If you've ever looked at a British Army jacket or pair of trousers and wondered what 170/96 or 80/84/100 means, you're certainly not alone.
Unlike modern civilian clothing, British military uniforms use the NATO sizing system. Rather than being labelled Small, Medium or Large, uniforms are marked using body measurements in centimetres.
This can be confusing if you're buying original British Army clothing for the first time, especially online. Whether you're a collector, reenactor or simply looking for quality surplus clothing, this guide will help you understand British Army NATO sizing and convert it into inches and standard UK sizing.
How to Read British Army NATO Sizes
A typical jacket size looks like this:
170/96
- The first number (170) is the recommended height of the wearer in centimetres.
- The second number (96) is the recommended chest measurement in centimetres.
So a jacket marked 170/96 was designed for someone approximately 170cm (5ft 7in) tall with a 96cm (38") chest.
It is important to remember that this is not the actual size of the jacket itself. Military clothing is made slightly larger than the body measurements to allow room for movement and layering underneath.
British Army Jacket NATO Size Conversion
The table below shows the most common NATO jacket sizes you'll find on British Army uniforms.
| NATO Size | Approx. Height | Chest (cm) | Chest (Inches) | Approx. UK Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 160/88 | 5'3" (160cm) | 88 | 35" | Small |
| 160/96 | 5'3" (160cm) | 96 | 38" | Medium |
| 160/104 | 5'3" (160cm) | 104 | 41" | Large |
| 170/88 | 5'7" (170cm) | 88 | 35" | Small |
| 170/96 | 5'7" (170cm) | 96 | 38" | Medium |
| 170/104 | 5'7" (170cm) | 104 | 41" | Large |
| 170/112 | 5'7" (170cm) | 112 | 44" | XL |
| 180/88 | 5'11" (180cm) | 88 | 35" | Small Tall |
| 180/96 | 5'11" (180cm) | 96 | 38" | Medium Tall |
| 180/104 | 5'11" (180cm) | 104 | 41" | Large Tall |
| 180/112 | 5'11" (180cm) | 112 | 44" | XL Tall |
| 180/120 | 5'11" (180cm) | 120 | 47" | XXL Tall |
| 190/96 | 6'3" (190cm) | 96 | 38" | Medium Extra Tall |
| 190/104 | 6'3" (190cm) | 104 | 41" | Large Extra Tall |
| 190/112 | 6'3" (190cm) | 112 | 44" | XL Extra Tall |
| 190/120 | 6'3" (190cm) | 120 | 47" | XXL Extra Tall |
| 200/104 | 6'7" (200cm) | 104 | 41" | Large Extra Long |
| 200/112 | 6'7" (200cm) | 112 | 44" | XL Extra Long |
| 200/120 | 6'7" (200cm) | 120 | 47" | XXL Extra Long |
These conversions are intended as a guide only. Different manufacturers and uniform patterns can vary slightly.
British Army Trouser NATO Sizes Explained
British Army trousers use three measurements rather than two. For example:
80/84/100
- 80 = Inside leg (cm)
- 84 = Waist (cm)
- 100 = Seat (cm)
Just like jackets, these measurements refer to the body size the trousers were designed to fit rather than the exact garment measurements.
Waist Conversion
| Waist (cm) | Waist (Inches) | Approx. Size |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | 28" | XS |
| 76 | 30" | Small |
| 80 | 31-32" | Small |
| 84 | 33" | Medium |
| 88 | 35" | Medium |
| 92 | 36" | Large |
| 96 | 38" | Large |
| 100 | 39-40" | XL |
| 104 | 41" | XL |
| 108 | 42-43" | XXL |
| 112 | 44" | XXL |
| 116 | 46" | XXXL |
| 120 | 47-48" | XXXL |
Inside Leg Conversion
| NATO Leg Length | Approx. Inches |
|---|---|
| 70 cm | 27.5" |
| 75 cm | 29.5" |
| 80 cm | 31.5" |
| 85 cm | 33.5" |
| 90 cm | 35.5" |
Why Does British Army Clothing Feel Larger?
One of the most common questions we receive is why an original British Army jacket seems larger than a modern jacket with a similar chest measurement.
The answer is simple. Military uniforms were designed to be worn over shirts, jumpers, body armour or cold weather clothing. As a result, they often have a roomier fit than modern civilian clothing.
For the best fit, we always recommend checking the actual measurements provided in our listings as well as the NATO size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do British Army NATO sizes mean?
NATO sizes use body measurements rather than clothing sizes. Jackets use height and chest measurements, while trousers use inside leg, waist and seat measurements.
Is 170/96 a Medium?
Yes. A jacket marked 170/96 is approximately equivalent to a Medium and is designed for someone around 5ft 7in (170cm) with a 38-inch chest.
Is 180/104 a Large?
Yes. A 180/104 jacket is designed for someone approximately 5ft 11in tall with a 41-inch chest, making it roughly equivalent to a Large.
Why isn't my British Army jacket the exact chest size shown?
The NATO size refers to the body it was designed to fit, not the garment itself. Military clothing is intentionally made larger to allow room for layering and movement.
Are all British Army uniforms NATO sized?
Most modern British Army clothing uses the NATO sizing system. Older uniforms may use different sizing methods depending on the period and manufacturer.
Are British Army jackets oversized?
Compared to modern fashion clothing, yes. Military uniforms are designed for practicality rather than a slim fit and generally allow extra room for additional clothing underneath.
How do I measure my chest correctly?
Measure around the fullest part of your chest while keeping the tape measure level and comfortably snug. Compare this measurement to the NATO chest measurement in the tables above.
Can different manufacturers fit differently?
Yes. Although all manufacturers worked to the same NATO sizing system, slight variations in cut and construction can occur. This is why we always recommend checking the actual measurements provided in each listing.
Do NATO sizes apply to DPM and PCS clothing?
Yes. Both DPM and modern PCS (Personal Clothing System) uniforms use the NATO sizing system, making the same conversion tables applicable to most British Army jackets and trousers.
Why do you list actual garment measurements as well as the NATO size?
Original military clothing has often been worn, washed and stored for many years. Measuring the garment itself gives customers extra confidence that the item will fit as expected and helps reduce unnecessary returns.
Can I convert NATO sizes directly to Small, Medium or Large?
Yes, but only as a guide. The conversion tables above provide the closest civilian equivalent, although checking your chest and height measurements will always give the most accurate fit.
What is the most common British Army jacket size?
The sizes most commonly encountered are 170/96, 180/96, 170/104 and 180/104. These were produced in large numbers and are still readily available on the surplus market today.
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.
