On paper, H&M and Mango look like the classic letter-size trap: Mango's M maps to EU 38 while H&M's M spans EU 40–42, so you'd expect the H&M medium to be one to two sizes bigger — the same mismatch that burns shoppers moving between H&M and Zara. But Mango has a quirk that cancels much of it out: its size steps widen above S, with each size up adding more room than the step below.
The result is that Mango's M carries a 92 cm bust — landing inside H&M's EU 40 range, the lower half of H&M's M — and its L (98 cm) reaches H&M's EU 44, which is H&M's L. The letters end up describing similar bodies even though the EU numbers underneath disagree. Where the two brands genuinely part ways is in fit reputation: Mango is the most true-to-size of the Spanish high-street brands, while H&M runs small with loose consistency.
The short answer
H&M runs smaller in practice — but by the letter, the two charts nearly agree
By measurements, this is closer than the EU labels imply. Mango's generous grading above S means its M and L cover roughly the same bodies as H&M's M and L, so most people can carry their letter between the stores for tops. The trap is converting by EU number: a Mango EU 40 (bust 98 cm) is a much bigger garment than an H&M EU 40 (bust 90–94 cm), so with these two brands the letter is actually the safer bridge — the opposite of the usual advice.
Fit-wise, H&M is the one that needs managing. It runs small overall with bottoms one to two sizes under the label, and its consistency drifts item to item. Mango is broadly true to size with two caveats of its own: it cuts long in the sleeve and inseam (it sizes for a slightly taller frame), and its fitted woven dresses and jeans run snug enough that many shoppers go up one.
H&M vs Mango at a glance
| H&M | Mango | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | EU numeric first; letters span two EU sizes (M = 40–42) | Alpha-labelled first; one letter per EU size (M = 38) |
| Overall fit | Runs small — bottoms worst, by one to two sizes | True to size; the most reliable of the Spanish brands |
| Grading | Even steps; letters wide because they span two EU sizes | Steps widen above S — L and XL run roomier per size |
| Proportions | Standard lengths | Cut for height — sleeves and inseams run long |
| Where to size up | Jeans, trousers, fitted skirts | Fitted woven dresses and jeans only |
Letter sizes vs EU numbers
The EU mappings disagree — Mango assigns one letter per EU size while each H&M letter spans two — which is why converting by EU number misleads with this pair. See the next table for why the letters still land close.
| Label | Mango EU | H&M EU |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 34 | 34 |
| S | 36 | 36–38 |
| M | 38 | 40–42 |
| L | 40 | 44 |
Women's sizes aligned by bust
Rows matched by body bust measurement. Mango publishes single values, H&M ranges; above S, Mango's wide grading pulls its letters level with H&M's despite the lower EU numbers. H&M's published chart tops out at EU 44, so Mango's XL (104 cm bust) has no match shown.
| Mango size | Mango bust | Closest H&M size | H&M bust |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 82 cm · 32.3" | EU 34 (XS) | 78–82 cm · 30.7–32.3" |
| S | 86 cm · 33.9" | EU 38 (S) | 86–90 cm · 33.9–35.4" |
| M | 92 cm · 36.2" | EU 40 (M) | 90–94 cm · 35.4–37" |
| L | 98 cm · 38.6" | EU 44 (L) | 98–102 cm · 38.6–40.2" |
Men's tops aligned by chest
Body chest measurements, rows matched by chest. In menswear the offset reappears: Mango's letters cover smaller chests than H&M's, so a Mango S body wears M-territory sizes at H&M.
| Mango size | Mango chest | Closest H&M size | H&M chest |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 95 cm · 37.4" | EU 48 (M) | 94–98 cm · 37–38.6" |
| M | 101 cm · 39.8" | EU 50 (M) | 98–102 cm · 38.6–40.2" |
| L | 107 cm · 42.1" | EU 54 (L) | 106–110 cm · 41.7–43.3" |
Switching between H&M and Mango
- For women's tops, carry your letter between the stores — unusually for an EU pair, the letters agree better than the EU numbers do. Never convert by the EU number with these two.
- Coming from Mango to H&M: keep your letter in tops and knitwear, but go up one to two in H&M jeans, trousers, and fitted skirts — Mango sizing won't prepare you for how small H&M bottoms run.
- Coming from H&M to Mango: take your true size in knitwear and outerwear, size up only in fitted woven dresses and jeans, and check sleeve and inseam lengths — Mango cuts long, especially if you're petite.
- Between sizes? The brands pull opposite ways: at Mango above S the smaller size often works (generous grading), while at H&M the larger size is the safer bet for anything fitted.
Measurements are based on each brand's published size charts and may vary by garment, fabric, and region. For the full charts and fit notes, see the H&M size guide and the Mango size guide.
H&M vs Mango sizing FAQs
Which runs smaller, H&M or Mango?
H&M in practice. Its garments run small overall — bottoms by one to two sizes — while Mango is widely considered the most true-to-size of the Spanish high-street brands. On the charts themselves, though, the letters describe similar bodies, so the difference is in the garments more than the numbers.
Is an H&M medium the same as a Mango medium?
Close, surprisingly. Mango's M carries a 92 cm bust, which sits inside H&M's EU 40 — the lower half of H&M's M (EU 40–42). The EU labels disagree (Mango M = 38, H&M M = 40–42), but the bodies they fit largely overlap, so most people keep their letter in tops.
Why shouldn't I convert by EU number between H&M and Mango?
Because Mango's grading widens above S. A Mango EU 40 is its L, with a 98 cm bust — while an H&M EU 40 fits a 90–94 cm bust. Same number, very different garment. With this pair, match by letter or, better, by your actual measurements.
Do I need to size up in jeans at both brands?
Yes, but to different degrees. Mango's jeans run snug and many shoppers go up one. H&M's denim is in another league — one to two sizes under the label is common, and checking the waist measurement in centimetres beats trusting any conversion.
Which brand fits better if I'm tall — or petite?
Tall shoppers tend to do better at Mango: it cuts for a slightly taller frame, with long sleeves and inseams. Petite shoppers should check Mango's garment lengths before buying, and may find H&M's standard proportions easier — just remember H&M's own corrections for bottoms.
