Return to Size Charts

East German Army (NVA) sizes

Measurement locations

People vary primarily in height and width. The East Germans took this into account in a very special way, combining the European sizing system numbers with German language and East German specialties.

Widths

Widths are like normal European sizing widths, except they do not affect length, and some sizes are left out to simplify things.

Metric

SizeChest WaistEasy size
4485-92 cm71-78 cmSmall
4893-100 cm79-86 cmMedium
52101-108 cm87-94 cmLarge
56109-116 cm95-102 cmX-Large
60117-124 cm103-110 cm2X-Large

Imperial

SizeChest WaistEasy size
4433.5" - 36"28" 30.5"Small
4836.5" - 39.5"31" - 34"Medium
5240" - 42.5"34" - 37"Large
5643" - 45.5"37.5" - 40"X-Large
6046" - 49"40.5" - 43.5"2X-Large

As a special touch suffix numbers are used to account for different body types, for an example SK48-0 or G52-1. These add or subtract 8 cm (a wee bit short of 3") from the waist as follows:

  • 0 = -8 cm, Athletic body with slender waist
  • No suffix = No effect, normal body type
  • 1 = +8 cm, Dad body
  • 2 = +16 cm, Beer belly

Lengths

Lengths are determined by letter codes. They are short for German words Sehr Klein, Klein, Mittelgroß, Groß, Sehr Groß and Übergroß. Here's what they mean:

Letter codeUser height (metric)User height (imperial)
SK158-163 cm5' 2" - 5' 4"
K164-169 cm5' 4" - 5' 6"
M170-175 cm5' 7" - 5' 9"
G176-181 cm5' 9" - 5' 11"
SG182-187 cm5' 11" - 6' 1"
ÜG188-193 cm6' 2" - 6' 4"
Loading...