Both are Levi's lines. 512 Slim Taper: Runs Narrow — Usual waist for a taper; size up one for muscular thighs. 511 Slim: Runs Narrow — True to waist; size up if muscular thighs or between.
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.
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.
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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| 512 Slim Taper | 511 Slim | |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Runs Narrow | Runs Narrow |
| Advice | Usual waist for a taper; size up one for muscular thighs | True to waist; size up if muscular thighs or between |
| Fabric / fit notes | Slim through thigh with taper to ankle — narrower than 505/501 | Slim through thigh/knee |
| Stretch | Often stretch denim | Often low–medium stretch |
| Rise | sits below waist / mid | mid |
| Confidence | medium | high |
Crawlable starting point when both lines use the same numeric system. Adjust for compression preference.
| If 512 Slim Taper 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 512 Slim Taper guide · Full 511 Slim guide · Reverse compare · All Levi's lines
Check prices: 512 Slim Taper 511 Slim (paid link)