Store guide

Shopping at American Eagle: sizing, shipping and returns explained

Updated Oct 18, 2026 · By the PeachSunday team

Short answer

As of October 2026, American Eagle ships free in the US on orders of $75 or more and gives you 30 days for a full refund, plus 7 extra days on online orders. Sizes run XXS to XXL, with numeric bottoms from 00 to 20, and jeans come in lengths from X Short to X Long. In-store returns are free.

At a glance

Free US shipping: $75 or more (lower with Real Rewards: $50 at Level 2, $25 at Level 3)
Standard shipping: $7.95 flat under the threshold
Delivery time: 3 to 7 business days (Standard Plus 3 to 5 business days)
Returns window: 30 days for a full refund, or 60 days for merchandise credit; online orders get 7 extra days
Return fee: $5 by mail; free in store, and free for Real Rewards Level 3 and credit cardmembers
Sizes: XXS to XXL, numeric 00 to 20 for bottoms; petite and tall options
Payment options: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, PayPal, Apple Pay, Afterpay, Klarna, Cash App
Rewards: Real Rewards: free to join, 10 points per $1 at Level 1; $5 birthday reward

Checked October 17, 2026 on American Eagle's own pages. Stores change their policies, so confirm at checkout.

Steps

Open the online return portal

Pick your items. The portal prints a label or gives you a digital one to scan at USPS.
Or walk into a store

You can return any online order at an AE, Aerie or Offline store. In-store returns are free.
Check the condition

Items should be unworn and unwashed with tags attached, and items marked Final Sale cannot be returned.
Handle exchanges in store

Exchanges are in store only. To swap by mail, place a new order and send the first one back separately.

What American Eagle is known for

American Eagle is a casual, everyday brand built around denim. The jean wall is the star: baggy, straight-leg, flare, curvy and low-rise cuts, plus tees, hoodies, sweaters, dresses and loungewear.

The look is relaxed and youthful, with a collegiate, cozy streak. It is a go-to for campus outfits, weekend layers and jeans that fit a specific way.

How American Eagle sizing runs

Sizes run XXS to XXL, and bottoms use numeric sizes from 00 to 20. For tops, XS is 0 or 2, S is 4 or 6, M is 8 or 10, L is 12 or 14, XL is 16 and XXL is 18. The size chart lists bust, waist and hip measurements in inches, and petite and tall options exist.

Jeans have their own length system: X Short, Short, Regular, Long and X Long. A Mom Jean inseam runs 24 to 32 inches, and a Wide Leg runs 29 to 37. Rises range from super low to super high, and a Curvy jeans category sits alongside the standard line.

Read the inseam row on the chart rather than only the waist size. For general fit habits, see our how to pick your size when shopping online guide.

What things cost at American Eagle

As of October 2026, most jeans and dresses sit at $59.95 to $79.95 at regular price. T-shirts are mostly $19.95 to $39.95, hoodies and sweatshirts $54.95 to $69.95, and jackets mostly $69.95 to $159.95. Sale prices vary, and the site often runs sitewide promotions.

Shipping to the US

Free standard shipping starts at $75. Real Rewards members reach it sooner, at $50 for Level 2 and $25 for Level 3. Under that, standard shipping is a flat $7.95 and takes 3 to 7 business days, or 3 to 5 with Standard Plus.

2nd Day costs $15 and Overnight costs $25, for street addresses in the continental US. Orders placed by 1 PM EST ship that day.

Returns and exchanges

You get a full refund within 30 days of the purchase date, or merchandise credit within 60 days, and online purchases get 7 extra days. Mail returns cost $5. In-store returns are free, and so are mail returns for Real Rewards Level 3 members and credit cardmembers.

Items marked Final Sale cannot be returned or exchanged.

Tips for shopping American Eagle

Drop an online order at any AE, Aerie or Offline store to skip the $5 mail fee.
Look at the jean inseam for your length, from X Short to X Long.
Afterpay works on orders between $35 and $2,000, and Klarna is accepted too.
Real Rewards works across AE, Aerie and Offline, and every 1,250 points earns a $5 reward.
AE and Aerie share one cart and one return policy.

If you love the American Eagle look

The American Eagle look is easy and denim-led: a good pair of jeans, a soft tee, a hoodie, a cozy sweater and a jacket for layering. It works for class, errands and weekend plans.

The PeachSunday team carries pieces in a similar spirit. Browse jeans and denim, t-shirts and tees and sweaters and knits. New styles are added daily, and shipping is free on US orders of $65 or more.

Similar looks at PeachSunday

FAQ

Is American Eagle true to size?

American Eagle publishes a size chart with bust, waist and hip measurements in inches. For jeans, check the inseam row too, since lengths run from X Short to X Long.

How long does American Eagle shipping take?

Standard shipping takes 3 to 7 business days, and Standard Plus takes 3 to 5. 2nd Day and Overnight are available for continental US street addresses.

Does American Eagle offer free returns?

Returns in any AE, Aerie or Offline store are free. Mail returns cost $5, and Real Rewards Level 3 members and credit cardmembers return free.

What sizes does American Eagle carry?

Sizes run XXS to XXL, numeric 00 to 20 for bottoms, with petite and tall options and a Curvy jeans category.

Does American Eagle take Afterpay?

Yes. Afterpay works on ae.com orders between $35 and $2,000, and Klarna is accepted too.

How do I exchange something at American Eagle?

Exchanges are done in store. To swap by mail, place a new order and return the first one separately.

What stores are like American Eagle?

American Eagle is a casual, denim-first brand. Our guides to Aerie, Old Navy and Hollister cover shops with a similar everyday feel.

Is American Eagle legit?

American Eagle runs its own online store at ae.com. Its own pages publish a returns policy (returns window: 30 days for a full refund, or 60 days for merchandise credit; online orders get 7 extra days), and this guide reads shipping, sizing and returns from those pages, listed under Sources. Confirm the current policy at checkout. Paying by credit card adds the dispute option described in the order has not arrived guide.