If you’re trying to convert an American shoe size to European sizing, a conversion chart will give you the closest match, but the numbers aren’t always exact.
For example, a US men’s 9 is usually around an EU 42–42.5, while a US women’s 9 is around an EU 39–40.
That’s because brands don’t all convert American and European sizes the same way. Use the charts below to find your closest EU size, then check the brand’s own size chart before ordering.
American Shoe Size to European
Women’s US to EU
| US Women’s Size | European Size |
|---|---|
| 4 | 35 |
| 4.5 | 35 |
| 5 | 35–36 |
| 5.5 | 36 |
| 6 | 36–37 |
| 6.5 | 37 |
| 7 | 37–38 |
| 7.5 | 38 |
| 8 | 38–39 |
| 8.5 | 39 |
| 9 | 39–40 |
| 9.5 | 40 |
| 10 | 40–41 |
| 10.5 | 41 |
| 11 | 41–42 |
| 11.5 | 42 |
| 12 | 42–43 |
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Men’s US to EU
| US Men’s Size | European Size |
|---|---|
| 6 | 39–40 |
| 6.5 | 39–40 |
| 7 | 40–41 |
| 7.5 | 40–41 |
| 8 | 41–42 |
| 8.5 | 41–42 |
| 9 | 42–43 |
| 9.5 | 42–43 |
| 10 | 43–44 |
| 10.5 | 43–44 |
| 11 | 44–45 |
| 11.5 | 44–45 |
| 12 | 45–46 |
| 13 | 46–47 |
| 14 | 47–48 |
| 15 | 48–49 |
| 16 | 49–50 |
US to EU Shoe Size Calculator
Big Kids’ US to EU
| US Kids’ Size | European Size |
|---|---|
| 3.5 | 35 |
| 4 | 36 |
| 4.5 | 36 |
| 5 | 37 |
| 5.5 | 37 |
| 6 | 38 |
| 6.5 | 38 |
| 7 | 39 |
See my guide to how shoe width letters work.
Little Kids’ US to EU
| US Kids’ Size | European Size |
|---|---|
| 10.5 | 27 |
| 11 | 28 |
| 11.5 | 29 |
| 12 | 30 |
| 12.5 | 30 |
| 13 | 31 |
| 13.5 | 31 |
| 1 | 32 |
| 1.5 | 33 |
| 2 | 33 |
| 2.5 | 34 |
| 3 | 34 |
Toddlers US to EU
| US Toddler Size | European Size |
|---|---|
| 4 | 19 |
| 4.5 | 20 |
| 5 | 20 |
| 5.5 | 21 |
| 6 | 22 |
| 6.5 | 22 |
| 7 | 23 |
| 7.5 | 23 |
| 8 | 24 |
| 8.5 | 25 |
| 9 | 25 |
| 9.5 | 26 |
| 10 | 27 |
Infants’ US to EU
| US Infant Size | European Size |
|---|---|
| 0 | 15 |
| 1 | 16 |
| 1.5 | 17 |
| 2 | 17 |
| 2.5 | 18 |
| 3 | 18 |
How to Convert US Shoe Size to EU
The quickest way is to find your US size in the charts above and read across to the corresponding European size.
US 9 → EU 42
US 8 → EU 39
These are handy for doing the conversion in your head, and while they work for some common sizes, they’re not reliable enough for choosing a shoe size. US and EU sizing systems don’t line up perfectly, and brands can use slightly different conversions.
Why Can the Same US Size Have Different EU Conversions?
You may have noticed that the same US shoe size doesn’t always convert to the same European size. For example, a US men’s 9 might be listed as EU 42 on one chart and EU 42.5 on another.
That’s because there isn’t one universally enforced US-to-EU conversion chart that every shoe company follows.
Brands can use different lasts, internal shoe lengths, sizing conventions, and fit allowances when developing their footwear.
As a result, the EU size a brand assigns to a particular US size doesn’t always match what you’ll find on a generic conversion chart. You can even see these differences between models from the same manufacturer.
Treat a generic US-to-EU chart as a conversion reference, not a guarantee that two shoes will fit identically.
When you’re buying a specific shoe, the manufacturer’s own size chart should always be your final reference.
How Does European Shoe Sizing Work?
European shoe sizing works differently from the US system. Traditionally, EU sizes are based on a unit called the Paris Point.
One Paris Point equals 2/3 of a centimeter, or about 6.67 mm. So, as the EU size number increases by one full size, the corresponding measurement increases by roughly 6.67 mm.
This is one reason you can’t convert US sizes to EU sizes simply by matching the numbers. The two systems are built around different sizing scales, which is why a US men’s 9 might correspond to an EU size somewhere around 42–43 rather than another single-digit number.
You don’t need to calculate Paris Points when buying shoes. For everyday use, the US-to-EU conversion charts above are much more practical.
Are European Shoe Sizes the Same for Men and Women?
For the most part, European shoe sizing uses the same numerical scale for men and women. Unlike US sizing, there isn’t a completely separate sequence of men’s and women’s EU size numbers.
So, an EU 42 is still an EU 42 whether the shoe is marketed to men or women.
That doesn’t mean the shoes themselves will fit exactly the same, though. A men’s and women’s shoe carrying the same EU size can still differ in shape, width, and overall construction.
Why Doesn’t My EU Size Fit the Same in Every Brand?
Your converted EU size is a starting point, not a universal fit across every brand. Two shoes can carry the same EU size and still feel noticeably different on foot.
A good example is Nike vs. Adidas. You can wear the same US size in both brands and see a different EU number on the label. Their conversions don’t always line up exactly.
The fit can be different too. Brands build shoes on different lasts, and even models from the same brand can have different internal shapes. So I wouldn’t choose a size based on the EU number alone.
| Brand | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Nike | Fit can change considerably between models. |
| Adidas | EU conversions don’t always line up with Nike. |
| Birkenstock | Uses EU sizing with Regular and Narrow width options. |
| New Balance | Fit varies by model, with multiple widths available on many shoes. |
Luxury shoes are another good example. Brands such as Balenciaga and Gucci can use very different lasts and internal shapes from the sneakers you’re used to wearing.
So if you normally wear sneakers and switch to a pair of loafers, your usual EU size may feel noticeably closer or more restrictive. That’s another reason the EU number alone doesn’t tell you exactly how a shoe will fit.
Birkenstocks use EU sizes, but their sizing works a little differently. They come in Regular and Narrow widths, and the footbed has a distinctive shape. You might wear a 41 in other brands but fit better in a 40 Narrow in.
If you’re unsure how Birkenstocks should fit, I have a full guide covering the fit in more detail.
Converse can vary by model too. Some pairs run large, while others fit noticeably closer.
What Is My US Shoe Size in European Sizing?
What Size Is 6 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 6 is approximately EU 39–40
- US women’s size 6 is approximately EU 36–37
What Size Is 6.5 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 6.5 is approximately EU 39–40
- US women’s size 6.5 is approximately EU 37
What Size Is 7 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 7 is approximately EU 40–41
- US women’s size 7 is approximately EU 37–38
What Size Is 7.5 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 7.5 is approximately EU 40–41
- US women’s size 7.5 is approximately EU 38
What Size Is 8 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 8 is approximately EU 41–42
- US women’s size 8 is approximately EU 38–39
What Size Is 8.5 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 8.5 is approximately EU 41–42
- US women’s size 8.5 is approximately EU 39
What Size Is 9 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 9 is approximately EU 42–43
- US women’s size 9 is approximately EU 39–40
What Size Is 9.5 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 9.5 is approximately EU 42–43
- US women’s size 9.5 is approximately EU 40
What Size Is 10 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 10 is approximately EU 43–44
- US women’s size 10 is approximately EU 40–41
What Size Is 10.5 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 10.5 is approximately EU 43–44
- US women’s size 10.5 is approximately EU 41
What Size Is 11 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 11 is approximately EU 44–45
- US women’s size 11 is approximately EU 41–42
What Size Is 11.5 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 11.5 is approximately EU 44–45
- US women’s size 11.5 is approximately EU 42
What Size Is 12 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 12 is approximately EU 45–46
- US women’s size 12 is approximately EU 42–43
What Size Is 13 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 13 is approximately EU 46–47
What Size Is 14 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 14 is approximately EU 47–48
What Size Is 15 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 15 is approximately EU 48–49
What Size Is 16 in European Shoes?
- US men’s size 16 is approximately EU 49–50
For perspective, Jeison Rodríguez’s longest foot measures 40.55 cm (15.96 inches), and even that isn’t the all-time record. See who went even bigger in my guide to the biggest shoe size in the world.
US to EU Shoe Size FAQ
Does European Sizing Use Half Shoe Sizes?
Not always in the way US sizing does. European sizing commonly moves in whole EU sizes, but some brands use half sizes or fractional sizes to offer smaller steps between sizes. So don’t assume every EU 42 will jump directly to an EU 43.
Is EU Shoe Size the Same as UK Shoe Size?
No. EU and UK shoe sizes are different sizing systems and use different numbers. If a shoe is listed in UK sizing, you’ll need to convert it rather than choosing the same number you normally wear in EU sizing.
Are European Shoe Sizes Unisex?
The numbering scale can be used across men’s, women’s, and unisex footwear, but the shoes themselves aren’t necessarily identical in fit. A unisex EU size may be built differently from a women’s or men’s model, particularly in its shape and proportions.
Are EU Shoe Sizes the Same for Men and Women?
Generally, the EU number itself follows the same scale for men and women. That’s different from US sizing, where a men’s 9 and women’s 9 represent different sizes. However, shoes carrying the same EU number can still have different shapes and fits.
What Does EU Mean in Shoe Size?
EU simply means European sizing. If you see EU 42 on a shoe box or product page, 42 is the shoe’s size according to the European sizing system.
Is EU Shoe Size Based on Centimeters?
European sizing is traditionally based on the Paris Point, rather than directly representing foot length in centimeters. One Paris Point equals 2/3 of a centimeter (about 6.67 mm), so an EU 42 does not mean your foot is 42 centimeters long.
What If I’m Between Two European Shoe Sizes?
Don’t automatically go up to the larger size. Check the brand’s foot-length measurements and fit recommendations first. The better choice can depend on the model, how much room it provides, and how you prefer your shoes to fit.
Are European Shoe Sizes the Same in Every Country?
EU sizing is widely used across Europe, so you don’t normally need a separate French, German, Italian, or Spanish size for everyday footwear. The bigger source of variation is usually the shoe brand and model, rather than the European country where you’re shopping.
Do Kids Use the Same European Shoe Sizing System?
Children’s shoes use the EU numerical scale too, but they occupy the smaller end of it. Unlike US kids’ sizing, you don’t encounter the same reset from sizes such as 13 to 1, which can make EU children’s sizes easier to follow sequentially.
Why Do Some European Shoe Sizes Have Fractions?
Those fractions provide additional size increments between whole EU sizes. For example, you might encounter sizes such as EU 42⅔ instead of only EU 42 and 43. This is a brand-specific sizing choice, so fractional EU sizes won’t appear in every manufacturer’s lineup.
Final Thoughts
Converting an American shoe size to European sizing can get you close, but the specific shoe still has the final say.
Before buying, I always recommend checking the brand’s own sizing information, especially when you’re trying a model for the first time.
Have you found a US-to-EU conversion that works consistently for you, or a brand whose conversion seems completely different?
Let me know your US and EU shoe sizes in the comments.