Both are Levi's lines. 501 Original Fit: True to Size — True to waist; check shrink-to-fit vs pre-washed. 511 Slim: Runs Narrow — True to waist; size up if muscular thighs or between.
The 501 is Levi’s classic straight jean — waist labeling is generally honest on modern pre-washed pairs. Rigid shrink-to-fit can measure larger before the first soak, then settle. Thigh room beats slim cuts; prioritize inseam and fabric story over length-of-fit myths.
511 is Levi’s volume slim cut: waist usually matches the tag, but thigh and calf room are tighter than 501/505. Between sizes or athletic thighs, many size up one waist. Stretch washes forgive more than rigid ones — not interchangeable with 501.
Nominal sizes often match; compression and fabric change how the size feels. Between sizes, Align lean larger for fabric longevity; Wunder Train lean TTS (or smaller only for extra hold).
| 501 Original Fit | 511 Slim | |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | True to Size | Runs Narrow |
| Advice | True to waist; check shrink-to-fit vs pre-washed | True to waist; size up if muscular thighs or between |
| Fabric / fit notes | Straight leg; roomier thigh than 511/512; STF variants measure differently before soak | Slim through thigh and leg opening vs 501/505 |
| Stretch | low / rigid denim | low–medium (varies by wash) |
| Rise | mid | mid |
| Confidence | medium | medium |
Crawlable starting point when both lines use the same numeric system. Adjust for compression preference.
| If 501 Original Fit size | Try 511 Slim | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | same numeric ladder |
| 2 | 2 | same numeric ladder |
| 4 | 4 | same numeric ladder |
| 6 | 6 | same numeric ladder |
| 8 | 8 | same numeric ladder |
| 10 | 10 | same numeric ladder |
| 12 | 12 | same numeric ladder |
| 14 | 14 | same numeric ladder |
Full 501 Original Fit guide · Full 511 Slim guide · Reverse compare · All Levi's lines