Shoe Size Converter
Convert between US men's, US women's, UK and EU shoe sizes, or enter your measured foot length in cm or inches to see your size in every system at once.
Shoe Size Converter (US, UK, EU, cm)
Shoe Size Conversion Formula
Where:
- \(L_{\text{in}}\), \(L_{\text{cm}}\) — foot length in inches and centimetres
- \(S_{\text{UK}}\) — shoe size on the UK (barleycorn) scale
- \(S_{\text{EU}}\) — shoe size in Paris points (the EU scale)
The UK scale uses barleycorns of \(\tfrac{1}{3}\) inch: a size 0 last is 4 inches long with a 2-barleycorn allowance for the foot, which gives the \(\pm 23\) offset. US men's sizes are one size larger than UK, US women's two sizes larger. EU sizes count Paris points (\(\tfrac{2}{3}\) cm) of the last, with a 1.5 cm allowance added to the foot length.
Shoe Size – Calculation Example
Example: you wear a US women's size 9 and want to know your UK, EU and US men's equivalents.
\[ L_{\text{in}} = \frac{9 - 2 + 23}{3} = \frac{30}{3} = 10 \text{ in} = 25.4 \text{ cm} \]
\[ S_{\text{UK}} = 3 \times 10 - 23 = 7, \qquad S_{\text{US men}} = 8 \]
\[ S_{\text{EU}} = 1.5 \times (25.4 + 1.5) = 40.35 \approx 40.5 \]
Result: US women's 9 = US men's 8 = UK 7 = EU 40.5, foot length 25.4 cm (10 in).
How to Use the Shoe Size Converter
- Enter your value in the Shoe size or foot length field — either a shoe size in the system you know, or your measured foot length.
- Choose the From system that matches what you entered: US Men's size, US Women's size, UK size, EU (European) size, foot length in cm, or foot length in inches.
- Read the results: the calculator shows your equivalent size in US men's, US women's, UK and EU systems, plus your foot length in both centimetres and inches.
- If you only know your foot length, measure it first (see the tips below), select Foot length in cm or Foot length in inches, and enter the measurement.
What This Calculator Does
Shoe sizes are not standardised worldwide. The same foot is called a 9 in the US women's scale, a 7 in the UK, and roughly a 40 in Europe — and US men's and women's scales differ from each other by a full size. When shopping internationally, ordering online, or buying shoes from a foreign brand, you constantly need to translate between these systems. This converter does all the translations at once from a single input.
Behind the scenes, every size system is tied to a physical foot length. The UK and US scales are based on barleycorns (one third of an inch per size step), while the EU scale is based on Paris points (two thirds of a centimetre per size step), each with a fixed allowance between the foot and the shoe last. Because both scales ultimately measure the same foot, any size can be converted to any other by first recovering the foot length and then re-expressing it in the target system.
The results are rounded to the nearest half size, which is the standard step used in retail for US and UK sizes. Your foot length in cm and inches is shown as well, since many brands now print the recommended foot length on the shoe box or size chart — often the most reliable way to pick a size.
Reference Table: Common Women's Sizes
| US Women's | US Men's | UK | EU | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 4 | 36.5 | 22.9 |
| 7 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 23.7 |
| 8 | 7 | 6 | 39 | 24.5 |
| 9 | 8 | 7 | 40.5 | 25.4 |
| 10 | 9 | 8 | 41.5 | 26.2 |
Tips, Assumptions and Limitations
- Measure your feet at the end of the day. Feet swell during the day, so an evening measurement gives the size that will fit all day. Stand with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe, and measure the distance.
- Measure both feet. Most people have one slightly longer foot; use the longer measurement.
- Brand sizing varies. This converter uses the standard barleycorn and Paris point scales, which match most mainstream brands. Individual manufacturers may run half a size or more larger or smaller, so always check the brand's own size chart when available.
- Children's sizes differ. The calculator implements the adult scales. UK children's sizes share the same barleycorn arithmetic, but US children's sizes have their own numbering, so treat children's conversions with caution.
- Width is not accounted for. Size systems only describe length. If you have wide or narrow feet, look for shoes in multiple width fittings.
For other everyday conversions — for example the meters to feet converter for length or the Fahrenheit to Celsius converter for temperature — WPCalc offers a full set of free unit converters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert shoe sizes by hand without a calculator?
Start by turning any size into a foot length in inches. For a UK size use \(L = (S + 23)/3\); subtract 1 from a US men's size or 2 from a US women's size first, since US men's = UK + 1 and US women's = UK + 2. Once you have the length, multiply by 2.54 for centimetres, then compute the EU size as \(1.5 \times (L_{\text{cm}} + 1.5)\) and round to the nearest half.
What is the difference between US, UK and EU shoe sizes?
The systems use different units and zero points. UK and US sizes step by one barleycorn (1/3 inch, about 8.5 mm) per size, with US men's one size above UK and US women's two sizes above UK. EU sizes step by one Paris point (2/3 cm, about 6.7 mm) and measure the shoe last rather than the foot, so EU numbers run much higher — a UK 7 is roughly EU 40.5.
Is a men's shoe size the same as a women's in the US?
No. US men's and women's scales are offset by exactly one size: a US women's 9 fits the same length foot as a US men's 8. This matters when buying unisex or men's-style shoes — simply subtract one size from your women's size (or add one to a men's size) to cross between them on the standard scale.
What is an average or normal shoe size for men and women?
For US women the average is roughly 8.5–9 (about 25–26 cm foot length, EU 39–41). For US men it is roughly 9.5–10.5 (about 26–27 cm, EU 43–44.5). These are statistical averages only — adult feet vary widely and there is no "wrong" size. If your measured size differs from the average, that is completely normal.
Why does my converted size not match the brand's own size chart?
Brand charts often use their own last shapes, regional marketing conventions or extra allowances for socks and toe room, so they can differ from the standard barleycorn and Paris point scales by half a size or more. Sports brands in particular are known for running small or large. Treat the converter as a starting point and always defer to the manufacturer's chart, or better, the recommended foot length in cm.
How do I measure my foot correctly to find my shoe size?
Stand on a piece of paper with your heel against a wall, ideally in the evening when feet are largest. Have someone mark the tip of your longest toe, then measure from the wall to the mark. Repeat for both feet and use the longer one. Compare the result in centimetres to the brand's chart. If you are between sizes, most people are more comfortable sizing up, especially for running shoes.
How do I convert EU shoe sizes to US or UK sizes?
First recover the foot length: \(L_{\text{cm}} = S_{\text{EU}}/1.5 - 1.5\). Then convert to inches (divide by 2.54) and apply \(S_{\text{UK}} = 3L_{\text{in}} - 23\), adding 1 for US men's or 2 for US women's. For example, an EU 42 gives about 26.5 cm, which is UK 8, US men's 9 and US women's 10 on the standard scale.