Primark sizes its clothes in UK sizing, and two things define the experience: pieces tend to run small — especially denim and anything fitted — and consistency is famously loose, so two identical garments can fit differently. Primark even revised its size chart in 2021 after complaints, and shoppers still report a smaller-than-labeled tendency.
Below is Primark's published women's body chart with UK, EU, and US conversions, the men's tops chart, and the practical rules that make Primark shopping less of a lottery.
How does Primark fit?
The consensus: Primark runs small overall, most sharply in jeans, fitted dresses, and tailored shirts — even Primark staff are known to recommend sizing up in denim. Basics and oversized tops sit closer to true to size. The other defining trait is inconsistency between individual garments, so treat the chart as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
- Size up in jeans, fitted dresses, and formal shirts.
- Basics and oversized styles are closer to true to size.
- Remember the chart is in UK sizes — a Primark 12 is a US 8.
- Because consistency varies garment to garment, check the measurements on the label, not just the size.
Women's size chart
Body measurements from Primark's published chart (published in cm; inches converted).
| UK | EU | US | Bust | Waist | Hip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 32 | 0 | 76 cm · 30" | 59 cm · 23" | 83 cm · 32.5" |
| 6 | 34 | 2 | 79 cm · 31" | 62 cm · 24.5" | 86 cm · 34" |
| 8 | 36 | 4 | 83 cm · 32.5" | 66 cm · 26" | 90 cm · 35.5" |
| 10 | 38 | 6 | 87 cm · 34.5" | 70 cm · 27.5" | 94 cm · 37" |
| 12 | 40 | 8 | 91 cm · 36" | 74 cm · 29" | 98 cm · 38.5" |
| 14 | 42 | 10 | 96 cm · 38" | 79 cm · 31" | 103 cm · 40.5" |
| 16 | 44 | 12 | 102 cm · 40" | 85 cm · 33.5" | 109 cm · 43" |
| 18 | 46 | 14 | 109 cm · 43" | 94 cm · 37" | 116 cm · 45.5" |
| 20 | 48 | 16 | 114 cm · 45" | 97 cm · 38" | 121 cm · 47.5" |
Men's tops size chart
To-fit chest measurements; Primark states sizes are the same across UK, EU, and US. Men's bottoms are sold by waist size in inches.
| Size | Chest |
|---|---|
| XS | up to 36" · 90 cm |
| S | 36–38" · 91–96 cm |
| M | 38–40" · 97–102 cm |
| L | 41–43" · 103–108 cm |
| XL | 44–46" · 112–117 cm |
| 2XL | 47–49" · 119–124 cm |
Measurements are based on Primark's published size charts and may vary by garment, fabric, and region. Always check the size chart on the product page before ordering.
Primark sizing FAQs
Does Primark run small?
Generally yes. Jeans, fitted dresses, and tailored shirts are the most common offenders — sizing up one in those is standard advice, and even Primark staff recommend it for denim. Basics and oversized tops are closer to true to size.
What is my Primark size in US sizing?
Primark uses UK sizing, which runs four numbers higher than US: a UK 8 is a US 4, a UK 12 is a US 8, and a UK 16 is a US 12. In alpha sizes, Primark's M covers roughly UK 12–14, or US 8–10.
Why do two identical Primark items fit differently?
Primark's garment-to-garment consistency is looser than at most brands — manufacturing tolerances vary across factories and batches, so two copies of the same piece in the same size can measure differently. When it matters, check the garment's actual measurements rather than trusting the label.
Did Primark change its sizing?
Yes — Primark introduced a revised size chart in 2021 after widespread complaints that its clothes ran small. Shoppers report sizing improved but still tends to run small in fitted styles, so the size-up-in-denim rule still applies.
