Does H&M Run Small? (with REAL size chart)

H&M generally runs half a size small across all of its products. It is advised to size up for the perfect fit.

H&M offers high-end fashion at very low prices which makes it one of the leading clothing companies in the world of fast fashion, catering to the likes of men, women, teens as well as kids. 

While most of their products are actually half a size small (size up when at H&M always), you might sometimes find the need to go up a couple of sizes from your usual size. Since they usually run on a smaller side, we are going to go over the sizing issues at H&M and help you find the perfect fit for you.

They are a go-to brand for any occasion, be it a party, a meeting, a trip with friends or family, or a celebration too. The added discount going on their website from time to time has everyone rushing to bag their favorites.

How Does H&M Fit?

H&M fits very similar to Zara when it comes to its sizing charts. While most of its dresses and pants run at least half a size small, tees and shirts have a relaxed fit and are generally true to size. 

H&M is quite consistent with the official sizing guide on its website, which is in stark contrast to some of the other popular American fast fashion brands. But it is a chart that is pretty easy to follow and does not vary from product to product.

While dresses run on a smaller size, you always have to size up (sometimes 2 to 3 sizes up) but pants and trousers are generally true to their size, providing an amazing fit and comfort. 

Shirts and tops at H&M are true to their size and most of them having a relaxed fit makes them the first choice on an outdoor day too. 

Shoes broadly run half a size smaller than the official sizing standards, so if you’re looking at a tie-up pair, it is advisable to go for a size up for better comfort. 

One more thing 👉 Sometimes the H&M website shows discounts on products only after going through the clearance section and not if you directly go to the product page. Thus, make sure that you always check for your product in the sale section on the H&M website.

Which H&M Items Run Small?

CLOTHING	SIZE FIT
Jackets and Coats	Runs half a size small.
Jeans and trousers	True to size.
Tops and Shirts	Runs half a size small.
Dresses	Runs small.

Jackets and Coats

H&M has a huge collection of coats and jackets that tend to run on a little larger side. 

So, if you keep an eye on the size chart, it will not be a problem to find the right size. In fact, even if you buy half a size larger product, you will always have more room to layer.

Blazers, especially regular fit ones, run a little on the small side compared to the coats and jackets. So it is recommended to always size up when looking for one. 

Jeans and Trousers

Their website shows that H&M jeans and trousers are true to size. If you are a regular 32W, skinny pants are a snug fit but still have room for movement around the crotch.

However, for straight ankle-high pants, you might need to go up by half a size. The sizing chart for the pants on their website is spot on so you do not need to worry about getting an ill-fitted pair. 

Tops and Shirts

If you’re looking for a cropped top, chances are they run half a size small, so size up. Tees, otherwise, are spot on. 

For their shirts and blouses, there is a possibility they run half a size large but are pretty comfortable and of good quality. Personally, as a regular small-sized person, their regular medium also looks quite good and is a savior on a hot day.

Dresses

Dresses at H&M are ridiculously small than the rest of their products, so you will have to size up almost always.

These dresses are never true to size and chances are you have to buy a couple of sizes up. If you are a size 14 person, going for a size 18 to 20 is normally expected. 

H&M Size Chart For Men

All measurements are in inches.

Shirts and Jackets

All measurements are in inches.

US	EUR	Chest inch	Waist inch	Neckline inch	Armlength inch
30R	40	30¾-32¼	26-27½	13¼	24¼
32R	42	32¼-33¾	27½-29¼	13¾	24½
34R	44	33¾-35½	29¼-30¾	14	24½
36R	46	35½-37	30¾-32¼	15½	24½
38R	48	37-38½	32¼-33¾	15	24¾
40R	50	38½-40¼	33¾-35½	15¼	24¾
42R	52	40¼-41¾	35½-37	15¾	25
44R	54	41¾-43¼	37-38¾	16	25
46R	56	43¼-44¾	38¾-40½	16½	25½
48R	58	44¾-46½	40½-42¼	17	25½
50R	60	46½-48	42¼-44	17¼	25¾
52R	62	48-49½	44-45¾	17¾	26
54R	64	49½-51¼	45¾-47½	18	26
56R	66	51¼-52¾	47½-49½	18½	26

Bottoms and Jeans

All measurements are in inches.

US	Waist inch	Low hip inch	Inside leg length inch
26R	26-27½	33½-34¾	31½
28R	27½-29¼	34¾-36	31¾
30R	29¼-30¾	36-37¼	32
32R	30¾-32¼	37¼-38¼	32¼
33R	32¼-33¾	38¼-39½	32½
34R	33¾-35½	39½-40¾	32½
36R	35½-37¼	40¾-42	32¾
38R	37-38¾	42-43¼	33
40R	38¾-40½	44¼-45½	33
42R	40½-42¼	44¼-45½	33¼
44R	42¼-44	45½-46½	33¼
46R	44-45¾	46½-47¾	33½
48R	45¾-47½	47¾-49	33½
50R	47½-49½	49-50	33½

H&M Size Chart For Women

Dresses

All measurements are in inches.

US	Bust inch	Waist inch	Low hip inch	Arm length inch	Inside leg inch
0	29-30¾	22¾-24½	32¼-33¾	23¼	30¾
2	30¾-32¼	24½-26	33¾-35½	23½	30¾
4	32¼-33¾	26-27½	35½-37	23½	30¾
6	33¾-35½	27½-29	37-38¼	23½	30¾
8	35½-37	29-30¾	38¼-39½	23¾	30¾
10	37-38½	30¾-32½	39½-40¾	23¾	30¾
12	38½-40	32½-34½	40¾-42	23¾	30¾
14	40-42	34½-36½	42-43½	24	30¾
16	42-44½	36½-39	43½-45½	24	30¾
18	44½-46¾	39-41¼	45½-47½	24	30¾
20	46¾-49¼	41¼-43¾	47½-49½	24	30¾
22	49¼-51½	43¾-46¼	49½-51½	24¼	30¾
24	51½-54	46¼-49	51½-54	24¼	30¾
26	54-56¼	49-51¾	54-56¼	24½	30¾
28	56¼-58½	51¾-54½	56¼-58½	24½	30¾
30	58½-61	54½-57¼	58½-61	24½	30¾

Jeans

All measurements are in inches.

US	Waist inch	Low hip inch	Inside leg inch
0	22¾-24½	32¼-33¾	30¾
2	24½-26	33¾-35½	30¾
4	26-27½	35½-37	30¾
6	27½-29	37-38¼	30¾
8	29-30¾	38¼-39½	30¾
10	30¾-32½	39½-40¾	30¾
12	32½-34½	40¾-42	30¾
14	34½-36½	42-43½	30¾
16	36½-39	43½-45½	30¾
18	39-41¼	45½-47½	30¾
20	41¼-43¾	47½-49½	30¾
22	43¾-46¼	49½-51½	30¾
24	46¼-49	51½-54	30¾
26	49-51¾	54-56¼	30¾
28	51¾-54½	56¼-58½	30¾
30	54½-57¼	58½-61	30¾

Does H&M Make Plus-size Clothing?

Yes, H&M offers plus-size clothing. Their tops, dresses, and trousers tend to go up to 4XL plus size in almost all of their categories. 

They have an amazing plus-size collection (yes, they have items other than just black and blue) and are extremely inclusive too. Despite this, the choices are limited due to its minuscule collection, as they offer less than 160 pieces in plus size. 

While H&M has constantly been expanding its size range for plus-size collections(though, at a snail’s pace), on a closer inspection, it does seem like this collection is not readily available in their stores and only on the websites. 

Final Remarks.

H&M  has been on top of its game in the world of fast fashion for a very long time and understands the customers it caters. Known for selling ‘disposable fashion’ at accessible rates, H&M continuously updates its designs to “project a trend-setter look”.

However, in a fast-changing world, one can only hope for them to incorporate more size options in its guide and avail to a larger audience. 

Here is a quick recap of the article:

Does H&M run small? Yes, some of their products run at least half a size small so you always need to size up. Due to various disparities in its sizing guide, you need to pay close attention to their size chart in order to get the perfect fit.