European (EU) (EU) to UK (UK) Conversion
European (EU)
The European shoe sizing system is based on the Paris Point — a unit equal to two-thirds of a centimetre (6.67 mm). EU sizes are calculated from the last length (the internal shoe length) in Paris Points, typically ranging from 35 to 48 for adults. Unlike US and UK systems, EU sizing uses a single scale for both men and women, eliminating gender-offset confusion. A foot measuring 26 cm corresponds to approximately EU 40, though variation between manufacturers can shift the fit by half a size.
UK
UK shoe sizes are based on the barleycorn system — one barleycorn equals one third of an inch (8.47 mm) — where the size represents last length in barleycorns minus a fixed offset. UK Men's sizes typically run 0.5 to 1 size below the equivalent US Men's size for the same foot (UK 9 ≈ US 9.5). UK Women's sizes run approximately 2.5 sizes below US Women's. The system predates metric standardisation and remains in official use in the United Kingdom alongside EU sizing on product labels.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I convert US shoe sizes to European (EU) sizes?
For men's shoes, add approximately 33 to the US size to get the EU size — for example, US Men's 9 equals EU 42. For women's shoes, add approximately 31 — US Women's 9 equals EU 40. However, these are approximations: different brands apply slightly different lasts, so always check the specific brand's size chart. Use our converter above to see all international equivalents simultaneously.
Why do shoe sizes differ so much between countries?
Shoe sizes evolved independently in different regions over centuries, each based on different measurement conventions. European sizes use the Paris Point (⅔ of a centimetre), making EU 40 equal to a foot length of about 25.8 cm. US sizes use a different last-length formula with separate scales for men and women, where a women's size is 1.5 sizes larger than a men's size for the same foot. Japanese sizes are the most intuitive — they directly measure foot length in centimetres. No international standard has ever successfully unified all systems.