EU Shirt Size To UK Collar Size Converter
Convert a European shirt collar size in centimetres to the nearest UK collar size in inches, with fit allowance notes for dress shirts and formal wear.
Convert Collar Size
Your UK Collar Size
EU 41 converts to about UK 16 inches.
How To Use The Shirt Size Converter
1Check The Label
On many European shirts, a number such as 39, 40 or 41 means the collar circumference in centimetres. Enter that number first. If the label has two numbers, the second may be sleeve length rather than collar.
2Pick The UK Rounding
UK dress shirts are commonly sold in half-inch collar sizes such as 15.5, 16 and 16.5 inches. Quarter-inch rounding is useful for made-to-measure notes, while full-inch rounding is only a rough shop guide.
3Add Your Neck Check
If you know your neck measurement, the converter checks whether the selected EU size leaves a close, standard or roomier allowance. This is helpful before ordering formal shirts online.
Formula And Method
Exact UK collar inches = EU collar centimetres / 2.54.
Rounded UK collar size = exact inches rounded to the selected inch step.
Reverse centimetres = rounded UK collar inches x 2.54.
Comfort gap = EU collar centimetres – measured neck centimetres.
The conversion from centimetres to inches is fixed. The part that varies is the size label used by the retailer and the cut of the shirt. Two shirts with the same collar size can differ in body fit, sleeve length, cuff width and collar shape. Use this page for collar conversion, then check the brand’s own chart for chest, waist and sleeve measurements.
EU To UK Collar Size Table
| EU Collar | Exact Inches | Nearest UK Half Inch | Typical Alpha Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 cm | 14.57 in | 14.5 in | S |
| 38 cm | 14.96 in | 15 in | S |
| 39 cm | 15.35 in | 15.5 in | M |
| 40 cm | 15.75 in | 16 in | M |
| 41 cm | 16.14 in | 16 in | L |
| 42 cm | 16.54 in | 16.5 in | L |
| 43 cm | 16.93 in | 17 in | XL |
| 44 cm | 17.32 in | 17.5 in | XL |
| 46 cm | 18.11 in | 18 in | XXL |
Worked Size Checks
EU 39 Shirt
EU 39 divided by 2.54 gives 15.35 inches. Rounded to the nearest half inch, the UK collar is 15.5 inches. If your neck measures 38 cm, the gap is 1 cm, so the collar may be close with a tie.
EU 41 Shirt
EU 41 converts to 16.14 inches. A UK 16 label is the nearest half-inch size, but a brand with a tight collar stand may make a UK 16.5 more comfortable for a measured neck near 40 cm.
EU 44 Shirt
EU 44 converts to 17.32 inches and rounds to 17.5 inches. A full-inch chart might call it 17 inches, which is why half-inch rounding is better for formal shirts.
Fit Notes Before Buying
Collar size is only one part of shirt sizing. A dress shirt for a suit may need enough room for a tie, while an open-collar casual shirt may be acceptable with less spare space. A slim-fit body can still have the same collar label as a regular-fit body. If you are between two converted sizes, check whether the brand offers returns, whether the shirt will be worn buttoned at the neck, and whether shrinkage is mentioned in the care notes.
To measure your neck, place a soft tape around the base of the neck where the collar sits. Keep one finger under the tape for a standard allowance, then compare that body measurement with the shirt collar centimetres. Do not pull the tape tight. If the collar is for black tie, work shirts, school uniform or a wedding outfit, test the collar while sitting as well as standing because posture can change comfort.
For online orders, save the converted collar size with the brand chart you used. If the shirt arrives with a stiff fused collar, the first try-on may feel firmer than a washed shirt, but the collar should still button without pressure on the throat. Check the returns window before removing tags or laundering the shirt.
For uniforms or wedding parties, record every person’s neck measurement and converted collar size in one list so replacements can be ordered without guessing later.
FAQ
Is EU 41 the same as UK 16?
EU 41 is 16.14 inches. It normally rounds to a UK 16 inch collar when half-inch sizes are used, although some shoppers may prefer 16.5 for extra room.
Does this converter cover chest size?
No. It converts collar size only. Chest, waist, sleeve and body length should be checked against the retailer’s size chart.
Why do some shops list S, M and L instead?
Alpha labels are brand ranges rather than exact collar conversions. A medium shirt may cover more than one collar size, so use centimetres or inches when precision matters.
Should I round up or down?
If you will wear the shirt with a tie or your neck measurement is close to the collar label, rounding up is often safer. If the shirt will be worn open-necked, the nearest half inch may be fine.
Can washing change the collar size?
Some cotton shirts shrink slightly, especially if tumble dried against the care label. Check the brand’s shrinkage and return notes before choosing a close size.
Is a 40 cm neck the same as a 40 cm shirt?
No. A shirt labelled 40 cm usually means the collar circumference. If your neck is also 40 cm, there may be little allowance, so the collar can be tight when buttoned.
Sources
- International Organization for Standardization. (2017). ISO 8559-1: Size designation of clothes – Part 1: Anthropometric definitions for body measurement. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/61686.html
- International Organization for Standardization. (n.d.). ISO 80000-1: Quantities and units – General. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/64973.html
- British Standards Institution. (n.d.). Clothing size designation standards. BSI. https://www.bsigroup.com/