How To · Fashion · Footwear
How to read a shoe size conversion chart and actually order the right fit
Shoe sizes vary wildly by region and brand, making international shopping a minefield. A conversion chart is only useful if you know which column to read and what your true baseline size actually is.
5 min read · IrisYou've found the perfect shoe online. The listing says size 38. You live in the US. Is that your size? Maybe. Probably not. Shoe size conversion charts exist for exactly this reason—but they're only helpful if you understand the system behind them and know your own baseline measurement.
The confusion stems from the fact that different regions use different sizing standards. The US uses one scale, the UK uses another, Europe uses yet another, and some brands throw in their own proprietary sizing for good measure. A conversion chart is simply a translation tool, but like any translation, it only works if you start with the correct source material.
Your true shoe size is a measurement, not a number. Once you know that, any chart becomes readable.
What you'll need.
- 01A shoe you already own that fits well
- 02A reliable shoe size conversion chart
- 03The brand's own size chart
- 04A ruler or measuring tape
- 05Product reviews and fit notes
Step one · 1 minute
Identify your home region's sizing system
Before you consult any chart, know which system you actually wear. If you're in the United States, you use US sizing. If you're in the UK, you use UK sizing. If you're in most of Europe, you use EU sizing (also called Continental). Some countries use centimeters as the actual foot length measurement. Write down your typical size in your home system—for example, US Women's 8, or UK 5, or EU 38.
Check your shoe closet. Look at the size tag on a shoe that fits you well. That's your baseline.
Step two · 2 minutes
Locate the correct row on the conversion chart
Most conversion charts are organized as a table with rows representing individual sizes and columns representing different sizing systems. Find the row that corresponds to your baseline size. For example, if you wear a US Women's 8, scan down the US Women's column until you find the 8. That entire row now contains your equivalent sizes in all other systems. The key is starting with the correct row—if you pick the wrong row, every conversion below it will be wrong.
Some charts separate men's, women's, and unisex sizing. Make sure you're reading the correct section for the shoe type you're buying.
Step three · 1 minute
Read across the row to find your target region's size
Once you've identified the correct row, move horizontally across that row until you reach the column for your target region. If you're a US 8 and you're buying from a European brand, slide across until you hit the EU column. That number is your conversion. Write it down. This is the size you should order.
EU sizes typically run in half-size increments (36, 36.5, 37, 37.5, etc.), while US sizes often jump by full increments. Don't be alarmed if the EU number looks strange—it's correct.
Step four · 2 minutes
Account for brand-specific fit notes
Here's the catch: conversion charts assume standard sizing, but many brands run small, large, or narrow. Before you order, check the product description or customer reviews for fit notes. If the listing says 'runs small, size up half a size,' adjust your converted size accordingly. If reviews mention the shoe is roomy, you might size down. The conversion chart gets you to the ballpark; the brand's reputation gets you to the exact fit.
European brands like Birkenstock and Camper often run true to size or even slightly large. Asian brands sometimes run small. Read reviews from people in your home region—they'll have already done the conversion math.
Step five · 2 minutes
Double-check using centimeter measurements if available
The most foolproof method is to measure your foot in centimeters and compare it directly to the brand's size chart. Most quality shoe brands provide a centimeter-to-size conversion. Measure from your heel to the tip of your longest toe while standing (your foot expands slightly under weight). Compare that measurement to the brand's chart. This bypasses regional sizing entirely and gives you the most accurate result.
Measure both feet. Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Size for the bigger foot.
Step six · 2 minutes
Verify your conversion makes logical sense
Before you hit checkout, sanity-check the number. US sizes are typically smaller numbers than EU sizes—a US 8 should convert to something in the mid-to-high 30s in EU sizing. UK sizes fall between US and EU. If your conversion seems wildly off (like a US 8 converting to EU 20), you've either read the wrong row or the chart is unreliable. Start over or find a different chart.
Bookmark a reliable conversion chart from a major retailer like Zappos or Schuh. These tend to be more accurate than random charts floating around the internet.
How to know you've read the chart correctly.
You've read the chart correctly when your converted size makes logical sense relative to your home region's sizing, aligns with the brand's own size guide, and accounts for any known fit quirks. The real test comes when the shoe arrives and fits your foot.
Questions at the mirror.
The conversion chart shows half sizes, but the brand only offers full sizes. What do I do?
Round to the nearest full size. If your conversion is EU 37.5, check reviews to see whether the brand runs small or large, then choose EU 37 or EU 38 accordingly. When in doubt, size up slightly—a slightly loose shoe is more wearable than one that pinches.
I found two different conversion charts and they show different sizes. Which one is correct?
Use the brand's own size chart, not a generic conversion chart. Brands often have proprietary sizing, and their chart will be more accurate than any third-party tool. If the brand doesn't provide a chart, use a conversion chart from a major retailer in that region.
My foot measures 24 centimeters, but the size chart seems off. What's happening?
You may have measured incorrectly (measure standing, not sitting), or the brand may use a different measurement method. Some brands measure insole length rather than foot length, which can differ by up to half a size. Re-measure and compare to the brand's specific instructions.
I ordered the converted size and it doesn't fit. How do I know if I made a conversion error or if the brand just runs differently?
Check the brand's return policy and try the next size up or down. If the size you ordered was significantly off (more than a full size), you likely made a conversion error. If it's off by half a size, the brand probably just runs differently than expected. Use this information for your next order from that brand.