Shoe Size Systems
Shoe sizing varies significantly between countries. A US men's size 10 is a UK 9 and an EU 43 — not knowing the conversion leads to buying the wrong size when shopping internationally.
Men's Shoe Size Chart
US | UK | EU | CM (foot length)
7 | 6 | 40 | 25.0
8 | 7 | 41 | 26.0
9 | 8 | 42 | 26.7
10 | 9 | 43 | 27.3
11 | 10 | 44 | 28.0
12 | 11 | 46 | 29.0Women's Shoe Size Chart
US | UK | EU | CM
5 | 3 | 35 | 22.0
6 | 4 | 36 | 23.0
7 | 5 | 37 | 23.5
8 | 6 | 38 | 24.5
9 | 7 | 40 | 25.5
10 | 8 | 41 | 26.0How to Measure Your Foot
- Measure in the afternoon (feet swell during the day)
- Stand on paper, trace outline, measure longest point
- Add 0.5–1 cm for comfort clearance
- If between sizes, go up — not down
- Width fittings: narrow (B), standard (D/M), wide (2E), extra wide (4E)
Convert shoe sizes: Free Shoe Size Converter
Shoe Size Conversion Quick-Reference Table
| US Men | US Women | UK | EU | CM (foot length) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 39 | 24.0 |
| 7 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 25.0 |
| 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 41 | 25.5 |
| 9 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 42–43 | 26.5 |
| 10 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 43–44 | 27.5 |
| 11 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 28.5 |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 46 | 29.5 |
How Shoe Size Conversion Works
Shoe sizing systems measure foot length but differ in units and starting points. US sizes for men and women differ by 1.5 sizes (the same shoe is 1.5 sizes larger in women's than men's sizing). UK sizes are 0.5 smaller than US men's. EU sizes (Paris points) equal foot length in centimetres divided by ⅔, then converted: EU ≈ (US men's size × 0.833 + 23.5). The most accurate method is measuring actual foot length in centimetres and mapping to a brand's size chart, since lasts (shoe forms) vary significantly between manufacturers.
Width is a separate dimension — standard is D (men's) or B (women's); narrow is B/AA; wide is E/EE; extra-wide is EEE/EEEE. Most shoes are only available in standard width; athletic and orthopedic footwear commonly offer multiple widths. Foot length grows throughout the day due to swelling — always measure feet in the afternoon for the most accurate fit, and fit to the larger foot if they differ.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming consistent sizing across brands: A Nike 10 and an Adidas 10 may fit very differently. Always consult brand-specific size guides when ordering online, especially for athletic footwear with proprietary lasts.
- Buying shoes that are too small: Toes should have a thumb's width of space beyond the longest toe. Shoes that fit snugly in-store may constrict as feet swell during activity, causing blisters and toenail bruising.
- Ignoring half-size increments: One full US size = approximately 8.5 mm difference in length; half size = ~4.25 mm. If between sizes, generally go up — particularly for closed-toe shoes and athletic footwear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Women's shoes are designed with a narrower last and different proportions than men's shoes. The sizing offset (women's = men's + 1.5) allows the same physical shoe to be described in gender-appropriate size conventions. A unisex or "men's" shoe converted to women's sizing is 1.5 sizes higher — a men's 8 equals a women's 9.5. Some athletic brands (Nike, Adidas) have moved toward unisex sizing in certain lines.
Yes, significantly. The US, UK, EU, Japanese (cm-based), and Mondopoint (military, ISO standard) systems all use different scales. EU sizing is most consistent internationally. Japanese sizing directly states foot length in cm — a JP 26 fits a 26 cm foot (US men's 8, EU 41). Always verify which system a manufacturer uses, especially for imported footwear from Asia.
Place your foot on a sheet of paper against a wall, with your heel touching the wall. Mark the longest toe (not always the big toe). Measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres. Repeat for both feet — use the larger measurement. Compare to the brand's size chart. For width, measure the widest part of the foot (the ball). Do this in the afternoon when feet are at their largest.