This shoe size converter converts between US, UK and European shoe sizes for men and women, with the corresponding foot length — because online shoe shopping spans three sizing systems that refuse to agree simply.
Standard chart values — brands vary by up to half a size, and athletic shoes often run differently from dress shoes. When between sizes, the foot-length column is the tiebreaker worth trusting.
Why Shoe Sizes Need Converting at All
The systems grew up independently: the UK size counts barleycorns (⅓-inch steps) from a child’s size zero; the US system cloned it with a small offset that differs for men and women; the EU (Paris point) system measures the shoe’s last in ⅔-centimeter steps. The offsets mean no clean formula survives contact with reality — hence honest tables, like the one driving this converter, rather than fake precision. The Mondopoint system (foot millimeters, used by ski boots and military footwear) is the only truly rational one, and the foot-length column above is its everyday cousin. Part of our Conversion Calculators collection.
Worked Examples (Verified Against Standard Charts)
- Men’s US 9 → UK 8.5, EU 42.5, foot ≈ 25.7 cm
- Women’s US 8 → UK 6, EU 39, foot ≈ 24.5 cm
- The men’s US–UK offset is half a size in this chart; some brands (notably Nike) use a full size — another reason the foot-length column exists
Measuring Your Foot (Do This Once, Keep It Forever)
- Stand (feet expand under weight) on paper in the evening, trace both feet, and measure heel to longest toe in centimeters. Use the larger foot.
- Add ~0.5–1.0 cm of wiggle room mentally when comparing against “foot length” columns that were measured on the shoe’s last rather than the foot — charts mix the two, regrettably.
- Running shoes usually want a thumb’s width beyond your longest toe; dress shoes want less. When a brand publishes its own chart, the brand wins.
- Children’s sizes are a separate universe (US kids 1–13 then youth sizes) and are not covered by this adult chart.
Related Tools
- Conversion Calculators — the full collection
- Weight Converter — the other imperial-metric bridge
Frequently Asked Questions
What is US men’s size 9 in UK and EU?
UK 8.5 and EU 42.5 on standard charts, for a foot of about 25.7 cm. Some brands use UK 8 — check the foot length if you are between charts.
What is US women’s size 8 in UK and EU?
UK 6 and EU 39, foot about 24.5 cm.
Why do shoe size conversions differ between websites?
Because brands genuinely differ — there is no enforced international standard, and each maker’s lasts (foot forms) vary. Charts are consensus averages; a specific brand’s own chart outranks any converter, including this one.
How do I measure my foot for shoe size?
Trace your standing foot on paper (evening is best), measure heel to longest toe in cm, and match the foot-length column. Measure both feet and use the larger.
What is Mondopoint?
A sizing system based directly on foot length and width in millimeters (e.g., 257 = a 25.7 cm foot) — used in ski boots and military footwear, and the system the whole industry probably should have adopted.
Is this shoe size converter free?
Yes — free, instant, no sign-up.