| US/CA | UK/IN | EU | JP/MX | CN | Foot (in) | Foot (cm) |
|---|
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Convert shoe sizes between international systems — essential for DIY shoemaking, custom footwear projects, sourcing materials from overseas suppliers, and buying patterns from foreign brands.
Enter any one size or foot length — the converter will calculate all equivalent sizes. You can also enter foot length directly to find your starting size.
Enter any size or foot length on the left,
then click Convert to see all equivalents.
Full reference tables for women, men, kids, and infants
💡 DIY Footwear Tip: When buying a shoe pattern from overseas or sourcing lasts from another country, always cross-reference using foot length in centimeters — it's the one truly universal measurement across all sizing systems.
| US/CA | UK/IN | EU | JP/MX | CN | Foot (in) | Foot (cm) |
|---|
| US/CA | UK/IN | EU | JP/MX | CN | Foot (in) | Foot (cm) |
|---|
| US/CA | UK/IN | EU | JP/MX | CN | Foot (in) | Foot (cm) |
|---|
| US/CA | UK/IN | EU | JP/MX | CN | Foot (in) | Foot (cm) |
|---|
How each country's sizing system is derived from foot length
L = foot length in inches. Sizes increase in ½-point increments.
L = foot length in inches. Same increment system as US, but offset by ~1 size.
L = foot length in centimeters. Sizes increase in 1-point (whole) increments.
The most intuitive system — shoe size equals foot length in centimeters. Increases in ½ cm increments.
L = foot length in centimeters. Sizes increase in whole-point increments.
Used for ski boots, skates, ballet shoes. Incorporates both foot length and width in millimeters for a more precise fit.
Factors that affect shoe fit — essential reading for DIY shoemaking
⚠ Important for DIY Makers: Shoe size is a starting point, not a guarantee. Different manufacturers, shoe lasts, and construction methods produce different fits even at the same labeled size. When making shoes from a pattern, always check the pattern's finished measurements against your foot dimensions — not just the size label.
Shoe sizing lacks a global standard. Differences arise from the way size is measured by country, differences between men's and women's lasts, brand manufacturing processes, and even regional traditions that predate mass production.
Shoemaking existed long before industrialisation — artisan cobblers made shoes individually for customers, developing local measurement traditions. Once these became ingrained in a society, standardisation became difficult — much like units of measurement.
When sourcing a last (the mould used to make a shoe), check whether it is sized in US, EU, or Mondopoint. If importing lasts from Japan or China, use foot length in centimeters as your cross-reference.
Most DIY shoe patterns include a last outline — trace your foot on paper and compare it to the last template. Foot length is a starting point; foot width, arch height, and circumference all affect the final fit equally.
Brannock Device — the gold standard in professional shoe fitting. Measures foot length, foot width, and arch length. Most US shoe sizing is calibrated to this device.
RITZ Stick — a wooden slide ruler used before the Brannock device. Still has men's/women's sizes and a width conversion chart.
Mondopoint — used for ski boots, skates, and ballet shoes. Common in Russia, East Germany, Taiwan, China, Japan, and South Korea. More precise as it incorporates foot width.
Feet swell as the day progresses. Measuring in the afternoon or evening gives you a more realistic maximum foot size — and therefore a better fit for all-day wear.
A Brannock device gives the most accurate reading. If unavailable, place your foot on paper, trace around it with a pencil held vertically, then measure the tracing length from heel to longest toe.
Many people have slightly different sized feet. Always fit shoes to your larger foot — a slightly looser shoe is far more comfortable than a tight one, especially over long periods.
For everyday wear, leave extra room for swelling and thick socks. For sports (soccer, climbing, cycling), a closer fit may be preferable for control. Always try on shoes and walk in them before committing — or, for DIY projects, make a test pair in cheap material first.