UK (UK) to Australia / NZ (AU) Conversion
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.
Australia / NZ
Australian and New Zealand shoe sizing largely follows the UK barleycorn system for adult sizes: AU Men's sizes match UK Men's sizes exactly, while AU Women's sizes are typically identical to UK Women's. Children's sizing also mirrors the UK system. Because Australia and New Zealand are significant online fashion markets with global brand presence, shoe size conversion between AU, EU, and US systems is a high-frequency practical need for shoppers on international platforms such as ASOS, Net-a-Porter, and direct US/European brand websites.
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.