Shoe Size Converter
Convert shoe sizes between US, UK, EU, and CM measurements. Essential for international online shopping and ensuring perfect fit across different brands.
Convert shoe sizes between US, UK, EU, and CM measurements instantly. Perfect for international online shopping!
📏 How to Measure Your Feet
- Place a piece of paper on the floor against a wall
- Stand on the paper with your heel against the wall
- Mark the longest part of your foot on the paper
- Measure the distance from the wall to the mark in centimeters
- Use our converter to find your size in any system
💡 Pro Tips:
- Measure your feet in the evening when they're largest
- Always measure both feet - use the larger measurement
- Add 0.5-1cm for comfort, especially for athletic shoes
- Different brands may vary slightly in sizing
- When between sizes, go up for athletic shoes, down for dress shoes
🏷️ Popular Brand Sizing
| Brand | Sizing Tendency | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Nike | Runs small | Consider 0.5 size up |
| Adidas | True to size | Order your usual size |
| New Balance | Runs large | Consider 0.5 size down |
| Converse | Runs large | Consider 0.5-1 size down |
| Vans | True to size | Order your usual size |
👟 Brand-Specific Sizing Variations
Shoe sizes aren't universal—even within the same sizing system, brands vary significantly. Understanding these variations prevents ordering wrong sizes and expensive returns.
Nike
General Fit: Runs narrow and slightly small. Most wearers need to go up 0.5 size for proper width, especially in performance models.
Width Note: Standard Nike width fits like a "D" (medium) but feels more like a "C" (narrow). Wide-foot wearers should seek Nike Wide options or choose different brands.
Model Variations: Air Max models run true to size, Jordan Retros run 0.5 small, Flyknit models fit snug initially but stretch to accommodate.
Adidas
General Fit: Runs true to size in length but varies by model line. Stan Smiths run large (size down 0.5), Ultraboost runs true to size, Yeezy 350 V2 runs small (size up 0.5-1 full size).
Width Note: Generally more accommodating for wider feet than Nike. Standard width feels closer to a true medium.
European Brand: Adidas uses European sizing as base, so their US conversions can differ slightly from US-made brands.
New Balance
General Fit: Runs large and wide. Most users size down 0.5 from their Nike size. Excellent for wide feet—offers 2E, 4E, and 6E width options.
Width Advantage: One of few brands offering true width sizing. If other brands feel tight, New Balance likely fits better in standard width.
Consistency: More consistent sizing across models than Nike or Adidas. Once you know your NB size, it applies broadly across their line.
Converse
General Fit: Runs 1-1.5 sizes large. A size 10 Converse Chuck Taylor fits like an 11-11.5 in most other brands. Always size down significantly.
Why So Large: Converse uses vintage sizing standards from when the brand originated. Modern foot measurements have shifted but Converse maintained original sizing.
Recommendation: Order a full size down from your athletic shoe size, or 1.5 sizes down from your dress shoe size.
Vans
General Fit: Runs true to size in length but narrow in width. Standard width feels restrictive for medium-to-wide feet.
Breaking In: Canvas Vans stretch with wear. Initial tightness often resolves after 5-10 wears. Leather/suede models don't stretch as much.
Model Note: Old Skool and Sk8-Hi run most true to size. Slip-Ons tend to run slightly large.
Asics
General Fit: Runs small and narrow. Size up 0.5-1 full size from your typical athletic shoe. Very narrow toe box compared to American brands.
Width Options: Offers Wide and Extra Wide in popular models. If standard width feels tight, upgrading to Wide often perfects the fit without sizing up.
Performance Focus: Sizing prioritizes lockdown for running. Casual wearers often prefer the larger size for comfort.
📐 Width Sizing: The Overlooked Dimension
Length gets all the attention, but width is equally important for proper fit. Wearing incorrect width causes blisters, bunions, and foot pain even if length is perfect.
Understanding Width Letters
| Width Code | Women's | Men's | Description | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A (AAAA) | Extra Narrow | — | Very slim feet, minimal ball width | Rare; typically petite women with low foot volume |
| 2A (AA) | Narrow | Narrow | Below-average width | Slender feet, heels slip in standard shoes |
| B | Medium | Narrow | Standard women's, narrow men's | Most women; men with slim feet |
| D | Wide | Medium | Wide women's, standard men's | Women with wider forefoot; most men |
| 2E (EE) | Extra Wide | Wide | Significantly wider than average | Wide feet, bunions, need extra toe box room |
| 4E (EEEE) | — | Extra Wide | Very wide feet | Men with wide feet, swelling, orthotics |
Key Width Facts:
- Women's "Medium" = Men's "Narrow": A women's medium (B) has the same measurement as a men's narrow (B). This confuses people buying unisex shoes.
- Each Width Letter = ~¼ inch: Going from D to 2E adds approximately 0.25 inches (6mm) to ball width. Seems small but makes significant comfort difference.
- Length Affects Width: Larger sizes are proportionally wider. A size 10D is wider than a size 8D, even though both are "medium" width for their length.
🌍 International Sizing Quirks & Regional Differences
UK vs US Sizing: The One-Size Myth
Common belief: UK sizing is one size smaller than US (UK 9 = US 10). Reality: It depends on the brand and whether it's men's or women's. Some brands use UK 9 = US 9.5, others use UK 9 = US 10. Nike and Adidas differ even though both are international brands. Always check brand-specific conversion charts rather than assuming one-size difference.
European Half Sizes Don't Exist
European sizing uses whole numbers only (39, 40, 41). What Americans call "half sizes" require conversion between EU whole numbers. This causes confusion: US 8.5 converts to EU 41-42 depending on brand, so there's no perfect equivalent. European brands often fit differently at those "in-between" sizes. If you're a half-size in US, you may need to try both surrounding EU sizes.
Japanese and Korean Sizing
Japan and Korea use centimeter measurements, making conversion straightforward mathematically but problematic in practice. Asian brands typically run narrower and shorter than Western brands even when cm measurements match. A 26.5cm Japanese shoe fits tighter than a US size 9 (also 26.5cm measured). Asian shoe shapes differ—lower volume (less vertical space) and narrower width. Western wearers often need to size up 0.5-1 size in Asian brands.
Australian Sizing = UK Sizing (Mostly)
Australia officially uses UK sizing, but American brands sold in Australia use US sizing with UK labels. An "Australian 9" could mean UK 9 or US 9 depending on the brand. Check the brand origin: British/European brands use true UK sizing, American brands use US sizing mislabeled as UK. Always verify with centimeter measurements when buying from Australia.
❓ Shoe Sizing FAQ
Why do my shoe sizes vary so much between brands?
Shoe sizing lacks global standardization. While systems (US, UK, EU) exist, each brand interprets them differently based on target market, manufacturing origin, and design philosophy. Nike prioritizes performance fit (snug), so sizes run small. New Balance targets comfort, so sizes run large. European brands use EU sizing as their base and convert to US, while American brands do the reverse—these conversions introduce inconsistencies.
Additionally, lasts (the foot-shaped forms shoes are built around) vary by brand. Nike uses narrow lasts, New Balance uses wider lasts. Even if the length measurement is identical, the overall fit feels completely different. Vintage sizing standards also play a role—Converse maintains 1940s sizing, making their shoes 1-1.5 sizes larger than modern brands.
Should I measure my feet in inches or centimeters for most accurate conversion?
Centimeters provide more precise conversion and are used as the base measurement by most international brands. Measure your foot from heel to longest toe in centimeters, then use brand-specific size charts that show centimeter measurements. This bypasses unreliable size-to-size conversions (US to UK to EU) and goes straight to the measurement.
Pro measuring tips: Measure feet at end of day when they're largest, measure while standing (weight-bearing spreads foot), measure both feet (use larger measurement), add 0.5-1cm to measurement for toe room. Most people need 0.5-1cm space beyond their actual foot length for comfortable fit. Compare your measurement+toe room to brand size charts for most accurate size selection.
How do I know if I need wide width shoes?
Signs you need wide width: standard shoes feel tight across the ball of your foot (widest part), pinky toes touch the side of shoes, you get blisters on the sides of your feet, shoes are comfortable lengthwise but tight width-wise, you frequently size up for width (leaving excess length). If any apply, try wide widths in your normal size rather than sizing up.
Professional measurement: Visit a shoe store with a Brannock device (the metal foot-measuring tool). It measures both length and width. Width is determined by measuring the ball circumference, not forefoot width. Many people assume they're wide but actually need a different size or better arch support. Proper measurement eliminates guesswork and prevents buying unnecessary wide shoes.
Can I reliably convert children's sizes to adult sizes?
No—children's and adult sizing systems don't align cleanly. In US sizing, youth sizes go up to 7Y, then adult sizing begins at 7 or 7.5 (depending on brand). However, youth 7Y doesn't equal adult 7. Typically, youth sizes convert to adult by subtracting 1-1.5 sizes (youth 7Y ≈ adult 5.5-6), but this varies by brand and gender.
Further complication: women's and men's sizing differs. Youth shoes are unisex. A youth 7Y typically converts to women's 8.5-9 or men's 7. The safest approach: measure the child's foot in centimeters and compare to adult size charts rather than trying to convert youth numbers directly. Many teenagers can wear adult sizes earlier than parents realize, often getting better selection and pricing.
About This Tool
Convert shoe sizes between US, UK, EU, and CM measurements. Essential for international online shopping and ensuring perfect fit across different brands.
This tool is designed to shop confidently from international brands. It's completely free to use and provides instant results without requiring any sign-up or personal information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tool really free?
Yes! This tool is 100% free to use with no hidden costs, premium versions, or sign-up requirements.
How accurate are the results?
Our calculations use industry-standard formulas and data to provide highly accurate results for most users.
Is my data saved?
No, we don't save any of your input data. All calculations happen on your device for complete privacy.