The sizing system used by the German Military or Bundeswehr can seem confusing and somewhat difficult at first, however, as we at Northumbrian Supplies sell numerous German Military items such as Flecktarn and Troppentarn Shirts and Jackets which use this system, we thought it best to explain how it works and provide a useful conversion chart for you.
General Principles
The German Military system is fairly simple once understood, assigning a number to a combination of sizes. The 'Nr.Gr' number relates to a combination of leg lengths and waist sizes in trousers or heights and chest circumferences in shirts and jackets.
Trousers
As stated above, the German Military Sizing System assigns a number to different sizes, these correlate to NATO sizes used on clothing issued in most NATO countries. With German trousers, the size relates to the width of the waist, and the length of the leg inseam. The higher the Nr.Gr number, the taller the wearer is assumed to be, making this system simple, and easy to understand once paired with a sizing chart.
Nr.Gr Number | Waist Circumference | Leg Inseam |
| Height under 5'7" | |
1 | 31 1/2" | 29 1/2" |
2 | 33 1/2" | 29 1/2" |
3 | 35 1/2" | 29 1/2" |
4 | 37 1/2" | 29 1/2" |
5 | 39 1/2" | 29 1/2" |
| Height 5'7" - 5'11" | |
6 | 31 1/2" | 31 1/2" |
7 | 33 1/2" | 31 1/2" |
8 | 35 1/2" | 31 1/2" |
9 | 37 1/2" | 31 1/2" |
10 | 39 1/2" | 31 1/2" |
11 | 41 1/2" | 31 1/2" |
| Height 5'11" - 6'2" | |
12 | 33 1/2" | 33 1/2" |
13 | 35 1/2" | 33 1/2" |
14 | 37 1/2" | 33 1/2" |
15 | 39 1/2" | 33 1/2" |
16 | 43 1/3" | 33 1/2" |
| Height 6'2" - 6'7" | |
17 | 35 1/2" | 35 1/2" |
18 | 37 1/2" | 35 1/2" |
19 | 39 1/2" | 35 1/2" |
20 | 43 1/3" | 35 1/2" |
Shirts, Jackets, and Parkas
As stated above, the German Military Sizing System assigns a number to different sizes, these correlate to NATO sizes used on clothing issued in most NATO countries. With German Shirts, Jackets, and Parkas, the size relates to the chest circumference, and the height of the wearer. The higher the Nr.Gr number, the taller the wearer is assumed to be, making this system simple, and easy to understand once paired with a sizing chart.
Nr.Gr Number | Chest Circumference | Height |
| Height under 5'7" | |
1 | 35 1/2" | 5'2" - 5'7" |
2 | 37 1/2" | 5'2" - 5'7" |
3 | 39 1/2" | 5'2" - 5'7" |
4 | 41 1/3" | 5'2" - 5'7" |
5 | 43 1/3" | 5'2" - 5'7" |
| Height 5'7" - 5'11" | |
6 | 35 1/2" | 5'7" - 5'11" |
7 | 37 1/2" | 5'7" - 5'11" |
8 | 39 1/2" | 5'7" - 5'11" |
9 | 41 1/3" | 5'7" - 5'11" |
10 | 43 1/3" | 5'7" - 5'11" |
11 | 45 1/3" | 5'7" - 5'11" |
| Height 5'11" - 6'2" | |
12 | 37 1/2" | 5'11" - 6'2" |
13 | 39 1/2" | 5'11" - 6'2" |
14 | 41 1/3" | 5'11" - 6'2" |
15 | 43 1/3" | 5'11" - 6'2" |
16 | 45 1/3" | 5'11" - 6'2" |
| Height 6'2" - 6'7" | |
17 | 39 1/2" | 6'2" - 6'7" |
18 | 41 1/3" | 6'2" - 6'7" |
19 | 43 1/3" | 6'2" - 6'7" |
20 | 45 1/3" | 6'2" - 6'7" |
Conclusion
The German Military system is fairly simple once understood, allowing a perspective wearer of German Army clothing to quickly identify what clothing will fit. We hope this table has been of some use to you in selecting clothing which will fit you well and we recommend you take a look at our range of products here, which includes many German Military products such as Flecktarn Shirts and Jackets, to Troppentarn Trousers and Jackets all available at an affordable price.