How to measure your foot
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, wearing the socks you'd normally wear with the shoes.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe, then measure from the wall to the mark.
- Measure both feet — they're often slightly different — and use the longer one. Measuring in the evening is best, as feet swell during the day.
Choose Foot length above and enter your measurement. The calculator picks the smallest size whose foot length is at least as long as yours.
Men's vs. women's sizes
In US sizing, a women's shoe is usually about 1.5 sizes larger than the equivalent men's shoe — a women's 8.5 is roughly a men's 7. The calculator shows this equivalent too, which is useful for unisex styles such as sneakers.
Why sizes vary
There's no single worldwide standard, and brands size their shoes differently, especially European sizes, which can differ by half a size or more between makers. Treat this chart as a starting point and check the brand's own size guide when you can. Many Asian countries, including Japan, label shoes by foot length in centimeters.
How the sizing systems work
| System | Used in | How it's built |
|---|---|---|
| US | United States, Canada | Each full size is one-third of an inch. Men's and women's scales are offset by about 1.5 sizes. |
| UK | United Kingdom, Ireland, parts of the Commonwealth | Also one-third of an inch per size. A UK men's size is about half a size smaller than the US men's size. |
| EU | Most of continental Europe | Measured in "Paris points" of two-thirds of a centimeter. The same scale is used for men and women. |
| Centimeters (Mondopoint) | Japan and much of Asia; ski and military boots | Simply the length of the foot the shoe is made for. |
Because one EU size (6.67 mm) is smaller than one US or UK size (8.47 mm), the systems don't line up exactly — which is why charts show ranges such as "40–41" for some sizes.
Worked example
Your foot measures 26.5 cm from heel to longest toe. In the men's chart, the smallest size made for a foot at least that long is 26.7 cm, which is a US 9.5, UK 9, EU 42–43. In women's sizing the same foot is about a US 11.
Frequently asked questions
Should I size up or down if I'm between sizes?
Usually up. A slightly large shoe can be adjusted with thicker socks or an insole, while a shoe that's too short can't be fixed. Aim for about a thumb's width (roughly 1 cm) between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
What do the width letters mean?
In US sizing, letters indicate width. For men, D is standard, B is narrow and 2E or 4E are wide and extra wide. For women, B is standard, 2A is narrow and D is wide. This chart converts length only, so check the width separately if you need a narrow or wide fit.
Are men's and women's shoes different apart from the size?
Yes. For the same length, a women's shoe is typically narrower, especially at the heel. A man with narrow feet or a woman with wide feet can often get a better fit by converting to the other range.
Do shoe sizes change over time?
Feet often get slightly longer and wider with age, weight change and pregnancy, as ligaments loosen. It's worth re-measuring every couple of years rather than assuming your size is the same as it was.
How do children's sizes work?
Children's sizes use separate scales. US kids' sizes run from 0 to 13.5, then restart at 1 for "youth" sizes, which run up to about 7 before overlapping with adult sizes. This converter covers adult sizes only.
Why does my size differ between brands?
Each manufacturer builds shoes around its own foot-shaped molds, called lasts, and there's no enforced standard. Running shoes commonly fit half a size smaller than dress shoes. When buying online, the brand's own size chart and the foot length in centimeters are the most reliable guides.