British Battledress are among the most recognisable uniforms of the Second World War and remain one of the most popular areas of British militaria collecting today. Whether you're restoring a complete uniform, matching a blouse to the correct pair of trousers or simply trying to identify an old ink stamp, understanding the British Army's wartime sizing system is an invaluable skill.
Unlike modern clothing, British Battledress were not issued in Small, Medium or Large sizes. Instead, each blouse and pair of trousers was allocated a numbered size based on the soldier's body measurements. At first glance these numbers can seem confusing, particularly when many original labels have faded or disappeared over the last 80 years.
Fortunately, the British Army often stamped the size directly onto the inside of the garment using black ink. These ink stamps frequently survive even when the original paper label has long since disappeared, making it possible to identify the original intended fit.
This guide explains the wartime sizing system used on British Battledress blouses and trousers, including the standard British Army sizes, the less common “A” sizes, and the separate Gurkha size range.
Contents
Quick Tip
If your Battledress label has faded, don't worry. Many original British WW2 Battledress were also stamped with their size in black ink somewhere inside the garment. If you can still read the size stamp, simply compare it to the tables below to identify the original body measurements the uniform was intended to fit.
Understanding British Army Battledress Sizes
During the Second World War, the British Army did not use Small, Medium or Large sizing. Instead, Battledress were issued using a numbered system based on combinations of body measurements.
Battledress blouses are sized using height and breast measurements, while Battledress trousers use height, waist, seat and inside leg measurements. Although the blouse and trousers may share the same size number, the measurements for each garment are naturally different.
One point that often catches collectors out is that a higher size number does not simply mean a larger uniform. Each number represents a specific combination of height and build, so it is always worth referring to the sizing tables rather than assuming that Size 12 is simply a larger version of Size 11.
Standard British Army Battledress Sizes
The vast majority of British Army Battledress encountered today use the standard wartime sizing system shown below.
Standard Battledress Blouse Sizes
| Size | Height | Breast |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 4'3"–4'7" | 28–29" |
| 02 | 4'8"–5'0" | 30–31" |
| Ex S | 5'1"–5'2" | 29–30" |
| S | 5'1"–5'2" | 31–32" |
| 1 | 5'3"–5'4" | 32–33" |
| 2 | 5'3"–5'4" | 34–35" |
| 3 | 5'3"–5'4" | 36–37" |
| 4 | 5'5"–5'6" | 34–35" |
| 5 | 5'5"–5'6" | 36–37" |
| 6 | 5'5"–5'6" | 38–39" |
| 7 | 5'7"–5'8" | 35–36" |
| 8 | 5'7"–5'8" | 37–38" |
| 9 | 5'7"–5'8" | 39–40" |
| 10 | 5'9"–5'10" | 36–37" |
| 11 | 5'9"–5'10" | 38–39" |
| 12 | 5'9"–5'10" | 40–41" |
| 13 | 5'11"–6'0" | 38–39" |
| 14 | 5'11"–6'0" | 40–41" |
| 15 | 5'11"–6'0" | 42–43" |
| 16 | 6'1"–6'2" | 39–40" |
| 17 | 6'1"–6'2" | 41–42" |
| 18 | 6'1"–6'2" | 43–44" |
Standard Battledress Trouser Sizes
| Size | Height | Waist | Seat | Inside Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 4'3"–4'7" | 26–27" | 29–30" | 25½" |
| 02 | 4'8"–5'0" | 28–29" | 31–32" | 26½" |
| Ex S | 5'1"–5'2" | 27–28" | 30–31" | 27½" |
| S | 5'1"–5'2" | 29–30" | 32–33" | 27½" |
| 1 | 5'3"–5'4" | 28–29" | 33–34" | 29" |
| 2 | 5'3"–5'4" | 30–31" | 35–36" | 29" |
| 3 | 5'3"–5'4" | 31–32" | 37–38" | 29" |
| 4 | 5'5"–5'6" | 30–31" | 35–36" | 30½" |
| 5 | 5'5"–5'6" | 31–32" | 37–38" | 30½" |
| 6 | 5'5"–5'6" | 33–34" | 39–40" | 30½" |
| 7 | 5'7"–5'8" | 30–31" | 36–37" | 31½" |
| 8 | 5'7"–5'8" | 32–33" | 38–39" | 31½" |
| 9 | 5'7"–5'8" | 34–35" | 40–41" | 31½" |
| 10 | 5'9"–5'10" | 31–32" | 37–38" | 32½" |
| 11 | 5'9"–5'10" | 33–34" | 39–40" | 32½" |
| 12 | 5'9"–5'10" | 35–36" | 41–42" | 32½" |
| 13 | 5'11"–6'0" | 33–34" | 39–40" | 33½" |
| 14 | 5'11"–6'0" | 35–36" | 41–42" | 33½" |
| 15 | 5'11"–6'0" | 37–38" | 43–44" | 33½" |
| 16 | 6'1"–6'2" | 34–35" | 40–41" | 34½" |
| 17 | 6'1"–6'2" | 36–37" | 42–43" | 34½" |
| 18 | 6'1"–6'2" | 38–39" | 44–45" | 34½" |
“A” Size Battledress
The British Army recognised that not every soldier fitted comfortably into the standard Battledress size range. To accommodate broader builds, a separate series of “A” sizes was introduced.
These sizes followed exactly the same principle as the standard sizing system but provided additional chest, waist and seat measurements while maintaining similar height ranges. Today, A size Battledress are encountered much less frequently than the standard numbered sizes and are of particular interest to collectors.
A Size Battledress Blouse Sizes
| Size | Height | Breast |
|---|---|---|
| 5A | 5'5" to 5'6" | 36" to 37" |
| 6A | 5'5" to 5'6" | 40" to 41" |
| 7A | 5'7" to 5'8" | 36" to 37" |
| 9A | 5'7" to 5'8" | 41" to 42" |
| 10A | 5'9" to 5'10" | 38" to 39" |
| 12A | 5'9" to 5'10" | 42" to 43" |
| 14A | 5'11" to 6'0" | 40" to 41" |
A Size Battledress Trouser Sizes
| Size | Height | Waist | Seat | Inside Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5A | 5'5" to 5'6" | 35" to 36" | 38" to 39" | 30½" |
| 6A | 5'5" to 5'6" | 38" to 39" | 41" to 42" | 30½" |
| 7A | 5'7" to 5'8" | 35" to 36" | 39" to 40" | 31½" |
| 9A | 5'7" to 5'8" | 39" to 40" | 42" to 43" | 31½" |
| 10A | 5'9" to 5'10" | 36" to 37" | 39" to 40" | 32½" |
| 12A | 5'9" to 5'10" | 40" to 41" | 43" to 44" | 32½" |
| 14A | 5'11" to 6'0" | 38" to 39" | 41" to 42" | 33½" |
Gurkha Battledress Sizes
In addition to the standard British Army size range, Battledress were also manufactured specifically for Gurkha units serving with the British Army.
These uniforms used their own sizing system, identified by a “G” prefix before the size number. Although the overall design of the Battledress remained the same, the measurements were altered to better suit the build of the Gurkha soldiers they were intended for.
For this reason, Gurkha Battledress sizes should always be treated as a separate sizing system rather than being compared directly with the standard British Army size numbers. While some measurements overlap, they are not direct equivalents.
Because Gurkha Battledress were produced in much smaller numbers than standard British issue, these uniforms are considerably scarcer today and are highly sought after by collectors. If you come across Battledress blouses or trousers marked with a G prefix, you can use the tables below to identify the original body measurements.
Gurkha Battledress Blouse Sizes
| Size | Height | Breast |
|---|---|---|
| G1 | 4'11" to 5'0" | 33" to 34" |
| G2 | 4'11" to 5'0" | 35" to 36" |
| G3 | 5'1" to 5'2" | 33" to 34" |
| G4 | 5'1" to 5'2" | 35" to 36" |
| G5 | 5'1" to 5'2" | 37" to 38" |
| G6 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 33" to 34" |
| G7 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 35" to 36" |
| G8 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 37" to 38" |
| G9 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 39" to 40" |
| G10 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 33" to 34" |
| G11 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 35" to 36" |
| G12 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 37" to 38" |
| G13 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 39" to 40" |
| G14 | 5'7" to 5'8" | 35" to 36" |
| G15 | 5'7" to 5'8" | 37" to 38" |
| G16 | 5'7" to 5'8" | 39" to 40" |
Gurkha Battledress Trouser Sizes
| Size | Height | Waist | Seat | Inside Leg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G1 | 4'11" to 5'0" | 28" to 29" | 38" | 27" |
| G2 | 4'11" to 5'0" | 30" to 31" | 38" | 27" |
| G3 | 5'1" to 5'2" | 28" to 29" | 38" | 28" |
| G4 | 5'1" to 5'2" | 30" to 31" | 38" | 28" |
| G5 | 5'1" to 5'2" | 32" to 33" | 40" | 28" |
| G6 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 28" to 29" | 38" | 29" |
| G7 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 30" to 31" | 38" | 29" |
| G8 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 32" to 33" | 40" | 29" |
| G9 | 5'3" to 5'4" | 34" to 35" | 42" | 29" |
| G10 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 28" to 29" | 38" | 30" |
| G11 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 30" to 31" | 38" | 30" |
| G12 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 32" to 33" | 40" | 30" |
| G13 | 5'5" to 5'6" | 34" to 35" | 42" | 30" |
| G14 | 5'7" to 5'8" | 30" to 31" | 38" | 31" |
| G15 | 5'7" to 5'8" | 32" to 33" | 40" | 31" |
| G16 | 5'7" to 5'8" | 34" to 35" | 42" | 31" |
Note: The original Army sizing charts also list the obsolescent Gurkha sizes G1', G2' and G3'. These are omitted here as they are rarely encountered by collectors, and this guide focuses on the main wartime Battledress sizes.
Why This Guide is Useful
Original British Battledress have now been around for more than 80 years, and it is very common to find examples where the paper manufacturer's label has faded, torn away or become completely illegible.
Fortunately, many wartime Battledress retained their black ink size stamp, allowing collectors to identify the original issued size even when the label has disappeared.
This guide is particularly useful if you are:
- Identifying a faded or unreadable Battledress label.
- Matching an original blouse with the correct pair of trousers.
- Restoring a complete Battledress uniform.
- Buying original Battledress to wear.
- Researching an original wartime uniform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the size numbers on British WW2 Battledress mean?
The numbered sizes represent combinations of body measurements used by the British Army during the Second World War. They are not equivalent to modern Small, Medium or Large sizing.
Where can I find the size on Battledress?
The size is usually found on the original manufacturer's label. However, many wartime Battledress were also stamped with the size in black ink inside the garment, often on the lining of the blouse or inside the waistband of the trousers.
Were Battledress blouses and trousers sized separately?
They use the same official size numbering system, but each garment has its own measurements. Blouses are based on height and breast measurements, while trousers are based on height, waist, seat and inside leg.
What are “A” sizes?
“A” sizes were introduced for soldiers requiring a fuller fitting uniform. They follow the same wartime sizing system but provide increased chest, waist and seat measurements.
What does the “G” prefix mean?
A G prefix indicates a Gurkha Battledress size. These were manufactured specifically for Gurkha troops and use a different sizing scale from standard British Army Battledress.
My Battledress only has an ink stamp. Can I still identify the size?
Yes. In many cases the ink stamp survives long after the paper label has disappeared. Simply match the stamped size to the tables in this guide.
Are WW2 Battledress the same size as modern clothing?
No. Battledress were designed to be worn over additional layers such as shirts and woollen jerseys, so they generally have a looser fit than modern civilian clothing.
Why doesn't a higher size number always mean larger Battledress?
Each size represents a particular combination of height and body measurements rather than simply increasing in every dimension. Always refer to the tables above rather than relying on the size number alone.
Final Thoughts
The British Army's wartime sizing system can seem confusing at first, especially when many original labels have faded with age. Fortunately, the numbered size stamps found inside many Battledress make it possible to identify the original fit with confidence.
Whether you're restoring a complete uniform, trying to match a blouse with the correct trousers or simply deciphering an old ink stamp, we hope this guide has made the British WW2 Battledress sizing system a little easier to understand.
If you're looking for original British Battledress or other WW2 British militaria, be sure to browse our latest arrivals here at The Militaria Shop.
Further Reading
At The Militaria Shop, we’re collectors ourselves — and we know how much a good reference guide can help. We’ve been building out a library of guides covering everything from German helmet sizes and RZM codes to British uniform sizing and War Department stamps. We add new ones as we get the time, so there’s always something new in the works.
You can find all our guides on the Militaria Collectors Guides page, or browse a selection below.
