International Shoe Size Guide: US, UK and EU Differences Explained

Published on May 27, 2026 · 8 min read

Buying shoes online used to be simple — until the brand was American, the warehouse was British, and the size on the box was European. Three different numbering systems share the same shelf, and they do not line up neatly. This guide explains how US, UK and EU shoe sizes actually work, how to measure your foot accurately at home, and the small adjustments that prevent expensive returns.

Why the three systems exist

All three systems measure the inside length of the shoe (the "last"), but each starts counting from a different zero point and increments in different steps.

• UK sizes were standardized in the 14th century around the barleycorn — 1/3 of an inch (≈ 8.47 mm) per half-size.
• US sizes inherit the barleycorn system but start one full size higher than UK for men and adjust again for women, leaving a consistent offset rather than a clean mapping.
• EU sizes (Paris point) use 2/3 of a centimeter (≈ 6.67 mm) per full size, with no half-sizes in most ranges.

Because the increments differ, the relationship between US, UK and EU is not a single addition — it shifts slightly as the foot gets bigger. The tables below reflect the most widely used conversions.

Men's shoe size conversion table

Rule of thumb for men: US = UK + 1 and EU ≈ UK + 33 (for sizes 7–11).

Women's shoe size conversion table

Rule of thumb for women: US = UK + 2 and EU ≈ UK + 32.

How to measure your foot at home

The single most reliable size is your foot length in centimeters. Brands publish their own foot-length charts even when their stitched size labels drift — Nike, Adidas, Dr. Martens and most premium European brands all do this. Measure once and you can shop everywhere.

1. Stand on a sheet of A4 paper with your heel against a wall, late afternoon (feet are slightly larger than in the morning).
2. Mark the tip of your longest toe — that is not always the big toe.
3. Measure from the wall to the mark with a ruler in millimeters.
4. Repeat for both feet and use the larger number.
5. Add 5–10 mm of toe space for sneakers, 3–5 mm for dress shoes.

Need to translate between centimeters and inches first? Use the Length converter to switch units instantly.

Width matters as much as length

US sizing uses width codes — A (narrow), B (women's standard), D (men's standard), 2E, 4E (wide and extra-wide). UK uses F, G, H. EU rarely publishes width on the box. If you have a wide foot, a "correct" length in a narrow last will still pinch. When buying online, prefer brands that publish both length and width, and read recent reviews for fit notes.

Brand-specific quirks worth knowing

• Nike runs about a half-size small. Order one half-size up from your usual.
• Adidas running shoes fit true to length but narrow in the forefoot.
• Dr. Martens only come in full UK sizes — if you are usually a half size, size down for snug, up for boots with thick socks.
• Italian dress shoes (e.g. Gucci, Prada) often label one full EU size larger than the actual interior length.
• Vans and Converse fit true to US, but the canvas stretches by ~3 mm after a few wears.

Frequently asked questions

Is US size 9 the same as UK size 9?

No. A US men's 9 ≈ UK 8. A US women's 9 ≈ UK 6.5. Always check men's vs women's sizing first.

Why is the EU number so much bigger?

EU uses the Paris point — 6.67 mm per size — and starts counting from zero rather than from a barleycorn baseline. The result is a higher number for the same foot.

What about half sizes in EU?

Few brands offer them. If your foot falls between two EU sizes, choose the larger and add an insole, rather than squeezing into the smaller.

Bottom line

Forget the labels. Measure your foot length in millimeters, write it down, and match it against the brand's own size chart every time you shop. That single habit eliminates 90% of online-shoe returns. For everything else — heel-to-toe, inches to cm, even centimeters to UK barleycorns — ConvertProf has a converter ready.