Zara and H&M anchor the same high street, and both have a reputation for running small — but they run small in completely different ways. Zara cuts slim across the board, worst in fitted pieces and its TRF line. H&M is split: its numeric sizes run small (bottoms especially), while its letter sizes are cut wide — each H&M letter spans two EU sizes.
That split is why so many shoppers get burned moving between the two: the same M on the label is a genuinely different garment in each store. Below are both brands' charts side by side, the letter-size mapping that causes most of the confusion, and the conversion rule that makes switching painless.
The short answer
Zara runs smaller — especially by letter size
By the letter, it's not close: Zara's M maps to EU 38, while H&M's M spans EU 40–42 — physically one to two sizes larger. The same person quite often wears M at H&M and L at Zara, and neither label is "wrong"; they just define the letters differently.
By the EU number, the two charts nearly align, so the safe way to switch brands is to convert through the EU size, never the letter. The real-world caveats: Zara's fitted pieces and TRF line run snugger than its chart suggests, and H&M's bottoms run the smallest of anything either brand sells — one to two sizes under the label.
Zara vs H&M at a glance
| Zara | H&M | |
|---|---|---|
| Letter sizes | Each letter = one EU size; M is EU 38 | Each letter spans two EU sizes; M is EU 40–42 |
| Overall fit | Runs small — worst in fitted pieces, jeans, and TRF | Runs small in numeric sizes; letters run large |
| Where to size up | Jeans, blazers, structured dresses, anything TRF | Jeans, trousers, and fitted skirts — often by two |
| Consistency | Varies by line (TRF slim, Zara Woman more generous) | Varies item to item, even within a category |
| Official size help | Per-product size calculator instead of one chart | Published chart with measurement ranges |
Letter sizes compared (women)
The same EU size carries a different letter at each brand — this table is why converting by letter goes wrong.
| EU | US | Zara label | H&M label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 2 | XS | XS |
| 36 | 4 | S | S |
| 38 | 6 | M | S |
| 40 | 8 | L | M |
| 42 | 10 | XL | M |
| 44 | 12 | XXL | L |
Women's body measurements side by side
Bust and waist from each brand's size guidance (H&M publishes ranges; Zara figures are as commonly republished from its per-product tool). Hips follow the same pattern.
| EU | Zara bust | H&M bust | Zara waist | H&M waist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 82 cm · 32.3" | 78–82 cm · 30.7–32.3" | 62–64 cm · 24.5–25" | 62–66 cm · 24.4–26" |
| 36 | 86 cm · 33.9" | 82–86 cm · 32.3–33.9" | 66 cm · 26" | 66–70 cm · 26–27.6" |
| 38 | 90 cm · 35.4" | 86–90 cm · 33.9–35.4" | 70 cm · 27.6" | 70–74 cm · 27.6–29.1" |
| 40 | 94–96 cm · 37–37.8" | 90–94 cm · 35.4–37" | 74–76 cm · 29.1–30" | 74–78 cm · 29.1–30.7" |
| 42 | 98–102 cm · 38.6–40.2" | 94–98 cm · 37–38.6" | 78–82 cm · 30.7–32.3" | 78–82.5 cm · 30.7–32.5" |
| 44 | 102–108 cm · 40.2–42.5" | 98–102 cm · 38.6–40.2" | 82–88 cm · 32.3–34.6" | 82.5–87.5 cm · 32.5–34.4" |
Men's tops side by side
Body chest measurements at the same EU size. The charts are nearly identical on paper — the difference is in the cut, with Zara's slim fits running noticeably trimmer.
| EU | Zara size · chest | H&M size · chest |
|---|---|---|
| 46 | S · 89–93 cm (35–36.5") | S · 90–94 cm (35.4–37") |
| 48 | M · 94–98 cm (37–38.5") | M · 94–98 cm (37–38.6") |
| 50 | L · 99–103 cm (39–40.5") | M · 98–102 cm (38.6–40.2") |
| 52 | XL · 104–108 cm (41–42.5") | L · 102–106 cm (40.2–41.7") |
Switching between Zara and H&M
- Convert through the EU number on the label, never the letter — the letters disagree by up to two sizes.
- Coming from H&M to Zara: expect to move up a letter (an H&M M is Zara L territory), and size up again for TRF or anything structured.
- Coming from Zara to H&M: your Zara letter will feel roomy in H&M tops — but still size up in H&M jeans and trousers, which run smaller than anything at Zara.
- In denim, neither brand is safe at your usual size: go up one at Zara and one to two at H&M.
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 H&M size guide.
Zara vs H&M sizing FAQs
Which runs smaller, Zara or H&M?
By letter size, Zara — its M equals EU 38 while H&M's M spans EU 40–42, so the same letter is a smaller garment at Zara. By the EU number the charts are close. The smallest-fitting garments in either store are H&M bottoms and Zara's TRF line, both of which commonly need one to two sizes up.
Is a Zara medium the same as an H&M medium?
No. Zara's M maps to roughly EU 38, while H&M's M covers EU 40–42 — so an H&M medium is physically one to two sizes larger. Someone who wears M at H&M will usually need L at Zara for the same fit.
How do I convert my H&M size to Zara?
Keep the EU number and ignore the letter. If your H&M jeans are an EU 40, look for EU 40 at Zara — it will be labelled L rather than M. For fitted Zara pieces and the TRF line, consider one EU size up on top of that.
Do Zara and H&M use the same US size conversions?
Yes — both label in EU sizes and convert the same way: subtract 30 from the EU number and halve it. An EU 38 is a US 6 at both stores, an EU 40 is a US 8, and so on. It's only the letters that disagree.
Do I need to size up in jeans at both brands?
Yes. Zara jeans run small enough that one size up is the standard advice. H&M denim is even less forgiving — one size up minimum, two for low-stretch styles. At both brands, checking the waist measurement in centimetres beats trusting the label.
