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Women's sizes, in inches

Women's sizes, compared

Nike and lululemon both publish body-measurement charts. Their M and their 8 are close, but not the same.

29-31.5 in
Waist for a women's M at Nike
28-29 in
Waist for a women's M at lululemon

Nike and lululemon size charts, read Oct 2, 2026.

Compare S, M and LOpen the charts
A woman tries on a camel jacket in a bright bedroom, adjusting the front.
On this page
  1. Key facts
  2. Where to start
  3. How to read these charts
  4. Alpha sizes: waist and hip
  5. Numeric sizes: waist and hip
  6. Open each brand's own chart
  7. What changes your size
  8. Women's sizing questions
  9. Sources

Key facts

  • Both charts are body measurements: measure yourself, not a garment you own13.
  • Torn between bust and waist on a top? Nike says go by the bust1.
  • At size 12 lululemon's chart runs larger than Nike's; at size 4 it runs smaller23.
  • lululemon gives you 30 days to try items at home3.

Where to start

Where to start
If you are askingStart withLink
Buying tops?Go by bust or chestHow to read
Buying leggings or pants?Waist and hip, alpha or numericCompare sizes
You know your numeric size?Sizes 4, 8 and 12 side by sideNumeric table
Need the full chart?Open the brand's own size pageSee charts

How to read these charts

Both are body measurements: measure yourself, not a garment you own. Nike says that if you are between sizes, order the smaller one for a tighter fit or the larger for a looser fit, and that when bust and waist point to different sizes, go by the bust for tops1.

For tops, lululemon sizes by chest: an M (8) is for a 35 to 36-inch chest3, while Nike's M is for a 35.5 to 38-inch bust1. Nike's tall tops are 1.75 inches longer than regular1.

Nike's women's charts continue to 4X and 26W12; lululemon's bottoms chart runs to size 20 (2X)3. lululemon says you have 30 days to try items on at home3.

Alpha sizes: waist and hip

SizeNike waistNike hiplululemon waistlululemon hip
S126 to 29 in35.5 to 38.5 in26 to 27 in36 to 37 in
M129 to 31.5 in38.5 to 41 in28 to 29 in38 to 39 in
L131.5 to 34.5 in41 to 44 in30 to 31.5 in40 to 41.5 in
SourceNike women's topsRead Oct 2, 2026Nike women's topsRead Oct 2, 2026lululemon women's guideRead Oct 2, 2026lululemon women's guideRead Oct 2, 2026

Nike from its women's tops chart1; lululemon from its bottoms chart, where S, M and L are numeric 6, 8 and 103. Body measurements.

Numeric sizes: waist and hip

SizeNike waistNike hiplululemon waistlululemon hip
4226 in35.5 in24 to 25 in34 to 35 in
8229 in38.5 in28 to 29 in38 to 39 in
12232 in41.5 in33 in43 in
SourceNike women's numericRead Oct 2, 2026Nike women's numericRead Oct 2, 2026lululemon women's guideRead Oct 2, 2026lululemon women's guideRead Oct 2, 2026

Nike numeric chart2 and lululemon bottoms chart3. At size 12 lululemon's chart runs larger than Nike's; at size 4 it runs smaller.

Open each brand's own chart

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Good for leggings, tops and bras, numeric 0 to 20

lululemon women's size guide

Measures
Waist and hip; chest for tops
Range
0 to 20, XXXS to 2X
Try-on
30 days at home
Open lululemon's guideOpens lululemon's site. Not a referral link.

What changes your size

  • Which measurement leads

    Tops follow the bust or chest; bottoms follow waist and hip13.

  • Alpha or numeric

    lululemon's S, M and L are its numeric 6, 8 and 103.

  • Tall and short cuts

    Nike's tall tops add 1.75 in of length; short bottoms take 2 in off the inseam1.

  • Time to try on

    lululemon gives you 30 days to try items at home3.

Women's sizing questions

Is my Nike M the same as my lululemon M?

Not quite. Nike's M is for a 29 to 31.5-inch waist1; lululemon's M (size 8) for a 28 to 29-inch waist3.

How far up do the charts go?

Nike's women's charts run to 4X and 26W12; lululemon's bottoms chart runs to size 20 (2X)3.

How do I measure for a sports bra?

Nike's finder uses two numbers: the underbust (round up), then the bust. String and a ruler work if you have no tape. See how to measure.

Sources

  1. Women's tops size chartNike, read Oct 2, 2026
  2. Women's numeric size chartNike, read Oct 2, 2026
  3. Women's size guide (bottoms and tops)lululemon, read Oct 2, 2026

About this page

We do not earn anything from purchases today. Every product link is a plain link to the merchant's own page, without an affiliate code. We may join merchants' affiliate programs in the future, and this notice will say so before that changes.

Size charts, prices and availability belong to each brand and can change. The brand's own page is the final word.

Charts give body measurements, and fit also depends on fabric and cut. FitCut Guide does not sell clothing or shoes.