The sizing system used by the British Military can be confusing at the best of times and considering many of the items sold here at Northumbrian Supplies use this system, we thought it best to give a brief rundown on how it all works.
General Principles The British Military use Metric measurements to size their clothing and equipment, this can make it somewhat difficult to size as most of use are more familiar with the Imperial System of using Inches to measure clothing sizes.
Trousers
The British Military sizing system splits trouser sizes into a set of three numbers. For example 80/80/96.
The first number in the set relates to the inside leg length, 80cm for instance.
The second number in the set relates to the waist circumference, again, 80cm for instance.
The third number relates to the size of the seat, for instance 96cm.
So, the easiest way to size yourself for trousers in the British Military system is to either measure yourself in centimeters or convert the measurements into inches.
For example trousers listed as 80/80/96 would have an inside leg measurement of approximately 31 1/2", a waist circumference of approximately 31 1/2", and a seat of approximately 37 2/3".
Trouser Size Conversion Charts
Common Inside Leg Lengths:
Centimeters | 75cm | 80cm | 85cm | 90cm |
Inches (Approx) | 29 1/2" | 31 1/2" | 33 1/2" | 35 1/2" |
Common Waist Circumferences:
Centimeters | 72cm | 76cm | 80cm | 84cm | 88cm | 92cm | 96cm | 100cm | 104cm | 108cm | 112cm | 116cm |
Inches (Approx) | 28 1/3" | 29 4/5" | 31 1/2" | 33" | 34 3/5" | 36 1/5" | 37 4/5" | 39 2/5" | 41" | 42 1/2" | 44" | 45 3/5 |
Shirts, Jackets, and Smocks
The British Military sizing system splits shirt and jacket sizes into a set of two numbers. For example 170/96.
The first number in the set relates to the height of the wearer in centimeters, for instance, 170 would denote a height of 170cm or approximately 5 foot 6 inches.
The second number in the set relates to chest measurements, for example 96 would denote a chest measurement of 96cm or 37 4/5"
Shirts, Jackets, and Smocks Size Conversion Charts
Common Heights:
Centimeters | 160cm | 170cm | 180cm | 190cm | 200cm |
Feet & Inches (Approx) | 5' 3" | 5' 6" | 5' 10" | 6' 2" | 6' 6" |
Common Chest Sizes:
Centimeters | 88cm | 96cm | 104cm | 112cm | 120cm |
Inches (Approx) | 34 1/2" | 37 4/5" | 41" | 44" | 47 1/4" |
Jumpers / Wooly Pullys
In the British Military System jumpers are sized by their chest size, therefore the same system to measure shirts, jackets, and smocks can be used for jumpers.
Number 2 / Dress Shirts
Number 2 Shirts or other dress shirts are sized by the collar in the British Military System. To find your collar size simply measure around the neck with a tape measure.
Number 2 / Dress Shirt Size Conversion Chart
Common Collar Sizes:
Centimeters | 34cm | 35cm | 36cm | 37cm | 38cm |
Inches (Approx) | 13 1/2" | 13 3/4" | 14 1/4" | 14 1/2" | 15" |