Shoe sizing systems differ significantly across the US, UK, Europe, and Japan. The table above (ISO 19407:2015) shows standard conversions for men's and women's sizes. Click any row to highlight your size across all systems. Sizes vary by brand and manufacturer — always try shoes on or consult the specific brand's sizing chart when buying online.
How each sizing system works
US sizes use different scales for men and women — a US women's 8 is equivalent to a US men's 6.5. The scale starts near the equivalent of a foot length of about 7.33 inches for men's size 1.
UK sizes are similar to US men's sizes but shifted by 0.5 (UK size = US men's − 0.5). UK women's sizes are also shifted relative to UK men's.
EU sizes (Paris Point) are based on foot length in units of ⅔ cm (called a Paris Point). EU size = (foot_length_mm / 6.67) + 1.5 (approximate).
Japanese sizes (Mondopoint) express foot length in centimeters. A Japanese size of 26.5 means the foot is approximately 26.5 cm long — the most intuitive system for fitting.
Practical examples
Example 1 — Buying shoes in Paris
You wear a US men's 10. In Europe:
US 10 Men → EU 43, UK 9.5, JP 26.5 cm
Example 2 — Women's shoes in the UK
You wear a US women's 8. In the UK:
US 8 Women → equivalent to US Men's 6.5 → UK 6, EU 38.5, JP 25 cm
Example 3 — Japanese online store
A Japanese store lists size 27 cm. In US men's sizes:
JP 27 cm → US Men's 10, EU 43, UK 9.5
Common mistakes
Confusing US men's and women's sizes. US women's sizes run 1.5 sizes higher than the equivalent men's size. A women's 8 is not the same as a men's 8.
Treating EU sizes as universal across Europe. The EU system (Paris Point) is standard, but some countries (notably the UK) use their own system. Always check whether a European brand labels sizes in UK or EU.
Assuming half sizes exist in all systems. Japanese Mondopoint sizes go to 0.5 cm increments. EU and UK systems have half-size increments. Not all brands produce every half size.
International and regional variations
| System | Used in | Basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | United States, Canada | Barleycorn (⅓ inch) from smallest child size | Separate scales for men and women |
| UK | United Kingdom | Barleycorn from smallest child size | Offset from US men's by 0.5 |
| EU (Paris Point) | Continental Europe | ⅔ cm units of foot length | No separate men's/women's scale |
| JP (Mondopoint) | Japan, South Korea | Foot length in cm | Most intuitive — measure your foot |
Quick reference — men's size chart
| US Men | UK | EU | JP (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.5 | 39 | 24.5 |
| 8 | 7.5 | 40.5 | 25 |
| 9 | 8.5 | 42 | 26 |
| 10 | 9.5 | 43 | 26.5 |
| 11 | 10.5 | 44.5 | 27.5 |
| 12 | 11.5 | 46 | 28 |
Looking for children's shoe sizes? See the Kids Shoe Size Chart by Age → for infant through age 10 sizing across US, UK, EU, and Japan, with approximate foot lengths.
For a single-page reference covering women's and men's shoe sizes alongside clothing sizes across US, UK, EU, Japan, and Australia, see the International Clothing Size Chart →.