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38 inch waist in cm

A 38-inch waist is 96.5 cm. In clothes that’s jeans size W38, roughly an EU 54, and usually a men’s L.

96.5 cmcentimetres
EU 54men’s trouser size
Ltypical men’s letter size

What a 38-inch waist means in clothes

MeasureValue
Centimetres (exact)96.52 cm
Millimetres965 mm
Jeans sizeW38
EU men’s trousers54
Men’s letter size (typical)L
Belt size (waist + 2″)40″ · 102 cm
The inch-to-cm figure is exact: 1 inch is defined as 2.54 cm, so 38 × 2.54 = 96.52 cm. The clothing sizes are not — EU “inches plus 16” and the letter sizes are the most common conventions, and brands cut differently. For women’s clothing the mapping is different again, so go by the brand’s cm chart.

Waist size chart: inches, cm, EU and letter

WaistcmJeansEULetter (men)
26″66.0 cmW2642XS
28″71.1 cmW2844S
30″76.2 cmW3046S
32″81.3 cmW3248M
34″86.4 cmW3450M
36″91.4 cmW3652L
38″96.5 cmW3854L
40″101.6 cmW4056XL
42″106.7 cmW4258XL
44″111.8 cmW4460XXL
46″116.8 cmW4662XXL

Odd jeans sizes (W29, W31, W33…) sit between the rows: add 2.54 cm per inch.

How to measure your waist

Natural waist: wrap a soft tape around the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above the belly button. Keep it level, snug but not tight, and breathe out normally.

Where your jeans sit: most jeans and trousers sit lower than the natural waist, on the hips. If you’re buying trousers, measure there too — that number is usually the one that matters.

Check a pair that fits: lay it flat, measure straight across the waistband and double it. Many brands’ labels are generous, so this is often a truer guide than the label.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 38 inch waist in cm?

96.5 cm (96.52 cm exactly).

What is a 38 inch waist in EU size?

Roughly an EU 54 in men’s trousers — the usual rule is waist in inches plus 16.

Is a 38 inch waist a L?

In most men’s brands, yes — a 38-inch waist is typically a L. Letter sizes vary between brands more than numbered sizes do.

What jeans size is a 38 inch waist?

W38. The W number on jeans is the waist in inches; the L number is the inside-leg length.

What belt size do I need for a 38 inch waist?

Usually a 40-inch belt (102 cm) — about two inches above your trouser waist size.