Kakobuy Sizing Guide: Getting China Sizes Right
Sizing is the number-one reason parcels get returned. China sizes usually run smaller than US or EU sizes, but the real fix is simple: buy by measurements, not by the label. Here is how.
Why China sizes feel “small”
Chinese clothing and footwear are cut for a different fit model, so a China “L” can feel like a US/EU “M”. Rather than trust a letter, use the numbers every serious seller publishes.
Buy by measurements, not label size
Almost every Taobao, Tmall and 1688 listing includes a size table in centimetres — chest, shoulder, length, waist, and for shoes the insole length. Compare those to a garment you already own and love:
- Tops & hoodies — match chest width and shoulder, then check body length.
- Jeans & bottoms — match waist and inseam; China waist is often in cm, so divide by 2.54 for inches.
- Shoes — the insole length in cm is the most reliable number. Measure your foot and add ~0.5–1 cm of room.
Rough China → US/EU conversions
Use these only as a starting point — always confirm against the listing's cm chart:
- Tops: China M ≈ US S, China L ≈ US M, China XL ≈ US L.
- Shoes: China 250 ≈ US 7 men, China 260 ≈ US 8.5 men (label sizing varies by brand, so trust the insole cm).
Confirm before it ships
When goods reach the warehouse, you can buy a personalized photo and ask staff to measure a specific dimension (e.g. insole length or garment length). Confirming a measurement before you pay international freight is far cheaper than a return.
Remember: Kakobuy's return window is short and buyer-paid for exchanges, so getting the size right up front saves the most money.