Clothing and shoe sizes, units and labels in Spain

Key rules

• Sizing: Spain uses EU sizes, and conversions from US or UK sizes are only approximate.
• Unit price: Compare products by the unit price on the shelf, not the pack price.
• Language: Labels and instructions on consumer goods must be available at least in Spanish.
• Units: Everything is metric: grams, kilograms, litres and centimetres.

Sizes: Spain uses EU sizing

Spain uses EU sizes. Many shops also use letters (XS to XL) that match the numbers. All conversions below are approximate, and brands vary by one size or more. Try things on or check the brand's size chart.

Women's clothing

Men's shirts (collar size)

Shoes

Units: everything is metric

Weight is in grams and kilograms. Liquids are in millilitres, centilitres and litres. Length and size are in centimetres and metres.

Unit price on the shelf

For goods sold by weight or volume, shops must show the selling price and the unit price. The unit price is the price per kilogram, litre, metre or piece. Use it to compare different pack sizes. Some goods are exempt.

Labels and instructions

Labelling, instructions, warranty and safety information on products sold to consumers in Spain must be available at least in Spanish. You may also see Catalan, Basque, Galician or Valencian. Some regions, such as Catalonia, have extra language rules. Food labels must give the mandatory information in Spanish.

Textile labels must state the fibre composition in Spanish. Examples are "algodón" (cotton), "poliéster" (polyester) and "lana" (wool).

Care symbols

Clothing care labels use international symbols:

• A wash tub means washing.
• A triangle means bleaching.
• A square means drying.
• An iron means ironing.
• A circle means professional cleaning.

The FAQ below covers the common questions.

Frequently asked questions

Must labels and instructions on products sold in Spain be in Spanish?

Yes, labels, instructions, warranty and safety information on goods sold to consumers in Spain must be available at least in Castilian Spanish. Regional languages such as Catalan, Basque, Galician and Valencian may also appear, and some regions, like Catalonia, add their own language rules. Food must show its mandatory information in Spanish.

What is a women's EU 38 in US and UK sizes?

A women's EU 38 in clothing is roughly a US 6 and a UK 10. For shoes, a women's EU 38 is about US 7.5-8 and UK 5. Brands vary by one size or more, so try items on.

What does the unit price on a Spanish shelf tell me?

The unit price shows the cost per kilogram, litre, metre or piece, so you can compare products of different sizes. Shops must display it next to the selling price for goods sold by weight or volume, with some exceptions.

What do the symbols on Spanish clothing care labels mean?

Spanish care labels use the GINETEX symbols: a wash tub for washing, a triangle for bleaching, a square for drying, an iron for ironing and a circle for professional cleaning.