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Shoe Size Converter

Convert shoe sizes between US, UK, EU, JP, KR, BR, MX, AU and foot length. Instant results for men, women, and kids.

Shoe size converter. International shoe sizes across US, UK, EU, JP, KR, BR, MX, and AU systems.
A shoe size converter translates sizes between 8 international systems by mapping each size to its corresponding foot length in centimeters. It supports men's, women's, and kids' scales with manufacturer-grade lookup tables for accurate cross-system results.

What Is a Shoe Size Converter?

A shoe size converter is a tool that translates shoe sizes between international sizing systems such as US, UK, EU, JP (Japan), KR (Korea), BR (Brazil), MX (Mexico), and AU (Australia). Because each country uses a different scale — with different starting points, increments, and even different rules for men, women, and children — a reliable converter is essential when shopping for shoes internationally or buying from foreign brands.
There is no single global shoe sizing standard. The US and Canada use the Brannock system, measured in barleycorns (one-third of an inch). The UK uses a similar but offset scale. Europe measures in Paris points (two-thirds of a centimeter). Japan and Korea use centimeters and millimeters of actual foot length. This means a US men's size 10 equals a UK 9.5, an EU 44, a JP 28, and a KR 280 — all describing the same foot.
Our shoe size converter supports 8 international sizing systems plus direct foot length input in centimeters and inches, with separate charts for men, women, and kids. Rather than relying on approximate formulas, it uses manufacturer-grade lookup tables for maximum accuracy.

How to Convert Shoe Sizes Between Countries

Converting shoe sizes between countries requires knowing which sizing system each country uses, the gender of the wearer, and ideally the actual foot length in centimeters or inches.
Here is the step-by-step process:
1. Measure your foot length. Stand on a piece of paper, trace the outline of your foot, and measure the distance from your heel to the tip of your longest toe in centimeters.
2. Select your gender category (men, women, or kids), since US, UK, and AU systems use different scales for each.
3. Find your known size in one system (for example, US men's 10).
4. Look up the equivalent in your target system using a conversion table or our converter tool above.
5. When in doubt, always go with the larger size — shoes that are slightly too big can be adjusted with insoles, but shoes that are too small will cause discomfort.
Important: EU, JP, KR, BR, and MX systems are unisex — the same number applies to both men and women. The US, UK, and AU systems use separate scales for men's and women's shoes, which is why gender matters for those conversions.

Shoe Size Conversion Formulas and Lookup Tables

EUfootcm×1.5+2EU \approx \text{foot}_{cm} \times 1.5 + 2
  • EUEU = European shoe size (Paris points)
  • footcm\text{foot}_{cm} = Foot length in centimeters
Unlike most calculators, shoe size conversion does not rely on a single mathematical formula. Each sizing system was developed independently, with different origins, units, and rounding conventions. As a result, the most accurate conversions use lookup tables rather than formulas.
However, approximate relationships exist between systems:
USmenfootcm×1.18122.5US_{men} \approx \text{foot}_{cm} \times 1.181 - 22.5
USwomenUSmen+1.5US_{women} \approx US_{men} + 1.5
UKmenUSmen0.5UK_{men} \approx US_{men} - 0.5
UKwomenUSwomen2UK_{women} \approx US_{women} - 2
JP=footcmJP = \text{foot}_{cm}
KR=footmmKR = \text{foot}_{mm}
These formulas provide rough estimates but can be off by a half size or more, especially at the extremes of the size range. The European (EU) system uses Paris points, where each size increment equals 6.67 mm (two-thirds of a centimeter). The Japanese system is the most intuitive — a JP 27 simply means a foot that is 27 cm long. Korean sizes work the same way but in millimeters (KR 270 = 27 cm).
For reliable results, always use a lookup table or our converter tool, which cross-references actual manufacturer data across all 8 systems.

Shoe Size Conversion Examples

US Men's 9 to EU, UK, and JP

A US men's size 9 corresponds to a foot length of approximately 27 cm (10.63 inches). Using our converter, this translates to EU 42.5, UK 8.5, JP 27, KR 270, BR 41, MX 27, and AU 8.5. If you are shopping on a European website like Zalando or ordering Nike shoes from a UK retailer, you would select EU 42.5 or UK 8.5 respectively. This is one of the most commonly searched conversions, as size 9 is the average men's shoe size in the United States.

US Women's 8 to EU, UK, and JP

A US women's size 8 corresponds to a foot length of approximately 24.6 cm (9.69 inches). This converts to EU 39, UK 6, JP 24.5, KR 245, BR 37, MX 24.5, and AU 6.5. Women shopping on ASOS (UK) would look for a UK 6, while those buying from a German or Italian brand would need EU 39. The US women's 8 is among the most popular sizes sold in the US market.

Kids' US 3Y to EU and UK

A kids' US 3Y (youth size 3) corresponds to a foot length of approximately 22.1 cm. This converts to EU 35, UK 2.5, JP 22, and KR 220. Kids' sizing is particularly confusing because the US system restarts at size 1 after toddler size 13, meaning a youth 1 is larger than a toddler 13. When ordering school shoes from a European brand, parents should look for EU 35 for this size.

Tips for Accurate Shoe Size Conversion

  • Measure your feet in the afternoon or evening. Feet swell throughout the day and can be up to half a size larger by evening compared to morning. Measuring at the end of the day ensures your shoes will be comfortable at all times.
  • Always measure both feet. Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other — sometimes by as much as a full size. Use the measurement of your larger foot when selecting a shoe size.
  • Wear the type of socks you plan to use. Thick athletic socks add volume that can change your size by a half increment. Measure with the socks you intend to wear with the shoes.
  • When between sizes, go up. A shoe that is slightly too large can be adjusted with an insole or thicker socks. A shoe that is too small will cause blisters, bunions, and long-term foot problems.
  • Do not assume your size is the same across brands. Nike tends to run about half a size smaller than Adidas. New Balance is known for running wider. Always check the brand's specific size chart when available.
  • For online international shopping, use foot length in cm as the universal reference. Centimeters are the only measurement that is truly universal across all sizing systems and eliminates conversion errors.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shoe Size Conversion

What is the difference between US and UK shoe sizes?

US and UK shoe sizes are closely related but not identical. For men, US sizes are approximately 0.5 to 1 size larger than UK sizes — a US men's 10 equals a UK 9.5. For women, the gap is bigger: US sizes are about 2 sizes larger than UK sizes — a US women's 8 equals a UK 6. Both systems use barleycorn increments (one-third of an inch per size), but they start from different reference points. The UK system is the older of the two and served as the basis for the US system, which was modified in the 19th century.

Are men's and women's shoe sizes the same?

No. In the US, UK, and AU systems, men's and women's shoe sizes use different scales. A US men's 7 is the same foot length as a US women's 8.5 — a difference of 1.5 sizes. Men's shoes are also built on wider lasts, so a men's shoe of the equivalent length will typically be wider than a women's shoe. However, in European, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian, and Mexican sizing, shoe sizes are unisex — the number refers directly to foot length, so a men's EU 42 and a women's EU 42 are the same size.

What is my European shoe size if I wear US 9?

It depends on gender. A US men's 9 converts to approximately EU 42.5. A US women's 9 converts to approximately EU 40. The EU system is unisex, so once you know your EU size, it applies regardless of whether the shoe is marketed to men or women. Keep in mind that some European brands only offer whole sizes (no half sizes), so you may need to round up to EU 43 for men's or EU 40 for women's.

How do I measure my foot size at home?

You need a piece of paper, a pencil, and a ruler. Place the paper against a wall on a hard floor. Stand on the paper with your heel touching the wall and trace the outline of your foot. Mark the longest point (usually the big toe or second toe) and measure the distance from the wall to that mark. This gives you your foot length. For width, measure across the widest part of your traced outline. Measure both feet and use the larger measurement. Do this in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest.

Why do shoe sizes vary between brands?

Shoe sizes vary between brands because there is no universal enforcement of sizing standards. Each manufacturer uses its own shoe lasts (the molds shoes are built on), and lasts differ in shape, volume, and proportions. Nike shoes, for example, tend to run about half a size smaller than Adidas. Italian brands like Gucci often run narrower. Athletic shoes may fit differently from dress shoes even within the same brand. This is why measuring your foot length in centimeters and checking each brand's specific size chart is always more reliable than assuming a consistent number across brands.

What is Mondopoint and how is it different from other shoe sizes?

Mondopoint is an international shoe sizing system defined by ISO 9407 that measures both foot length and width in millimeters. A Mondopoint size looks like 270/100, where 270 is the length (27 cm) and 100 is the width (10 cm). It is the most precise system because it accounts for both dimensions of the foot. Mondopoint is the official standard for military footwear in NATO countries and is also used for ski boots, ice skates, and hiking boots. It has not been widely adopted for everyday shoes because consumers are accustomed to their local sizing systems.

How do kids' shoe sizes work compared to adult sizes?

Kids' shoe sizes in the US system go from 0 (newborn) up to 13 (toddler/little kid), then restart at 1 for youth sizes. A youth size 1 is the next size after a kids' 13 — this restart confuses many parents. Youth sizes 1 through 7 bridge the gap to adult sizing. A youth 7 is the same as a men's 7 but built on a narrower last. In the EU system, kids simply use smaller numbers on the same scale: kids' sizes typically range from EU 16 (newborn) to EU 39 (older child), after which they transition to the same sizes used by adults.

Can I convert shoe size from cm to any sizing system?

Yes. Foot length in centimeters is the most universal measurement for shoe sizing. Every sizing system — US, UK, EU, JP, KR, BR, MX, AU — can be derived from a foot length measurement. Japanese sizes are the simplest: a JP 27 means a 27 cm foot. Korean sizes use millimeters: a KR 270 is a 27 cm foot. Our converter lets you enter your foot length in cm or inches and instantly see your size in all 8 international systems.


Key Terms

Brannock Device

A foot-measuring instrument invented in 1927 that measures heel-to-toe length, arch length, and width. It is the standard tool used in shoe stores across the US and Canada to determine shoe size.

Paris Point

The unit of measurement used in the European shoe sizing system. One Paris point equals two-thirds of a centimeter (6.67 mm). EU shoe sizes are calculated by dividing foot length in cm by 0.667 and adding a small constant.

Barleycorn

The unit of measurement used in US and UK shoe sizing systems. One barleycorn equals one-third of an inch (8.46 mm). Each full shoe size increment corresponds to one barleycorn.

Mondopoint

An ISO-standard shoe sizing system (ISO 9407) that expresses size as foot length and width in millimeters (e.g., 270/100). Used for military, ski, and specialty footwear.

Last

A three-dimensional mold shaped like a human foot, around which a shoe is constructed. The shape of the last determines the fit, proportions, and comfort of the finished shoe. Different brands use different lasts, which is why sizes vary between manufacturers.

Shoe Width

A measurement of the foot from side to side at its widest point. In the US system, widths are designated by letters: N or AA (narrow), M or B (medium/standard for women), D (medium/standard for men), W or EE (wide), and WW or EEEE (extra wide).

Unisex Sizing

A shoe sizing approach where the same number applies to both men and women. European, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian, and Mexican sizing systems are all unisex — the size is based purely on foot length, not gender.