Shoe Size Conversion Chart: US, UK, EU, and Foot-Length Measurements

Overview

Shoe sizing is not a single worldwide system. A US women’s size, a US men’s size, a UK size, and an EU size do not move through the same numbered scale. Even when two shoes show the same size, their internal shape can differ because of the brand, model, materials, and intended use.

Think of a conversion chart as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Foot length in centimeters or millimeters gives you a more useful reference than a number copied from another pair. Width matters too: a shoe can be long enough but still feel tight across the toes, the ball of the foot, or the instep.

The most dependable process is to measure both feet, record the larger measurement, compare it with the product’s own chart, and then check the return or exchange terms before ordering. This approach works for sneakers, running shoes, boots, work shoes, and everyday footwear.

Approximate adult conversion chart

The table below is a general reference. EU sizing is commonly shown in whole or half sizes, while US and UK sizing may vary by gender and brand. Japanese sizing is often expressed in centimeters and is best treated as a foot-length reference.

These ranges are intentionally approximate. A brand may label a shoe differently, and a running shoe or boot may use a fit recommendation that differs from a casual sneaker. For children’s footwear, use a dedicated kids’ chart rather than extending an adult conversion chart. For more detail, see our US, UK, EU, and CM shoe size chart.

Step-by-step workflow

1. Measure both feet

Place a sheet of paper on a hard floor with one edge against a wall. Stand on the paper wearing the type of socks you expect to use with the shoes. Keep your heel lightly against the wall, and ask someone to mark the end of the longest toe. Repeat for the other foot.

Measure from the paper’s wall edge to each toe mark. Record the longer result. Feet often differ slightly in length, and choosing a size for the smaller foot can create pressure on the larger one.

2. Measure width at the widest point

Mark or measure across the broadest part of each foot, usually around the ball of the foot. Do not pull the tape tightly. Width labels are not universal: letters and terms such as narrow, regular, wide, and extra-wide can mean different things between brands.

If your toes feel compressed even when the length is correct, look for a wider version or a roomier model instead of automatically sizing up. A longer shoe may reduce heel security and still fail to provide enough space across the forefoot.

3. Compare measurements with the product page

Find the brand or retailer’s own size chart and match your larger foot measurement to its listed length. Check whether the chart refers to foot length, insole length, or the shoe’s internal dimensions. Those measurements are not interchangeable.

4. Account for the shoe’s purpose

Running shoes may need enough space for normal foot movement and thicker socks, while dress shoes are often shaped more closely. Boots can have different requirements depending on insulation, shaft construction, and sock thickness. If you are buying shoes for long shifts, compare the fit with our guide to comfortable shoes for standing all day.

5. Check the fit at home

Try both shoes indoors, preferably later in the day when feet may be slightly larger than they are first thing in the morning. Walk, bend, and stand. Your toes should not press against the front, your heel should remain reasonably secure, and the upper should not create a sharp pressure point. If one foot needs a different adjustment, use lacing or an insole only if the shoe’s basic shape is already suitable.

Tools and handoffs

You need only a few simple tools: paper, a pencil, a ruler or tape measure, and the socks you plan to wear. A printable foot-measuring device can help, but confirm that it printed at its intended scale. Digital sizing tools can be useful when they explain how measurements are collected; do not treat a phone scan as more authoritative than the manufacturer’s chart without checking the method.

When moving between retailers, save four details: the larger foot’s length, each foot’s width, the size worn comfortably in a comparable shoe, and the model name. This record makes future comparisons easier and helps separate a size issue from a shape issue.

For children, remeasure regularly and use the retailer’s kids’ chart. For men’s-to-women’s or women’s-to-kids’ conversions, do not rely only on a fixed numerical subtraction. Read the product’s gender, youth, or grade-school sizing information first. Our guide to women’s-to-kids’ shoe conversion covers that handoff in more detail.

Quality checks

• Confirm the sizing system: Make sure the chart says US men’s, US women’s, UK, EU, or centimeters.
• Check the model, not just the brand: Fit can change between a running shoe, court shoe, boot, and lifestyle sneaker.
• Use the larger foot: Compare both measurements and avoid sizing from the shorter foot.
• Review width information: Look for width options and read descriptions of the upper, toe box, and heel.
• Inspect product reviews carefully: Repeated comments about narrowness, length, or sizing can be useful context, but they are not a replacement for a measurement chart.
• Separate length from volume: A tight upper over the instep is not always solved by buying a longer shoe.
• Verify exchange details before purchase: Policies can vary by retailer, seller, location, and item condition, so confirm the current terms on the product page.

“True to size” is not a universal measurement. It usually means a shoe feels consistent with the reviewer’s usual size, but that usual size may be based on a different brand or category. Treat the phrase as an opinion, not a conversion rule.

When to revisit

Recheck your measurements when buying a new category, switching brands, replacing heavily worn shoes, or noticing new pressure, slipping, or toe contact. Feet can also change over time, and fit can feel different with orthotics, thicker socks, swelling, or changes in activity.

Return to this guide whenever a retailer changes its size chart, a brand introduces a new fit system, or you are comparing a different country’s sizing. Before ordering another pair, repeat the workflow: measure both feet, confirm the chart’s units, check width, and read the model-specific fit notes. Then compare prices only after you have identified the size and width most likely to work; our shoe price tracker guide can help with the next step.

Keep your measurements and a short record of successful shoes in your phone. That small habit turns a general shoe size guide into a personal reference you can update as your feet, preferences, and footwear needs change.