Suit Size Calculator for Men

A suit size has two parts: a number and a letter. The number is your chest measurement in inches, and the letter is the jacket length, set by your height. A 40R is a 40-inch chest in a Regular length. The trousers that come with a standard suit are 6 inches smaller than the jacket, so a 40R usually comes with 34-inch trousers.

How to measure for a suit

You need a soft tape measure and, ideally, someone to hold it. Measure over a thin shirt, stand relaxed, and keep the tape level and snug without pulling it tight.

1. Chest. Wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades. Don’t puff your chest out. This number is your jacket size.
2. Waist. Measure where your trousers sit. For most suit trousers that’s at or just below the belly button. This number is your trouser size.
3. Height. Stand straight against a wall without shoes. Height decides Short, Regular or Long.

Suit size chart: chest to jacket size

US and UK jacket sizes use the chest in inches. Size ranges below follow the common retailer pattern, where a size 40 fits a 39 to 40.5-inch chest. If you fall between two sizes, take the larger one: a jacket can be taken in, but there’s little room to let it out.

Jacket size (US/UK)	Chest (inches)	Chest (cm)	Trousers with a 6-inch drop	European size
36	35 to 36.5 in	89 to 93 cm	30	46
38	37 to 38.5 in	94 to 98 cm	32	48
40	39 to 40.5 in	99 to 103 cm	34	50
42	41 to 42.5 in	104 to 108 cm	36	52
44	43 to 44.5 in	109 to 113 cm	38	54
46	45 to 46.5 in	114 to 118 cm	40	56
48	47 to 48.5 in	119 to 123 cm	42	58
50	49 to 50.5 in	124 to 128 cm	44	60
52	51 to 52.5 in	130 to 133 cm	46	62
54	53 to 54.5 in	135 to 138 cm	48	64

Short, Regular or Long: jacket length by height

The letter after the number is the jacket length. It also sets the sleeve length, which is why it follows your height. Retailers draw the lines a little differently, so if you sit right on a boundary, arm length is the tiebreaker.

Length	Letter	Height
Short	S	5′7″ and under
Regular	R	5′8″ to 5′11″
Long	L	6′0″ to 6′3″
Extra Long	XL	6′4″ and up

What is a suit drop?

The drop is the difference between the jacket size and the trouser waist. The industry standard is a 6-inch drop, so a 42 jacket comes with 36 trousers.

• Drop 6 (standard): most off-the-rack suits.
• Drop 7 or 8 (athletic): for a broad chest and a narrow waist. Look for “athletic fit” on the label.
• Drop 4 (classic): for a waist close to the chest size. Look for “classic fit” or “drop 4”.

If your drop is far from 6, buy suit separates: the jacket and trousers are sold in their own sizes, from the same fabric, so each piece fits.

Suit size by height and weight

Without a tape measure, your height and weight give a close starting suit size: store size charts put a man who is 5′10″ and 165 pounds in a 40R, and each extra 20 to 25 pounds adds about one jacket size. Choose Height and weight in the calculator above, or read your size from the chart. Height sets the length (Short, Regular or Long) and weight mostly sets the chest size.

Height	140 lb	160 lb	180 lb	200 lb	220 lb	240 lb
5′6″	38S	40S	42S	44S	46S	48S
5′8″	38R	40R	42R	44R	46R	46R
5′10″	38R	40R	42R	42R	44R	46R
6′0″	38L	40L	40L	42L	44L	46L
6′2″	36L	38L	40L	42L	44L	46L
6′4″	36XL	38XL	40XL	42XL	44XL	46XL

The chart assumes an average build. With a broad chest and a narrow waist, go one jacket size up and look for an athletic fit (drop 7 or 8). With a fuller middle, keep the jacket size and go up in the trousers, or buy suit separates. Measuring your chest is always more accurate than an estimate.

How a suit should fit once you have the size

A size gets you close. Fit decides the rest, and the shoulders matter most because they are the hardest part for a tailor to change.

• Shoulders: the shoulder seam ends where your shoulder ends, with no dent below it and no padding hanging past it.
• Chest: the jacket buttons without the fabric pulling into an X around the button.
• Sleeves: about a quarter to half an inch of shirt cuff shows below the jacket sleeve.
• Length: the jacket covers your seat.
• Trousers: the waist sits without a belt doing the work. Hems are easy to adjust, so judge the waist and seat first.

Where to go next

Once you know your size, pick the suit or jacket for the job. Start with how to wear a black suit, then match it with the right tie for a charcoal suit. The same chest size works for a sport coat, so it also applies to a grey blazer, a navy blazer or a casual blazer. Dressing for an event? See how to dress for a wedding.

Suit Size FAQs

Is my suit size the same as my chest size?

Usually, yes. US and UK jacket sizes are based on the chest in inches, so a 42-inch chest wears a size 42. Brands do vary slightly, so check the brand’s own chart before you order.

What does 40R mean?

40R is a size 40 jacket in Regular length. It fits a chest of about 39 to 40.5 inches and a height of about 5′8″ to 5′11″. With a standard 6-inch drop, it comes with 34-inch trousers.

What size trousers come with a 42 jacket?

With a standard 6-inch drop, a 42 jacket comes with 36-inch trousers. Athletic-fit suits pair it with 34 or 35, and classic-fit suits with 38.

What is the difference between 40R and 40L?

Both fit the same chest. The 40L has a longer body and longer sleeves for men about 6′0″ to 6′3″.

Should I size up or down if I’m between suit sizes?

Size up. A tailor can take a jacket in through the body, but there is little spare fabric to let it out, and shoulders can’t be made bigger.