Shoe size conversion: EU, UK, US and centimetres (women, men, kids chart)
This shoe size conversion chart helps you turn a European size (EU) into a British (UK) or American (US) size, or into the length of your foot in centimetres, with separate tables for women, men and children. You will also find a simple way to measure your foot at home and an explanation of why the same size does not fit the same way in every brand. That way you can walk into Outlet Chaussures Bruxelles on Place du Jeu de Balle already knowing which size to try first.
How to measure your foot at home
The right size starts with the length of your foot, not with the label in your old shoes. All you need is a sheet of paper, a pencil and a tape measure or ruler.
- Place a sheet of paper flat on the floor, pushed against a wall.
- Stand on the paper with your heel against the wall, wearing the socks you plan to wear with the shoes.
- Draw a line just in front of your longest toe, holding the pencil upright.
- Measure the distance from the wall to the line in centimetres.
- Repeat with the other foot and keep the longer measurement.
Measure towards the end of the day if you can: feet are usually slightly larger in the evening than in the morning. If you notice a clear difference between your feet or have any foot pain, ask a doctor or podiatrist for advice.
Your measurement corresponds to the “cm” column in the tables below. Choose the row whose length equals your measurement or sits just above it: the room a shoe needs inside is already built into the size. One European size is two thirds of a centimetre, which is why the lengths move up in small steps.
Women’s shoe size conversion chart
For women, the chart covers sizes 35 to 42. In the UK, women and men share the same scale. In the US, however, a woman’s size is higher than a man’s for the same foot, so always check that a US size on a label is a women’s size.
| EU | UK | US women | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 2.5 | 5 | 22 |
| 36 | 3.5 | 6 | 22.5 |
| 37 | 4 | 6.5 | 23 |
| 38 | 5 | 7.5 | 24 |
| 39 | 6 | 8.5 | 24.5 |
| 40 | 6.5 | 9 | 25 |
| 41 | 7 | 9.5 | 26 |
| 42 | 8 | 10.5 | 26.5 |
These values are rounded: depending on the manufacturer, a conversion can be half a size out. To see what we stock, from sneakers to ankle boots, have a look at our women’s shoes page. In the shop, try the size from the chart and then the one just above it to compare.
Men’s shoe size conversion chart
For men, the chart runs from size 39 to 47. A men’s US size is usually one point above the UK size, whereas for women the gap is two and a half points. A label reading “9” therefore does not mean the same thing everywhere.
| EU | UK | US men | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 6 | 7 | 24.5 |
| 40 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 25 |
| 41 | 7 | 8 | 26 |
| 42 | 8 | 9 | 26.5 |
| 43 | 9 | 10 | 27 |
| 44 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 28 |
| 45 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 28.5 |
| 46 | 11 | 12 | 29 |
| 47 | 12 | 13 | 30 |
A smart lace-up and a pair of trainers in the same size do not always fit the same way: the shape of the toe, the insole and the padding all play a part. Our men’s shoes page gives you an overview of what we offer, from sneakers and dress shoes to boots.
Kids’ shoe size conversion chart
For children, the chart starts at size 20, the size of the first steps, and ends at size 38, where adult sizes begin. The British and American children’s scales start again at 1 after size 13.5.
| EU | UK | US kids | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| 21 | 5 | 6 | 12.5 |
| 22 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 13 |
| 23 | 6 | 7 | 14 |
| 24 | 7 | 8 | 14.5 |
| 25 | 8 | 9 | 15 |
| 26 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 16 |
| 27 | 9 | 10 | 16.5 |
| 28 | 10 | 11 | 17 |
| 29 | 11 | 12 | 18 |
| 30 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 18.5 |
| 31 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 19 |
| 32 | 13 | 1 | 20 |
| 33 | 1 | 2 | 20.5 |
| 34 | 2 | 3 | 21 |
| 35 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 22 |
| 36 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 22.5 |
| 37 | 4 | 5 | 23 |
| 38 | 5 | 6 | 24 |
For a child, you do not choose the size that matches the foot exactly: allow growing room of roughly a thumb’s width. Children’s feet grow quickly, so measure again regularly. Our guide to measuring children’s shoe size explains it all.
We stock children’s shoes from Naturino, Primigi and Geox, from first steps to teenage sizes. Browse our kids’ shoes section and our article on kids’ shoes at outlet prices in Brussels.
Why sizes vary from brand to brand
There is no universal shoe size. Each brand builds its shoes on its own last, the form that gives a shoe its length, width and volume. These factors explain why a 40 is not always a 40:
- The last: every brand, and sometimes every model, has its own.
- The toe: a pointed toe needs more length than a rounded one.
- The material: leather gives a little, synthetic materials much less.
- The lining: a lined boot leaves less room than an unlined one.
- Rounding: converting from EU to UK or US always involves rounding.
A size also tells you nothing about the width of your foot. Only with the shoe on can you feel whether the fit is right. The chart is a starting point, not a guarantee.
The brands we sell, Geox, Ecco, Naturino, Primigi, Valentino and Voile Blanche, each have their own fit. Because we buy in bulk in Italy, directly from large retail chains, the same model is often available in a long run of sizes. You can try two sizes side by side, at outlet prices from about €20 to €150.
The easiest way is to come in with your measurement in centimetres. You will find us at Place du Jeu de Balle 40, open every day from 9.30 am to 4 pm, Sundays included; our store and directions page explains how to get here. A few minutes of trying on will tell you which size really suits you.
Shoe size FAQ
How many centimetres is one shoe size?
One European shoe size equals two thirds of a centimetre, or about 6.7 mm. The difference in length between a 38 and a 39 is therefore small, and between half sizes even smaller. That is why trying shoes on remains useful, even with a chart.
How do I convert a UK shoe size to a European size?
Find your UK size in the women’s, men’s or kids’ chart and read the EU size on the same row. For example, a UK 8 corresponds to a size 42 in our charts. Conversions are rounded, so depending on the brand the right size may be half a size either way.
Why are US women’s sizes different from US men’s sizes?
In the United States, women and men each have their own scale. For the same foot, the women’s size is about one and a half points higher than the men’s size. A European 40 is therefore a US 9 for women and a US 7.5 for men.
I am between two sizes: which should I choose?
For lined boots or winter shoes worn with thick socks, the larger size is often the more comfortable one. For an unlined leather shoe, which will give a little, try both. The safest option is to compare them side by side in the shop.
