Zara and GAP sit on opposite sides of the fit divide. Zara cuts slim on European blocks, labels in EU numbers, and is known for running small — worst in fitted pieces, jeans, and its TRF line. GAP is the reference point for classic American sizing: US numerics behind alpha letters, relaxed shoulders, and generous ease through the body.
Because the two brands use different sizing systems — EU numeric versus US numeric and alpha — the tables below are aligned by body measurement, not by label. The short version of what they show: at the same bust or chest, GAP's letter is one size lower than Zara's, which is exactly why people who shop both keep two different "my size" answers in their head.
The short answer
Zara runs smaller — your GAP size is usually one size down from your Zara size
The charts say it plainly: a Zara M fits a 90 cm (35.4") bust, which lands at GAP's S (34.5–35.5"); a Zara L (94–96 cm) lands at GAP's M (36.5–37.5" · 92.5–95.5 cm). Men's tracks the same way — Zara's L (99–103 cm chest) matches GAP's M (39–41") almost exactly. One letter of offset, consistently, before fit even enters the picture.
Then fit widens the gap. Zara runs small in practice, especially in structured pieces and TRF, while GAP runs true to American size with a slightly generous lean — and its relaxed and oversized lines run notably big. So the one-size offset is the floor: moving from a fitted Zara blazer to a relaxed GAP one can feel like two sizes of difference even when the chart says one.
Zara vs GAP at a glance
| Zara | GAP | |
|---|---|---|
| Sizing system | EU numeric (34–44) with letters; a 38 is a US 6 | US numeric (0–20) behind alpha letters (XS–XXL) |
| Overall fit | Runs small — slim European cut, varies by line | True to size, leaning slightly generous; American fit |
| Same-letter reality | M fits a 90 cm (35.4") bust | M fits a 36.5–37.5" (92.5–95.5 cm) bust — one size up in body |
| Where to adjust | Size up in jeans, blazers, structured dresses, TRF | Size down in relaxed and oversized styles |
| Consistency | Loose — per-product size tool instead of one chart | Fit drifts between items and seasons; pant lengths skew odd |
Women's size mapping by bust
Rows are aligned by body bust measurement, not by label — Zara sizes in EU numbers, GAP in US numeric/alpha. Zara figures are as commonly republished from its per-product size tool; GAP figures are from its published chart.
| Zara size | Zara bust | Closest GAP size | GAP bust |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS (EU 34) | 82 cm · 32.3" | XS (US 0–2) | 32.5–33.5" · 82.5–85 cm |
| S (EU 36) | 86 cm · 33.9" | XS–S (US 2–4) | 34.5–35.5" · 87.5–90 cm |
| M (EU 38) | 90 cm · 35.4" | S (US 4–6) | 34.5–35.5" · 87.5–90 cm |
| L (EU 40) | 94–96 cm · 37–37.8" | M (US 8–10) | 36.5–37.5" · 92.5–95.5 cm |
| XL (EU 42) | 98–102 cm · 38.6–40.2" | L (US 12–14) | 39–40.5" · 99–103 cm |
| XXL (EU 44) | 102–108 cm · 40.2–42.5" | L–XL (US 14–16) | 42–44" · 106.5–112 cm |
Women's waists at the matched sizes
Body waist measurements for the bust-matched pairs above — the waists tell the same one-size-offset story.
| Zara size · waist | GAP size · waist |
|---|---|
| XS · 62–64 cm · 24.5–25" | XS · 25.5" · 65 cm |
| S · 66 cm · 26" | XS–S · 25.5–27.5" · 65–70 cm |
| M · 70 cm · 27.6" | S · 26.5–27.5" · 67.5–70 cm |
| L · 74–76 cm · 29.1–30" | M · 28.5–29.5" · 72.5–75 cm |
| XL · 78–82 cm · 30.7–32.3" | L · 30.75–32" · 78–81.5 cm |
| XXL · 82–88 cm · 32.3–34.6" | L–XL · 30.75–35.75" · 78–91 cm |
Men's tops by chest
Body chest measurements, aligned by measurement rather than letter. Zara figures are as commonly republished from its size guidance. Note how Zara's L lines up with GAP's M.
| Zara size · chest | Closest GAP size · chest |
|---|---|
| S · 89–93 cm · 35–36.5" | XS–S · 34–38" · 86.5–96.5 cm |
| M · 94–98 cm · 37–38.5" | S · 36–38" · 91.5–96.5 cm |
| L · 99–103 cm · 39–40.5" | M · 39–41" · 99–104 cm |
| XL · 104–108 cm · 41–42.5" | L · 42–44" · 106.5–112 cm |
| XXL · 109–114 cm · 43–45" | L–XL · 42–47" · 106.5–119.5 cm |
Switching between Zara and GAP
- Going Zara → GAP: drop one letter as your starting point — a Zara L body is a GAP M body — and drop another in GAP's relaxed or oversized styles.
- Going GAP → Zara: go up one letter, and up again for jeans, blazers, structured dresses, or anything TRF.
- Don't trust the letters at all — convert through your bust, waist, or chest measurement; the two systems define every letter differently.
- GAP's quirk isn't smallness, it's drift: check the fit description (slim, straight, relaxed) and inseam options before the size chart, especially on pants.
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 Zara size guide and the GAP size guide.
Zara vs GAP sizing FAQs
Which runs smaller, Zara or GAP?
Zara, by about one full size. The charts already put GAP's letters one size bigger in body terms — a Zara L matches a GAP M — and on top of that Zara's cut runs small in fitted pieces while GAP runs true to size with a generous lean.
What GAP size should I buy if I wear a Zara medium?
Start with a GAP small. A Zara M fits a 90 cm (35.4") bust, which sits at the top of GAP's S range (34.5–35.5"). If the GAP piece is labeled relaxed or oversized, the small will be roomy — that's the cut, not a sizing error.
Is a Zara 38 the same as a GAP 6?
Nominally yes — Zara converts EU 38 to US 6 — but the garments fit differently. GAP cuts roomier than Zara at the same nominal size, so many EU 38 shoppers find GAP's US 6 fits the way a Zara 40 does. GAP's own guidance: coming from European brands, your GAP size is usually one down.
Do Zara and GAP jeans size the same way?
No. Zara jeans follow its EU sizing and run small — one size up is standard advice. GAP jeans run mostly true in the waist, but lengths are inconsistent and high-stretch washes relax with wear, so GAP's advice is about length and stretch, not about sizing up.
Which brand is more consistent?
Neither is great, but differently. Zara varies by line — TRF runs slimmest, Zara Woman more generous — which is why it offers a per-product size calculator. GAP's fit drifts between items and seasons, so its fit labels (slim, straight, relaxed) matter more than the size chart.
