Shoe Size Conversion » UK to EU | UK to US 👟

In general, to convert an EU shoe size to a UK size, you should subtract around 33. So, for instance, an EU size 40 would typically equate to a UK size 7. However, this is an approximation and slight variations may occur depending on the shoe brand or style. Check our UK to EU shoe size chart here.

In UK shoe sizing, a European size 38 corresponds to a UK size 5 for women and men. However, it might be difficult to find a shoe in size 5 for men. Check our EU to UK shoe size chart here.

European and American shoes not only differ in size but also in design and comfort. European shoes typically have narrower heels and wider toe boxes, ensuring a snug fit without squashing the toes. Conversely, US shoes generally have deeper toe boxes and more cushioning, although they often lack the arch support provided by many European brands. However, these are broad generalisations and individual brands may follow their own standards. The US shoe sizing system also includes different widths (narrow, medium, wide, extra-wide), which isn’t typical in the European system.

Indeed, UK shoe sizes align perfectly with Indian shoe sizes; please refer to the provided chart for specifics. However, do bear in mind that US shoe sizes deviate from UK sizes.

Originating from King Edward II’s reign in 1324, the UK system is the world’s oldest shoe sizing standard. It uses the measurement of a ‘shoe last’, which is a model of the foot that can be 13-17 mm longer than the actual foot size.

Each UK shoe size is 8.46 mm (about a third of an inch) different from the next, with half-sizes introduced in 1880 for a better fit. The UK system, also used in Australia, primarily focuses on foot length, not width, and is different from systems used in the US, EU, and Asia.
The UK uses the Barleycorn system, starting at 12 barleycorns for a child’s size 0. Adult sizes begin at 26 barleycorns, equivalent to a UK size 1.

Interestingly, the average UK shoe size is 9 for men and 6 for women, whereas in the US, it’s 10.5 for men and 9 for women. These averages have increased by two sizes over the last 40 years, possibly due to rising obesity levels causing feet to spread.

To help answer common queries like ‘What’s a UK 8 in US?’ or ‘What length is a UK 7?’, use a conversion chart or sizing tool. To use a chart, select the column with your known size and move horizontally to the required scale column. If using your foot length in centimetres to find your shoe size, opt for the nearest size that is equal or slightly longer than your foot.

UK shoe sizes align rather closely with their US counterparts. Gentlemen typically need to increase their UK shoe size by 0.5 to find the equivalent US size. For example, a UK size 6 would translate to a US size 6.5, equivalent to roughly 24.5 centimetres or 9 ⅔ inches.

For children’s sizes, an increase of one size is usually required; thus, a UK children’s size 1 would be a US 1.5, approximately 9.8 centimetres or 3 ⅞ inches.

For ladies, it’s common to add two sizes; hence a UK 4.5 would be a US 6.5, equivalent to about 23.2 centimetres or 9 ⅙ inches.