A man who is 5′10″ and 160 lb fits a medium. In 60 °F (16 °C) water the usual choice is a 3/2 mm full suit: 3 mm in the torso for warmth and 2 mm in the arms and legs for movement.
How the wetsuit calculator works
WetsuitSizeCalc compares your height and weight with each size in a generic men’s or women’s chart. A size scores zero when you are inside both its height and weight range; otherwise it scores the inches you are outside the height range plus the pounds outside the weight range divided by five. The lowest score wins, with ties going to the size whose range middles are closest to you, and the runner-up is shown as an alternative. For thickness it takes the water temperature, subtracts 6 °F if you dive and 4 °F if you run cold, and looks it up in the temperature chart.
Wetsuit thickness by water temperature
| Water | Suit | Accessories |
|---|---|---|
| 78 °F and up (26 °C+) | No wetsuit needed | Rash guard or swimsuit |
| 72–77 °F (22–25 °C) | 0.5–2 mm top or shorty | None |
| 65–71 °F (18–22 °C) | 2 mm shorty or spring suit | None |
| 60–64 °F (16–18 °C) | 3/2 mm full suit | None |
| 55–59 °F (13–15 °C) | 4/3 mm full suit | Boots optional |
| 50–54 °F (10–12 °C) | 4/3 or 5/4 mm full suit | Boots |
| 45–49 °F (7–9 °C) | 5/4 mm hooded full suit | Boots and gloves |
| 40–44 °F (4–7 °C) | 6/5 mm hooded full suit | 7 mm boots and 5 mm gloves |
| Below 40 °F (4 °C) | 6/5 mm or thicker, or a drysuit | 7 mm boots, 5–7 mm gloves and hood |
Men’s wetsuit sizes
| Size | Height (in) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 64–67 | 115–135 |
| S | 66–69 | 130–150 |
| MS | 65–68 | 145–165 |
| M | 68–71 | 145–165 |
| MT | 71–74 | 150–170 |
| LS | 67–70 | 165–185 |
| L | 70–73 | 165–185 |
| LT | 73–76 | 170–190 |
| XLS | 69–72 | 185–210 |
| XL | 71–74 | 185–205 |
| XLT | 74–77 | 190–210 |
| XXL | 72–76 | 205–230 |
| 3XL | 73–77 | 225–260 |
Women’s wetsuit sizes
| Size | Height (in) | Weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 60–63 | 95–110 |
| 4 | 62–65 | 105–120 |
| 6 | 63–66 | 115–130 |
| 8 | 64–67 | 125–140 |
| 10 | 65–68 | 135–150 |
| 12 | 66–69 | 145–165 |
| 14 | 67–70 | 160–180 |
| 16 | 67–70 | 175–195 |
Frequently asked questions
What do wetsuit numbers like 3/2 mean?
The neoprene thickness in millimetres: the first number is the torso, the second the arms and legs.
Should a wetsuit be tight?
Snug, like a second skin, with no baggy gaps where water can pool, but not so tight that you cannot breathe deeply or raise your arms.
What if I am between sizes?
Height usually matters more for fit at the wrists and ankles, weight for the chest and waist. Try both if you can.
Is WetsuitSizeCalc free?
Yes, with no sign-up or ads, and your measurements stay in your browser.
Is this chart the same for every brand?
No. It is a typical generic chart. Brands vary, so confirm with the maker’s chart, and try a suit on if you can.