Size category
Men's tops
Korean numeric men's tops = chest in cm. 85 to 115.
Korean men's tops are sized by chest in centimetres under KS K 0051. The label number IS the chest measurement: 90 = 90 cm chest. This is the most readable Korean sizing system for foreign men - measure your chest, find the matching number, done. The letter equivalents (S / M / L / XL) follow predictably: 85 = XS, 90 = S, 95 = M, 100 = L, 105 = XL, 110 = XXL, 115 = 3XL.
Korean menswear runs slim by Western standards. A Korean 95 (M) shirt that targets a 95 cm chest is cut tighter through the shoulder and arm than a Uniqlo or Banana Republic M at the same nominal chest. Tall Western frames (180 cm+) often find Korean L sleeves end above the wrist bone; sleeve length is the most reliable signal that you are between Korean sizes. The fix is to size up to L from M, or to XL from L, depending on whether your shoulder or your sleeve drives the fit.
Two sub-categories matter for visitors. Streetwear (ADER, COVERNAT, KIRSH) cuts loose / boxy and the nominal number runs larger than knitwear or shirts at the same Korean label. Workwear and dress shirts (THISISNEVERTHAT, JOEGUSH) cut closer to the Korean median measurement. K-pop / hallyu-influenced fashion runs the loose end of streetwear; expect to size DOWN one if buying ADER Error or KIRSH oversized.
Conversion table
| KR (cm) | KR letter | JP | US | UK | EU | Chest (cm) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | XS | XS | XS | XS | 44 | 82-86 | 160-165 |
| 90 | S | S | S | S | 46 | 86-90 | 165-170 |
| 95 | M | M | M | M | 48 | 90-94 | 170-175 |
| 100 | L | L | L | L | 50 | 94-98 | 175-180 |
| 105 | XL | LL | XL | XL | 52 | 98-102 | 178-183 |
| 110 | XXL | 3L | XXL | XXL | 54 | 102-106 | 183-188 |
| 115 | 3XL | 4L | 3XL | 3XL | 56 | 106-110 | 188+ |
How to read your size
- Measure your chest in cm at the widest point.
- Find the matching Korean number.
- Tall frames (180 cm+): size up for sleeve length even if chest fits.
- Streetwear / oversized fits: size DOWN one for regular fit.
Fit notes
- Korean menswear is slimmer than Western at the same nominal chest.
- Sleeve length is the bottleneck for tall frames.
- Streetwear (ADER, COVERNAT) is intentionally oversized - size down.
- Shoulder seams sit narrower; muscular shoulders read tighter than chest.
Brand quirks
- ADER Error Oversized. Size DOWN one for regular fit.
- COVERNAT Boxy streetwear. Size DOWN one.
- THISISNEVERTHAT Korean median fit. True to size.
- KIRSH Oversized. Size DOWN one or two.
- JOEGUSH Dress-shirt cut. True to Korean chest measurement.
Other size categories
Sources
Last verified 2026-05-24.
