Shoe Size Conversion Chart

Convert shoe sizes between US, UK, EU, and Japan for men, women, and kids. Pick a size below, or scroll down for the full reference tables.

Full reference tables

All sizes for the selected category, side by side.

USUKEUJPFoot length (cm)
6 5.5 38.5 24 24.0
6.5 6 39 24.5 24.5
7 6.5 40 25 25.0
7.5 7 40.5 25.5 25.5
8 7.5 41 26 26.0
8.5 8 42 26.5 26.5
9 8.5 42.5 27 27.0
9.5 9 43 27.5 27.5
10 9.5 44 28 28.0
10.5 10 44.5 28.5 28.5
11 10.5 45 29 29.0
11.5 11 45.5 29.5 29.5
12 11.5 46 30 30.0
13 12.5 47.5 31 31.0
14 13.5 48.5 32 32.0

How to measure your foot

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe, then measure the distance from the wall to the mark in centimeters. Measure both feet — most people have one foot slightly larger — and size for the larger one. Measure in the evening, when feet are at their largest after a day of standing and walking.

Why shoe sizes don't convert with a formula

Every other conversion on this site is a straight multiplication — centimeters to inches, kilograms to pounds. Shoe sizes don't work that way. Each country's sizing system evolved separately, uses a different reference point, and isn't linear across the full size range. The only reliable common reference is actual foot length in centimeters, which is why the tables above are built from measured length, not from converting one country's number into another's with math.

Brands also don't perfectly agree with each other. A size 9 US in one brand's last (the mold the shoe is built on) can fit half a size different from another brand's size 9. If you're between sizes, or ordering from a brand you haven't worn before, sizing up half a size is usually the safer bet.

A worked example: a US men's 9

Worked example

You wear a US men's 9. In the picker, choose Men's, convert from US, and pick 9.

You get UK 8.5, EU 42.5, Japan 27 and a foot length of 27.0 cm. So if a UK site only lists UK sizes, order an 8.5. If a European site lists EU sizes, order a 42.5. And if you only have a ruler, a foot that measures 27 cm lands you on the same size.

Getting the fit right when you shop online

  1. Measure both feet in the evening. Feet swell during the day, so the evening is when they're biggest. Most people have one foot slightly longer than the other, so use the longer one.
  2. Measure the right way. Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe, then measure from the wall to the mark.
  3. Use the foot-length column. Most brand charts already allow for normal toe room, so start with the size that matches your foot length and adjust from there. Don't add a size on top.
  4. Check the brand's own chart. The same label can fit half a size differently between brands, so look at what they say and at the reviews.
  5. If you're between sizes, go up half a size. A shoe that's slightly roomy is easier to fix with an insole or thicker socks than one that's too tight.

Width matters too

Length is only half the story. Two people with the same foot length can have very different widths. In the US, a men's standard width is D and a women's standard width is B. Wider fits are marked E, 2E or 4E for men, and D or 2E for women. European and UK sizing use their own fitting systems, and many brands skip width altogether. If a shoe feels tight at the sides but long enough, the answer is usually a wide fit, not a bigger size.

Different shoes, different rules

  • Running shoes: feet swell and slide forward on a run, so many runners go up half a size or more from their everyday size.
  • Boots: think about the socks you'll wear with them. Thick hiking socks take up room.
  • Dress shoes: these are usually cut closer and fit nearer to your measured size.
  • Sandals and flip-flops: your heel and toes shouldn't hang over the edges.

Kids' shoes: leave room to grow

Young feet grow fast, and a well-fitting shoe leaves room at the front. A common rule is about a thumb's width (around 1 cm) between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Check every few months, and don't buy a size or two too big "to grow into". A shoe that's too loose makes it harder for a child to walk properly.

What about Japan sizes?

Japanese sizes are the simplest of all: the number is the foot length in centimetres, in half-centimetre steps. A Japan 27 is a foot of 27 cm. That's one reason why measured foot length is the best common reference between the other systems.

Why this matters

Shoes that don't fit cause blisters, sore toes and, over time, real foot problems, and they're a hassle to send back. Measuring once and writing the number down takes two minutes and works for every brand you buy from.

Related tools

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Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between US and UK shoe sizes?

UK sizes typically run about 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than the equivalent US size for the same foot length. A US men's 9 is roughly a UK 8.5.

How do I convert kids' shoe sizes to adult sizes?

Kids' sizing is its own scale, not a smaller version of adult sizing. It transitions to adult ("youth") sizing around US kids' size 13, which is roughly equivalent to a US women's size 1.5 to 2.

Is EU shoe sizing the same across all of Europe?

Yes, the EU (also called "Paris point" or "Continental") sizing system is standardized and used consistently across mainland Europe, unlike US and UK sizing which can vary slightly by brand.