Shoe Size Conversion
Convert shoe sizes between US, EU, UK, JP, and CN systems. Enter your size in any system — get all equivalents plus foot length in cm and inches.
Enter your values above to see the results.
Tips & Notes
- ✓Foot length is the universal reference: measure in cm while standing on a flat surface. Place a ruler at the heel, measure to the end of the longest toe. Add 0.5-1 cm for comfort. Use this measurement to find the correct size in any country's sizing chart.
- ✓EU and US sizing differ: EU sizes are based on Paris Point (2/3 of 1 cm = 6.67 mm of foot length). EU 42 corresponds to US men's 9 / US women's 10.5. EU sizes are the same for men and women — only US sizes split by gender.
- ✓US men vs. women: US women's sizes are typically 1.5 sizes larger than US men's for the same foot length. A woman with a US 8 foot = US men's 6.5. Most EU, UK, JP, and CN systems use unisex sizing based on foot length without gender splits.
- ✓Children's sizing: US children's sizes run 1-13 (toddler/little kid) then start again at 1-7 (big kid). EU children's sizes continue from EU 16 (infant) up through EU 38-39 (teen). Always measure children's feet — they grow rapidly.
- ✓Half sizes: most systems except EU include half sizes. If you are between sizes, generally go up to the next half size for comfort. Wide or narrow feet affect comfort more than length — check width fittings (B/narrow, D/standard, E/wide, 2E/extra wide) for US shoes.
Common Mistakes
- ✗Using men's US size to look up EU size and wearing women's shoes — EU sizes are gender-neutral based on foot length. US men's 9 ≈ EU 42. US women's 9 ≈ EU 40. Using the same EU conversion for both US men's and women's 9 gives EU 42 for both — correct only for men's; women's 9 US is EU 40.
- ✗Assuming US, UK, and AU sizes are the same — US men's = UK men's + 0.5 (approximately). US women's = UK women's + 2.0. Australia generally follows UK sizing. US men's 10 = UK men's 9.5; US women's 10 = UK women's 8.
- ✗Buying shoes online from Japan or China using US size directly — JP sizing is based on foot length in mm/cm: JP 26 = 26 cm foot = US men's 8.5. CN sizing also uses cm-based measurements but may vary by brand. Always verify foot length in cm against the specific brand's size chart.
- ✗Not measuring both feet — most people have one foot slightly larger than the other (often by half a size or more). Always buy shoes to fit the larger foot. Measure both feet while standing with your full weight on them.
- ✗Using children's size charts for adults and vice versa — US children's size 13 = EU 31; US adult/men's size 1 = EU 33. There is an overlap around EU 32-36 between large children's and small adult sizes. Always use the correct age-category chart.
Shoe Size Conversion Overview
Shoe sizing is one of the most confusing international conversions because each country developed its own system based on different units, with further complications from gender-specific sizing (US only), different last widths, and brand-specific variations. Foot length in centimeters is the universal anchor that makes all systems comparable.
Shoe size systems explained:
EU = foot length (mm) / 6.667 + 2 (Paris Point system) | JP = foot length (cm) | US men = foot length (in) × 3 - 22 (approx)
EX: Foot length 26.5 cm (265 mm): EU = 265/6.667 + 2 = 39.75 + 2 = 41.75 → EU 42. JP = 26.5 cm → JP 26.5. US men: 26.5/2.54 = 10.43 in × 3 - 22 = 31.3 - 22 = 9.3 → US men 9.5Cross-system shoe size conversion — men:
| Foot Length (cm) | EU | US Men | UK Men | JP/CN (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.0 cm | 38 | 6.0 | 5.5 | 24 |
| 25.0 cm | 39-40 | 7.0 | 6.5 | 25 |
| 26.0 cm | 41 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 26 |
| 27.0 cm | 42-43 | 9.5 | 9.0 | 27 |
| 28.0 cm | 43-44 | 10.5 | 10.0 | 28 |
| 29.0 cm | 45 | 11.5 | 11.0 | 29 |
| 30.0 cm | 46-47 | 13.0 | 12.0 | 30 |
| Foot Length (cm) | EU | US Women | UK Women | JP/CN (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.5 cm | 35-36 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 22.5 |
| 23.5 cm | 37 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 23.5 |
| 24.5 cm | 38-39 | 8.0 | 6.0 | 24.5 |
| 25.5 cm | 40 | 9.0 | 7.0 | 25.5 |
| 26.5 cm | 42 | 11.0 | 8.5 | 26.5 |
| 27.5 cm | 43 | 12.0 | 9.5 | 27.5 |
Stand on paper, trace both feet, measure heel to longest toe in cm. Add 0.5-1 cm for comfort. Use the larger foot measurement for size selection.
EX: Measured 26.2 cm foot → EU size ≈ (262 mm / 6.667) + 2 = 39.3 + 2 = 41.3 → EU 41-42. JP size = 26.5 cm (round up). US men → (26.2/2.54) × 3 - 22 = 31.9 - 22 = 9.9 → US men 10The confusion in shoe sizing has persisted for centuries because shoes are one of the most personal and variable consumer products — foot shape, arch height, and width vary enormously between individuals, making a single number an imperfect proxy for fit. The most internationally respected shoe brands (Birkenstock, Adidas, Nike) publish detailed size charts with foot length measurements as the primary guide, acknowledging that cross-system conversion tables are approximations at best. For precision fitting, foot length in centimeters remains the only truly universal shoe sizing reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most reliable method is foot length in centimeters. Measure from heel to longest toe while standing. EU size ≈ foot length (cm) × 1.5 + 1. Approximate conversions: US men's 7 = EU 40 = UK 6.5; US men's 9 = EU 42 = UK 8.5; US men's 11 = EU 44 = UK 10.5. Women's US sizes run 1.5 larger than the same EU size: US women's 7 = EU 38 = UK 5.5; US women's 9 = EU 40 = UK 7.5; US women's 11 = EU 43 = UK 8.5.
EU sizing is gender-neutral and based on Paris Points (1 Paris Point = 2/3 cm). US men's and women's are gender-specific with different starting points for the same foot length. EU 40 = US women's 9 = US men's 7.5 (for the same foot length, approximately 25.5 cm). EU 42 = US women's 11 = US men's 9. The 1.5-size difference between US men's and women's for the same EU size is consistent across most of the size range. UK sizes run approximately 0.5 below US men's and 2.0 below US women's.
Japanese (JP) shoe sizes are based on foot length in centimeters: JP 24 = 24 cm foot = approximately EU 37-38 = US women's 7. JP sizing is gender-neutral. JP 26 = 26 cm = EU 40 = US men's 8.5. JP 28 = 28 cm = EU 44 = US men's 11. Chinese (CN) sizing is also based on foot length in millimeters: CN 240 = 240 mm = 24 cm = JP 24. Both JP and CN systems closely track foot length measurements, making them the easiest to use if you know your foot length in cm. Some Chinese brands may vary slightly — always check the brand's specific chart.
Accurate foot measurement: (1) stand on a piece of paper with full body weight, (2) trace around the foot (have someone else help for accuracy), (3) measure from the heel mark to the farthest toe mark in cm, (4) repeat for the other foot and use the larger measurement. Add 0.5-1 cm to the measurement for comfortable fit. Convert to shoe size: EU size = (foot length cm + 1.5) × 1.5 (approximately). For JP/CN: JP = foot length in cm; CN = foot length in mm. Always check the specific retailer's size chart — sizing can vary by brand, especially between budget and premium footwear.
Shoe sizing systems developed independently in different countries during the 19th and early 20th centuries, each based on different reference units. The US/UK system uses barleycorn units (1/3 inch = 8.47 mm per size increment); EU uses Paris Points (2/3 cm = 6.67 mm per size); Japan uses centimeters. Additionally, different lasts (foot-shaped forms used to make shoes) vary by country and brand — a European narrow last and a US standard last for "size 42" create different fits. Premium shoe brands also use proprietary sizing that may run 0.5-1 size off standard charts. Always try on or use a brand's specific size chart rather than generic conversion tables.
US children's shoe sizes: infant sizes 0C-5C; toddler 6C-10C; little kid (LK) 10.5C-3Y; big kid (BK/GS) 3.5Y-7Y. EU conversions: US size 1 toddler = EU 17; US 5 toddler = EU 21; US 10 little kid = EU 27; US 1 big kid = EU 32-33; US 7 big kid = EU 39-40 (approaching adult sizes). Girls often transition to women's sizes from US 7 girls (EU 38-39); boys to men's sizes from US 7 boys (EU 40). JP children's sizing uses cm-based measurements from approximately 11 cm (newborn) to 25 cm (teen), matching foot length directly in centimeters.