Navigating the world of shoe sizes can often feel like deciphering a secret code. With a multitude of systems in place across the globe, confusion is a common experience, especially for those unfamiliar with the nuances of each measurement. While UK and US shoe sizes are frequently encountered, the Euro shoe size system, also known as the European standard, reigns supreme across mainland Europe and beyond. This guide will unravel everything you need to know about Euro shoe sizes, ensuring you confidently stride into your next footwear purchase.
The Paris Point: Where Euro Shoe Sizes Originated
The story of Euro shoe sizes begins in 19th-century France, the birthplace of the “Paris point.” This standardized system emerged as a practical solution for measuring footwear and gradually gained traction throughout Europe. Remarkably, the fundamental principles of this measurement system remain unchanged to this day. The Paris point is now widely recognized as the definitive shoe size standard in Europe, often referred to interchangeably as “French size,” “European size,” “EU shoe size,” or “German size.” Distinguished by its use of centimeters, the Euro shoe size system operates on the metric system, setting it apart from the inch-based UK system. Interestingly, the UK stands alone in Europe in its continued use of a unique, inch-based shoe size system.
The genesis of the Paris point, or the Euro shoe size system, is believed to be linked to the stitch length of double seams produced by early sewing machines. A single Paris point unit is equivalent to two-thirds of a centimeter, or approximately 6.67 millimeters.
The Euro shoe size scale begins with children’s sizes, starting at size 15, which corresponds to an inner shoe length of 10 centimeters. The scale extends upwards to accommodate adult sizes, typically reaching men’s size 50, equating to 33.3 centimeters. One of the strengths of the European shoe size system is its comprehensive and uniform approach, encompassing both children’s and adult footwear within a single, consistent framework – a contrast to the segmented UK and US systems.
It’s worth noting that Euro shoe sizes are rarely produced in half sizes. This characteristic means that the incremental difference between consecutive full Euro shoe sizes is consistently 6.67 mm.
The calculation for Euro shoe sizes is as follows:
Last length in cm (foot length + 1.5 cm) / 0.667 = Euro Shoe Size
The “last” refers to the foot-shaped form around which the shoe is constructed. It’s intentionally longer than the actual foot to provide essential space within the shoe. This extra length, typically around 1.5 cm, is crucial because the foot naturally shifts and moves within the shoe during walking. Therefore, when measuring your foot to determine your Euro shoe size, it’s recommended to add 1.5 cm to your foot length to account for this necessary in-shoe space.
You can easily identify Euro shoe sizes on shoe labels, often indicated by the abbreviation “EU,” short for “European Union,” when multiple sizing systems are listed. Recognizing the “EU” designation helps differentiate Euro sizes from UK and US shoe size measurements.
Contrasting Euro Shoe Size with UK and US Systems
While the Euro shoe size system provides a clear metric standard, understanding how it relates to the UK and US systems is crucial for international shoe shopping. Both the UK and US systems have their own unique origins and calculations, leading to potential size discrepancies.
The UK Shoe Size System: Rooted in Barleycorn
The UK shoe size system boasts the distinction of being the oldest official shoe size system globally. Unlike the metric-based Euro system, the UK system, in line with Anglo-American traditions, is based on inches.
Historically, during the Middle Ages, people relied on natural dimensions like fingers, feet, and cubits for measurement due to the scarcity and expense of measuring instruments like rulers. In 1324, King Edward II of England introduced a standardized unit of length measurement, choosing the barleycorn as the smallest unit in Britain. He decreed that three barleycorns placed end-to-end equaled one inch. In metric terms, one inch is precisely 2.54 cm. For practical purposes, if barleycorns were unavailable, the width of a thumb could also serve as a reference, as men in Northern Europe typically had a thumb width equivalent to three barleycorns, or 2.5 cm.
Even today, the term “barleycorn” persists in the English system, representing 1/3 of an inch (approximately 8.46 mm). This barleycorn unit forms the foundation of the UK shoe size system. Each full UK shoe size increment is one barleycorn (8.46 mm) larger than the preceding size. To refine fitting accuracy, half sizes (4.23 mm increments) were introduced around 1880.
A key difference from the uniform Euro system is that the UK system differentiates between child and adult sizes, adding a layer of complexity.
UK child sizes begin at the smallest practical size of 12 barleycorns, corresponding to an inner shoe length of 10.16 cm, designated as UK child size 0. The progression continues to child size 13 ½ (approximately 22 cm inner length), after which the scale transitions to adult size 0. The largest UK men’s size is 14 (33 cm).
The calculation for UK adult shoe sizes is:
Last length in cm (foot length + 1.5 cm) / 2.54 x 3 – 25 = UK Shoe Size
Or, using inches:
Last length in inches x 3 – 25 = UK Shoe Size
Similar to Euro sizes, UK shoe sizes are often indicated on shoe labels with the abbreviation “UK,” short for “United Kingdom.” It’s important to remember that UK sizes are distinct from US shoe size measurements.
The US Shoe Size System: A UK Derivative with Variations
The US shoe size system (US size) is rooted in the UK system, having been adopted in the mid-19th century. However, it introduces a key difference: the scale commences at 3 11/12 inches instead of the UK starting point of 4 inches. Like the UK system, US child size 0 aligns with Euro size 15.
The US system also incorporates half sizes, maintaining the same 4.233 mm increment between sizes as the UK system.
The calculation for US men’s shoe sizes is:
Last length in cm (foot length + 1.5 cm) / 2.54 x 3 – 24 = US Shoe Size (Men’s)
Or, in inches:
Last length in inches x 3 – 24 = US Shoe Size (Men’s)
Notably, the formula for US women’s sizes differs slightly, subtracting 23 instead of 24 in the final step.
US shoe sizes are frequently encountered on athletic shoes or trainers sold in Europe, including Germany. A practical point to remember is that US and UK men’s sizes differ by approximately two sizes, meaning a US size 10 roughly corresponds to a UK size 8, and a Euro size 42. For women’s sizes, the difference is closer to one size; a US women’s size 5 is similar to a UK size 4.
Furthermore, trainers often exhibit size variations compared to standard outdoor shoes. It’s common practice to purchase trainers 1.5 (UK/US) or 2.5 (Euro size) sizes larger than your usual outdoor shoe size to accommodate athletic socks and foot movement during exercise.
When multiple shoe sizes are displayed on a label, the US size is typically denoted by “US” (for United States). The array of systems can indeed seem complex, highlighting the importance of understanding these distinctions when selecting footwear.
Oversized and Undersized Euro Shoe Sizes
Standard adult shoe sizes, according to European industry norms, typically range from Euro 36 to 42 for women and Euro 40 to 45 for men.
However, recognizing the diverse needs of consumers, some manufacturers, like Sioux, extend their size ranges to include larger and smaller sizes. Sioux, for example, produces men’s shoes up to Euro size 50 1/2 and women’s shoes up to Euro size 45.
Sizes exceeding the regular adult range (above Euro 42 for women and Euro 45 for men) are often categorized as “outsizes” or “large sizes.” Many online retailers create dedicated categories for these sizes to simplify the search for customers with larger feet.
Conversely, shoe sizes smaller than the standard industry range are termed “sub-sizes” or “small sizes.”
Tips for Choosing the Right Euro Shoe Size Online
For online shoe shoppers aiming for the perfect fit on their first order, careful size selection is key. Following these tips can minimize the chances of returns and ensure a satisfying purchase. Incorrect sizing leads to product returns, creating inconvenience for both customers and retailers, and contributing to environmental impact through unnecessary transportation.
To increase the likelihood of keeping your online shoe purchases, you have two primary approaches: proactively determine your correct size or use your existing well-fitting shoes as a size reference.
However, it’s crucial to compare “apples to apples.” Avoid using trainers or athletic shoes as a benchmark when purchasing regular outdoor or leisure shoes. Trainers often follow US sizing conventions and frequently run smaller – sometimes up to two Euro sizes or a UK size smaller than indicated.
The most reliable approach is to reference your well-fitting outdoor or leather shoes. If two pairs of your existing shoes fit comfortably and share the same labeled size, you can confidently assume this size will be suitable for your new online purchase. If your reference pairs have slightly different sizes, consider that an intermediate size might provide the optimal fit. In such cases, ordering two pairs in the adjacent sizes for online try-on can be a prudent strategy.
Ultimately, the most foolproof method for ensuring correct size and fit is to purchase shoes in person at a local store. This allows you to physically try on shoes, walk around, and directly assess the fit and comfort. Shoe fit encompasses not only size but also shoe width, last shape, and materials, all of which influence overall comfort and are best evaluated in a store setting.
Find out here how to measure your shoe width.
Disclaimer: Shoe sizes can exhibit variations across manufacturers and models. While size conversions provide a general guide, your ideal size may vary depending on the specific shoe. A slightly smaller or larger size might offer a more comfortable fit for a particular model. Keep in mind that shoe size charts and calculators may not be perfectly applicable to trainers due to their unique construction. Our shoe size guides aim to provide an overview of international shoe size measurements (UK, Euro, German, and US), explaining their origins, calculations, and implications. While we strive for accuracy and comprehensiveness in our shoe size information, we cannot guarantee absolute precision and completeness. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
