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This article is a comparison of Levi’s 510 vs 512 jeans (using photos). The 510 jeans have a skinny fit while the 512 jeans are slim above the knee, and taper to skinny at the ankle.
Levi’s slim and skinny jeans ranked by fit starting with the skinniest:
- Levi’s 519 Jeans – Extreme Skinny Fit – (click here to view)
- Levi’s 510 Jeans – Skinny Fit – (click here to view)
- Levi’s 512 Jeans – Slim Taper Fit – (click here to view)
- Levi’s 511 Jeans – Slim Fit – (click here to view)
- Levi’s 513 Jeans – Slim Straight Fit – (click here to view)
- Levi’s 527 Jeans – Slim Bootcut Fit – (click here to view)
***This is my advice. If you want a quick understanding of 510 vs 512, then watch my 90 second comparison video below. If you like the video, please subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking the button below. Thanks!
The 512 jeans, even though they have a slim fit above the knee, will fit looser around the thighs than the 510 skinny jeans. Here are my black 510 jeans sitting on top of my blue 512 jeans:

As you can see, the blue 512 jeans have extra room in the thigh. But below the knee, these jeans are very similar, and finish with a skinny leg opening. Here are how my 510 and 512 jeans fit near my ankle:
510 Jeans
512 Jeans
If you are shopping for Levi jeans, quickly, here’s what you need to know about some of their most popular styles:
- Levi’s 511 Men’s Jeans – This is one of Levi’s most popular styles. It is a true slim fit from the hips to the ankles. Perfect fit if you want a fitted look that isn’t too skinny. Gives your legs a little room to breathe while still showing shape. Flex fabric available. Click here to view these jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Levis 501 Original Jeans – This is one of Levi’s most iconic styles. The 501 jeans have a regular cut through the thigh, and a straight cut below the knee. They will show some shape through the hips and thighs. Click here to view these jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Levi’s 510 Men’s Jeans – Skinny fit. Made to look slim and sleek. If you want a fitted cut, start your search here. No baggy, loose material. This is the skinniest fit out of all of the jeans in this list. We review these jeans in this article. Click here to view these jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Levi’s 512 Men’s Jeans – The 512’s actually serve as a type of hybrid between the 510 and 511 jeans. The 512 jeans have a slim cut in the hips and and thighs, but taper to a skinny fit below the knee. We review these jeans in this article. Click here to view these jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
In this article we are going to focus specifically on comparing the 510 vs 512 Levi jeans using real photos. Below, we will begin our comparison by discussing the difference in fit between the 510 and 512 jeans.
What size to order?
In my experience, both the 510 and 512 jeans have a true-to-size fit, meaning the waist and the length was what I expected. My recommendation is to stick to your normal sizing when ordering these jeans. Because these are slim/skinny jeans, it would probably be best to size up if you are naturally in-between sizes.
Levi’s 510 vs 512 Fit
What is the difference between the Levi’s 510 and 512?
The difference between the Levi 510 and 512 jeans is the 510 jeans are skinny from the hip to the ankle, but the 512 jeans are actually slim cut above the knee, then taper below the knee to skinny at the ankle. This means you can expect the 512 jeans to be a bit looser in the hips and thighs than the 510 jeans.
510 | 512 | |
**Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Fit | Skinny | Slim-Taper |
Leg Opening | 13″ | 12.75″ |
Sits | Sits at Waist | Below Waist |
Fly | Zip | Zip |
Here is a look at my 510 jeans (black) sitting on top of my 512 jeans (blue). As you can see, the 512 jeans have a bit more space through the thighs than the 510 jeans:

But below the knee, the 512 jeans taper, and the fit below the knee is almost identical between the 510 and 512 jeans:
510 Jeans
512 Jeans
Leg Opening
The leg opening in the 510 vs 512 jeans is slightly different. Although both have a skinny cut at the ankle, the 512 jeans actually have a smaller leg opening. Here are the leg opening sizes for these jeans:
- Levi’s 510 Jeans – 13″ Leg Opening
- Levi’s 512 Jeans – 12.75″ Leg Opening
For the most part this will have a minimal impact on the overall fit in these jeans. In my experience the fit near the ankle is very similar in these jeans. Here is a look at how my 510 and 512 jeans fit near the ankle:
510 Jeans
512 Jeans
***This article is property of workwearcommand.com***
Other Options Besides 510 and 512
- If you prefer the skinniest cut, as we have discussed, the 510 jeans will be the better option for you. Levi’s actually makes an advanced stretch version of the 510 jeans that give you more flexibility while wearing these jeans, and also give you more colors to choose from. Click here to view the 510 Advanced Stretch jeans at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- If you want a slim fit but you are concerned that maybe the 510 and 512 jeans might hug your legs too much, then I would recommend considering the 511 jeans. The 511 jeans are one of Levi’s most popular styles. They are a true slim fit from the hip through the ankle. They will show figure without hugging your leg like spandex. They give your legs a little room to breathe. Click here to view the 511 jeans and to check out their fit (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- If you are needing bootcut jeans that pair easily with work boots for the job, I would recommend checking out the Levi 527 Jeans. The 527 jeans have the bootcut leg opening, but have a slim cut that is going to fit slim through the hips and thighs. This style is offered in stretch material which makes them very comfortable to wear to work. Click here to view the 527 Slim Bootcut Jeans (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).