Shoe Size Conversion
Convert Shoe Size
How to Use This Shoe Size Conversion Calculator
Ordering sneakers from overseas is a coin flip unless you know how your local size translates. A US men's 10 is not a UK 10, and EU numbers follow an entirely different scale. I keep this open when shopping Japanese or European sites so I do not pay return shipping on the wrong half-size.
- Select Gender/Age. Choose Men's, Women's, or Kids'—each category uses a separate size chart because the scales do not share the same zero point.
- Choose Convert From. Pick the system you already know: US/Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, or raw foot length in inches or centimeters.
- Select your size or foot length. The dropdown lists available values for your chosen input type. If you measured your foot, pick the closest listed length.
- Press Convert. Review matching sizes across US/Canada, UK, Europe, Australia, plus foot length in inches and centimeters.
For body measurements beyond feet, try the Height Calculator or Conversion Calculator for general unit conversions.
Shoe Size Formulas and Practical Applications
Shoe sizing is not one universal ruler—each region grew its own numbering system before global e-commerce existed. Think of foot length as the ground truth and US/UK/EU labels as regional shorthand stamped on the box.
Barleycorn system (US and UK)
Size ≈ (Foot Length in Inches × 3) − Constant
One barleycorn equals 1/3 inch—the historical increment behind US and UK sizes. The constant differs by gender and region, which is why US men's 10 maps to about UK 9.5, not UK 10.
Paris Point system (Europe)
EU Size ≈ (Foot Length in cm + 1.5) × 1.5
European sizes advance in roughly 2/3 cm steps (the Paris Point). A 26.7 cm foot typically lands near EU 43 for men—this calculator matches against standard chart rows rather than applying the formula directly.
Nearest-match lookup
When you enter a size or length, the tool finds the closest row in the built-in chart for your gender category and returns all regional equivalents. That mirrors how retail conversion tables work—discrete half-size steps, not infinite precision.
Standard Units and Conversion Tables
Three systems dominate international shoe labels. Knowing which one a retailer uses saves a round trip to the post office.
- US & Canada: Barleycorn-based scale. Men's US sizes run about one half-size larger than UK for the same foot. Women's US sizes use a separate offset from men's.
- UK: Same barleycorn DNA as US but different starting point. Common on British and many Commonwealth brands.
- Europe (EU): Paris Point scale in whole and half sizes. One continuous numbering system from children's through adult sizes.
- Australia: Generally aligns closely with UK sizing for the same gender category.
- Foot length (cm / inches): The most reliable input—used in ski boots, cycling shoes, and any fit-critical gear. Measure both feet; buy for the longer one.
Quick reference (men's approximate)
US 9 → UK 8.5 → EU 42.5 → about 10.25" / 26 cm. US 11 → UK 10.5 → EU 45 → about 10.94" / 27.9 cm. Half sizes exist throughout—the calculator handles those via the dropdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are shoe sizes the same across all brands?
No. Each brand builds shoes on a proprietary last, so a US 10 in one label may fit tighter or looser than another. Use this calculator for regional system conversion, then check brand-specific size charts when ordering.
How do I measure my foot for shoe size?
Stand on paper with your heel against a wall, mark the longest toe, and measure that distance in centimeters or inches. Select Foot Length as Convert From and pick the closest listed measurement.
Why is my US size different from my UK size?
US and UK scales use the barleycorn system but apply different zero points and offsets. A US men's 10 typically converts to about UK 9.5, not UK 10.
Does men's and women's sizing use the same numbers?
No. Select the correct Gender/Age category before converting. Women's US sizes run roughly 1.5–2 sizes larger than men's for the same foot length.
What is the most accurate input for shoe sizing?
Foot length in centimeters or inches is the most objective input because it maps directly to internal volume. Regional size labels are estimates derived from that length.