Shoe Size Chart & Conversion Guide
US, UK, and EU shoe sizes don't line up the way most conversion apps suggest — foot length in cm is the one number that actually travels between systems.
Shoe sizing is genuinely inconsistent between countries and between brands within the same country — a US size 9 at one brand can measure differently than a US 9 at another. The one number that reliably transfers across every sizing system is your foot length in centimetres, measured directly. This guide covers how to measure that at home, a general US/UK/EU/CM conversion chart for men's and women's sizing, and why you should still expect some variation brand to brand.
Size chart
Measure both feet standing (feet are slightly longer standing than sitting, and one foot is often marginally longer than the other — size for the larger foot), heel to longest toe, at the end of the day. Match the cm measurement to the closest row below; this is a general reference, so check the specific brand's own chart when one is available.
| Foot Length (cm) | US Women's | US Men's | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.5 | 5.5 | 4 | 3 | 35–36 |
| 23.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 4 | 36–37 |
| 24 | 7 | 5.5 | 5 | 37–38 |
| 24.5 | 7.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 38 |
| 25.5 | 8.5 | 7 | 6 | 39–40 |
| 26 | 9 | 7.5 | 6.5 | 40 |
| 27 | 10 | 8.5 | 7.5 | 41–42 |
| 28 | 11 | 9.5 | 8.5 | 42–43 |
| 29 | 12 | 10.5 | 9.5 | 43–44 |
| 30 | 13 | 11.5 | 10.5 | 44–45 |
How to measure your foot at home
- Stand on a piece of paper on a hard floor, with your heel against a wall, and mark the tip of your longest toe (which isn't always the big toe).
- Measure the distance from the wall to the mark in cm — that's your foot length.
- Measure both feet and use the longer one — most people have a slight length difference between feet.
- Measure at the end of the day, when feet are at their largest after hours of standing and walking.
Why the same size number varies between brands
- There's no single global shoe sizing standard — US, UK, and EU systems each use different base measurements and rounding, and individual brands add their own last (mould) shape on top of that.
- A running shoe and a dress shoe from the same brand in the 'same' size can fit differently because they're built on different lasts for different purposes.
- Foot width matters as much as length for fit — a shoe that matches your length measurement can still feel wrong if it's built for a narrower or wider foot shape than yours.
- When ordering from a brand for the first time, check that brand's specific size chart rather than assuming your usual number carries over.
Kids' vs. adult sizing
- Kids' shoe sizes use a separate numeric scale that resets and restarts into adult sizing around a US kids' size 13.5–1, roughly age 7-9 depending on the child.
- Because kids' feet grow quickly, check length every couple of months during growth spurts rather than assuming last season's size still fits.
- Leave roughly a thumb's width (about 1.25 cm) of room at the toe for growth room, without going so large that the shoe doesn't stay on properly.
Shop shoes and a foot measuring tool on Amazon
Once you know your size, here's where to find it.
Shop shoes and a foot measuring tool on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
There's no exact universal formula since brands round differently, but a common approximation is EU size ≈ US size + 33 for men's and EU size ≈ US size + 31 for women's. Measuring your foot length in cm and checking it against a conversion chart is more reliable than doing the math yourself.
More size guides
- Ski Boot Size Chart & Sizing Guide
Ski boots use Mondopoint sizing — foot length in cm — not your regular shoe size, and they're supposed to fit snugger than you'd expect from any other footwear.
- Snowboard Size Chart & Sizing Guide
Snowboard size is based on your height and weight, not your shoe size — the number that actually matters for boots is board width, a separate decision.
- Blundstone
Blundstones are sized in AU/UK, not US — and they run narrow enough that half the internet swears by sizing down.
- Birkenstock
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.
We also publish free printable checklists for Canadian households
Moving, taxes, home maintenance, new baby, back to school — full checklists you can read free and print, written for Canadian rules and seasons.