Shoe Size Converter

The European shoe size system is based on the Paris point (French: point de Paris). One point equals 2/3 of a centimeter, or approx. 6.67 mm. The EU size corresponds to the last length in Paris points. The foot length is somewhat shorter than the last length, since the last includes a comfort allowance: foot length in cm ≈ EU ÷ 1.5 − 1.5. EU 42 therefore corresponds to a foot length of approx. 26.5 cm. This standard is common in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and most EU countries.

The British system (UK) is based on barleycorn units (1 barleycorn = 1/3 inch ≈ 8.47 mm). Children's size 0 corresponds to a last length of 4 inches (approx. 10.2 cm); children's sizes run up to 13.5, after which the adult scale starts at 1. Both scales are calculated from the same last length: last (cm) = EU × 2/3, adult UK = 3 × last in inches − 25 ≈ 0.787 × EU − 25, rounded to half sizes. A fixed offset such as “UK = EU − 33” does not fit, because one EU size (2/3 cm) is smaller than one UK size (1/3 inch ≈ 0.85 cm). The calculator uses the same UK scale for men and women.

The American system (US) is similar to the British one but starts from a different baseline. The calculator uses the common approximation men's US = UK + 0.5 and women's US = UK + 2. An important difference: US manufacturers often distinguish more strongly between men's and women's sizes than British ones. In addition, the US system has wider standard width fittings (B, D, EE) that have no direct equivalent in the EU system.

When shopping online from the US or UK, mis-purchases due to incorrect size conversion are common. Practical tips: measure your foot length in cm, use the manufacturer's size charts, and pay attention to shoe width (regular or wide). For athletic shoes, it is often advisable to go half to a full EU size larger than for everyday shoes. Our calculator provides approximate values – always double-check against the specific manufacturer's size chart before making a brand purchase decision.

There is no unambiguous conversion: the standard ISO 19407:2023 only contains conversion tables based on foot length and describes the conversion between sizing systems as an unsolved problem; its tables are meant as a guideline. Manufacturers also differ from one another.