Shoe Size Converter
Finding Your Footing: A Guide to International Shoe Sizes
Finding a shoe that fits perfectly is essential for comfort and foot health, but navigating the world of shoe sizes can be surprisingly complex. Different countries and regions use their own unique sizing systems, often based on different historical units of measurement or manufacturing standards. A 'size 8' in the United States is not the same as a 'size 8' in the United Kingdom, and neither corresponds directly to a 'size 41' in Europe. This discrepancy can make online shopping and international travel a challenge for footwear enthusiasts.
This shoe size converter is designed to eliminate that confusion. It provides a simple way to translate your shoe size between the major international systems: US Men's and Women's, UK, European (EU), and Indian sizes. The converter also includes foot length in centimeters as a universal, physical reference point. By allowing you to convert from any system to another, this tool helps you shop with confidence, ensuring that the shoes you buy online or abroad will be the right fit. It's an essential utility for global shoppers, travelers, and anyone looking to make a more informed footwear purchase.
How Different Shoe Sizing Systems Work
- US & Canada System: This system is based on the length of a 'last' (a shoemaker's model of a foot). There are different scales for men, women, and children. A woman's size is typically 1.5 sizes larger than a man's for the same foot length (e.g., a men's 8.5 is roughly equivalent to a women's 10).
- UK System: The UK system is also used in Australia, New Zealand, and India. It is based on the 'barleycorn', an old English unit equal to 1/3 of an inch. It is generally unisex, though some brands may have different width fittings. A UK size is typically 1 size smaller than the corresponding US men's size.
- European System (EU): The EU system is used in most of continental Europe. It is based on a unit called the 'Paris point', which is equal to 2/3 of a centimeter. This system is generally unisex and covers both adults and children in a single scale.
- Centimeters (cm): Measuring your foot length directly in centimeters provides the most accurate and universal measurement. Many Asian sizing systems (like in Japan) are based directly on the foot length in centimeters.
Shoe Size Conversion Chart
| US Men | US Women | EU | UK/India | Foot Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5.5 | 36 | 3.5 | 22.2 |
| 4.5 | 6 | 37 | 4 | 22.5 |
| 5 | 6.5 | 37-38 | 4.5 | 23.0 |
| 5.5 | 7 | 38 | 5 | 23.5 |
| 6 | 7.5 | 39 | 5.5 | 23.8 |
| 6.5 | 8 | 39-40 | 6 | 24.1 |
| 7 | 8.5 | 40 | 6.5 | 24.6 |
| 7.5 | 9 | 40-41 | 7 | 25.1 |
| 8 | 9.5 | 41 | 7.5 | 25.4 |
| 8.5 | 10 | 41-42 | 8 | 25.9 |
| 9 | 10.5 | 42 | 8.5 | 26.2 |
| 9.5 | 11 | 42-43 | 9 | 26.7 |
| 10 | 11.5 | 43 | 9.5 | 27.1 |
| 10.5 | 12 | 43-44 | 10 | 27.6 |
| 11 | 12.5 | 44 | 10.5 | 27.9 |
| 11.5 | 13 | 44-45 | 11 | 28.4 |
| 12 | 13.5 | 45 | 11.5 | 28.8 |
| 13 | 14.5 | 46 | 12.5 | 29.6 |
| 14 | 15.5 | 47 | 13.5 | 30.5 |