About the Shoe Size Converter
Shoe sizes do not match from one country to the next, and a size 9 in one system can be an 8, a 10.5 or a 42 in another. This converter turns a size in US men's, US women's, UK or EU units into the others, and works from your foot length in centimetres too. It uses the standard chart conventions: UK sizes based on barleycorns, EU sizes in Paris points and the usual one-size offsets for the US. It is an estimate for adults, so treat it as a guide when shopping online and check the brand's own chart for the final choice.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Shoe Size Converter
- 1Choose the system you know your size in.
- 2Enter your size, or your foot length in centimetres.
- 3Read the equivalent sizes in the other systems.
- 4Check the foot length shown, and compare it with a brand's chart.
- 5When in doubt, order two sizes or look at the returns policy.
How the conversion works
The calculator estimates the length of the shoe's last as the foot length plus about one centimetre. UK sizes grow by a third of an inch per size, so size 8 corresponds to a last of 11 inches, about 27.9 cm. EU sizes are the last length in centimetres multiplied by 1.5. US men's sizes are one higher than UK, and US women's sizes are 1.5 higher than US men's.
These are the conventions used in most charts. Individual brands often differ by half a size or more.
Shopping tips
- Check the brand's own size chart, not only a general one.
- Read customer comments about fit and width.
- Try shoes on at the end of the day when feet are largest.
- Leave about a thumb's width of space at the toe.
- Look for free returns on online orders.
Related tools
The Ring Size Converter works the same way for rings. The Unit Converter switches between centimetres and inches, the Height Converter helps with body measurements and the Step to Distance Calculator uses your height to estimate your stride.
Features
- US men's, US women's, UK, EU and foot length
- Half sizes supported
- Uses the standard chart conventions
- Foot length in cm and inches
- Error for sizes outside the adult range
- Free and instant
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert US shoe sizes to UK?
For men's shoes, subtract 1 from the US size to get the UK size, so US 9 is UK 8. For women's sizes, US sizes run about 2 to 2.5 higher than UK, so a US women's 10.5 is UK 8.
How do I convert US shoe sizes to EU?
A US men's 9 is about EU 42, a US men's 10 is about 43 and a women's 8 is about 39. There is no exact formula because the EU system uses Paris points of two thirds of a centimetre, and brands round differently.
How do I measure my foot?
Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe and measure the distance in centimetres. Measure in the afternoon when feet are slightly larger, and measure both feet because they often differ.
Why do sizes differ between brands?
Each brand uses its own lasts, which are the foot-shaped moulds shoes are built around. Sneakers often run half a size small or large compared with dress shoes. Reviews and size notes on a product page are worth reading.
Can I use this for children's shoes?
No. Children's sizes use separate charts and start again at 1 after the largest toddler size. This converter is for adult sizes with a foot length of about 15 to 35 cm.
How are men's and women's sizes related?
In the US a women's size is about 1.5 sizes higher than the same shoe in men's sizing, so a men's 9 is a women's 10.5. Many unisex sneakers are labelled in both.