Why does the same size fit differently across brands?

Every brand builds shoes on its own last, the mould that defines shape and volume. Two size 10 shoes can differ by half a size in effective fit, and running brands in particular vary widely. Foot length gets you to the right shelf, and trying the shoe decides the size.

Is US men's the same as US women's?

No. A US women's size is typically 1.5 sizes higher than the men's equivalent for the same foot length, so a women's 9.5 fits like a men's 8. Widths also differ, with women's lasts generally narrower through the heel.

How much room should there be at the toe?

About a thumb's width, roughly 10 mm, between the longest toe and the end of the shoe when standing. Running shoes often need a full size up from dress shoes because feet swell during exercise.

What do widths like D and EE mean?

They describe girth at the ball of the foot. For men, D is standard and EE is wide. For women, B is standard and D is wide. If you get pinching across the forefoot but the length is right, change the width rather than the size.

Shoe Size Converter

Convert US, UK, EU shoe sizes for men and women

Shoe Size Converter

Size System

Your Size

US	UK	EU
6	5.5	39
6.5	6	39.5
7	6.5	40
7.5	7	40.5
8	7.5	41
8.5	8	42
9	8.5	42.5
9.5	9	43
10	9.5	44
10.5	10	44.5
11	10.5	45
11.5	11	45.5
12	11.5	46
13	12.5	47
14	13.5	48

Quick Facts

•US men's 10 = UK 9.5 = EU 44
•US women's 8 = UK 6 = EU 39
•Feet are slightly larger in the afternoon
•Brand sizing can vary by up to a full size

Understanding Shoe Size Systems

The three main shoe sizing systems are US, UK, and EU (Continental European). US and UK sizes use increments of 0.5, while EU sizes use increments of 2/3. Men's and women's sizes differ — a US women's 9 is equivalent to a US men's 7.5. UK sizes are typically 0.5 less than US men's sizes.

Tips for Finding Your Size

Measure your foot length in centimeters from heel to longest toe while standing. Sizes vary between brands, so always try shoes on if possible. Feet tend to swell during the day, so shop in the afternoon for the best fit. Leave about 1 cm of space between your longest toe and the shoe tip.

Understanding the shoe size converter

Shoe size systems do not share a common origin. US and UK sizes use barleycorn thirds of an inch with different starting points, European sizes use Paris points of two thirds of a centimetre, and Japanese sizes state the foot length in centimetres directly. Only the last one describes your actual foot.

Worked examples

Converting a US men's 10 to European

1A US men's 10 corresponds to a foot length of about 27.9 cm.
2European sizes run at roughly 1.5 Paris points per centimetre plus an allowance.
3The standard equivalent is EU 44, sometimes listed as 43.5 by European makers.

US men's 10 is EU 44, UK 9.5, and JP 28.

Measuring your foot properly

1Stand on paper against a wall in the socks you plan to wear, late in the day when feet are largest.
2Mark the longest toe and measure from the wall in millimetres.
3Measure both feet and use the larger one.
4Add 5 to 10 mm of toe room, then match that total to the length table.

Foot length plus toe room is the number to shop with, not the size on your old shoes.

Men's shoe size conversion

Foot length	US	UK	EU	JP
24.4 cm	6.5	6	39	24.5
25.4 cm	7.5	7	40.5	25.5
26.2 cm	8.5	8	42	26.5
27.1 cm	9.5	9	43	27.5
27.9 cm	10	9.5	44	28
28.6 cm	11	10.5	45	29
29.4 cm	12	11.5	46	30
30.2 cm	13	12.5	47.5	31

Women's shoe size conversion

Foot length	US	UK	EU	JP
22.0 cm	5	3	35.5	22
22.9 cm	6	4	36.5	23
23.5 cm	6.5	4.5	37.5	23.5
24.1 cm	7.5	5.5	38.5	24
24.8 cm	8	6	39	25
25.4 cm	9	7	40.5	25.5
26.2 cm	10	8	42	26.5
27.1 cm	11	9	43	27.5

Frequently asked questions

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This calculator is for educational and reference purposes only. Always verify critical calculations independently.