If you want to know how to convert shoe size between countries accurately, map your measurement against regional systems: a US men's size 9 is a UK 8, EU 42, or 27cm in Japan's centimeter-based sizing. Since brands use different foot molds, size conversions can vary, making rounding up the safest practice for online shopping.
Why Aren't Shoe Sizes the Same Everywhere?
Shoe sizing never got a single global standard, and that's really the root of all the confusion. The US and UK systems both trace back to old English measuring conventions from centuries ago, but they drifted apart over time and now sit about a size and a half off from each other for the same actual foot length. Continental Europe uses something called the Paris point system, where each size step equals two-thirds of a centimeter — a completely different logic from the inch-based systems. Japan skipped the abstract-number approach entirely and just uses your actual foot length in centimeters, which is arguably the most sensible of the bunch, even if it feels unfamiliar if you've only ever shopped in US or UK sizes.
Men's Shoe Size Conversion Table
| US | UK | EU | Japan (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 40 | 25 |
| 8 | 7 | 41 | 26 |
| 9 | 8 | 42 | 27 |
| 10 | 9 | 43 | 28 |
| 11 | 10 | 44 | 29 |
| 12 | 11 | 45 | 30 |
Women's Shoe Size Conversion Table
| US | UK | EU | Japan (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3.5 | 36.5 | 23 |
| 7 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 24 |
| 8 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24.5 |
| 9 | 6.5 | 40 | 25.5 |
| 10 | 7.5 | 41 | 26.5 |
Kids' Shoe Size Conversion Table
Kids' sizing runs on its own scale entirely, separate from adult sizing, and it resets once a child crosses into adult sizes (roughly US kids' size 13.5 becomes adult size 1).
| US | UK | EU | Japan (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9.5 | 27 | 16.5 |
| 12 | 11.5 | 30 | 18.5 |
| 1 (Youth) | 13 | 32 | 20 |
Why Your Size Still Shifts Between Brands
Here's the part that trips people up even after they've converted correctly: brands don't all build shoes on the same last (the foot-shaped mold a shoe is built around). Nike and Adidas tend to run fairly close to standard conversion charts. Some European boutique and dress-shoe brands run narrower or a half size smaller than you'd expect. If you're between two sizes after converting, sizing up is almost always the safer call — a shoe that's slightly roomy is a minor annoyance, but one that's slightly tight is often unwearable.
Skip the math
Use our free Shoe Size Converter to get instant US, UK, EU, and Japan conversions without doing any of this by hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a US to EU shoe size chart?
You can use our US to EU shoe size chart tables above to easily convert sizing for men, women, and kids. For example, a US men's size 9 converts to an EU 42, and a US women's size 8 converts to an EU 38.5.
How to measure your foot for shoe size?
To know how to measure your foot for shoe size, place a piece of paper on the floor against a wall, step on it with your heel against the wall, trace the outline of your foot, and measure the distance from the heel to your longest toe. Use this measurement in centimeters or inches against our conversion tables.
Why do Japanese shoe sizes use centimeters?
Japan's system is based directly on actual foot length in centimeters rather than an abstract numbered scale, which is why it tends to be the most consistent system to convert into.
Should I round up or down when converting shoe sizes?
When in doubt, round up. A slightly larger shoe is far more comfortable to live with than one that's too tight.
If you're also converting fabric or paper measurements for an international order, our Paper & Fabric Size Converter covers that too.