length 22.9 cm.
KR 240: US women’s 7 / UK 4.5 / foot length 23.7 cm.
KR 250: US women’s 8 / UK 5.5 / foot length 24.5 cm.
KR 260: US women’s 9 / UK 6.5 / foot length 25.4 cm.
These are Nike examples, not a national shoe-size standard. For another brand, return to that brand’s chart. If the exact model has separate fit guidance, consider it alongside the chart rather than applying advice from an unrelated shoe.
Measure both feet before choosing a size
Tape a sheet of paper to a hard, flat surface so it cannot slide. Nike’s Korea chart instructions ask you to stand with weight distributed evenly, with one foot on the paper, while another person holds a pen upright to mark the big-toe tip and the outermost heel point.
Remove the foot and measure the distance between the marks with a ruler or tape. Repeat for the other foot, then compare the longer result with the chart’s foot-length field—not its CM or KR label alone.
The illustration shows heel-to-toe measurement, not an international size conversion. Nike’s chart advises choosing a size up when the measured length falls between its sizes. Keep that instruction attached to Nike’s chart rather than presenting it as a rule for all footwear.
Length and width are different decisions
A length conversion does not explain every aspect of fit. New Balance Korea’s adult reference chart uses width codes as well as Korean and US size numbers. In that reference, D means standard for men but slightly wide for women; B means narrow for men and standard for women.
The retrieved New Balance chart lists Korean and US references but has no UK column. For example, its men’s entries include Korean 250 / US 7 and Korean 260 / US 8. Do not fill a missing UK equivalent by borrowing Nike’s conversion.
Keep the exact brand, model, size system and width together when asking for a pair. Try the specific model where possible: Nike’s fitting guidance notes that shape, materials and intended use can affect how shoes with the same labelled size feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Korean size 95 the same as M?
It is M in Nike’s men’s Asian-sizing tops chart. That chart gives body-measurement ranges alongside the label. It is not a universal equivalence for every brand or garment.
Does Korean size 55 always mean US small?
No universal equivalence is established by these examples. Nike’s Asian women’s tops chart includes 55 within overlapping 44-55 and 55-66 ranges. Check the particular garment’s chart and body measurements.
What is the US or UK equivalent of Nike KR 250?
In Nike Korea’s men’s footwear chart, KR 250 corresponds to US men’s 7 and UK 6. In its women’s chart, KR 250 corresponds to US women’s 8 and UK 5.5. Those are separate category-specific references.
Is the CM number on a Nike box the measured foot length?
No. Nike distinguishes the box or label’s CM designation from measured foot length. Use the foot-length row in the appropriate chart when comparing a measurement.
Should a flat shirt width be compared directly with body chest circumference?
No. UNIQLO’s chest-width measurement goes across the garment below the armpits; a body chest measurement goes around the person. Check which type of measurement the product page is showing before comparing numbers.
Use the Exact Product’s Chart Before Buying
For the next part of your shopping plans, use the Korea department store guide or the Hongdae shopping guide. Neither replaces the size chart for the product you intend to buy.
When checking Korean clothing sizes, keep the brand, product category, chart and measurement unit together. For shoes, add the men’s or women’s reference and any width designation. A conversion helps identify a starting size; the actual item’s measurements and fit still need checking.
Sources & References
Nike Korea: men’s tops, Asian sizing; women’s tops, Asian sizing; women’s tops, US sizing and international comparison.
UNIQLO Korea: body and product measurement methods; product size-chart instructions; inseam measurement methods.
Nike Korea: men’s footwear; women’s footwear; foot measurement and fitting guide.
New Balance Korea: adult size and width reference on the MR530KA product page.
Adidas US: heel-to-toe measurement illustration. No Adidas Korea conversion values are included.
Hero photograph: Nike. Clothing measurement illustration: UNIQLO. Foot-length illustration: Adidas. Images illustrate fitting or measuring methods, not current shop stock.
Last checked: October 11, 2026.
Chart note: Examples apply only to their named brands and categories. Nike’s US-sizing women’s page contains inconsistent Korean-reference rows; those rows have not been combined into a Korean-to-US/UK conversion. Consult the chart supplied for the exact product before purchasing.
