Shoe Size Conversion — Free Online Shoe Size Converter

How to Use the Shoe Size Converter

1. Enter your shoe size: Type your known shoe size into the Shoe Size field. The converter accepts whole sizes and half sizes (for example, 9, 9.5, 10, 10.5). The default value is 10, which you can change to any size between 1 and 60 depending on the sizing system.
2. Select your size system: Use the Size System dropdown to choose which sizing system your shoe size uses. Select US if your size comes from American retailers, UK for British sizing, EU for European sizing, or JP for Japanese sizing (which corresponds to foot length in centimeters).
3. Select your gender: Choose Men's or Women's using the gender radio buttons. This is important because US shoe sizes differ between men's and women's by approximately 1.5 sizes. The UK and EU systems are unisex, but the gender selection ensures the US men's and women's equivalents are calculated correctly.
4. Read your converted sizes: The results panel instantly displays your equivalent size in all major systems: US Men's, US Women's, UK, EU, JP (Japanese), and your actual foot length in centimeters. Use these values when shopping from international retailers or brands that use different sizing systems.

All results update in real time as you change any input. Compare different sizes by adjusting the value up or down in half-size increments.

Shoe Size Conversion Formulas

Variables Explained

• Foot Length (cm): The actual length of your foot measured from heel to the tip of the longest toe while standing. This is the most universal and accurate way to determine shoe size, as it does not depend on any particular sizing system's conventions. The JP (Japanese) system uses this measurement directly.
• US Sizing: Based on the Brannock Device system, with separate scales for men and women. Each full size increment represents 1/3 of an inch (approximately 8.47 mm). Men's sizes typically range from 6 to 16, and women's sizes from 5 to 13. Half sizes are available in most brands.
• UK Sizing: Uses the barleycorn system where each size equals 1/3 of an inch, similar to US sizing but with a different starting point. UK sizes are unisex and approximately one size smaller than US men's sizes. Sizes typically range from 3 to 14 for adults.
• EU Sizing: Based on the Paris Point system where each size equals 2/3 of a centimeter. The system is unisex and ranges from approximately 35 to 48 for adults. EU sizes have the widest global recognition and are used throughout Europe, South America, and much of Asia.

Step-by-Step Example

Suppose you wear a US men's size 10 and need to find your EU size for ordering shoes from a European online store:

1. Start with US men's size: 10
2. Convert to UK size: 10 - 1 = UK 9
3. Calculate foot length: (9 + 23) x 0.847 = 27.1 cm
4. Convert to EU size: 27.1 x 1.5 = EU 40.5 (round to 41)
5. JP size equals foot length: JP 27

A US men's 10 is approximately EU 43, UK 9, and JP 27 cm. Our converter performs all these calculations instantly. Keep in mind that brands may vary by half a size or more, so if you are between sizes, it is often best to order the larger size.

Practical Examples

Example 1: Rachel Orders Shoes from a European Website

Rachel wears a US women's size 8 and wants to buy Italian leather boots from a European online retailer that only lists EU sizes. She uses the shoe size converter to find her equivalent:

• US Women's 8 entered into the converter
• EU equivalent: approximately 39
• UK equivalent: approximately 6
• Foot length: approximately 25.1 cm

Rachel orders the boots in EU 39. She also checks the brand's specific size chart and compares the recommended foot length measurement (25 cm for EU 39) with her actual foot measurement to confirm the right size. Since Italian shoes tend to run narrow, she considers sizing up to EU 39.5 if available.

Example 2: Michael Shops for Running Shoes in Japan

Michael is visiting Tokyo and wants to buy running shoes at a local sports store. He normally wears US men's size 11 and finds that Japanese stores display sizes in centimeters. Using the shoe size converter:

• US Men's 11 entered into the converter
• JP equivalent: approximately 28.5 cm
• UK equivalent: approximately 10
• EU equivalent: approximately 44

Michael asks for size 28.5 cm at the Japanese store. The staff measures his foot and confirms that 28.5 cm is the right match. He also discovers that Japanese shoe width designations use letters (E, 2E, 3E, 4E), with 2E being standard width, which helps him find a comfortable fit in the width as well as length.

Example 3: Lisa Buys Shoes for Her British Husband

Lisa is shopping online for dress shoes as a gift for her husband, who wears UK size 9. The American shoe store lists everything in US men's sizes. She uses the converter to find the right size:

• UK 9 entered into the converter with men's gender selected
• US Men's equivalent: approximately 10
• EU equivalent: approximately 43
• Foot length: approximately 27.1 cm

Lisa orders US men's size 10. She makes sure the store has a good return policy in case the brand runs slightly small or large. She saves the foot length measurement of 27.1 cm as a reliable reference point for future purchases across any brand or sizing system.

Example 4: Diego Converts Children's to Adult Sizing

Diego's teenage son has outgrown children's shoes and is transitioning to adult sizes. His last children's shoe was a US 6Y (youth), and Diego needs to find the equivalent adult men's size. While our converter is designed for adult sizes, understanding the relationship helps:

• Youth size 6Y has a foot length of approximately 24.1 cm
• Entering 24.1 cm (JP system) into the converter
• US Men's equivalent: approximately 6.5
• US Women's equivalent: approximately 8
• EU equivalent: approximately 39

Diego's son should start trying adult men's size 6.5 or 7. The youth size 6Y translates almost directly to an adult men's 6, but since his feet are still growing, sizing up half a size provides room for growth while maintaining a good fit.

Shoe Size Conversion Reference Table

Sizes are approximate. Actual fit varies by brand and style. Always measure your foot length in cm for the most accurate sizing.

Tips and Complete Guide

How to Measure Your Foot Correctly

Accurate foot measurement is the foundation of finding the right shoe size in any system. Stand on a flat, hard surface with your heel against a wall and place a piece of paper under your foot. Mark the tip of your longest toe on the paper and measure the distance from the wall to the mark using a ruler or tape measure in centimeters. Measure both feet, as most people have one foot slightly larger than the other, and use the larger measurement. Always measure in the late afternoon or evening when your feet are at their largest from natural daily swelling. Wear the type of socks you plan to wear with the shoes while measuring. This centimeter measurement can be entered directly into our converter using the JP (cm) option for the most accurate conversion to all other systems.

Understanding Shoe Width

Shoe size only measures length, but width is equally important for comfort. In the US, widths are designated by letters: B (narrow) for women and D (standard) for men, with wider options going to E, 2E (EE), 3E (EEE), and 4E (EEEE). In the UK, width designations include E (narrow), F (standard), G (wide), and H (extra wide). European brands often describe width as narrow, regular, or wide without standardized letters. If you have wide or narrow feet, pay close attention to the brand's width options. Some brands like New Balance offer extensive width options, while others make shoes in only one width. When converting between systems, width designations do not convert directly, so always check the brand's specific width chart.

Online Shoe Shopping Tips

When buying shoes online, especially from international retailers, take several precautions beyond size conversion. First, check the retailer's specific size chart, as it may differ from general conversion tables. Look for foot length recommendations in centimeters, which is the most reliable cross-system measurement. Read customer reviews for insights about whether the shoe runs large, small, or true to size. Choose retailers with free return shipping in case the size is wrong. If ordering from overseas, note that return shipping can be expensive, so it may be worth ordering two adjacent sizes. Keep a record of your size in each brand you purchase from to simplify future buying decisions. When possible, visit a physical store to try on a brand before ordering online.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming all size 10s are the same: A US 10, UK 10, and EU 10 are completely different sizes. US 10 is approximately UK 9 and EU 43. Always check which sizing system a retailer uses before ordering, especially on international websites.
• Ignoring the men's/women's distinction in US sizes: A US women's 10 is not the same as a US men's 10. Women's sizes are approximately 1.5 sizes larger for the same foot length. A women's 10 is closer to a men's 8.5. Mixing these up results in shoes that are dramatically too large or too small.
• Not measuring both feet: Most people have one foot that is 2 to 5 millimeters longer than the other. Always buy shoes that fit the larger foot. Wearing a slightly loose shoe on the smaller foot is far more comfortable than a tight shoe on the larger foot.
• Measuring feet while sitting: Your feet spread when you stand due to body weight bearing down on them. Measuring while sitting gives a measurement that is 5 to 8 millimeters shorter than your standing measurement, which can lead to shoes that are too small.
• Assuming shoe size stays constant over time: Feet change size throughout life. Pregnancy, weight changes, aging, and medical conditions can alter foot size by one or more sizes. Re-measure your feet at least once a year and whenever shoes start feeling uncomfortable.

Frequently Asked Questions