Both are Levi's lines. 511 Slim: Runs Narrow — True to waist; size up if muscular thighs or between. 512 Slim Taper: Runs Narrow — Usual waist for a taper; size up for thigh ease.
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.
512 sits in the slim-taper family — less hem room than 501, waist usually as labeled. Thigh/seat is the constraint, similar to 511. Check stretch percentage per wash; low-stretch lots feel smaller.
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).
| 511 Slim | 512 Slim Taper | |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Runs Narrow | Runs Narrow |
| Advice | True to waist; size up if muscular thighs or between | Usual waist for a taper; size up for thigh ease |
| Fabric / fit notes | Slim through thigh and leg opening vs 501/505 | Slim seat/thigh with a tapered opening vs 511 |
| Stretch | low–medium (varies by wash) | low–medium |
| Rise | mid | mid |
| Confidence | medium | medium |
Crawlable starting point when both lines use the same numeric system. Adjust for compression preference.
| If 511 Slim size | Try 512 Slim Taper | 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 511 Slim guide · Full 512 Slim Taper guide · Reverse compare · All Levi's lines