Shoe Size Converter with Fit Notes

If you bounce between US, EU, UK, and JP sizing, you are not alone. I used to guess, then return. Now I measure the longer foot in inches, convert once, and nudge up or down by brand based on the product page. You will get that flow here, plus notes on brands that often run small or large.

Start with your longer foot in inches, then convert once. For daily sneakers, stay true if the upper is knit, go up a half size if the leather is stiff. For runs and hikes, leave about a quarter to three eighths of an inch of toe room, roughly 0.25 to 0.38 in. If your forefoot tingles or pinches, change width first, not length. Men, D is standard, 2E wide, 4E extra wide. Women, B is standard, D wide.

How to use this shoe size converter, US, EU, UK, JP

Baseline chart, men and women

Use this as your baseline. Then check the brand’s size guide on the product page before you buy.

Men’s baseline

US	UK	EU	Foot length, in	Foot length, cm	JP, cm
6	5.5	39	9.65	24.5	24.5
7	6	40	10.00	25.4	25.4
8	7	41	10.31	26.2	26.2
9	8	42	10.63	27.0	27.0
10	9	43	10.94	27.8	27.8
11	10	44.5	11.26	28.6	28.6
12	11	45.5	11.61	29.5	29.5
13	12	47	11.93	30.3	30.3

Women’s baseline

US	UK	EU	Foot length, in	Foot length, cm	JP, cm
6	4	36.5	9.06	23.0	23.0
7	5	38	9.37	23.8	23.8
8	6	39	9.69	24.6	24.6
9	7	40.5	10.00	25.4	25.4
10	8	42	10.31	26.2	26.2
11	9	43	10.63	27.0	27.0

Measure the longer foot, heel to longest toe. For closed shoes add about 0.25 to 0.38 in of toe room. Sandals can be closer.

Helpful extra: Need to convert clothes or other items too, open our International Size Converter for US, UK, EU, AU, and JP in one place.

Good to know

• EU numbers are not universal. A “42” can map to US 8.5, 9, or 9.5 depending on the last.
• JP uses centimeters. It usually mirrors your foot length in cm on the chart.
• Orthotics and thick socks steal space. Plan on a half size up or a wide width.

Between sizes and width letters

• Between sizes in daily sneakers, go up if the upper is stiff, stay true if it is knit.
• For runs, hikes, or long days, that 0.25 to 0.38 in of toe room saves toenails.
• Width primer, men, D standard, 2E wide, 4E extra wide. Women, B standard, D wide. If your foot goes numb, change width first.

My baseline: My longer foot is 10.7 in. I add about 0.3 in of toe room for closed shoes, map to US 9.5, then adjust by brand.

Measure your feet at home, step by step

Here is the kitchen table method that works every time.

1. Tape paper to the floor with one edge against a wall.
2. Stand tall, heel to the wall, weight even. Trace the longer foot.
3. Measure heel to longest toe in inches. Write it down.
4. Add about 0.25 to 0.38 in for toe room.
5. Convert with the chart, then open the product page and check the brand’s guide.

I used to measure at night after long walks and always sized up too far. Mid day measurements fixed that.

More sizing help for bottoms: If you also need denim dialed in, try our Jeans Fit Calculator to find waist, rise, and inseam that actually work.

Brand fit notes, what usually runs small or large

These are patterns from my orders and reader feedback. Lines vary. Always read the product page.

Nike

Often snug through the forefoot. If you are between sizes, I go up a half in stiffer uppers and leave a finger of room. Wide feet, look for E or wide options.

Adidas

Many lifestyle pairs fit true. Primeknit hugs more than leather. If knit feels close at the toes, half up. If leather feels stiff, half up or try wide.

Converse

Classics can feel long yet narrow. If you have wide feet, try your usual with an insole for hold. If length feels sloppy, some go down a half.

Dr. Martens

Often whole sizes only. If between, I start with the smaller size and add a thin insole after break in. Leather loosens a touch.

Birkenstock

EU sizing with two widths. Print the template if available. Narrow if your outline sits inside the inner curve, regular if it does not. Footbed should feel roomy.

Vans

Classics often true to size. Skate builds with thicker lining can eat toe room. If you use orthotics, consider a half up.

Hoka

Big cushion underfoot. For long runs or hikes I prefer a half size up for downhill room. Many models come in wide.

On

Performance lines can feel short for some feet. I often go a half up for trail and stay true for casual pairs.

First time in a brand?

If the store offers free returns, order two sizes the first time, return the miss. It costs a label, not a month of blisters.

Who this is for, How I tested this, Why it works

• Who this is for: Anyone buying shoes online, switching brands, gifting across regions, or stuck between sizes.
• How I tested this: I measured in inches, logged conversions in a simple sheet, and ordered from the brands above over one season. I wore each pair for at least two weeks and noted stretch, heat, and toe room.
• Why it works: Inches give you the quick read. The converter gets you close. Brand notes give you the nudge. Width solves most comfort problems.

Key takeaways

• Measure the longer foot in inches. Convert once.
• Use the brand’s chart for that purchase.
• Leave 0.25 to 0.38 in of toe room for closed shoes.
• If your forefoot tingles, try wide, not longer.
• For long miles, many feet prefer a half size up.

FAQs

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