When it comes to footwear, however, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. So, just because you wear a size eight in one doesn’t mean you’re the same size in other brands’ shoes. That is why knowing your shoe size in other conversions may be more beneficial than you think.
Identifying your shoe size can help you increase your choices, not only in terms of style but also if you have trouble finding shoes that fit. This is particularly true because “men’s” shoes are typically longer and wider, whereas “women’s” shoes generally are shorter and narrower.
Men and Women Shoe Size Conversion
Men’s and women’s sizing differ by about 1.5 sizes. The smallest men’s size available in most styles is 5.5, and unisex designs are available in Men’s sizing.
During conversion, widths should stay unchanged. For example, you will wear a men’s D width if you wear a women’s D width. On the other hand, women should order 1.5 sizes down. Remember that size conversion for sneakers is slightly different but still won’t require that you whip out the calculator.
So, for better comparison and understanding, below are the charts that you can refer to.
Men Shoe Size
| US | EU | UK | Length in inches and centimeter |
| 7 | 40 | 6 | 9.6 in / 24.4 cm |
| 7.5 | 40-41 | 6.5 | 9.75 in / 24.8 cm |
| 8 | 41 | 7 | 9.9 in / 25.2 cm |
| 8.5 | 41-42 | 7.5 | 10.125 in / 25.7 cm |
| 9 | 42 | 8 | 10.25 in / 26 cm |
| 9.5 | 42-43 | 8.5 | 10.4 in / 26.5 cm |
| 10 | 43 | 9 | 10.6 in / 26.8 cm |
| 10.5 | 43-44 | 9.5 | 10.75 in / 27.3 cm |
| 11 | 44 | 10 | 10.9 in / 27.8 cm |
| 11.5 | 44-45 | 10.5 | 11.125 in / 28.3 cm |
| 12 | 45 | 11 | 11.25 in / 28.6 cm |
| 13 | 46 | 12 | 11.6 in / 29.4 cm |
Women Shoe Size
| US | EU | UK | Foot length in inches and centimeter |
| 6 | 36-37 | 4 | 8.75 in / 22.5 cm |
| 6.5 | 37 | 4.5 | 9 in / 23 cm |
| 7 | 37-38 | 5 | 9.25 in / 23.5 cm |
| 7.5 | 38 | 5.5 | 9.375 in / 23.8 cm |
| 8 | 38-39 | 6 | 9.5 in / 24 cm |
| 8.5 | 39 | 6.5 | 9.75 in / 24.6 cm |
| 9 | 39-40 | 7 | 9.875 in / 25 cm |
| 9.5 | 40 | 7.5 | 10 in / 25.4 |
| 10 | 40-41 | 8 | 10.2 in / 25.9 |
| 10.5 | 41 | 8.5 | 10.35 in / 26.2 |
| 11 | 41-42 | 9 | 10.5 in / 26.7 cm |
How To Find the Right Shoe Fit?
There’s no denying that these shoe size charts are helpful, but it’s important to remember that they’re just guidelines, not an instant fix. Shoe sizes can vary significantly between brands and even between styles within the same company. Trying on shoes in a store is still the best way to get the right fit.
But if you can’t make it to the store or if you’ve simply surrendered to the convenience of browsing and shopping online as a workaround, then there’s an easy fix for that. You can just merely measure your feet and compare them to the shoe size chart available on the brand’s website. But please bear in mind that width is just as important as length.
How to Measure Your Feet for Shoes?
We understand the inconvenience that comes with wearing the wrong size shoes. However, your foot size can change with time and sometimes even depending on the time of day. While you could try on a potential purchase in a shop without proper measurements, you may also not realize that you must also consider a larger or smaller shoe than what you’re purchasing.
So, the only option would be to measure your feet from time to time. And here’s how.
- Wear a pair of socks similar to the ones you intend to wear with the shoes you’re considering purchasing.
- Put a piece of paper down on the ground. Tape two pieces together, one slightly overlapping the other if your foot is more significant than a single sheet.
- Sit in the chair and place one foot firmly on the floor, your leg slightly bent forward so that your shin is just in front of your ankle.
- Mark the most comprehensive and longest parts of your feet with a pencil.
- Repeat with the other foot. (The lengths and widths of most people’s feet vary slightly. That difference could be a half or full shoe size for some people).
- Measure the length of your foot tracing with a ruler. Locate the closest 16th mark on your ruler; for inches, use the most immediate 16th mark. Don’t round up or down excessively.
Note: Shoes should ideally be tried on in the afternoon or early evening. This is due to the fact that our feet swell slightly and grow slightly larger throughout the day. By trying on shoes in the evening, you can ensure that they will also fit you comfortably at the end of the day, resulting in no uncomfortable rubbing or pinching.
How to Measure the Width of Your Feet?
Shoe size is more than just one measurement because the width is also crucial. Though widths vary a bit between sizes, numerical shoe sizes only address the length of the foot.
When it comes to finding comfortable footwear, recognizing your shoe width can make all the difference. Because many people require narrow or broad shoes, this step is just as essential as the previous one. The width of a shoe is denoted by a letter following the shoe’s numerical size (for example, “7B”). Women’s and men’s width classifications, like foot size, differ.
On the tracings, use a ruler to measure the most comprehensive parts of your feet. Again, use the closest possible mark, generally 1/16th of an inch.
The Bottom Line
There is no guarantee that the shoe sizes of men and women are the same and correct. There can be significant differences between manufacturers and even between different shoes manufactured by the same company.
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