Buying clothes from an overseas store is a gamble when you cannot read the size chart. A size “M” in one country can fit like a “S” in another, the measurements may be in centimeters while you think in inches, and the table may describe the garment lying flat instead of the body it is made to fit. Add a language barrier and it is easy to order something that arrives two sizes too small, and then spend weeks arranging a return.
This guide explains how to translate size charts from a photo or a screenshot, how to read the measurements correctly, which words to look for in several languages and how to avoid the most common mistakes. You can follow along with our image to English tool.
Step one: capture the chart properly
Size charts are usually images on a product page, which means the browser’s page translation will not read them. Take a screenshot instead.
- Capture the whole table, including the header row and any notes underneath it.
- If the chart is long, take two screenshots, and keep the header visible in both.
- Zoom in on the page before you capture, so numbers are large.
- Do not forget the small print under the table. It often says how the measurements were taken and what tolerance to expect.
See our guides on translating screenshots on Android and iPhone for the details.
Step two: translate and check the numbers
- Open the translator and upload the screenshot.
- Choose the language of the chart, such as Chinese (Simplified), Korean or Japanese.
- Choose English as the target.
- Press Translate.
- Compare every number in the left box with the screenshot. A misread digit is the most expensive error.
Tables are tricky for a reader because the cells need to stay in the right order. If the output looks mixed up, crop and translate one row or one column at a time.
Body measurements or garment measurements?
This is the most important question, and many buyers miss it.
| Type | What it means | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Body measurements | The size of the person the garment is designed to fit | Compare with your own measurements |
| Garment measurements | The size of the item itself, laid flat | Compare with a similar garment you own, measured flat |
A garment measurement of 50 centimeters across the chest, laid flat, means a circumference of about 100 centimeters, because the garment has a front and a back. If you compare that 50 with your own chest circumference, you will order the wrong size. Look for notes on the page that say which kind of measurement the table uses.
Measurement words in several languages
| Measurement | Chinese | Korean | Japanese |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 胸围 | 가슴둘레 | バスト |
| Waist | 腰围 | 허리 | ウエスト |
| Hips | 臀围 | 엉덩이 | ヒップ |
| Shoulder width | 肩宽 | 어깨너비 | 肩幅 |
| Length | 衣长 | 총장 | 着丈 |
| Sleeve length | 袖长 | 소매길이 | 袖丈 |
Whenever a measurement label looks odd after translation, compare it with this list. The words for “circumference” and “width” matter, because they tell you whether the number is for the full loop or just across the flat garment.
Units: centimeters and inches
Most overseas charts use centimeters. Divide by 2.54 to get inches. For quick checks, 100 centimeters is about 39.4 inches. Shoe and foot sizes may use millimeters for the length of the foot. Make sure you know the unit before comparing. When a chart shows both a number and a unit abbreviation, read the abbreviation carefully.
Size labels differ by region
Letter sizes such as S, M and L do not mean the same thing everywhere. Clothing made for some markets in East Asia often runs smaller than in Europe and North America, and brands choose their own scales. Numeric sizes also differ. For that reason, trust the measurements, not the letter. If a chart offers body measurements, use those to select your size, and treat the letter as a rough label.
How to measure yourself
- Use a soft tape measure, and wear light clothing.
- Chest: measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level under the arms.
- Waist: measure around the narrowest part of your torso, which is usually just above the navel.
- Hips: measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level.
- Shoulder width: measure across the back from one shoulder edge to the other.
- Sleeve length: measure from the shoulder edge to the wrist, with the arm slightly bent.
- Write down your numbers in centimeters and in inches.
The tape should be snug, not tight. Ask someone to help for the most accurate numbers.
Measure a garment you already own
If the chart gives garment measurements, the most reliable method is to lay a well fitting garment of the same type flat and measure it across the chest, the length and the sleeve. Compare these numbers with the chart. This skips the guesswork about what the numbers represent, and it tells you directly which size will fit as your favorite piece does.
Tolerance and notes
Many sellers add a note that measurements are taken by hand and may differ by one to three centimeters. That is normal, but it means you should not choose a size that fits you perfectly by a hair. If you are between sizes, think about the fabric and the fit you want. Stretchy materials are forgiving, while woven fabrics with no stretch are not. If the chart notes mention “relaxed fit”, “slim fit” or “oversized”, the garment may have extra room built in. Translate those notes, because they change what the numbers mean.
Shoes and accessories
For shoes, look for foot length in millimeters or centimeters, and measure your own foot on paper. Allow room for toes and consider the width. For rings, belts and hats, look for circumference in a unit, and check your own size with a string and a ruler.
Return policies and fees
Before you buy, translate the return policy, which is often on a separate image or page. Look for the return window, who pays shipping, whether items must be unworn and what happens with sale items. Overseas returns can cost more than the item. If the policy is unclear, consider choosing a size more carefully, or buying from a seller with simpler returns.
Where translations go wrong
| Issue | What you will notice | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Table cells out of order | Numbers attached to the wrong label | Translate one row or column at a time |
| Misread digits | A measurement looks unusually large or small | Compare with the screenshot |
| Ambiguous labels | “Width” versus “circumference” | Look for explanatory notes |
| Brand and style names | Translated into odd words | Use the original name |
| Small print | Skipped lines about tolerance and fit | Zoom in and capture the notes separately |
A quick checklist before you order
- Capture the full chart and the notes under it.
- Translate it and check each number against the screenshot.
- Decide whether the chart uses body or garment measurements.
- Compare with your own measurements or a garment you own.
- Allow for tolerance, fabric and fit style.
- Translate the return policy.
Be realistic about accuracy
For clean, printed tables, the results are usually good enough to identify the measurements. Stylized images and small print are harder. Machine translation can also misjudge technical terms, so treat uncertain labels with caution. If you are buying something expensive, ask the seller to confirm the key measurement in a message. Our disclaimer sets out the limits.
A worked example
Suppose a jacket listing shows a chart with chest, shoulder width, length and sleeve length, and a note that the measurements are taken laid flat. You translate it and read that the size you are considering has a chest of 56 centimeters. You know that your chest circumference is 104 centimeters, so you divide 104 by 2 and get 52. The jacket’s flat chest of 56 means a garment circumference of 112 centimeters, which gives you about 8 centimeters of room. That is a comfortable fit for a jacket worn over a sweater. You then compare the shoulder width and the sleeve length with a jacket you own, and they match. You order with confidence, instead of guessing from a letter.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a size by the letter instead of the measurements.
- Comparing a flat garment number with a body circumference.
- Ignoring the note about hand measuring and tolerance.
- Forgetting that fabric stretch changes the fit.
- Skipping the return policy until after the order is placed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I translate a size chart from a screenshot for free?
Yes. Our tool is free and does not need an account.
Why do the numbers look too small?
The chart may show garment measurements laid flat, so the full circumference is double. Check the notes.
Are overseas sizes smaller?
Many are, but it varies by brand and region. Trust the measurements, not the letter.
What if the table comes out jumbled?
Crop one row or column at a time, and compare with the screenshot.
How can I be sure of the fit?
Measure a garment you own and compare, and ask the seller to confirm key numbers.
Next steps
Take a screenshot of the next size chart you meet and open the translator. Our guide to translating Chinese images covers shopping screenshots in more depth, and our guide to translating product labels helps with care and washing labels once your order arrives.