US Shoe Sizes vs EU Shoe Sizes

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

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

US and EU shoe sizes are on completely different scales with no simple offset that works for all genders. Men's, women's, and children's shoes each have their own conversion because the US system uses separate male and female scales while the EU system does not.

The approximate formulas: US Men + 33 = EU; US Women + 31 = EU. These give the correct EU size for most standard sizes. Half sizes in the US round to the nearest EU whole size.

Conversion Formulas

US Men → EU:   EU = US Men + 33  (approx)
US Women → EU: EU = US Women + 31  (approx)
EU → US Men:   US Men = EU − 33
EU → US Women: US Women = EU − 31

Men's examples:
  US 7  = EU 40    US 8  = EU 41
  US 9  = EU 42    US 10 = EU 43
  US 11 = EU 44    US 12 = EU 45

Women's examples:
  US 5  = EU 36    US 6  = EU 37
  US 7  = EU 38    US 8  = EU 39
  US 9  = EU 40    US 10 = EU 41

Why the Numbers Are So Different

US shoe sizes are based on the barleycorn — an old English unit equal to 1/3 inch. Size 1 starts at a foot length of 7.67 inches; each size adds one barleycorn (0.333 inch). EU sizes use Paris points, where each point = 2/3 cm. Different starting points and different increments produce very different numbers for the same foot.

The US also uses separate scales for men and women — women's sizes run about 1.5 larger than men's for the same foot length. EU sizing is technically unisex — a EU 40 is the same size on both systems. Retailers still market men's and women's shoes separately, but the numeric scale does not encode gender.

Handling Half Sizes

US shoes commonly come in half sizes (7, 7.5, 8, 8.5…). EU shoes typically do not — EU sizes advance by whole numbers, though some brands offer EU half sizes (especially children's). When converting a US half size to EU, round to the nearest EU whole size. US 9.5 converts to approximately EU 42.5, which most retailers round to EU 43.

If you are between EU sizes, choose the larger one. Shoes that are slightly too long are easier to wear than shoes that are too short.

Quick Tips

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Men: add 33 to your US size. US 10 = EU 43.
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Women: add 31 to your US size. US 8 = EU 39.
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Half sizes: round up to the next EU size. US 9.5 ≈ EU 43.
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Always check the brand's own size guide when buying internationally — different brands may vary by half a size from the standard conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is US Men's 10 in EU?

US Men's 10 ≈ EU 43. Using the formula: 10 + 33 = 43.

What is US Women's 8 in EU?

US Women's 8 ≈ EU 39. Using the formula: 8 + 31 = 39.

Why doesn't the same EU size fit both men and women?

The EU size measures foot length equally for both, but men's and women's shoes are built on different lasts (molds). They have different widths, heel shapes, and toe boxes. A EU 40 men's shoe and a EU 40 women's shoe have the same length but different fit profiles.

Do Nike, Adidas, and other brands use standard EU sizing?

Most major brands follow standard EU sizing, but some run half a size large or small. Always check the brand's official size chart and read reviews for fit feedback before ordering.

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