Shoe sizing varies widely across regions and brands, which makes buying shoes online or from an international brand confusing. This guide breaks down how US, UK, EU, and CM sizes relate to one another for men, women, and kids, and explains the common conversion shortcuts people search for, including the men's-to-women's, women's-to-men's, EU-to-US, and sock-to-shoe conversions. For a quick lookup on any garment, try our size converter or browse specific shoe size charts by brand.
Men's Shoe Size Chart (US, UK, EU, CM)
Men's shoe sizes typically run about one full size larger than women's for the same foot length. Below is a standard conversion table used by most athletic and dress shoe brands.
| US Men's | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 40 | 25.0 |
| 7.5 | 6.5 | 40.5 | 25.4 |
| 8 | 7 | 41 | 25.7 |
| 8.5 | 7.5 | 42 | 26.0 |
| 9 | 8 | 42.5 | 26.7 |
| 9.5 | 8.5 | 43 | 27.0 |
| 10 | 9 | 44 | 27.9 |
| 10.5 | 9.5 | 44.5 | 28.3 |
| 11 | 10 | 45 | 28.6 |
| 12 | 11 | 46 | 29.4 |
| 13 | 12 | 47 | 30.5 |
Women's Shoe Size Chart (US, UK, EU, CM)
Women's sizing follows the same EU and CM scale logic but with a different US/UK numbering. Use this table alongside our how to measure yourself guide to get an accurate foot length before converting.
| US Women's | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2.5 | 35.5 | 22.0 |
| 5.5 | 3 | 36 | 22.5 |
| 6 | 3.5 | 36.5 | 22.9 |
| 6.5 | 4 | 37 | 23.3 |
| 7 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23.7 |
| 7.5 | 5 | 38 | 24.0 |
| 8 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24.4 |
| 8.5 | 6 | 39 | 24.8 |
| 9 | 6.5 | 40 | 25.1 |
| 9.5 | 7 | 40.5 | 25.4 |
| 10 | 7.5 | 41 | 25.9 |
Men's to Women's Shoe Size Conversion (Add 1.5)
The most common rule of thumb for converting a men's US shoe size to an equivalent women's US shoe size is to add 1.5. For example, a men's US 9 is roughly equivalent to a women's US 10.5, because they share nearly the same foot length in centimeters. This conversion is widely used for unisex sneaker styles, running shoes, and when shopping resale sites where only one gendered size is listed.
Looking for a specific brand?
Fit varies far more between brands than between size systems.
Browse 30+ brand size charts- Men's US 7 → Women's US 8.5
- Men's US 8 → Women's US 9.5
- Men's US 9 → Women's US 10.5
- Men's US 10 → Women's US 11.5
- Men's US 11 → Women's US 12.5
Women's to Men's Shoe Size Conversion (Subtract 1.5)
To go the other direction, subtract 1.5 from a women's US size to find the closest men's US equivalent. A women's US 8 converts to roughly a men's US 6.5, and a women's US 10 converts to about a men's US 8.5. This is especially useful when a style, such as a classic skate shoe or hiking boot, is only manufactured in men's sizing.
- Women's US 6 → Men's US 4.5
- Women's US 7 → Men's US 5.5
- Women's US 8 → Men's US 6.5
- Women's US 9 → Men's US 7.5
- Women's US 10 → Men's US 8.5
EU to US Shoe Size Conversion
Since EU sizing is based on the Paris point system (foot length in centimeters multiplied by 1.5), converting from EU to US requires knowing whether the shoe is a men's or women's cut, since the two scales diverge from the same EU number. As a general guide, EU 42 is close to a US men's 9 or a US women's 10.5, while EU 38 is close to a US men's 5.5 or a US women's 7.5. Always check the specific brand's chart when possible, since fit varies — see our US vs EU sizing comparison for more nuance.
Sock Size to Shoe Size Conversion
Sock sizes are usually given as a range (such as 9-11 or 6-8.5) rather than a single number, and that range corresponds to shoe size rather than a direct foot measurement. A sock labeled "9-11" is intended to comfortably stretch to fit shoe sizes 9 through 11. Below is a general sock-to-shoe reference for adults.
| Sock Size Label | Fits Shoe Size (US) |
|---|---|
| 4-6 | 4 to 6 |
| 6-8.5 | 6 to 8.5 |
| 9-11 | 9 to 11 |
| 10-13 | 10 to 13 |
If you fall between two sock sizes, sizing up is generally safer since most sock materials have stretch built in. For an exact match across brands, use our size converter before purchasing.
Tips for Getting an Accurate Fit
Foot length alone doesn't guarantee a perfect fit — width, arch height, and the specific shoe's last (its internal shape) all matter. Measure your feet in the afternoon when they are slightly swollen from daily activity, measure both feet since most people have one foot slightly larger than the other, and always size to the larger foot. Cross-reference your measurement using the tables above, and check individual shoe size charts for brand-specific quirks, since running shoes, dress shoes, and boots can all fit differently even at the same labeled size.
Common Shoe Fit Problems and How to Solve Them
Even after converting sizes correctly, shoes can still feel off due to width, arch support, or the shape of the toe box. If a shoe feels tight across the widest part of your foot despite being the correct length, look for a wide or extra-wide width option rather than sizing up, since sizing up only adds length and can cause heel slippage. If your foot slides forward inside the shoe, this often signals the shoe is too long rather than too narrow, and trying a half size down (after rechecking your measurement) may solve the issue. Break-in period also matters: leather shoes typically loosen slightly with wear, while synthetic and mesh materials tend to hold their original shape, so factor material into how snug you want the initial fit to be.
Measuring Your Foot for the Most Accurate Conversion
To get a conversion you can trust, measure your foot length by standing on a piece of paper, tracing around your foot, and measuring the longest distance from heel to toe in centimeters. Do this for both feet, since most people have a slight size difference between them, and always convert using the larger measurement. Compare that centimeter figure to the CM columns in the tables above rather than relying purely on a size you've worn before, since shoe sizing can shift slightly between styles and manufacturing runs even within the same brand.