Chinese Shoe Size to US (2026): Complete Conversion Guide

If you’re trying to convert Chinese shoe size to US sizing, the first thing to know is that Chinese sizes commonly appear in two formats.

You may see millimeter-based sizes such as 240, 245, or 250, or CN sizes such as 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45.

For CN 37–45-style sizes, the US equivalents are approximate and can vary between brands and sellers.

Use the conversion charts below as a starting point, then verify the size against the listed foot length when one is provided.

For reference, 250 mm = 25.0 cm.

Chinese to US Shoe Size Calculator

Chinese Shoe Size to US

Women’s Chinese Shoe Size to US

Men’s Chinese Shoe Size to US

Chinese Foot Size to US Men

Big Kids’ Chinese Shoe Size to US

Little Kids’ Chinese Shoe Size to US

Toddlers’ Chinese Shoe Size to US

Infants’ Chinese Shoe Size to US

What Does a Chinese Shoe Size Actually Mean?

In the foot-length-based Chinese sizing format, sizes such as 240, 245 and 250 are part of a millimeter-based sizing scale. China’s current national shoe-size standard is GB/T 43293-2022.

For example:

• 245 = 24.5 cm on the sizing scale

However, don’t assume that CHN 245 always means the brand recommends it for a foot measuring exactly 24.5 cm.

A manufacturer’s chart may pair CHN 245 with a slightly different recommended foot length.

That’s why, when a chart provides both a CHN size and a separate foot-length measurement, use the manufacturer’s foot-length recommendation when choosing your size.

And CHN 245 doesn’t mean the inside of the shoe measures 245 mm. The size designation relates to the foot the footwear is intended to fit, not the shoe’s exact internal length.

Why Do Some Chinese Shoes Use Sizes Like 39, 40 and 41?

You may see 39, 40 or 41 on shoes sold by Chinese brands or sellers because not every Chinese shoe listing uses the foot-length-based 240, 245, 250 format.

Some sellers use EU-style sizing or their own commercial size labels because those numbers are more familiar to international shoppers. As a result, a shoe made or sold in China might be listed as 40 even though another Chinese size chart uses a millimeter-based number such as 250.

Is Chinese Shoe Size the Same as European Shoe Size?

No. Chinese and European shoe sizing are not the same system, even though some of the numbers you see on Chinese shoe listings may look identical to EU sizes.

Traditional European sizing is based on Paris point.

One Paris point equals 2/3 of a centimeter (6.67 mm), and the sizing system relates the size number to the length used for the footwear rather than simply expressing the wearer’s foot length in millimeters.

That’s why European sizes commonly appear as numbers such as 38, 39, 40 and 41.

Chinese foot-length sizing works differently. You may see millimeter-based designations such as 240, 245 or 250. For example, 245 corresponds nominally to 245 mm, or 24.5 cm, on the sizing scale. A manufacturer’s separate recommended foot length may differ slightly from that number.

The confusion comes from Chinese brands, manufacturers and sellers also using EU-style numbers such as 39, 40 and 41 on their products or international size charts.

If a shoe sold in China is marked 40, that doesn’t automatically mean there is a Chinese sizing standard in which 40 is interchangeable with EU 40. The seller may simply be displaying a European size or using an EU-style commercial label.

So, don’t match Chinese and European sizes by number alone. Check whether the chart labels the size as EU, CN/CHN, China Size, mm or foot length. If you’re specifically comparing European and US sizing, see my American Shoe Size to European guide.

Why Can the Same Chinese Size Have Different US Conversions?

The same Chinese size can have different US equivalents because there isn’t always a perfect one-to-one match between the two sizing systems.

A manufacturer may use its own labeling and size chart, so a Chinese size shown as one US size by one brand could be listed slightly differently by another.

Sellers can also create their own conversion charts, which is why you may find conflicting US equivalents for the same Chinese size when shopping online.

The shoe last matters too…

Two shoes associated with the same foot length can still fit differently because they’re built on different lasts. One may have a closer forefoot or lower internal volume, while another gives the foot more room.

If you want to understand this part in more detail, see How Foot Shape Affects Shoe Sizing.

US sizing adds another variable because men’s and women’s sizes use different scales. A Chinese size therefore can’t be converted to a single US number without first knowing whether you’re looking for the men’s or women’s equivalent.

That’s why the conversion charts in this guide are useful as a starting point, while the individual brand or manufacturer’s size chart should take priority when one is available.

Should I Use the Chinese Size or My Foot Length?

If the seller provides a reliable foot-length measurement, use that together with the manufacturer’s own size chart.

For example, if your foot measures 25.0 cm, look for the size the brand recommends for a 25.0 cm foot. That gives you a better reference than choosing a size simply because a general conversion chart says it’s equivalent to your usual US size.

The important part is measuring your foot the right way. Measure both feet while standing, then use the larger measurement when checking the brand’s chart. If you haven’t done that before, here’s how to measure your feet at home correctly.

And don’t add extra room to your measurement unless the manufacturer specifically tells you to. If your foot is 25.0 cm long, start with 25.0 cm as your foot length and let the brand’s chart account for the shoe’s intended fit.

How Do I Convert US Shoe Size to Chinese?

Chinese shoe size charts can look confusing because a single chart may show CN/CHN, EU, US, centimeters, and millimeters side by side. The key is knowing what each column refers to.

When converting a Chinese foot size to American sizing, start by finding the foot-length column rather than jumping straight to the US number.

CN / CHN / China Size identifies the seller or manufacturer’s Chinese-size designation. If the chart has a separate mm, cm, or Foot Length column, that gives the foot measurement the brand recommends for that size. For the measurement itself, 250 mm and 25.0 cm are the same length.

Don’t assume, however, that a CHN 250 designation always means the brand will list 25.0 cm as its recommended foot length.

The Chinese-size designation and the brand’s foot-length recommendation can differ slightly, so use the measurement actually provided in the manufacturer’s chart.

Be more careful with EU. A number such as 39, 40, or 41 may simply be the seller’s European-size equivalent, not another way of writing the Chinese size.

For US sizing, first check whether the column says US Men or US Women. If a chart simply says US, make sure you know which US scale the manufacturer is using before relying on the conversion.

When several columns are available, start with your measured foot length, find the manufacturer’s recommended measurement, and then read across that row to see which CN/CHN size corresponds to it.

The EU and US columns are useful references, but when the manufacturer provides a reliable foot-length recommendation, that measurement should be your primary reference for choosing a size.

What Size Should I Choose on AliExpress, Temu, Shein or Taobao?

When buying shoes on AliExpress, Temu, Shein, or Taobao, don’t choose your size based only on the marketplace’s generic size label.

Instead, open the size chart for the specific shoe you’re buying. Look for the seller’s recommended foot length and match it to your own measurement.

If your foot is 25.0 cm, for example, use the row intended for a 25.0 cm foot, even if the CN, EU, or US size beside it isn’t what you normally wear.

This matters because sizing can vary between sellers and products on the same marketplace.

How Do I Convert US Shoe Size to Chinese?

To convert a US shoe size to Chinese sizing, first choose the correct men’s or women’s US size, then find its approximate Chinese equivalent below.

Because brand labeling can differ, use the foot-length measurement to check the conversion against the brand’s own chart when available.

JUMP link here

US Women’s Size to Chinese Size

US Men’s Size to Chinese Size

For additional men’s and women’s sizes, CHN foot-size conversions, and kids’ US-to-Chinese sizes, use the calculator above.

Chinese Shoe Size to US FAQ

Is CN Shoe Size the Same as Chinese Shoe Size?

CN is commonly used as an abbreviation for China or Chinese sizing on shoe labels and size charts. However, always check the chart itself because brands and sellers don’t necessarily use the CN label in exactly the same way.

What Is China Size 37 in US Shoes?

China size 37 is approximately a US women’s 6–6.5. The exact conversion can vary by brand, so check the listed foot length when available.

What Is China Size 39 in US Shoes?

China size 39 is approximately a US women’s 8–8.5 or a US men’s 6–6.5. Whether you’re converting China 39 shoe size to American sizing men’s or women’s sizing makes a significant difference.

What Is China Size 40 in US Shoes?

China size 40 is approximately a US women’s 8.5–9 or a US men’s 7. Check whether the product is using men’s or women’s sizing before choosing the US equivalent.

What Is China Size 42 in US Shoes?

China size 42 is approximately a US women’s 10–10.5 or a US men’s 8.5. So when converting a 42 Chinese shoe size to US, first determine whether you need the men’s or women’s equivalent.

What Is China Size 44 in US Shoes?

China size 44 is approximately a US women’s 11.5–12 or a US men’s 10. These are approximate conversions, so use the manufacturer’s chart when one is available.

What Is US Size 8 in Chinese Shoes?

For women, US size 8 is approximately Chinese size 39. For men, US size 8 is approximately Chinese size 41.

What Is US Size 9 in Chinese Shoes?

For women, US size 9 is approximately Chinese size 40–41. For men, US size 9 is approximately Chinese size 42–43.

What Is US Size 11 in Chinese Shoes?

For women, US size 11 is approximately Chinese size 43. For men, US size 11 is approximately Chinese size 45.

Are Chinese Shoe Sizes Unisex?

Not necessarily. A Chinese size number may appear on men’s, women’s or unisex footwear, but the corresponding US size depends on which US sizing scale you’re converting to. Check how the manufacturer labels the shoe rather than assuming the same US conversion applies to everyone.

Do Chinese Shoes Come in Half Sizes?

Yes, some brands offer intermediate sizes, but they may not be labeled with .5 the way US half sizes are. Availability and labeling depend on the brand and model.

Why Does My Chinese Shoe Label Show Several Different Sizes?

A shoe label may show several sizing systems because the same shoe is sold in different markets. You might see CN/CHN, US, UK, EU and a foot-length measurement together on the same label.

Each number represents that shoe in a different sizing system, so don’t treat them as several different sizes for the shoe.

Are Chinese Shoe Sizes Smaller Than US Shoe Sizes?

You can’t compare the size numbers directly. Chinese and US sizing use different labeling conventions, so a larger or smaller number doesn’t by itself mean the shoe is physically larger or smaller.

Compare the corresponding foot length or use a conversion chart rather than comparing the numerical labels.

Are Chinese Shoes Narrower Than American Shoes?

Not necessarily. Where a shoe is made or sold doesn’t tell you whether it will fit narrow or wide.

Width and overall fit depend on the brand, model and shoe last. Two Chinese-made shoes in the same labeled size can have very different forefoot width, internal volume and heel fit.

What Does 250 Mean on a Chinese Shoe?

In a millimeter-based Chinese size designation, 250 nominally corresponds to 250 mm, or 25.0 cm. However, if the brand provides a separate foot-length recommendation, use that measurement when choosing your size.

Final Thoughts

An unfamiliar number on a shoe label can make buying online feel more complicated than it needs to be. But once you know which number represents foot length and which sizing system the seller is showing, the label becomes much easier to read.

When you’re unsure, don’t focus on finding a perfect numerical match between two sizing systems. Check the measurement, look at the brand’s own chart, and make sure you’re comparing the right men’s, women’s or kids’ sizing.

Still not sure which size to choose? Leave a comment with the Chinese/CN size, whether it’s men’s, women’s or kids’, and the brand and model of the shoe. I’ll help you work through the conversion.