Shoe Size Conversion Chart: US, UK, and EU Explained

Shoe sizes are not universal. A size 8 in one country can be a 6, a 39, or a 42 somewhere else — and a number that matches across two systems does not always mean the same fit. This guide explains how the US, UK, and EU shoe sizing systems work, gives you conversion charts for men, women, and children, and walks you through measuring your own foot so you can order the right size the first time.

Why Shoe Sizes Differ Between Countries

Countries did not agree on a single shoe size standard, so three main systems developed independently. Each one counts from a different starting point using a different unit of measurement.

• US and UK sizes are based on the barleycorn, an old unit equal to one-third of an inch (about 8.5 mm). US sizes start counting from a different base length than UK sizes, which is why a US size is usually one or two steps higher than the UK equivalent.
• EU sizes are based on the Paris point, which equals two-thirds of a centimeter (about 6.7 mm). EU sizing measures the length of the shoe last (the foot-shaped form the shoe is built around) rather than the foot itself.

Because these systems use different units and different starting points, any conversion chart is an approximation. Two shoes labeled the same size can still fit differently depending on how the maker builds the last.

How to Measure Your Foot at Home

Measuring your foot takes about two minutes and is far more reliable than guessing from a size you wear in another brand.

1. Measure late in the day. Feet swell slightly over the course of the day, so evening is the most realistic time to measure.
2. Place a sheet of paper against a wall. Stand on it with your heel touching the wall.
3. Mark the tip of your longest toe. Have someone help, or mark it while leaning forward.
4. Measure the distance from the paper edge to the mark. Record it in centimeters or inches.
5. Repeat for the other foot. Most people have one foot slightly larger. Always use the longer measurement.
6. Convert your length to a size. Use the charts below to find the closest match.

Fit tip: Add roughly 0.5 cm (about 1/4 inch) of space between your longest toe and the front of the shoe. That gap allows your foot to move naturally and prevents blisters and toe pressure.

Women’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart

A quick rule of thumb for women: the UK size is usually two sizes smaller than the US size, and the EU size is roughly the US size plus 30.5. Treat both shortcuts as estimates and check the chart for accuracy.

Men’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart

For men, the UK size is typically half a size smaller than the US size. EU sizes run about 33 to 34 steps higher than the US number, but the gap is not perfectly even, so use the chart rather than arithmetic.

Children’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart

Kids’ sizing is the messiest of the three, because children’s feet grow quickly and the numbering restarts when a child moves from toddler sizes into youth sizes.

Notice the overlap: a US youth size 1 and an adult US size 1 are not the same shoe. Youth sizes sit on a smaller scale. When a child lands between two sizes, size up — growing room matters far more than a snug fit at this age.

Two Traps to Avoid When Converting

• US men’s and US women’s sizes are not interchangeable. A US women’s 8 is roughly a US men’s 6.5. If you are comparing a men’s chart to a women’s chart, the numbers will not line up.
• UK and US numbers that match are usually different sizes. A UK 6 is not a US 6 in the same category; for women, a UK 6 is about a US 8.

Shoe Width Matters as Much as Length

Two feet of identical length can be very different in width, and width labeling is inconsistent across countries.

• US width labels use letters. Women’s standard width is usually B, and men’s standard width is usually D. Narrower sizes step down through A, AA, and AAA; wider sizes step up through E, EE, and EEE (also written 2E and 3E).
• UK width labels also use letters, but the range typically runs from C (narrow) to H (extra wide), with D or E as the common average.
• EU sizing generally does not label width at all. Most European-made shoes come in a single width per size, which is one reason an EU size can feel tighter or roomier than expected.

If you know you need a wide or narrow shoe, convert only the length and then look for a maker that publishes width options.

Tips for Buying Shoes in a Foreign Size

• Trust measurements over numbers. Compare your foot length in centimeters to the listed foot length whenever a seller provides it.
• Round up when you are between sizes. A shoe that is slightly too long is easier to live with than one that pinches.
• Read the fit notes. Many listings state whether a style runs small, large, or true to size.
• Check the return policy before ordering. Cross-border sizing mistakes are common, and a free return makes the risk much smaller.
• Convert one step at a time. Find your size on the chart for the system you know, then read across to the target system instead of converting from memory.

The Bottom Line

US, UK, and EU shoe sizes are built on different units and different starting points, so no conversion is perfectly exact. The reliable approach is simple: measure your foot in centimeters late in the day, use the larger foot, add about half a centimeter of space, and match that length against a conversion chart for the system you are buying from. Keep the charts above handy the next time you shop online or travel, and you will avoid most sizing surprises.

If you found this helpful, explore more everyday guides on measuring, sizing, and shopping smarter.