Shoe Size Converter
Convert shoe sizes between EU, US, UK, and CM systems. Supports men, women, and kids sizes.
Key features
- EU/US/UK/CM systems
- Gender-specific sizes
- Full size range
- Quick lookup
Guide
Shoe sizing systems vary by country, and no universal standard exists. The same foot fits a US 10, a UK 9.5, and an EU 44. Buying shoes internationally, whether online or while traveling, requires converting between these systems. This guide covers the major sizing systems, how they relate to actual foot measurements, and practical advice for getting the right fit. The US shoe sizing system uses different scales for men, women, and children. A US men's 10 is not the same as a US women's 10. Women's sizes run approximately 1.5 sizes higher than men's sizes for the same foot length. A woman who wears a US women's 9 would wear approximately a US men's 7.5. Children's sizes use their own scale from 0 to 13, then transition to the adult scale starting at 1. This numbering reset causes confusion when shopping for pre-teens, so always verify whether a size is listed as children's or adult. US sizing is based on the Brannock Device, invented by Charles Brannock in 1927 and still used in shoe stores today. The device measures foot length from heel to longest toe, foot width at the widest point, and arch length. US sizes increase by 1/3 inch (8.47 mm) per full size and 1/6 inch (4.23 mm) per half size. A US men's size 10 corresponds to a foot length of approximately 10.69 inches (271.5 mm) on the Brannock scale. The actual interior length of the shoe is longer than the foot measurement to provide toe room, typically 10 to 15 mm of extra space beyond the longest toe. The UK shoe sizing system is similar to the US system but offset by approximately 0.5 to 1 size for men and 2 sizes for women. A US men's 10 is roughly a UK 9.5. A US women's 9 is roughly a UK 7. Like the US system, UK sizes increase by 1/3 inch per size. The UK system is the oldest standardized shoe sizing system, dating to the 1880s, and serves as the basis for sizing in the UK, Ireland, India, Pakistan, and several other countries. UK sizing starts from size 0, which corresponds to a 4-inch (102 mm) last length for children. The European (EU) shoe sizing system uses the Paris point as its unit. One Paris point equals 2/3 centimeter (6.67 mm). EU sizes are unisex, meaning the same number applies to both men and women. A foot length of 27 cm corresponds to approximately EU 42 to 43. The formula is: EU size equals (foot length in cm plus 1.5) times 1.5, though brands apply this inconsistently. The 1.5 cm added accounts for toe room. EU sizes do not have a half-size system in theory, but many brands offer half sizes in practice because the gap between full EU sizes (6.67 mm) is larger than the gap between US half sizes (4.23 mm). Japanese shoe sizing (JPN or JP) is the simplest system because it directly uses the foot length in centimeters. A foot that measures 27 cm is a JP 27. There is no conversion formula. Just measure your foot length in centimeters and that is your Japanese size. This system is also used in China (though Chinese sizing can vary by manufacturer) and is gaining adoption as a straightforward alternative to arbitrary numbered systems. Some Japanese brands offer half-centimeter sizes (26.5, 27.0, 27.5), giving fine-grained options. Korean shoe sizing uses millimeters rather than centimeters, so a size 270 in Korean sizing is the same as JP 27. The number is the same measurement, just expressed in different units. This system is used by Korean brands like Samsung (Beanpole), Fila Korea, and many domestic manufacturers. Measuring your foot correctly is the foundation of accurate sizing. Do this in the afternoon or evening because feet swell during the day. Your feet can be half a size larger at the end of the day compared to morning. Stand on a piece of paper with your full weight on the foot. Mark the back of the heel and the tip of the longest toe. Measure the distance in centimeters or inches. Measure both feet because most people have one foot slightly larger than the other, sometimes by half a size or more. Use the larger measurement for sizing. Wear the type of socks you plan to use with the shoes when measuring. Width varies significantly between brands and is often overlooked in sizing. US width designations range from AAA (narrowest) through N (narrow), M or D for men/B for women (medium/standard), W or EE (wide), to EEEE (extra wide). European sizes do not formally include width, which means EU shoes in a given size may fit differently depending on the last (foot-shaped mold) the manufacturer uses. Italian brands tend to run narrower. Some German and Scandinavian brands run wider. Width affects comfort as much as length but receives far less attention in most sizing guides. Size conversion charts provide approximate equivalents, not exact matches. A commonly used set of reference points for men: US 7 equals UK 6 equals EU 40. US 8 equals UK 7 equals EU 41. US 9 equals UK 8 equals EU 42 to 43. US 10 equals UK 9 equals EU 43 to 44. US 11 equals UK 10 equals EU 44 to 45. US 12 equals UK 11 equals EU 45 to 46. US 13 equals UK 12 equals EU 47 to 48. For women: US 5 equals UK 3 equals EU 35 to 36. US 6 equals UK 4 equals EU 36 to 37. US 7 equals UK 5 equals EU 37 to 38. US 8 equals UK 6 equals EU 38 to 39. US 9 equals UK 7 equals EU 39 to 40. US 10 equals UK 8 equals EU 40 to 41. US 11 equals UK 9 equals EU 42 to 43. Brand-specific sizing variations mean that your size in one brand may differ from your size in another. Nike tends to run true to size. Adidas often runs slightly narrow and some styles run 0.5 size small. New Balance offers multiple width options (from 2A narrow to 6E extra wide for men) and tends to run true. Converse Chuck Taylors run about 1 full size large (size down by 1). Vans Old Skool tend to run true to slightly large. European luxury brands (Gucci, Prada) use Italian sizing that can run 0.5 to 1 size small for American feet. Always check brand-specific sizing guides when buying a brand for the first time. Athletic shoes versus dress shoes versus boots can fit differently even within the same brand and size. Athletic shoes are designed for thicker socks and dynamic movement, so they often have more interior room. Running shoes tend to have a snugger fit than basketball shoes. Dress shoes are designed for thin socks and a closer fit, with less toe box volume. Boots may need extra room for thick socks and may require sizing up, especially for winter boots worn with heavy wool socks. When converting sizes, consider the shoe type and intended sock thickness. Sandal sizing follows different conventions. Many sandal brands use whole EU sizes only, and the fit is less critical since the foot is not enclosed. When between sizes in sandals, size up to avoid toes hanging over the front edge. Some sandal brands (Birkenstock notably) use their own sizing that corresponds to EU sizing but with narrow and regular width options. Birkenstock regular width is wider than most standard shoes. Children's shoe sizing requires frequent re-measurement because children's feet grow rapidly. Toddlers' feet can grow a full size every 2 to 3 months. Preschoolers grow about 1 size every 4 months. School-age children's feet grow about 1 size per year. US children's sizes go from 0 (infant) to 13 (pre-teen), then reset to 1 for adult sizing. The gap between children's 13 and adult 1 is one size, not a renumbering of the same size. EU children's sizes are continuous with adult sizes (a child EU 33 grows into adult EU 34 with no numbering reset). This makes the EU system more intuitive for tracking growth. Online shoe shopping relies heavily on accurate size conversion. When buying from a retailer in a different country, determine which sizing system they use. Most international retailers list size equivalents on their product pages, but these charts are not always consistent between retailers. Cross-reference with an independent conversion chart. Read customer reviews for sizing feedback (runs large, runs small, true to size). Many online retailers offer free returns, which reduces the risk of ordering the wrong size. Some retailers include the insole length in centimeters in their product specs, which is the most reliable measurement for ensuring fit. Insole length measurement is the most reliable way to compare shoe sizes across systems. If you have a well-fitting shoe, remove the insole and measure its length in centimeters. This gives you the actual interior length that fits your foot. When considering a new shoe, find its insole length in the manufacturer's specifications and compare. This bypasses all the inconsistencies between sizing systems. A difference of 3 to 5 mm in insole length corresponds roughly to half a size. Foot conditions affect sizing needs. Bunions, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and flat feet may require wider shoes, shoes with more depth, or specific support features. People with diabetes need properly fitted shoes to prevent pressure sores and ulcers. People with these conditions should prioritize fit over size number. A size 10 that accommodates a bunion comfortably is better than a size 9.5 that technically matches your foot length but pinches. Orthotic insoles add volume inside the shoe, so you may need to size up by half a size to accommodate them. Half sizes and the gaps between them differ across systems. US and UK systems offer half sizes, giving increments of about 4.2 mm. EU sizes theoretically increment by 6.67 mm (a full Paris point), though half sizes (like EU 42.5) are increasingly common. The larger gap between EU full sizes means that some people fall between two EU sizes. In that case, try both and choose based on shoe type and fit preference. For running shoes, err on the side of a slightly larger size to accommodate foot swelling during exercise. Military and institutional shoe sizing in many countries uses the Mondopoint system, which specifies both length and width in millimeters. A Mondopoint size of 270/100 means 270 mm foot length and 100 mm foot width. NATO uses Mondopoint for military footwear across member nations. Ski boots also use Mondopoint. This system is the most precise because it captures both dimensions numerically, but it has not been widely adopted in consumer retail. Shoe size and foot size change with age. Adult feet can grow larger over time due to ligament relaxation, weight changes, and the effects of gravity and use. Many people find their shoe size increases by half a size to a full size between their 20s and 60s. Pregnancy can permanently increase foot size by half a size or more due to hormonal changes that relax ligaments. Re-measure your feet every few years rather than assuming your size has stayed the same since your 20s. Breaking in new shoes is a reality for many shoe types, particularly leather dress shoes and boots. Leather molds to foot shape over time, so a slightly snug dress shoe often becomes comfortable after a break-in period of 1 to 3 weeks. Canvas and synthetic shoes typically do not break in and should fit comfortably from the first wear. Running shoes should be comfortable immediately with no break-in expected. If a running shoe does not feel right in the store, it will not improve with use. Buy the size that fits now. Shoe sizing for specific activities requires different fit priorities. Running shoes need about a thumb's width of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe to accommodate foot expansion during runs. Climbing shoes are worn very tight, often 1 to 2 sizes smaller than street shoes, for maximum control on rock surfaces. Ski boots follow Mondopoint sizing and should fit snugly without pressure points since the shell does not flex. Cycling shoes fit closely with no extra length because your foot does not translate forward in the shoe. Soccer cleats fit tight for ball control, typically half a size smaller than casual shoe size. Extended-size shoes (very small or very large) are harder to find in stores. US men's sizes above 13 and below 7, and women's sizes above 11 and below 5, are considered extended sizes. Brands like New Balance, Brooks, and ASICS offer wider size ranges than average. Online retailers specializing in extended sizes include Zappos, DesignerShoes.com, and brand-specific outlets. Size conversion is especially important for extended-size shoppers since international retailers may carry sizes that domestic stores do not stock. Returns and exchanges for international shoe purchases can be complicated by sizing. Many international retailers charge return shipping fees or do not accept international returns at all. Before ordering, confirm the return policy, try to find the brand in a local store to verify your size, and use the insole measurement method described earlier. The cost of a wrong-size purchase from an international seller with no returns can exceed the savings of buying abroad. Secondhand and vintage shoe sizing requires extra caution. Shoe sizes have shifted slightly over decades. A vintage US 10 from the 1960s may fit differently than a modern US 10 due to changes in sizing standards and last shapes. Vintage European shoes may use older sizing conventions. Always check the insole length rather than relying on the marked size for secondhand shoes. Also consider that leather shoes may have stretched from wear, making a used size 10 fit more like a 10.5. Custom and bespoke shoes use precise measurements taken by the shoemaker: foot length, ball width, instep circumference, heel width, and arch length. These measurements go far beyond any standard sizing system. Bespoke shoes cost $1,000 to $5,000 or more but provide a fit that no off-the-rack shoe can match. Semi-custom options from some brands let you select from pre-built lasts based on detailed foot measurements, offering better fit than standard sizes at lower cost than fully bespoke. 3D foot scanning technology is increasingly available in shoe stores and online through smartphone apps. These scanners capture the full three-dimensional shape of your foot, including length, width, arch height, and volume. Some systems recommend specific shoe models and sizes based on the scan data. Brands like Nike (Nike Fit) and New Balance (ScanFit) have implemented scanning in select stores. As this technology spreads, size conversion between systems may become less necessary because recommendations will be based on precise foot geometry rather than approximate numbered sizes. Shoe storage and care affect size and fit over time. Leather shoes should be stored with shoe trees (cedar is ideal) to maintain shape and absorb moisture. Shoes worn in wet conditions should dry at room temperature, not near heat sources that can shrink and crack leather. Athletic shoes lose cushioning and support after 300 to 500 miles of running, even if the exterior looks fine. Replacing worn shoes at appropriate intervals is important for both comfort and injury prevention. The WebRecast shoe size converter takes a size in any of the major systems (US men's, US women's, UK, EU, JP/CM) and outputs the equivalent in all other systems. It covers adult and common size ranges. Enter the size you know and find the size you need for ordering from international retailers, understanding foreign size labels, or determining your size after measuring your foot in centimeters.
Frequently asked questions
What systems?
European (EU), American (US), British (UK), and Centimeters (CM).
