The US, UK, Europe and Japan all use completely different scales, and once you've travelled home you often can't return a mismatch. The single most reliable trick is to know your foot length in centimetres — but it helps to understand how the main systems compare first.
Women's shoes — rough equivalents
| US | UK | EU | Foot (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 37 | ~23 |
| 7 | 5 | 38 | ~23.5 |
| 8 | 6 | 39 | ~24.5 |
| 9 | 7 | 40 | ~25.5 |
Approximate only. US and UK shoe sizes differ by about 2 (US is higher); EU uses a separate scale. Foot length in cm is the most reliable guide.
The trick: measure your foot in centimetres
The single most reliable way to buy shoes anywhere is to know your foot length in centimetres. Stand on a piece of paper, mark heel to longest toe, and measure. Japanese sizing uses this directly (a 24.5 cm foot is roughly a size 24.5), and most brands publish a cm-to-size chart. Because a single shoe size is only about a third of a centimetre, this precision is exactly what protects you from a near-miss fit.
Convert your size
Pick your category, the system you know your size in, and your size — the rest convert instantly. Convert yours below.
Size converter → approximate cross-system match
Approximate — conversions vary by brand and style; check the brand's chart.
How to buy shoes abroad with confidence
- Measure both feet — they're often slightly different; size to the larger one.
- Try on later in the day — feet swell, so afternoon fittings give a truer fit.
- Use the brand's cm chart for online buys rather than a generic size conversion.
- Remember width too — some systems and brands vary in width, which a size number alone doesn't capture.
- Check returns before buying abroad — once home, sending shoes back internationally is rarely practical.
Go deeper
Questions
What's the difference between US and UK shoe sizes?
They differ by roughly 2 sizes, with US numbers higher than UK for the same foot — so a UK 6 is about a US 8 in women's. EU sizing is a separate scale again. Foot length in cm is the most reliable cross-system guide.
How do I measure my foot for shoe size?
Stand on a sheet of paper, mark the back of your heel and the tip of your longest toe, and measure the distance in centimetres. Do both feet and use the larger. Most brands offer a cm-to-size chart, which is the most accurate way to convert.
Do Japanese shoe sizes use centimetres?
Yes — Japanese sizing is based on foot length in centimetres, so a 24.5 cm foot is roughly a size 24.5. This makes it one of the most intuitive systems if you've measured your foot.
Should I size up when buying shoes in Asia?
Often, yes — shoes in much of Asia can run smaller, and larger Western foot sizes may be hard to find. Measure in cm, use the brand's chart, and try on whenever possible rather than relying on the size number.
Why do my feet feel different sizes in different shoes?
Shoe shape, width and brand sizing all vary, so the same numbered size can fit differently. Width especially matters and isn't captured by the length-based size number. Trying on, or checking width options, solves most of this.
Is it safe to buy shoes online from overseas?
It can be, if you use your foot length in cm against the brand's chart and check the return policy first. International returns are often costly or impossible, so the cm measurement is your best insurance against a size mistake.
Size conversions are approximate and vary by brand and shoe style. This is general guidance only — always check the brand's size chart and, where possible, try shoes on before buying.