Taobao Size Chart Guide for Cosplay: How to Read Chinese Sizes

A Taobao size chart is the table of measurements in centimeters that the seller posts with a listing, usually as an image. For cosplay, it is the only reliable way to pick a size. The letter on the tag runs one to two sizes smaller than US sizing, and every shop draws its own chart, so you match your body measurements to that listing's numbers and ignore the letter.

That is the whole rule. The hard part is doing it on a chart written in Chinese, for a costume you cannot try on. This guide covers reading the chart, measuring yourself, and the pieces that break the rule, like wigs and shoes. When you order through Cosparty, we handle the sizing questions with the seller in Chinese before the order goes through.

Quick answer Read a Taobao size chart in centimeters, never by letter size. Chinese cosplay sizes usually run one to two sizes smaller than US sizes, so a Chinese XL is roughly a US M or L. Measure your bust, waist, hips and height, match them to that listing's chart, and size up when you land between two rows.

Asian Size to US Size: Why the Letter on the Tag Misleads You

Asian sizes run smaller than US sizes, and cosplay listings are no exception. A Chinese XL fits roughly like a US M or L, which is how a first order ends up too tight across the chest.

A conversion table cannot fix that, for two reasons. First, the shift is not constant: one seller's XL is another seller's L. Second, Chinese sellers often skip letters entirely. You will see sizes written as two numbers and a letter, such as 160/84A. That format comes from China's national clothing standard (GB/T 1335):

• 160 is the wearer's height in centimeters.
• 84 is the bust or chest measurement in centimeters.
• A is the body type, coded by the gap between bust and waist. Y is the slimmest build, then A, B and C for progressively fuller waists.

This notation is more useful than any letter, because it describes a body. Start from the row closest to your height and chest, then check the garment's own measurements.

The same logic applies in reverse. If you normally wear a US M, do not search for "M" and hope. Find the row whose centimeters match you.

How to Read a Taobao Size Chart

On most cosplay listings the size chart is a photo in the product images, often one of the last few. Because the text is part of the image, browser translation skips it. Our guide to shopping Taobao in English covers the camera-translate workaround. The terms you will meet most often are these:

Two more notes decide how you read the numbers.

Garment or body measurements: Some charts list the costume's own measurements, and some list the body the costume is meant to fit. A chart that pairs sizes with height and weight is describing the wearer. A chart with 衣长 and 袖长 is describing the garment. Garment numbers need room on top of your body numbers, or the jacket will not close.

Measured flat: If you see 平铺, the seller measured the garment laid flat. A flat chest figure can be half the circumference, so a number that looks impossibly small usually needs doubling. Many charts also carry a tolerance note (误差) saying hand measurements can be off by a few centimeters.

How to Measure Yourself for a Cosplay

You need a soft tape measure, a mirror, and ideally a friend. Measure in centimeters, and measure over whatever you will wear under the costume. That means the binder, the corset or the padded bra you plan to wear at the con, because it changes your chest by several centimeters.

• Bust or chest: around the fullest part, tape level all the way around the back.
• Waist: around your natural waist, the narrowest point above the navel.
• Hips: around the fullest part of your hips and seat.
• Shoulder width: across the back, from one shoulder point to the other.
• Height: barefoot, against a wall.
• Sleeve and inseam if the character has fitted sleeves or tailored pants.

Write the numbers down once and keep them. You will use them for every listing, and a group ordering together should collect everyone's in one place before anyone browses (our group cosplay guide has a way to do that without chasing people for a week).

Matching Your Numbers to the Chart

Match the measurement that matters most for the piece, then check the rest.

For a fitted jacket, uniform or bodysuit, the chest decides. For a dress or skirt, the waist usually does. For pants, waist and hip together. Height and sleeve length come next, because a costume that fits the chest but ends above the wrist still looks wrong in photos.

Say you are building a Genshin Impact look and the listing gives body measurements. Your chest is 90 cm and your waist is 74 cm. The M row says chest 88, waist 70; the L row says chest 92, waist 74. Take the L. You land between rows on the chest, and a garment that is 2 cm too big can be taken in, while one that is 2 cm too small cannot be let out on most cosplay seams.

Now say the same listing gave garment measurements instead, with the L at a 92 cm chest. That is only 2 cm of room over your body, which is tight for a structured jacket you want to move in. Check the next row up. For stretch fabric, snug is fine and the body-measurement rule applies as normal.

Our pillar guide covers extra room for binders and armor. You can browse Genshin Impact cosplay to see how many listings in one fandom carry their own charts.

Wigs, Shoes and Accessories

These pieces follow different rules.

Wigs: Most cosplay wigs are sold as one size with an adjustable cap, often listed as 均码. If the listing gives a 头围 (head circumference), measure around your head just above the ears and across the forehead and compare. The bigger sizing risk on a wig is length: a styled wig is cut to a set length, and bangs usually arrive long so you can trim them yourself.

Shoes and boots: China labels shoes by foot length. The national standard (GB/T 43293-2022) uses the Mondopoint system, so a shoe's size carries the foot length it fits in millimeters. Many cosplay boot listings still show numbers like 36 or 40 that look like EU sizes but do not reliably match them. Measure your foot from heel to longest toe, in the socks you will wear, and match that to the 脚长 column.

Accessories: Gloves, armor pieces and belts often come in one size with straps or elastic. Read the listing's dimensions for anything that has to fit around a wrist, arm or waist.

Made to Order Is Not Made to Measure

These two phrases sound alike and mean different things.

Made to order means the seller cuts and sews your costume after you buy it, in a standard size from their chart. Plenty of cosplay listings work this way, and it is why made-to-order pieces are usually estimated at up to 4 weeks instead of 10-21 days. See our shipping time guide for how that plays against a con date.

Made to measure means the seller sews the costume to your personal measurements. On Taobao this option is often labeled 定制 or 量身定制. Cosparty does not source made-to-measure sizes. A custom garment that comes out wrong cannot be returned, and there is no reliable way to guarantee the fit from the other side of the world. If a listing offers only made-to-measure, we cannot source it; if it offers standard sizes too, pick the closest standard size from the chart.

How Sizing Works When Cosparty Sources Your Cosplay

Start by pasting a Taobao link, uploading a screenshot of the character, or typing the character's name into the search. On the order page, an Open size chart link sits next to the size picker whenever the seller supplied a chart, so you can check your numbers before you choose.

At checkout there is a seller note. Put your chest, waist and hip measurements there, along with any fit question ("is the chest measurement garment or body?"). We handle the conversation with the seller in Chinese, including sizing questions and color confirmations, before the order goes through.

A few things worth knowing before you pay:

• All sales are final once sourcing has begun, so a size picked by letter instead of centimeters cannot be swapped for a change of mind.
• The quality check is optional and costs $5 per item. It comes selected by default, and you can switch it off before checkout. It checks for the wrong item, the wrong color, visible damage and missing pieces. It cannot check how the costume fits your body, which is why measuring comes first. Our quality guide explains what it catches and what it does not.
• You see the full price upfront: the item price, shipping by size tier, a 15% service fee charged on the item and shipping together, and the quality check if you keep it.
• Delivery is 10-21 days, and up to 4 weeks for made-to-order pieces. Both are estimates, not promises.

Not sure which row to pick? Ask in our Discord, where cosplayers answer, or email contact@cospartyco.com before you order.

Taobao Size Chart FAQ

Are Taobao sizes smaller than US sizes?

Usually, yes. Chinese cosplay sizing typically runs one to two sizes smaller than US sizing, so a Chinese XL is roughly a US M or L. The shift varies by seller, so match your measurements in centimeters to each listing's chart instead of converting the letter.

What does 160/84A mean on a Taobao size chart?

It is the Chinese national sizing format. 160 is the wearer's height in centimeters, 84 is the bust or chest in centimeters, and the letter is the body type based on the gap between bust and waist, with Y the slimmest and A, B and C progressively fuller.

Should I size up on Taobao?

Size up when you fall between two rows, or when the chart lists garment measurements that leave little room over your body. A slightly large costume can be taken in; a small one usually cannot be let out.

Can Cosparty order a custom-sized cosplay for me?

No. We do not source made-to-measure or custom sizes, because a custom garment that comes out wrong cannot be returned. Choose the closest standard size from the seller's chart, and add your measurements in the seller note so we can raise any sizing question with the seller.

How do I pick a shoe size on Taobao?

Measure your foot from heel to longest toe in centimeters and match it to the foot length (脚长) on the listing's chart. Chinese shoe sizes are based on foot length, and the 36-to-44 style numbers on many listings do not reliably match EU sizes.

Order by the Numbers

Measure once in centimeters, read each listing's chart as its own thing, and size up when you fall between rows. That covers most of what goes wrong with a Taobao size chart. When you have found the costume, search Taobao in English with the link or a screenshot, check the size chart on the order page, and leave your measurements in the seller note. We take it from there.