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 one for muscular thighs.
Levi’s 511 Slim is true to tagged waist with a slim thigh/knee. Stay at your measured waist unless you have muscular thighs or are between sizes — then size up one. It is not a skinny 721; it is also not a 501 straight.
512 Slim Taper is true to tagged waist for many but slim through the thigh with a taper. Stay at your usual Levi’s waist unless muscular thighs need one size up for ease. Not as skinny as older 511 stories for everyone — still Partial without denser URL sources.
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).
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| 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 one for muscular thighs |
| Fabric / fit notes | Slim through thigh/knee | Slim through thigh with taper to ankle — narrower than 505/501 |
| Stretch | Often low–medium stretch | Often stretch denim |
| Rise | mid | sits below waist / mid |
| Confidence | high | 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
Check prices: 511 Slim 512 Slim Taper (paid link)