Shoe Size Converter
By Mustafa Bilgic ยท Updated 21 August 2026
Shoe sizing systems differ across the US, UK, and EU, and none of them map neatly onto each other. Enter a size in any system above and the converter returns equivalents in all four scales for both men and women. If you are buying shoes online from another country, this tool and a quick foot measurement in centimeters will prevent most return shipments.
Conversions are based on standard Mondopoint-to-scale mappings. Actual fit varies by brand, last shape, and foot width. When in doubt, measure your foot in centimeters and compare to the brand's own chart.
Why Shoe Sizes Differ by Country
The US system starts from a different zero point for men and women, which is why a men's 9 and a women's 9 are not the same foot length. UK sizes share a similar incremental structure but use a different starting point. The EU system uses Paris Points, where each full size equals 6.67 mm. None of these scales were designed with the others in mind. Centimeters (the Mondopoint system used in military and sports footwear) is the only measurement tied directly to actual foot length. That is why the converter above anchors every conversion to a centimeter value. If your foot measures 27 cm heel to longest toe, the tool maps that length to approximately US men's 9.5, UK 9, and EU 43. Small discrepancies exist between brands, but the centimeter anchor gets you within half a size almost every time.
How to Measure Your Foot at Home
Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe (which is not always the big toe). Measure from the wall to the mark in centimeters. Do both feet; most people have one foot slightly larger. Use the longer measurement. Measure in the afternoon or evening when feet are at their largest after a day of standing and walking. Wear the type of sock you plan to use with the shoes. This two-minute exercise gives you a reliable centimeter length to enter into the converter. It also helps when shopping across brands: if a brand's size chart lists foot length in centimeters, you already have your number. Width is a separate dimension; see our foot width calculator for that measurement.
Men's vs Women's Sizing Gaps
In the US system, men's sizes run approximately 1.5 sizes larger than women's for the same foot length. A women's 10 is roughly a men's 8.5. The UK system has a smaller gap, about one full size. EU sizing is unisex in theory, but some brands still shift women's EU sizes by half a point for fit reasons. This inconsistency makes cross-gender shopping confusing. The converter handles the offset automatically: select the gender, enter the size, and see the correct equivalents. If you prefer a men's shoe style and normally wear women's sizes (or vice versa), the tool shows exactly which size to order. Keep in mind that width standards also differ: men's D width and women's B width are roughly the same actual width, labeled differently.
Tips for Buying Shoes from Another Country
Start with your centimeter measurement, not your domestic size. Size labels vary between brands even within the same country, but centimeters are centimeters everywhere. Check the brand's own size chart if one is published; some European brands run narrow, and some US athletic brands run half a size long. Read return policies before ordering. If the retailer offers free returns, order two adjacent half-sizes and keep the one that fits. When in doubt, go up rather than down; a slightly roomy shoe can be adjusted with an insole, but a tight shoe causes blisters and toenail problems. If you have persistent fit issues or foot pain that changes how shoes feel, see a podiatrist for a professional fitting assessment.
Frequently asked questions
Is EU shoe sizing truly unisex?
The EU Paris Point scale is technically unisex, meaning a 42 is a 42 regardless of gender. In practice, some brands adjust women's lasts to be narrower at the same EU number. Check the brand's specific chart when possible.
How do I convert children's shoe sizes?
Children's sizing uses a separate scale that resets around age 6 (from toddler to youth). Our children's shoe size calculator handles those conversions with age- and length-based inputs.
Does foot size change with age?
Yes. Feet tend to lengthen and widen over time due to ligament relaxation and arch changes. Re-measuring every couple of years is a good habit, especially after pregnancy, significant weight change, or age 50.
What is Mondopoint and where is it used?
Mondopoint is an ISO standard (ISO 9407) that sizes shoes by foot length and width in millimeters. It is used by NATO militaries, ski boot manufacturers, and some athletic brands. The centimeter value in the converter above is the Mondopoint length divided by 10.