How do Chinese clothing sizes work on Taobao?
Chinese garment labels use the national standard format height/chest + body type, for example 170/88A: made for someone about 170 cm tall with an 88 cm chest, with "A" meaning a regular build (Y is slimmer, B and C fuller). Letter sizes are printed alongside, but they're where the confusion starts, because a Chinese M is aimed at a smaller frame than a European or American M, and many Taobao shops cut smaller still.
| Letter | Label | Height | Chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 165/84A | 165 cm | 84 cm |
| M | 170/88A | 170 cm | 88 cm |
| L | 175/92A | 175 cm | 92 cm |
| XL | 180/96A | 180 cm | 96 cm |
| XXL | 185/100A | 185 cm | 100 cm |
| 3XL | 190/104A | 190 cm | 104 cm |
| Letter | Label | Height | Chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 155/80A | 155 cm | 80 cm |
| M | 160/84A | 160 cm | 84 cm |
| L | 165/88A | 165 cm | 88 cm |
| XL | 170/92A | 170 cm | 92 cm |
| XXL | 175/96A | 175 cm | 96 cm |
Typical labels based on the Chinese garment sizing standard. Individual shops publish their own charts, and those win.
How to measure for a Taobao size chart
- Take a garment that fits you wellLay it flat on a table.
- Measure chest widthArmpit to armpit, then double it. That's the 胸围 figure most charts give.
- Measure lengthFrom the highest point of the shoulder to the hem: 衣长.
- Compare with the listingPick the size whose numbers are closest to your garment, not to your body. Many charts list garment measurements, not body measurements.
Useful chart words: 胸围 chest, 衣长 length, 肩宽 shoulder width, 袖长 sleeve, 腰围 waist, 裤长 trouser length, 建议体重 suggested weight. If the chart only gives a weight range, it's a rough guide; ask for measurements in the remark, or pay for Superbuy's model try-on photos (CN¥30) if the fit really matters.
How do Chinese shoe sizes convert?
Taobao shoe listings usually give EU-style numbers (39, 40, 41…) and often a foot-length column in millimetres, which is the Chinese size itself: a China 260 fits a foot about 26 cm long. Foot length is the most reliable way to choose, because it doesn't depend on any brand's numbering.
| Foot length | China (mm) | EU | US men | US women | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.5 cm | 225 | 36 | 4 | 5.5 | 3.5 |
| 23 cm | 230 | 36.5 | 4.5 | 6 | 4 |
| 23.5 cm | 235 | 37.5 | 5 | 6.5 | 4.5 |
| 24 cm | 240 | 38 | 5.5 | 7 | 5 |
| 24.5 cm | 245 | 38.5 | 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 |
| 25 cm | 250 | 39 | 6.5 | 8 | 6 |
| 25.5 cm | 255 | 40 | 7 | 8.5 | 6 |
| 26 cm | 260 | 40.5 | 7.5 | 9 | 6.5 |
| 26.5 cm | 265 | 41 | 8 | 9.5 | 7 |
| 27 cm | 270 | 42 | 8.5 | 10 | 7.5 |
| 27.5 cm | 275 | 42.5 | 9 | 10.5 | 8 |
| 28 cm | 280 | 43 | 9.5 | 11 | 8.5 |
| 28.5 cm | 285 | 44 | 10 | 11.5 | 9 |
| 29 cm | 290 | 44.5 | 10.5 | 12 | 9.5 |
| 29.5 cm | 295 | 45 | 11 | 12.5 | 10 |
| 30 cm | 300 | 45.5 | 11.5 | 13 | 10.5 |
| 30.5 cm | 305 | 46 | 12 | 13.5 | 11 |
A common athletic-brand conversion; some brands, especially in Asia, run half a size different. The listing's own 脚长 chart is the final word.
Getting size right on a Superbuy order
Size mistakes are the most common reason for returns, and returns from a Chinese warehouse cost time. A few habits help. Screenshot the size chart and the option you chose. Use Superbuy's remark box to note anything you confirmed with the seller. When the item reaches the warehouse, check the size label in the QC photos, and if you're unsure, order a CN¥2 detailed photo of a tape measure across the chest. It's far cheaper than shipping the wrong size across the world.
Chinese size converter FAQ
What does 170/88A mean on Chinese clothes?
It's the Chinese national label format: the garment suits someone about 170 cm tall with an 88 cm chest, and the letter A marks a regular build (Y is slimmer, B and C fuller). On a men's top that label usually sits next to an M, while on women's charts 170/92A is an XL. Read the numbers first, because a shop's own chart overrides the standard.
Are Taobao sizes smaller than US or EU sizes?
Usually. A Chinese men's M is drawn for a 170 cm frame with an 88 cm chest, which is smaller than what most US or EU brands call M, and plenty of Taobao shops cut tighter than the national standard. Lay a top that fits you flat, double the armpit-to-armpit width, and match it to the listing's 胸围 column. Pick by centimetres, never by the letter.
How do I convert my shoe size for Taobao?
Go by foot length. Measure heel to longest toe in the evening, round up to the next 0.5 cm, then find that length in the listing's 脚长 chart. The Chinese size is simply foot length in millimetres, so a 260 suits a 26 cm foot, which common athletic charts map to around EU 40.5 to 41. Where the shop's chart disagrees with a generic one, follow the shop.
Can Superbuy check the size before shipping?
Yes, once the item reaches the warehouse. The free QC photos show the size label, and if you want proof of fit, a CN¥2 detailed photo of a tape measure across the chest settles it. For garments where drape matters, Superbuy's model try-on photos cost CN¥30. Both cost far less than returning or reshipping the wrong size, so check before you submit the parcel.
What should I do if a Taobao size chart only lists weight?
Treat a 建议体重 (suggested weight) range as a rough guide only, since it ignores height and build. Use Superbuy's remark box to ask the seller for garment measurements such as chest (胸围) and length (衣长), and screenshot whatever they confirm. If the fit really matters, CN¥30 model try-on photos are another option. Don't order on weight alone when centimetres are available.
Related questions
- What should I search for on Taobao?
- How do I add a remark to a Superbuy order?
- How much will shoes add to my parcel?
- How do I open a listing to read its size chart?
Sources we checked
Written and checked by the TaobaoSuperbuy.com editors. Last reviewed . Sources for this page: the Chinese garment sizing standard's label format, common athletic-brand shoe charts, and Superbuy's service price list. Spotted something out of date? Tell us on WhatsApp and we'll fix it.