Weights and measures, clothes and shoes size in France

Q: How to convert US clothing sizes to French sizes?

To convert an American size to a French size, add 30 to the US number for women's clothing (a US size 6 becomes a FR size 36). For trousers and jeans, subtract 10 from your usual French size to get the US equivalent. The conversion tables are only a guide, as cuts vary between brands.

Q: What do sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL correspond to in France?

In France, S refers to 36, M to 38, L to 40 and XL to 42 . XXL generally corresponds to 44, although some brands offer variations. These equivalents may differ slightly from one manufacturer to another depending on the cut and type of garment.

Q: Why do shoe sizes vary between countries?

English and American shoe sizes use inches as a unit of measurement, while France uses the Paris point based on the metric system. Each country has historically developed its own system: French foot length is calculated differently from Anglo-Saxon methods, creating discrepancies between national measurement systems.

Q: Are sizes the same across all brands?

No, each brand applies its own sizing standards. The same number can vary from one brand to another: your usual size 38 in one brand could be a 40 in another. Vanity sizing pushes some manufacturers to oversize their garments, while target cuts and body types influence the final measurements.

Q: Where can I shop in Paris with these conversions?

Paris is full of international boutiques where mastering conversions is essential: the Champs-Élysées is home to many American brands, the Marais offers designers from around the world, and Galeries Lafayette brings together brands with varying sizing systems. Size conversion charts are particularly useful when shopping.

Q: How can I stay connected to access this information during my stay?

With the Travel eSIM SimWeGo , enjoy immediate internet connection as soon as you arrive. It's the ideal solution for accessing our guides, conversion tools and digital tickets in real time without changing your SIM card.

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You’ll find our conversion tables useful.

Weights and measures

The system of measurement used in France, as in the majority of European countries, is the metric system, and temperatures are expressed in degrees Centigrade. But if you come from the United Kingdom or the United States, some of these units of measurement may be a little less familiar, and if so, you’ll find our conversion tables useful.

It’s worth noting too, that in France decimals are indicated by a comma and not a point, as in English-speaking countries.

Metric system

Conversion tables for the most common weights and measures

Metric	UK /USA
1 gramme (g)	0.0353 ounce
1 kilo(gramme) (kg)	2.204 pounds
1 centimètre (cm)	0.393 inch
1 mètre (m)	3.281 feet / 1.093 yard
1 kilomètre (km)	0.621 mile
1 centilitre (cl)	0.021 US pint / 0.0176 UK pint
1 litre (l)	0.264 US gallon / 0.220 UK gallon
1litre (l)	2.1 US pints / 1.76 UK pint

UK / USA	Metric
1 ounce (oz)	28,349 gramme
1 pound (lb)	0,453 kilo(gramme)
1 inch (in)	2,540 centimètres
1 foot (ft)	0,304 mètres
1 yard (yd) = 3 feet	0,914 mètres
1 mile (mi) = 1760 yards	1,609 kilomètres
1 US pint (pt)	0,473 litres
1 UK pint (pt)	0,568 litres
1 US gallon (gal)	3,785 litres
1 UK gallon (gal)	4,456 litres

Some examples:

A baguette of bread: 250 g = 8.825 oz

A half of beer: 25 cl = 0.52 US pt or 0.44 UK pt

Eiffel Tower: 324 m = 1063.04 ft

Champs-Elysées: 2 km = 1.24 mi

Temperatures

Conversion table for Centigrade / Farenheit

Degrés Centigrade	Farenheit
-10°C	14°F
-5°C	23°F
0°C	32°F
5°C	41°F
10°C	50°F
15°C	59°F
20°C	68°F
25°C	77°F
30°C	86°F
35°C	95°F
40°C	104°F

Degrès Farenheit	Centigrade
10°F	-12,2°C
20°F	-6,7°C
30°F	-1,1°C
40°F	4,4°C
50°F	10°C
60°F	15,6°C
70°F	21,1°C
80°F	26,7°C
90°F	32,2°C
100°F	37,8°C
110°F	43,3°C

Clothes and shoes size

To make it less confusing and enable you to ask for the correct size, here are the equivalents.

Clothes

France	USA	GB	Italy
34	extra small (XS)	6	32
36	small (S)	8	34
38	medium (M)	10	36
40	large (L)	12	38
42	extra large (XL)	14	40
44	extra extra large (XXL)	16	42

Shoes

M : men

L : ladies

France	USA	GB
36	L 6	3.5
37	L 6.5	4
38	L 7.5	5
39	M 7/L 8.5	6
40	M 7.5/L 9	6.5
41	M 8.5/L 10	7.5
42	M 9/L 10.5	8
43	M 10	9
44	M 10.5	9.5

Information given for guidance only. Sizes may differ depending on the brand and country of manufacture.

10 must-see places to shop in Paris

Galeries Lafayette Paris Haussmann

Printemps Haussmann

Wecandoo

La Vallée Village

Lumen Paris Louvre

Le BHV Marais

Paris Aéroport - Charles-de-Gaulle - Shopping Duty Free

Paris Aéroport - Orly - Shopping Duty Free

Westfield Forum des Halles

Place de la Madeleine

Your shopping experience

Enjoy a unique shopping experience. Attend the fashion show at Galeries Lafayette, visit the La Vallée Village shopping centre or take part in workshops and make a unique object with a local craftsman.

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Getting around Paris by public transport

Take public transport - metro, bus, RER, tram, Montmartre funicular - to get around Paris and to all the sites in the capital and the surrounding area

All the things to do and experience in Paris

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❓Frequently asked questions

How to convert US clothing sizes to French sizes?

To convert an American size to a French size, add 30 to the US number for women's clothing (a US size 6 becomes a FR size 36). For trousers and jeans, subtract 10 from your usual French size to get the US equivalent. The conversion tables are only a guide, as cuts vary between brands.

What do sizes S, M, L, XL and XXL correspond to in France?

In France, S refers to 36, M to 38, L to 40 and XL to 42. XXL generally corresponds to 44, although some brands offer variations. These equivalents may differ slightly from one manufacturer to another depending on the cut and type of garment.

Why do shoe sizes vary between countries?

English and American shoe sizes use inches as a unit of measurement, while France uses the Paris point based on the metric system. Each country has historically developed its own system: French foot length is calculated differently from Anglo-Saxon methods, creating discrepancies between national measurement systems.

Are sizes the same across all brands?

No, each brand applies its own sizing standards. The same number can vary from one brand to another: your usual size 38 in one brand could be a 40 in another. Vanity sizing pushes some manufacturers to oversize their garments, while target cuts and body types influence the final measurements.

Where can I shop in Paris with these conversions?

Paris is full of international boutiques where mastering conversions is essential: the Champs-Élysées is home to many American brands, the Marais offers designers from around the world, and Galeries Lafayette brings together brands with varying sizing systems. Size conversion charts are particularly useful when shopping.

How can I stay connected to access this information during my stay?

With the Travel eSIM SimWeGo, enjoy immediate internet connection as soon as you arrive. It's the ideal solution for accessing our guides, conversion tools and digital tickets in real time without changing your SIM card.