Shoe Size Conversion Charts & 7 Tips for Finding Your Size
Key Takeaways
- Shoe sizing varies from country to country, and international shoe size conversion charts can be used to find the right size when buying shoes from a different country.
- Men's shoe sizes in the U.S. are typically one and a half sizes smaller than women's sizes, but there is a women's to men's shoe sizing chart to help.
- Measuring your feet is the easiest way to determine your shoe size, and you can use the shoe sizing charts to find your shoe size across the world.
- Wide or narrow feet can cause problems when trying to find the right shoe, and it is important to know the signs of wide or narrow feet and which shoe styles work best for each type.
- When buying shoes, you should consider the fit, stability, cushion, support, activity, and durability of the shoes.
Shoe sizing changes depending on what part of the world you’re in. From the U.S. to the U.K., Europe to Japan and Mexico, shoe sizing varies drastically. That’s why we’re giving you the easiest way to find your fit with these comprehensive international shoe size conversion charts.
We also know that with the right size conversion, anyone can wear men’s or women’s shoes. In the U.S., men’s shoe sizes are typically one and a half sizes smaller than women sizing. But instead of doing the math, we’ve provided an all-inclusive women’s to men’s shoe sizing chart.
Disclaimer: All shoes are built differently, so the charts below can only serve as a guideline. We always recommend trying shoes on for the best fit whether or not it aligns with your typical shoe size.
Women’s International Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Are you purchasing shoes from a different country and need help finding your proper size? See the chart below to find your size in countries around the world.
| Women's International Shoe Size Conversions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. & Canada | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 |
| UK | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 |
| Europe | 36 | 37 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 |
| Mexico | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 9 |
| Japan | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 24 | 24.5 | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 |
| Inches | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.9 |
| Centimeters | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 23.8 | 24.1 | 24.6 | 25.1 | 25.4 | 25.9 | 26.2 | 26.7 | 27.6 |
Men's International Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Men’s shoe sizes also vary based on the country you’re buying shoes from. Here’s a helpful chart to help you find your men's shoe size in the U.S., U.K., Europe, Mexico and Japan.
| Men's International Shoe Size Conversions | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. & Canada | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 |
| UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 |
| Europe | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 47 |
| Mexico | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 11 |
| Japan | 25 | 25.5 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.5 | 28 | 28.5 | 29 | 29.5 | 30 | 31 |
| Inches | 9.6 | 9.8 | 9.9 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 10.4 | 10.6 | 10.8 | 10.9 | 11.1 | 11.3 | 11.6 |
| Centimeters | 24.4 | 24.8 | 25.4 | 25.7 | 26 | 26.5 | 27 | 27.3 | 27.9 | 28.3 | 28.6 | 29.4 |
Women’s to Men's Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Did you find a pair of shoes in the opposite gender’s sizing but you’re not sure what size will fit? Check out the below chart to find your size in women’s and men’s sizing.
| Women's to Men's Shoe Size Conversion | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Womens | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 12 |
| Mens | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10.5 |
| Inches | 8.9 | 9.1 | 9.3 | 9.4 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 9.9 | 10 | 10.2 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.9 |
| Centimeters | 22.5 | 23 | 23.5 | 23.8 | 24.1 | 24.6 | 25.1 | 25.4 | 25.9 | 26.2 | 26.7 | 27.6 |
How To Find the Right Shoe Size
If you’re unsure of your shoe size, measuring your feet is the easiest way to determine your shoe size.
You’ll start with a piece of paper and a pencil. Place the paper flat on the floor with your foot in the middle, leaving a slight bend in your knee. Outline your entire foot with the pencil. Make sure to repeat this process with the other foot, as one foot may be slightly larger than the other.
Now that you have an outline of both feet, mark the very tip of your big toe (or longest toe) and the back of your heel. Draw a straight line from the two points, then measure. Take the measurement that is the larger of the two feet (either in inches or centimeters) and refer to the above shoe sizing charts to find your shoe size across the world.
Ready to support your foot health? Explore our comprehensive guide to plantar fasciitis. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and prevention tips to provide your feet with exceptional comfort and support.
Wide Feet vs. Narrow Feet
Finding your shoe size is one thing, but if the width of your shoes is too small or too large, it can lead to other problems when you're trying to find the right shoe.
Some signs that indicate you have wide feet may include:
- Shoes are tight around the foot but fit lengthwise
- You have low arches or flat feet
- You develop bunions or blisters on the outside of your feet
- You developed hammer toe from shoes with narrow toe boxes
Some shoe brands may offer a wide-foot option, but not many. Here are some shoe styles that are suitable for wide feet:
- Flats with arch support
- Loafers
- Sneakers with stretching materials
- Boots with rounded toes
- Square-toe shoes
- Open-toe sandals
Signs that indicate you have narrow feet:
- Your foot shifts forward in the toe box to fill the space
- Your shoes feel loose on the sides
- You cinch your shoelaces extra tight to compensate for excess room
- You feel like you’re slipping around in your shoes while walking
- You notice that you’re gripping your shoes with your toes to keep from slipping
Very few shoe brands offer narrow-foot options, but these shoe styles have proven comfortable for narrow feet:
- Sandals with ankle straps
- Pointed-toe boots or flats if they’re supportive and don’t squish the toes
- Structured sneakers with little-to-no stretch
- Supportive, low-heel platforms
What To Look For in Your Shoes
If you find it hard to pick out the right shoe for your size and foot shape, there are some things that you should consider before buying.
- Fit: Finding a shoe that fits both length and width will increase your comfort. If the shoe slides off your heel or your foot slides forward into the toe box, it’s too big. If there is pinching, toe-curling or squeezing of any kind, it’s too small.
- Stability: If you do not feel stable in your shoes, it can lead to ankle pain and even leave you susceptible to injuries. Skip the shoes if you feel any rolling or twisting when walking.
- Cushion: If the shoes lack cushion and shock absorption, you’ll notice more leg and joint pain. The longer you’ll walk, run or stand in your shoes, the more cushion you’ll want.
- Support: Are the soles of your feet snug against the footbed of the shoe? Does the footbed adapt to your footstep? Does the shoe support your arches in the right place? If you answer no to any of these questions, try a different shoe.
- Activity: Consider what activities you’ll do most in these shoes. Working, walking, hiking, running and so on. Purchase the right shoe for the right occasion.
- Durability: Are these shoes going to hold up, or do you see yourself having to purchase a new pair in the near future? Investing in quality shoes now will pay off when you won’t have to purchase a new pair in six months.
7 Tips for Finding the Right Pair of Shoes
- Consider comfort above everything. The shoes should feel comfortable around your foot as soon as you put them on. Don’t expect that stretching them out will make them fit better.
- Try on the shoes with the socks you plan to wear with them. To avoid buying shoes that are too small, wear the same socks you would regularly wear with the shoes if you were to purchase them.
- Check the fit of your toes. For reference, you should have about 3/8″ to 1/2″ of room from the tip of your longest toe to the end of the shoe.
- Pick the shoes that match your foot shape. For example, square-toe shoes will fit a wide foot better than a pointed-toe shoe would.
- Get a feel for the shoes. Walk around in the shoes to test out the cushion, support and fit before making any final decisions.
- Go shoe shopping at the end of the day. Your feet swell throughout the day, so you should try on shoes at the end of the day when your feet are at their largest.
- Make sure the shoes fit both feet. It’s not uncommon to have a foot that’s slightly larger than the other, so fit your shoes to the larger of your two feet.
Comfortability is Key
Figuring out your size is easy with our shoe size conversion chart and guide to measuring your feet.
But knowing your size is only the first step to finding the right shoes. Finding shoes that fit comfortably with support and cushion in all the right places will keep your feet, ankles and joints happier for longer.
For shoes suitable for any activity, try out KURU Footwear. We create shoes that are comfortable and good for foot health. Whether you’re working, running, hiking, walking or standing in long lines all day, we have durable shoes built for any activity!
About Us
At KURU, we're on a mission to help you Heel Better™ with footwear technology designed to relieve foot pain, so you can live a life you love. Since launching our innovative technology in 2008, we’ve received more than 37,000 five-star reviews from thousands of customers who tell us their KURU shoes helped them get back to doing what they love.
For all media inquiries, please contact us at pr@kurufootwear.com.