Shoe Size Conversion
Enter any shoe size in the system you know and instantly see the equivalent in every other major sizing system: US/Canada, UK/India, EU, Japan/Mexico, China, and foot length in both centimetres and inches. Select men, women, big kids, little kids, or infants to get the right reference table for your category.
Why shoe sizes differ around the world
Shoe sizing systems developed independently in different countries, which is why a size 8 in the US is not the same as a size 8 in the UK or EU. The US and Canada use a barleycorn-based system where each full size equals one-third of an inch, but men's and women's scales are offset by about 1.5 sizes from each other. The UK system is similar but runs roughly 0.5-1.5 sizes smaller than US for men. The EU (European) system, also called the Paris Point system, is based on two-thirds of a centimetre per size increment. Japan and Mexico use the actual foot length in centimetres, making their system the most directly interpretable. China's system is also centimetre-based but with its own offset formula.
How to measure your foot for the most accurate fit
For the best fit, measure your feet at the end of the day when they are at their largest - feet swell slightly with daily activity. Stand on a flat hard floor, place a piece of paper under your foot, and mark the back of your heel and the tip of your longest toe. Measure the distance between the two marks in centimetres. Add about 0.5 cm for comfort, and use that measurement to look up your size in any system using the foot length (cm) column. Feet are often slightly different sizes from each other - always fit to the larger foot. Measure both feet if you are between sizes.
Kids and infant sizing explained
Children's shoe sizing is split into several ranges. Infants and toddlers (approximately ages 0-4) start at very small US sizes such as 1-10. Little kids (approximately ages 3-6) generally wear sizes 10-3 in US sizing. Big kids (approximately ages 6-12) wear US sizes 3.5-7, which overlap with the lower end of adult sizing. At around US size 7, children transition to adult shoes. Children's EU sizes run from around 15 (newborn) up to 39. Always measure a child's foot regularly - children's feet grow quickly and they often need a new size every few months.
Conversion tips for common size systems
A few quick rules are useful to have in mind. For men: UK = US minus 0.5; EU is approximately US plus 33-34. For women: UK = US minus 2; EU is approximately US plus 30-31. For example, a US women's 8 is a UK 6 and an EU 39. Japan's sizing is simply the foot length in centimetres, so a 24 cm foot wears a JP 24. China's sizing is approximately EU minus 1 for most sizes. Always verify against a brand-specific size chart, especially for running or performance footwear where last shape and fit philosophy vary between manufacturers.
Women's shoe size conversion chart
| US | UK / India | EU | JP / MX | China | cm | inches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 | 35 | 21.5 | 35 | 21.6 | 8.50 |
| 4.5 | 2.5 | 35.5 | 22 | 36 | 22.1 | 8.70 |
| 5 | 3 | 36 | 22 | 36 | 22.5 | 8.88 |
| 5.5 | 3.5 | 36.5 | 22.5 | 37 | 22.9 | 9.00 |
| 6 | 4 | 37 | 23 | 37 | 23.3 | 9.13 |
| 6.5 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23 | 38 | 23.7 | 9.30 |
| 7 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 | 38 | 24.1 | 9.50 |
| 7.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 | 39 | 24.6 | 9.70 |
| 8 | 6 | 39 | 24 | 39 | 25.0 | 9.88 |
| 8.5 | 6.5 | 39.5 | 24.5 | 40 | 25.4 | 10.00 |
| 9 | 7 | 40 | 25 | 40 | 25.9 | 10.20 |
| 9.5 | 7.5 | 40.5 | 25 | 41 | 26.3 | 10.30 |
| 10 | 8 | 41 | 25.5 | 41 | 26.7 | 10.50 |
| 10.5 | 8.5 | 41.5 | 26 | 42 | 27.1 | 10.70 |
| 11 | 9 | 42 | 26.5 | 42 | 27.5 | 10.90 |
| 11.5 | 9.5 | 42.5 | 27 | 43 | 27.9 | 11.00 |
| 12 | 10 | 43 | 27 | 43 | 28.3 | 11.10 |
US, UK, EU, Japan/Mexico, China sizes and approximate foot lengths.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert US shoe size to EU?
For women, add approximately 30-31 to your US size to get the EU equivalent. For example, US 8 is approximately EU 38-39. For men, add approximately 33-34 to your US size - US 10 is approximately EU 43-44. Half sizes in the US generally correspond to half sizes in the EU (e.g. EU 38.5). Use the calculator above for precise results for any size.
Is a US women's 8 the same as a US men's 8?
No. US men's and women's sizes are offset by roughly 1.5 sizes. A US women's 8 is equivalent to approximately a US men's 6.5. This means a woman who wears a US 8 would wear approximately a men's 6.5 if buying men's or unisex footwear. Most unisex shoes are listed in men's sizing.
What is the difference between UK and US shoe sizes?
For men, UK sizes run about 0.5 smaller than US sizes - a US men's 10 is a UK 9.5. For women, the difference is larger - UK sizes run approximately 2 sizes smaller than US, so a US women's 8 is a UK 6. The reason is that historically men's US and UK sizing shared the same base, while women's systems diverged.
How does Japan shoe sizing work?
Japanese shoe sizing is one of the most straightforward systems: the size number is simply the foot length in centimetres, measured in 0.5 cm increments. A JP 25 means the foot is 25 cm long. This makes it easy to use with a ruler or tape measure and eliminates the confusion of offset size numbers. Mexico uses the same centimetre-based system as Japan.
When should I measure my foot instead of using a size chart?
Measuring is always more reliable than using your last known size, especially when buying from a new brand, ordering from a different country, or buying online without the option to try on. Foot size can also change with age and weight fluctuation. Measure both feet and fit to the larger one, and do so at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest. Enter your measurement in cm or inches directly into the calculator above to find your size in every system.
What is the Mondopoint sizing system?
Mondopoint is an ISO international shoe sizing standard that expresses shoe size as foot length in millimetres, sometimes combined with foot width. It is used mainly in military, specialist safety footwear, and ski boots. A Mondopoint size of 250 means the foot is 250 mm (25 cm) long. You can use the Japan/Mexico (cm) column in this calculator as a close equivalent, since both are based directly on foot length.