Men's Suit Size Chart

Jacket number ≈ chest in inches. Letter = length. Example: 40R ≈ 40 in (102 cm) chest in Regular length (about 5'9"–6'0" / 175–183 cm). Measure first, then use the finder. EU is often US + 10 (40 → 50).

Quick answer

Number = chest inches (even sizes 34–52). Letter = Short / Regular / Long from height.
Standard pant waist ≈ chest − 6 in (40 jacket → ~34 waist).
Between chest sizes, round up—especially for slim fits. Shoulders matter more than a perfect chest number.

Men's suit size chart flat lay with navy jacket and measuring tape across the chest — Jacket number ≈ chest inches; add S, R, or L from height (40R is a common starting size).

Suit size finder

Enter chest and height. You get a starting jacket size (number = chest inches, letter = Short / Regular / Long). Brands still vary—confirm on the product chart.

Chest (in)

Height (in)

Enter both chest and height to see a size.

Inches or cm? This chart uses inches. A metric tape works too—match the inch row (1 in ≈ 2.54 cm).

Jacket size chart (US / UK / EU)

Starting point for off-the-rack jackets and suits. Sleeve column is a typical Regular length—Short is shorter, Long is longer. EU uses the common US+10 rule. Slim/athletic cuts can feel smaller; confirm on the hangtag.

US / UK	EU	Letter	Chest	Std waist	Sleeve (R)
34	44	XS	34 in (86 cm)	~28 in	~31.5 in
36	46	S	36 in (91 cm)	~30 in	~32 in
38	48	S/M	38 in (97 cm)	~32 in	~32.5 in
40	50	M	40 in (102 cm)	~34 in	~33 in
42	52	L	42 in (107 cm)	~36 in	~33.5 in
44	54	L/XL	44 in (112 cm)	~38 in	~34 in
46	56	XL	46 in (117 cm)	~40 in	~34.5 in
48	58	XXL	48 in (122 cm)	~42 in	~35 in
50	60	XXL/3XL	50 in (127 cm)	~44 in	~35.5 in
52	62	3XL	52 in (132 cm)	~46 in	~36 in

Body chest vs jacket: expect about 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of ease when the coat buttons without pulling.

Short, Regular, Long (and XL)

The letter changes jacket body and sleeve length—not chest width. Brand height bands can shift by about an inch. If chest fits but sleeves are short, try L before sizing up the number.

Letter	Height	What changes
S (Short)	≤ 5'8" · ≤ 173 cm	Shorter jacket body and sleeves
R (Regular)	5'9"–6'0" · 175–183 cm	Most common off-the-rack length
L (Long)	≥ 6'1" · ≥ 185 cm	Longer sleeves and jacket length
XL (Extra Long)	≥ 6'4" · ≥ 193 cm	Not stocked by every brand

Suit jacket Short Regular Long length comparison on hangers for men's sizing — Short, Regular, and Long change jacket and sleeve length—not chest width.

Drop: jacket vs pants

Drop = chest inches − pant waist inches. Standard is 6 in (40 jacket → 34 waist). Athletic ~8 in; portly/executive ~4 in. If your drop is outside 4–8, buy jacket and pants as separates when you can.

Drop type	Inches	Example	Who it fits
Athletic	8"	40 jacket → ~32 waist	Broader chest or shoulders relative to waist
Standard / regular	6"	40 jacket → ~34 waist	Most ready-to-wear suits use this drop
Portly / executive	4"	40 jacket → ~36 waist	Fuller midsection relative to chest

Buying pants alone? Use the pants size converter.

How a jacket should fit

Use this checklist in the mirror after you pick a number from the chart.

Shoulder seam sits at the edge of your shoulder bone—no overhang, no pulling.
Collar lies flat on your shirt with no gap at the back of the neck.
About 0.5 in (1–1.5 cm) of shirt cuff shows below the sleeve.
You can slide a flat hand between your chest and a buttoned jacket without strain.
Jacket hem covers the seat and falls near mid-crotch with arms relaxed.
No X-shaped pull lines from the button when fastened.

Measure in four moves

Chest under the arms (jacket number).
Natural waist (pants + drop).
Height → S / R / L.
Match the chart—or open the full how to measure suit size guide (shoulders, sleeve, inseam).

How men's suit sizes work

In the US (and usually the UK), the jacket number is your chest in inches. A 40 jacket is built for about a 40 in (102 cm) chest. Labels use even numbers from 34 to 52.

The letter after the number—S, R, L, or XL—sets jacket body length and sleeve length from height. It does not make the chest wider. A 40S and a 40L share the same chest target; only the proportions change.

Trousers are sized by waist (and often inseam) separately. The link between jacket and pants is called drop: chest inches minus pant waist inches. Most ready-to-wear suits assume a 6 in drop.

US, UK, EU, and letter labels

System	What the number means	Example for ~40 in chest
US	Chest inches + S/R/L	40R
UK	Usually same chest inches as US; cut can feel more structured	40R
EU / IT	Often US chest + 10	EU 50
Letter (S–XL)	Least precise—brand-defined	M for many 40 jackets

Between sizes and slim vs regular

Chest between two even sizes (39 in)? Round up—especially in slim fits. Tailors can take a jacket in more easily than they can let it out.
Shoulders are hard to alter. If the shoulder seam misses your bone, try another size or cut before buying.
Regular fit has more ease through the chest and waist. Slim fit uses the same labeled number with less ease and a narrower silhouette—not a different chest formula.
A well-fitting jacket usually has about 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of ease beyond your body chest when buttoned without pulling.

Common suit sizing mistakes

Avoid: Choosing S/R/L from weight or shirt size alone.

Instead: Use height for the letter and measured chest for the number. See [how to measure suit size](/guides/how-to-measure-suit-size).

Avoid: Assuming EU size equals US size.

Instead: Use EU ≈ US + 10 as a start, then match chest cm. Open the [US to EU suit converter](/convert/us-to-eu-suit-size).

Avoid: Buying a matching suit when your drop is 9+ or under 4.

Instead: Buy jacket and pants as separates, or expect alterations. Check the drop table on this page.

Frequently asked questions

What does a suit size like 40R mean?

40 is the jacket chest in inches (~102 cm). R means Regular length for about 5'9"–6'0" (175–183 cm). Short (S) and Long (L) change jacket and sleeve length, not chest width.

How do I find my suit size?

Measure chest under the arms with a soft tape, then pick S/R/L from height. A 40 in chest and average height starts at 40R. Use the finder above, then check the brand chart.

What is EU suit size for US 40?

Many makers map US 40 to about EU 50 (US chest + 10). Italian labels usually match EU. Some French charts sit ~2 higher—match chest cm when you can.

What pants size goes with a 40 jacket?

With a standard 6-inch drop, a 40 jacket pairs with about a 34 in waist. Athletic drops (~8 in) need a smaller waist; portly/executive (~4 in) a larger one.

What is drop in suit sizing?

Drop is chest inches minus pant waist inches. Standard ready-to-wear uses about 6 in. If your drop is outside roughly 4–8 in, buy jacket and pants as separates when you can.