Navigating shoe sizes across different countries can be confusing. You’re in the right place if you’ve ever been puzzled by European shoe sizes and needed a reliable conversion chart. This guide will clarify everything you need to know about Euro Size conversions for US, UK, and other sizing systems, ensuring you find the perfect fit every time.
Decoding Euro Shoe Sizes
European shoe sizes, often denoted as EU sizes, are widely used across Europe and in many other parts of the world. Unlike US or UK sizes, Euro sizes are based on the metric system, specifically the Paris Point. A Paris Point is equal to 2/3 of a centimeter. This system provides a relatively consistent sizing standard, but variations can still occur between brands. Understanding how Euro sizes translate to your familiar US or UK size is crucial for online shopping or buying shoes from European brands.
To simplify your shoe shopping experience, we’ve compiled comprehensive conversion charts for women, men, and children. Whether you’re trying to figure out “What is a size 38 in US shoes?” or need to convert your child’s US size to European, these charts will provide accurate conversions. Remember that while these charts are generally accurate, individual shoe brands and styles can sometimes vary slightly.
Women’s Euro Shoe Size Conversion Chart
| US Sizes | Euro Sizes | UK Sizes | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 35 | 2 | 8.1875″ | 20.8 |
| 4.5 | 35 | 2.5 | 8.375″ | 21.3 |
| 5 | 35-36 | 3 | 8.5″ | 21.6 |
| 5.5 | 36 | 3.5 | 8.75″ | 22.2 |
| 6 | 36-37 | 4 | 8.875″ | 22.5 |
| 6.5 | 37 | 4.5 | 9.0625″ | 23 |
| 7 | 37-38 | 5 | 9.25″ | 23.5 |
| 7.5 | 38 | 5.5 | 9.375″ | 23.8 |
| 8 | 38-39 | 6 | 9.5″ | 24.1 |
| 8.5 | 39 | 6.5 | 9.6875″ | 24.6 |
| 9 | 39-40 | 7 | 9.875″ | 25.1 |
| 9.5 | 40 | 7.5 | 10″ | 25.4 |
| 10 | 40-41 | 8 | 10.1875″ | 25.9 |
| 10.5 | 41 | 8.5 | 10.3125″ | 26.2 |
| 11 | 41-42 | 9 | 10.5″ | 26.7 |
| 11.5 | 42 | 9.5 | 10.6875″ | 27.1 |
| 12 | 42-43 | 10 | 10.875″ | 27.6 |
Men’s Euro Shoe Size Conversion Chart
| US Sizes | Euro Sizes | UK Sizes | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 39 | 5.5 | 9.25″ | 23.5 |
| 6.5 | 39 | 6 | 9.5″ | 24.1 |
| 7 | 40 | 6.5 | 9.625″ | 24.4 |
| 7.5 | 40-41 | 7 | 9.75″ | 24.8 |
| 8 | 41 | 7.5 | 9.9375″ | 25.4 |
| 8.5 | 41-42 | 8 | 10.125″ | 25.7 |
| 9 | 42 | 8.5 | 10.25″ | 26 |
| 9.5 | 42-43 | 9 | 10.4375″ | 26.7 |
| 10 | 43 | 9.5 | 10.5625″ | 27 |
| 10.5 | 43-44 | 10 | 10.75″ | 27.3 |
| 11 | 44 | 10.5 | 10.9375″ | 27.9 |
| 11.5 | 44-45 | 11 | 11.125″ | 28.3 |
| 12 | 45 | 11.5 | 11.25″ | 28.6 |
| 13 | 46 | 12.5 | 11.5625″ | 29.4 |
| 14 | 47 | 13.5 | 11.875″ | 30.2 |
| 15 | 48 | 14.5 | 12.1875″ | 31 |
| 16 | 49 | 15.5 | 12.5″ | 31.8 |
Big Kid’s Euro Shoe Size Conversion Chart (7 – 12 years)
| US Sizes | Euro Sizes | UK Sizes | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 | 35 | 2.5 | 8.625″ | 21.9 |
| 4 | 36 | 3 | 8.75″ | 22.2 |
| 4.5 | 36 | 3.5 | 9″ | 22.9 |
| 5 | 37 | 4 | 9.125″ | 23.2 |
| 5.5 | 37 | 4.5 | 9.25″ | 23.5 |
| 6 | 38 | 5 | 9.5″ | 24.1 |
| 6.5 | 38 | 5.5 | 9.625″ | 24.4 |
| 7 | 39 | 6 | 9.75″ | 24.8 |
Little Kid’s Euro Shoe Size Conversion Chart (4 – 7 years)
| US Sizes | Euro Sizes | UK Sizes | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5 | 27 | 9.5 | 6.625″ | 16.8 |
| 11 | 28 | 10 | 6.75″ | 17.1 |
| 11.5 | 29 | 10.5 | 7″ | 17.8 |
| 12 | 30 | 11 | 7.125″ | 18.1 |
| 12.5 | 30 | 11.5 | 7.25″ | 18.4 |
| 13 | 31 | 12 | 7.5″ | 19.1 |
| 13.5 | 31 | 12.5 | 7.625″ | 19.4 |
| 1 | 32 | 13 | 7.75″ | 19.7 |
| 1.5 | 33 | 14 | 8″ | 20.3 |
| 2 | 33 | 1 | 8.125″ | 20.6 |
| 2.5 | 34 | 1.5 | 8.25″ | 21 |
| 3 | 34 | 2 | 8.5″ | 21.6 |
Measuring Your Feet for Accurate Euro Size
While conversion charts are helpful, accurate foot measurement is key to finding the right shoe size, especially when dealing with euro sizes. Here’s how to measure your foot length at home:
- Prepare your materials: You’ll need a piece of paper larger than your foot, a pencil, and a ruler or measuring tape.
- Trace your foot: Place the paper on a hard floor and stand on it with your heel against a wall. Ensure your weight is evenly distributed. Trace around your foot carefully with a pencil, keeping the pencil vertical.
- Measure the length: Use the ruler or measuring tape to measure the longest distance between the tracing’s heel and the longest toe. Measure both feet as one may be slightly larger than the other.
- Find your size on the chart: Compare your measurement in inches or centimeters to the charts above to find your corresponding US, UK, and euro size.
Remember to measure your feet in the afternoon or evening as feet tend to swell throughout the day. Wearing the socks you intend to wear with the shoes can also impact the measurement.
Tips for Ensuring the Right Shoe Fit
Getting the correct euro size is just the first step. Here are additional tips for ensuring your shoes fit comfortably and correctly:
- Size Up if Between Sizes: If your measurement falls between two sizes, especially for athletic or outdoor shoes, it’s generally recommended to choose the larger size. This allows for sock thickness and foot movement during activity.
- Account for Shoe Type: Different types of shoes may fit differently. For example, running shoes often require a thumb’s width of space at the toe for foot expansion, while dress shoes might have a snugger fit.
- Width Matters: Euro sizes primarily address length, but width is also crucial. If you know you have wide feet, look for brands or models that offer wider widths, or be prepared to possibly size up in Euro sizes to accommodate width.
- Try Shoes On In the Afternoon: As mentioned earlier, feet swell during the day. Trying on shoes later in the day will give you a more accurate sense of how they will fit when your feet are at their largest.
- Consider Brand Variations: Even within euro sizes, slight variations can occur between brands. If you’re switching brands or trying a new style, it’s always best to try them on if possible, or check brand-specific size charts.
- The Thumb and Finger Test: When trying on shoes, you should be able to fit about a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe. For heel fit, you should be able to snugly fit an index finger between your heel and the back of the shoe.
Measuring shoe size with a Brannock device, a tool used by shoe experts to determine Euro shoe size and foot width accurately.
Using a Brannock device, as shown, provides the most precise measurement, accounting for both length and width. If you’re unsure about your size, especially when investing in performance footwear like running or hiking shoes, visiting a specialty shoe store for a professional fitting is highly recommended. Experts can accurately measure your feet and advise you on the best euro size and fit for your needs.
Conclusion
Understanding euro size conversions and proper foot measuring techniques is essential for comfortable and well-fitting footwear. Use these charts and tips as a guide, but always prioritize trying shoes on and considering brand-specific sizing advice whenever possible. Finding the right shoe size ensures comfort, prevents foot problems, and enhances performance in athletic activities. Happy shoe shopping!
