Korean men's sizes are numbers like 95, 100 and 105, and they are not arbitrary. They refer to chest circumference in centimeters, which makes the system more informative than S, M and L once you know what to do with it.
The number system decoded
The size number is the intended chest measurement in centimeters. 95 corresponds to a 95 cm chest, roughly a US small at 37 inches. 100 is a medium at about 39 inches, 105 a large at about 41 inches, 110 an extra large at about 43 inches. Bottoms use waist in centimeters or inches directly. Some brands label sizes as S, M and L instead, and where both appear the numeric size is the more reliable indicator of the intended body.
Why the same number fits differently
The number describes the intended body, not the garment. A relaxed-fit 100 might have a 110 cm garment chest while a slim 100 sits at 102 cm. Always read the flat garment measurement rather than trusting the size number, and expect Korean slim fits to be genuinely slim. Outerwear in particular varies most, since a Korean oversized coat in size 100 may measure 120 cm across the chest while a tailored one measures 104.
Where Korean menswear runs short
Sleeve length and total body length are consistently shorter than US equivalents at the same chest, often by 2-4 cm. Anyone over about six feet should size up specifically for length and accept a looser chest, or filter for brands that publish a tall variant. Sleeve length on jackets is the most common complaint from taller US buyers, and it is one of the few dimensions a local tailor cannot easily add to.
Shoulder is the unfixable dimension
Chest and waist can be tailored; shoulder width cannot without significant cost. Korean patterns run narrow here. Measure the shoulder seam to seam on a jacket that fits you and treat that number as a hard filter on any listing. Where a brand publishes a model's height and the size worn, that pairing is more useful than the size chart for judging how a garment will actually look.
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Start a buy-for-me order →Frequently asked
Is 100 the same across brands?
The intended chest is consistent, the garment cut is not. Compare flat measurements between brands, not size labels.
How do Korean pants sizes work?
Usually waist in inches like 30 or 32, or centimeters like 76 or 81. Inseam is listed separately and runs short.
Do Korean brands offer big and tall?
Rarely. A handful of specialist Korean shops serve larger sizes, and mainstream platforms mostly do not.