Everyday Life · Unit Conversions
Shoe Size Converter
Convert shoe sizes between US, UK, EU, and CM (foot length) sizing systems for men, women, and children.
Calculator
Formula
Shoe sizes are derived from foot length in centimetres. The EU (Mondopoint-adjacent) system approximates size by multiplying foot length in cm by 1.5 and adding 2. US and UK sizes are offset from one another by approximately 0.5 (women's US = UK + 2; men's US = UK + 0.5). All conversions use standardised lookup offsets established by major footwear standards bodies.
Source: Brannock Device Co. sizing standards; ISO/TR 19407:2015 Footwear — Sizing — Conversion of sizing systems.
How it works
Shoe sizing is a surprisingly complex field with no single universal standard. Three major systems dominate global retail: the US system (based on barleycorn units derived from the Brannock Device), the UK system (also in barleycorns but with different zero-point offsets), and the EU/Continental system (loosely based on Paris points, where 1 Paris point ≈ 2/3 cm). Additionally, many Asian markets use the Mondopoint or Japanese CM system, which simply measures foot length in centimetres — arguably the most intuitive approach.
The core of any shoe size conversion is the foot length in centimetres. Once you know that measurement, you can derive any other size. For EU sizes, the formula is: EU = foot length (cm) × 1.5 + 2. For US men's sizes, the relationship is approximately: US = (foot length in inches × 3) − 22/6. UK sizes follow the same barleycorn logic as US sizes but use a different starting offset — men's UK is roughly US − 0.5, while women's UK is roughly US − 2. These offsets differ by gender because historically men's and women's lasts were calibrated differently by manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Practical use cases include buying shoes from overseas retailers, converting a European size found on a vintage item, purchasing gifts when you only know one system, and athletes comparing specialist footwear specifications across brands. Always check a brand's own size chart when available, as individual manufacturers deviate slightly from the standard scales.
Worked example
Suppose a woman measures her foot at 26.0 cm and wants to know her sizes in all systems.
EU Size: 26.0 × 1.5 + 2 = 39 + 2 = EU 41
US Women's Size: Using the inverse formula, foot length 26.0 cm = 10.24 inches. US Women's = (10.24 × 3) − (22/6) + gender offset ≈ US 10
UK Women's Size: US Women's 10 − 2 = UK 8
So a woman with a 26.0 cm foot wears approximately EU 41, US 10, or UK 8. In practice, she might find that some brands run half a size smaller or larger, so trying size 40.5–41.5 EU would be sensible when purchasing online.
Limitations & notes
Shoe sizing is not perfectly standardised, and this converter uses widely accepted average offsets that may not match every brand or manufacturer. Luxury brands, athletic footwear companies, and heritage cobblers often have proprietary lasts that run narrow, wide, or half a size off standard. Children's sizes in particular vary significantly between countries and age-based sizing systems. This calculator provides a strong starting point but cannot substitute for trying shoes on or consulting a specific brand's size guide. Half sizes and width fittings (B, D, EE, etc.) are also not accounted for here. Always measure both feet, as most people have a slight asymmetry, and size to the larger foot.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between US men's and US women's shoe sizes?
US women's sizes run approximately 1.5 to 2 sizes larger than US men's for the same physical foot length. For example, a US men's 8 corresponds to roughly a US women's 9.5–10. This historical difference originated from separately calibrated lasts used in men's and women's footwear manufacturing.
How do I convert EU shoe sizes to US sizes?
For men's, subtract 33 from the EU size to get approximate US size (e.g. EU 43 − 33 = US 10). For women's, subtract 31 (e.g. EU 40 − 31 = US 9). These are approximations; the most accurate method is to convert through foot length in cm as this converter does.
Is EU sizing the same across all European countries?
Mostly yes. The EU Continental system (Paris points) is used consistently across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and most of Europe. However, some Italian luxury brands use slightly different internal scales, and you may occasionally see 'Italian sizing' deviate by half a size from standard EU. Always verify with the brand's own chart for high-value purchases.
Why does my shoe size differ between brands even within the same country?
Different brands use different lasts — the foot-shaped moulds over which shoes are built. A last can be narrow, wide, short-toed, or long-heeled, meaning the nominal size printed on the shoe may feel different from another brand's identical nominal size. Athletic brands like Nike and Adidas, for instance, are often noted to size differently from one another despite both using US sizing labels.
What is Mondopoint sizing and when is it used?
Mondopoint is an ISO-standardised sizing system (ISO 9407) that expresses size as foot length in millimetres, optionally combined with foot width. It is the official system for ski boots, military footwear, and some Asian markets (Japan uses a CM equivalent). A Mondopoint of 260 means a 260 mm (26.0 cm) foot, equivalent to approximately EU 41, US Women's 10, or US Men's 8.5.
Last updated: 2025-01-15 · Formula verified against primary sources.