How Japanese Shoe Sizes Work

5 min read•June 1, 2025•Reviewed: June 1, 2026

✓Reviewed by Apex Conversion Editorial Team · Last reviewed June 1, 2026

Japanese shoe sizes are measured in centimeters — specifically, the foot's length from heel to the longest toe. This makes them arguably the most intuitive system: a size 27 shoe fits a 27 cm foot. No arbitrary scales, no separate men's and women's numbers. Japan, and several other Asian countries, use this cm-based approach.

For someone used to US or EU sizing, the numbers look very different. A US Men's 10 (about 27.9 cm) becomes a Japanese size 28. Converting requires knowing your actual foot length in centimeters.

How Japanese Sizing Works

Japanese shoes are sized in 0.5 cm increments, with adult sizes typically ranging from 22.0 to 30.0 cm. The number directly represents foot length. Size 25.0 means the shoe is designed for a foot that is 25 cm long. Some brands add width indicators (E, EE, EEE) for narrow or wide feet.

Japanese sizing is unisex in principle — the same scale applies to men and women. A woman with a 24.0 cm foot and a man with a 24.0 cm foot both wear a size 24.0 cm. In practice, men and women shop in differently shaped shoes, but the numeric size represents the same underlying foot measurement.

Conversion Table

US Men  EU    Japan (cm)
──────  ──    ──────────
   6    39      24.0
   7    40      25.0
   8    41      26.0
   9    42      27.0
  10    43      28.0
  11    44      29.0
  12    46      30.0

US Women  EU    Japan (cm)
────────  ──    ──────────
   5      36      22.0
   6      37      23.0
   7      38      24.0
   8      39      25.0
   9      40      26.0
  10      41      27.0

How to Find Your Japanese Size

The most accurate method: stand on a piece of paper, trace your foot, and measure from heel to the tip of your longest toe with a ruler. Round to the nearest 0.5 cm. That number is your Japanese shoe size. If you measure 26.4 cm, your Japanese size is 26.5.

If you know your US or EU size, you can use the table above. Keep in mind that Japanese brands may fit differently — many Japanese shoes are cut narrower than Western equivalents. If you have a wide foot, consider going up half a size.

Quick Tips

✓
Measure your feet in the afternoon — feet swell slightly during the day and are largest in the afternoon.
✓
Measure both feet. Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Size for the larger foot.
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Japanese shoe sizing is also used in China, Korea, and some other Asian countries, though specifics may vary by brand.
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When buying Japanese brands internationally (ASICS, Mizuno, New Balance Japan), check whether the listed size is in cm or US/EU units — many export sizes for international markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Japanese shoe sizing the most accurate?

It is the most transparent — the number directly corresponds to foot length. Whether it is 'most accurate' depends on the manufacturing quality and fit consistency of the specific brand.

What is a US Men's 10 in Japanese sizing?

US Men's 10 ≈ Japanese 28 (28.0 cm). The formula: measure your foot; for US Men's 10, foot length is approximately 27.9 cm, so Japanese size 28.0.

Do Japanese sizes include half sizes?

Yes — Japanese sizes are given in 0.5 cm increments (e.g., 26.0, 26.5, 27.0). This means there are effectively twice as many size increments as US whole-size steps.

Why do some Japanese running shoes feel narrower?

Traditional Japanese shoe lasts were designed for narrower foot profiles typical in Japan. Modern Japanese brands often offer multiple width fittings (D, 2E, 3E) for this reason.

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