Shopping for shoes can be hard enough as it is when you're looking to find your ideal style, price range, and fit. So, if you've ever been ready to give up once you've realized that your perfect pair's sizing is in a format that you're unfamiliar with, we totally get it. While international shoe sizes seem confusing at first, there's no need to panic: Since the measurements of most countries' systems are widely available, you can usually easily convert your size to whichever one you're shopping. Ahead, check out our full guide to determining your international shoe size in men's or women's shoes, complete with sizing charts and measurement tips.
Why Do Shoe Sizes Vary By Country?
There are several reasons that countries have different shoe sizing systems, but it largely boils down to being another element of how measurement varies around the world. Everyone has a slightly different basis for sizing: for example, UK shoe sizing is based on the barleycorn, an old English unit equivalent to 1/3 of an inch. This happens to be the basis for US sizes, too, explaining why these two systems feel mostly equivalent in scale despite slightly different numbers. The European Union uses Paris points, equivalent to 2/3 of a centimeter, while Japan measures sizing directly in centimeters.
How to Measure Your Feet
Serious about getting theperfect fit the first time around? Actually measuring your feet is your best bet. While you can visit a shoe store and have a salesperson do it for you if you'd like, it's easy enough to do it yourself. Just follow the below steps.
- First, make sure you're standing on a flat surface.
- Then, trace the outline of your foot on a piece of paper. Keep your pen as perpendicular to the paper as possible to produce the most accurate outline.
- On the tracing you've created, use a ruler to measure from the edge of your heel to the tip of your longest toe.
- Check out this guide to convert the measurement from inches to your shoe size.
International Shoe Size Charts
Once you know your true U.S. shoe size, you can feel confident buyingshoes from around the world both in-store and online: All you have to do is refer to a sizing chart. These have done the work for you, so you'll know exactly which pair to buy without any guesswork.
Men's International Shoe Sizes
Below, see the definitive conversions for men's U.S. shoe sizes for China, Australia, Europe, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
| U.S./Canada | China | Australia | Europe | Mexico | Japan | U.K. |
| 5 | 38 | 4.5 | 37.5 | - | - | 4.5 |
| 5.5 | 39 | 5 | 38 | - | - | 5 |
| 6 | 39.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 25 | 24 | 5.5 |
| 6.5 | 40 | 6 | 39 | - | 24.5 | 6 |
| 7 | 41 | 6.5 | 40 | 26 | 25 | 6.5 |
| 7.5 | - | 7 | 40.5 | - | 25.5 | 7 |
| 8 | 42 | 7.5 | 41 | 27 | - | 7.5 |
| 8.5 | 43 | 8 | 42 | - | 26 | 8 |
| 9 | 43.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 28 | 26.5 | 8.5 |
| 9.5 | 44 | 9 | 43 | - | 27 | 9 |
| 10 | 44.5 | 9.5 | 44 | 29 | 27.5 | 9.5 |
| 10.5 | 45 | 10 | 44.5 | - | 28 | 10 |
| 11 | 46 | - | 45 | 30 | 29 | 10.5 |
| 11.5 | - | 11 | 45.5 | - | 29.5 | - |
| 12 | 47 | - | 46 | 31 | 30 | - |
| 13 | 48.5 | 12 | 47.5 | 32 | 31 | - |
Women's International Shoe Sizes
Below are the conversions for women's U.S. shoe sizes for China, Australia, Europe, Mexico, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The numbers can vary a lot, so be sure to verify which range the shoe brand you're shopping uses so you get the right fit.
| U.S./Canada | China | Australia | Europe | Mexico | Japan | U.K. |
| 5 | 35.5 | 5 | 35 | - | 21 | 2.5 |
| 5.5 | 36 | 5.5 | 35.5 | - | 21.5 | 3 |
| 6 | 37 | 6 | 36 | - | 22 | 3.5 |
| 6.5 | 37.5 | 7 | 37 | - | 22.5 | 4 |
| 7 | 38 | 7.5 | 37.5 | - | 23 | 4.5 |
| 7.5 | 39 | 8 | 38 | 4.5 | 23.5 | 5 |
| 8 | 39.5 | 8.5 | 38.5 | 5 | 24 | 5.5 |
| 8.5 | 40 | 9 | 39 | 5.5 | 24.5 | 6 |
| 9 | 41 | 10 | 40 | 6 | 25 | 6.5 |
| 9.5 | - | 11 | 41 | 6.5 | 25.5 | 7 |
| 10 | 42 | 12 | 42 | 7 | 26 | 7.5 |
How to Shop for Shoes Online
Buying shoes online? Keep these tips in mind:
- Check the return policy: There's nothing more stressful than spending hours trying to return something—or finding that your purchase was final sale. Familiarizing yourself with the brand's return policy will let you know exactly how to handle if your shoes are not the right fit, especially if you aren't confident about sizing.
- Consider shoe width: The above measurements don't take into account the thickness or width of your foot, so check if the shoes come in varying widths. These are usually denoted by "AA" (narrow), "B" (average), "C/D" (wide), or "E" (extra wide).Additionally, you might see "M," indicating a "medium" width, "N" for narrow, or "W" for wide.
- Consider the socks you plan to wear, if any: Socks can take up room and make shoes feel tighter. Because of this, it can be helpful to try your shoes on with the type of socks you plan to wear (or no socks) to ensure the right fit.
- Check both feet: Just like your eyebrows, no two feet are exactly the same size. Measure them both and use the larger measurement to ensure you don't order shoes only to find one that won't slide on.
- Measure late in the day: Feet tend to swell a bit as the day goes on, or after you stand on them for a while. Try to measure your feet in the afternoon or evening, when they're at their largest.
- Look at all the factors: Consider the materials, manufacturing techniques, embellishments, and other factors that can affect the way a shoe fits.
- Read the reviews: Even within a given sizing system, the fit of certain shoe brands and styles can vary. Check the reviews for the shoes you're considering and look for comments regarding how true to size they run.
The Final Takeaway
While your international shoe size may vary by country, it's luckily not too hard to find your best fit. Simply measure your feet to find your US size (or whichever is most relevant to your location), then refer to a sizing chart whenever you come across a different set of sizes. Since certain brands and styles may have varying fits, we highly recommend doing your research whenever you're buying shoes. With a smart strategy, you'll end up with a new pair that fits just right, so you can move on to styling a full look and showing off your new kicks.
