Birkenstock Size Guide: How Their Sizing Actually Works
Birkenstock's numbers look like EU shoe sizes but they're actually footbed lengths in disguise — measure your foot in cm to get it right.
Birkenstock sizes (35, 36, 37, and so on) look exactly like standard European shoe sizes, but they're not the same system — they're closer to a direct footbed length measurement, which is why a size 38 Birkenstock and a size 38 European sneaker can fit differently. The good news is that once you measure your foot correctly, sizing them is more reliable than almost any other shoe brand, because you're matching a length in centimeters rather than guessing at a size number.
Size chart
Trace your foot on paper (or measure heel to longest toe in cm while standing), then match that length to the Birkenstock size below. Round up if you're between sizes — Birkenstock footbeds are meant to have a small amount of room at the toe.
| Birkenstock Size | Foot Length (cm) | US Men's | US Women's |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 22.3 | — | 4–4.5 |
| 36 | 22.9 | — | 5–5.5 |
| 37 | 23.5 | — | 6–6.5 |
| 38 | 24.1 | 6–6.5 | 7–7.5 |
| 39 | 24.6 | 7–7.5 | 8–8.5 |
| 40 | 25.4 | 8–8.5 | 9–9.5 |
| 41 | 26.0 | 9–9.5 | 10–10.5 |
| 42 | 26.7 | 10–10.5 | 11–11.5 |
| 43 | 27.3 | 11–11.5 | — |
How to measure your foot for Birkenstocks
- Measure both feet — most people have one slightly longer foot — and size for the longer one.
- Stand while measuring rather than sitting; feet lengthen slightly under body weight.
- Measure in the late afternoon or evening when feet are at their largest for the day.
- Leave a small margin (a few millimeters) past your longest toe; Birkenstock footbeds are designed with a little room, not a snug fit.
Narrow vs. regular width
- Most Birkenstock styles come in a 'regular' width by default; a 'narrow' width option exists for many popular styles like the Arizona and Gizeh.
- If your foot looks noticeably slim relative to its length, or a regular-width pair feels like it's sliding side to side, try the narrow footbed instead of sizing down in length.
- Sizing down to fix width issues just shortens the footbed and pushes your toes past the edge — it doesn't narrow the shoe.
Break-in and how the footbed changes
- The cork footbed is firm out of the box and gradually molds to the shape of your foot with wear, which is normal and expected.
- Wearing new Birkenstocks for short periods in the first week or two lets the footbed start molding without the arch feeling too aggressive.
- Once broken in, the footbed will show a faint outline of your foot — that's the shoe fitting itself to you, not a defect.
Shop Birkenstock sandals on Amazon
Once you know your size, here's where to find it.
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Frequently asked questions
No, even though the numbers look similar. Birkenstock's scale is based on footbed length rather than the standard EU shoe sizing formula, so a 38 in Birkenstocks doesn't always match a 38 in another European brand. Measure your foot length in cm and use that instead of assuming your usual EU size carries over.
More size guides
- Lululemon
Lululemon's size numbers share the 0–20 scale with regular clothing sizing, but the actual measurements behind them are its own thing entirely.
- Bra Sizing Guide: Measure Your Size at Home
Your correct bra size is two numbers — a band measurement and the difference between band and bust — and you can find both with a tape measure and five minutes.
- Pants and Jeans Sizing Guide
A size 32 waist means something different at nearly every brand — here's how to measure yourself once and stop guessing at the fitting room.
- Ring Size Chart & Sizing Guide
A strip of paper, a ruler, and five minutes gets you a genuinely usable ring size — no trip to the jeweller required for a first estimate.
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