Levi's and Old Navy sit at opposite ends of the denim-honesty spectrum. Levi's sizes jeans by actual waist measurement — the label number is a real waist, and men's pairs even fit about half an inch to an inch above it. Old Navy is the opposite story: it's one of the most consistently generous-sizing mainstream brands, and garments often measure a size or more over what the chart says, jeans very much included.
One caveat before the tables: Levi's published guide is jeans-specific, while Old Navy's chart covers its clothing in general — so this isn't a perfectly apples-to-apples comparison. Waist measurement is the common denominator, which is why everything below is aligned by body waist rather than by what's printed on the label.
The short answer
Old Navy runs bigger — Levi's jeans fit the number on the label; Old Navy's often measure a size over it.
On paper the two charts describe similar bodies — an Old Navy M waist of 28–29" lines up with a Levi's 27–28 — but the garments behave differently. Levi's runs true to size as a baseline, with quirks that are fit-specific rather than brand-wide: the Ribcage and Wedgie run small, rigid 501s are tight in the hip, and the 511 is snug in the thigh. Old Navy's generosity, by contrast, is brand-wide: independent tests have found pants measuring inches larger than marked, and its jeans run big in both waist and hip.
Practically, that means the conversion is asymmetric. Going from Levi's to Old Navy, your measured waist size will usually feel roomy — most shoppers go down one for a fitted look. Going from Old Navy to Levi's, don't trust your Old Navy label at all: measure your waist and pick the Levi's number that matches, because the Old Navy size you wear probably flatters you by an inch or more.
Levi's vs Old Navy at a glance
| Levi's | Old Navy | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | Waist-in-inches: men's W×L, women's numeric 24–34 tied to real waist measurements | US alpha sizes (XS–XXL) for women; men's bottoms by numeric waist in inches |
| Overall fit | True to size on paper; varies by fit line (Ribcage small, rigid 501 tight, 511 slim thigh) | Runs large — garments often measure a size or more over the label |
| Denim behaviour | Men's labels fit about half an inch to an inch of body waist above the number | Jeans run big in waist and hip; stretch washes relax further with wear |
| When between sizes | Depends on fabric: size up in rigid fits, true to size or down in stretchy washes | Take the smaller size — especially in stretch denim |
| Consistency | Each fit has its own personality, but holds steady once you know it | Basics stay close to true to size; fitted and fashion pieces carry the generous sizing |
Levi's women's sizes in Old Navy letters
Rows are aligned by body waist measurement, not by label. Old Navy's published ranges leave gaps between letters, so several Levi's sizes land between two Old Navy sizes — and remember Old Navy garments often measure over their own chart.
| Levi's size | Body waist (Levi's chart) | Old Navy size by waist |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | 25.25" · 64 cm | just above XS (23–25" · 58.5–63.5 cm) |
| 25 | 26.25" · 66.5 cm | S (26–27" · 66–68.5 cm) |
| 26 | 27.25" · 69 cm | between S and M |
| 27 | 28.25" · 72 cm | M (28–29" · 71–73.5 cm) |
| 28 | 29.25" · 74.5 cm | between M and L |
| 29 | 30.25" · 77 cm | between M and L, just under L |
| 30 | 31.25" · 79.5 cm | L (30.5–32.5" · 77.5–82.5 cm) |
| 31 | 32.75" · 83 cm | between L and XL |
| 32 | 34.25" · 87 cm | between L and XL, just under XL |
| 33 | 35.75" · 91 cm | XL (34.5–37" · 87.5–94 cm) |
| 34 | 37.75" · 96 cm | between XL and XXL |
Women's waist and hip side by side
Aligned by body waist, not label. Levi's chart is jeans-specific; Old Navy's covers its clothing generally. Note the hips: at the same waist, Old Navy's chart allows roughly an inch or two more hip than Levi's — part of why its jeans feel roomier.
| Old Navy size | Waist | Hip | Nearest Levi's size | Levi's waist | Levi's hip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 23–25" · 58.5–63.5 cm | 34–36" · 86.5–91.5 cm | 24 | 25.25" · 64 cm | 34" · 86.5 cm |
| S | 26–27" · 66–68.5 cm | 37–38" · 94–96.5 cm | 25 | 26.25" · 66.5 cm | 35" · 89 cm |
| M | 28–29" · 71–73.5 cm | 39–40" · 99–101.5 cm | 27 | 28.25" · 72 cm | 37" · 94 cm |
| L | 30.5–32.5" · 77.5–82.5 cm | 41.5–43.5" · 105.5–110.5 cm | 30 | 31.25" · 79.5 cm | 40" · 101.5 cm |
| XL | 34.5–37" · 87.5–94 cm | 45.5–48" · 115.5–122 cm | 33 | 35.75" · 91 cm | 44.5" · 113 cm |
| XXL | 39.5" · 100.5 cm | 50.5" · 128.5 cm | above 34 | 34 is 37.75" · 96 cm | 46.5" · 118 cm |
Switching between Levi's and Old Navy
- Going Old Navy → Levi's: don't translate your label — measure your waist in inches and buy that Levi's number, because your Old Navy size likely understates your measurements by an inch or more.
- Going Levi's → Old Navy: your true waist size will usually feel roomy; most shoppers drop one size for a fitted look in Old Navy jeans.
- At both brands, stretch denim relaxes with wear — when between sizes in a stretchy wash, take the smaller at Old Navy and consider it at Levi's too.
- Levi's quirks override the conversion: size up in the Ribcage, Wedgie, and rigid 501s no matter what your Old Navy size suggests.
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 Levi's size guide and the Old Navy size guide.
Levi's vs Old Navy sizing FAQs
Which runs bigger, Levi's or Old Navy?
Old Navy, clearly. Levi's labels are real waist measurements and run true to size (men's even fit about half an inch to an inch above the number), while Old Navy garments frequently measure a size or more over the chart — independent tests have found pants inches larger than marked.
I wear a medium in Old Navy jeans — what Levi's size am I?
Old Navy's M covers a 28–29" waist, which lines up with a Levi's 27 (28.25") or 28 (29.25") on paper. But because Old Navy runs generous, many M wearers measure closer to a Levi's 28–29. Measure your actual waist and buy that number — it's what Levi's sizing is built for.
Do men's sizes convert directly between Levi's and Old Navy?
Both sell men's bottoms by waist-in-inches, so the labels look interchangeable — but they aren't quite. Levi's states each labeled size fits a body waist about half an inch to an inch above the number, while Old Navy cuts most generously of the GAP family and its jeans run big in the waist. Expect the same number to fit noticeably roomier at Old Navy.
Should I size down in Old Navy jeans if Levi's fit me true to size?
Usually yes. Old Navy jeans tend to run big in the waist and hip, and most washes have enough stretch to relax further with wear. If your Levi's size fits well, start one size down at Old Navy for a comparable fit.
Is either brand inconsistent between styles?
In different ways. Levi's varies by fit, not by accident — a 511 is deliberately slimmer than a 501, and the Ribcage runs small — but each fit is stable. Old Navy's variance is between categories: basics like tees and sweats run close to true to size while fitted pieces and denim carry the generous sizing.
