Shoe sizes: shoe size table de, us, uk, eu simple tips!

On this page you will really find everything to do with shoe sizes: simple measurement instructions for determining the foot length, a shoe size converter of centimeters into shoe length for women, men and children and of course shoe size tables for German (DE), European (EU), English (UK) and American (US) Shoe sizes. There is also an overview of special sizes, oversizes, shoe sizes and international sizes.

You will also receive many tips from the experts on how you can quickly and easily check whether the shoes really fit and what you should consider when buying shoes.

And if you want to know it exactly, you can read in the info area with detailed knowledge of the historical and theoretical backgrounds (DIN, Brannock, Mondopoint etc.). And now: Have fun finding the right shoe size!

Shoe size chart

Convert shoe sizes: Convert German shoe size to US / UK

Shoe size table

Please note that the size charts for men, women and children differ for UK sizes and US sizes! For example, For men the German size 40 is a US 8 and a UK 7. For women the size 40 is a US size 8.5 and a UK 6.5!

Shoe size table men

Foot length in cm	EU / UK Size	US size	UK size
23.7	38.5	6	5.5
24.1	39	6.5	6
24.5	40	7	6
25	40.5	7.5	6.5
25.4	41	8th	7
25.8	42	8.5	7.5
26.2	42.5	9	8th
26.7	43	9.5	8.5
27.1	44	10	9
27.5	44.5	10.5	9.5
27.9	45	11	10
28.3	45.5	11.5	10.5
28.8	46	12	11
29.2	47	12.5	11.5
29.6	47.5	13	12
30	48	13.5	12.5
30.5	48.5	14	13
31.3	49.5	15	14
32.2	50.5	16	15
33	51.5	17	16
33.9	52.5	18	17

How is this table read? Very easily! Simply measure your feet with these instructions. Then note your foot length in centimeters and look for the appropriate men’s shoe size. If your shoe length is between two specifications, then it is best to round up. A length of 26.9 centimeters corresponds to an EU size 44 or a US size 10 and a UK size 9, for example.

Shoe size table women

Foot length in cm	EU / DE-size	US Size	UK-size
22	35.5	5	2.5
22.4	36	5.5	3
22.9	36.5	6	3.5
23.3	37.5	6.5	4
23.7	38	7	4.5
24.1	38.5	7.5	5
24.5	39	8th	5.5
25	40	8.5	6
25.4	40.5	9	6.5
25.8	41	9.5	7
26.2	42	10	7.5
26.7	42.5	10.5	8th
27.1	43	11	8.5
27.5	44	11.5	9
27.9	44.5	12	9.5

To find the right women’s shoe size, simply measure your foot length without socks and then convert using this shoe size table.

Measure shoe size: measure foot length

It is very easy to measure the foot length and then convert it to the correct shoe size: place the foot on a piece of paper. Then trace the circumference of the foot with a pencil (keeping the pencil vertical). Then measure the longest point with a ruler. Convert foot length to shoe size.

When do shoes fit properly??

You will take a lot of steps with your shoes – so the correct fit is important. Take a lot of time and check your future shoes very carefully.
Feet are smaller in the morning and widen during the day. So plan to buy shoes in the afternoon, or even better in the evening.
Choose your socks wisely! Say: Only wear normal socks, no thinner or thicker ones.
Even shoes from one brand are different! Therefore, do not leave it to just one size of a model, but try different sizes of the same shoe model.
Always be >

A lot helps a lot: Try on shoes before buying! Always try both shoes and, above all, walk a little up and down to check that the shoe is correctly seated.

Corresponds to the EU size of the German shoe size?

Yes! German (D), French (F) and Italian (I) shoe sizes are summarized under the European shoe size (EU). All are calculated according to the so-called Parisian stitch.

However, there is no standard for the allowances (space between the foot and the shoe). Each manufacturer uses a different addition. In France, the encore is traditionally a little smaller. If only the European (EUR) or German size is indicated on the shoe, then it corresponds to the French size. If the French size is listed separately, then it is a little smaller than the German size.

Shoe sizes: theory and practice

The shoe sizes were originally based on one of the following systems: Brannock system, Mondopoint or Paris stitch.

Today the calculations are at least theoretically standardized and standardized. The German and European shoe sizes are described in DIN 66074: 1975 (sizes for men and women) and the international standard ISO 9407: 1991 (footwear, designation of sizes, main characteristics of the continental system) and the successor standard ISO / CD 9407 regulated.

Now the big BUT: Most shoe manufacturers are roughly based on the measurement systems. Some make their shoes smaller (e.g. Adidas), others a little bigger (e.g. Nike). There are many reasons for the deviations from the norm. On the one hand, the so-called Vanity sizing, with the labels deliberately given a smaller size to flatter the customer. Other reasons are manufacturing variances and tolerances.

Also very important: Although the foot is a three-dimensional object and consists of a wide variety of parts such as balls, instep, toes, you try to express the dimensions with a single number. A one-size-fits-all can therefore never fully meet the requirements of a foot.

measurement systems

Sounds trivial, but it is like this: shoe sizes can be specified in many different ways. Numbers are usually used for their representation. The basis for the calculation is always based on the foot length. The foot width only plays a few in Europe few Brands matter. In the USA, things look very different: here shoes with the same length and different widths are often produced.

However, it is important that there are country-specific formulas. Other formulas are used in Germany, the USA, Great Britain and Italy. The biggest problem: it is rounded violently and only whole or at best half sizes are offered. An example:

Even if the same formula is used in Italy as in Germany: the base length is 1.5 cm shorter because the foot length is taken. In the USA and UK, of course, unlike continental Europe, measurements are in inches. Values must be converted accordingly, where 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters.

To determine the right shoe size, a different value must be used for x depending on the country and person:

UK, adults: x = 25
UK, children: x = 12, information for babies can be found here.
US, men: x = 24
US, women: x = 23
US, children: x = 11.66

calculation & Formula of shoe sizes

In this example calculation, the equivalent US shoe size for a lady with a German shoe size 39 was calculated. In this case, 23 is used for x (see above). The result is a value of 7.7, which is rounded to 7.5, since only whole and half shoe sizes exist.

foot length

If the calculation is based on length, then it is important to know how to measure. Depending on the system, the average length of the foot, the inside length of the shoe or the last length can be used.

The length of the last is the easiest for the manufacturers, but it is difficult to draw a conclusion from the shoe length to the inside length of the shoe. In the German shoe size, an addition of 1.5 cm is usually added to the foot length. However, this value varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Parisian stitch

One Parisian stitch corresponds to 2/3 centimeters, so the difference between two Parisian stitches is 6.667 millimeters. There are no intermediate sizes. This method is mainly used in continental Europe.

Barleycorn

Another variant is the so-called barleycorn, which means something like barley grain. A barley corn is 1/3 inch long, 8.46 millimeters. This system also includes half sizes, it is used in the UK and the USA.

Metric information

Metric information is displayed in millimeters and centimeters. The gradations mostly run in steps of size 5 millimeters. The metric information is mainly found in the Mondopoint system and in Japan.

zero

The zero point can either be defined as shoe size 0 or as the smallest practicable shoe. If you use the first variant, all shoes can be compared very well. If you choose the second option, the zero point differs for women, men, and children’s shoes. This means that they are no longer comparable. As a result, shoes with the same size specification can still have different widths and lengths.

The material also affects the shoe size. The different materials expand differently when worn, depending on whether it is fabric, synthetic leather, rubber, plastic or leather.

Shoe sizes in the EU

The Parisian line, which goes back to the French shoemaker Ferdinand Bijoux, is mostly used here.

There is no general standardization, the sizes are calculated differently by each manufacturer. For example, the Parisian line is not always used, sometimes it is based on a millimeter size. Different reference values and different increments between the individual sizes lead to different information. However, the zero point is always zero. With the help of a formula, the shoe size is calculated from the foot length. Alternatively, the length of the last can also be used, in this case subtract 1.5 centimeters from this.

UK sizes

Barleycorn is used in Great Britain. The scale starts with the smallest possible shoe size, these are 12 Barleycorns. This size is called child size 0.

The child size 13 1/2 is followed by the adult size 1, which corresponds to 26 Barleycorns. Here, too, the calculation is carried out using a formula, in which case the last length is inserted. It has to be considered whether the foot has been measured in inches or centimeters. There are two formulas for UK shoe sizes available: one calculates the Kids sizes, the other the adult sizes.

Gender does not matter in most shoe systems. The situation is different with the US system (Brannock system). A distinction is not only made between men’s and women’s feet, but children’s feet also have their own calculation.

US Sizes

The measurement system for US shoe sizes is based on the Brannock system.

Barleycorn

Barleycorns have been used in the past. The scale starts at 11 3/4 Barleycorn with child size 0. After child size 13, adult size 1 follows. Again, two different formulas are available for the calculation. This is based on the last length in inches.

Brannock system

The Brannock system was named after Charles Brannock. He developed a device that could measure the foot length and width. The system differentiates between men’s, women’s and children’s feet. Each group receives its own zero points. On average, these sizes are 1 to 1.5 sizes larger than the UK sizes. The foot length is used as the starting point, but in the end you add two Barleycorns to the shoe size. Since you have three groups of people, there are three different formulas. The foot length in centimeters is inserted into this, then the desired shoe size is obtained.

How do shoes fall??

The size systems are not standardized, but are calculated with small differences depending on the manufacturer (shoe brand) and country. On the one hand, the calculated sizes are unambiguous, on the other hand, only whole or half shoe sizes are usually available in stores. You should always test the shoe sizes above and below the calculated size and decide depending on the fit of the shoe. Alternatively, you can have your shoes made to measure (bespoke shoes) and elegantly avoid the problem of non-standard shoe sizes.

Tips from the specialist

Unfortunately, you can rarely rely on the size specifications of the shoe manufacturers. No matter whether it is the so-called EU size, which is mostly used in Germany, or US size or UK size. In Asia, the size is given in millimeters, this size is often called "Japanese shoe size". However, it is also used, for example, as a unit of measurement for Bundeswehr shoes. The inside length of the shoe is measured and an addition is added for socks and freedom of movement (stretching the feet when running, rolling off).

Depending on the manufacturer, the addition is handled differently, of course it also depends on what type of shoe it is. With a rubber boot, more allowance can be estimated without having a negative impact. With a pump, on the other hand, it would be fatal if there was too much space – you would simply fall while walking. The extreme are shoes like ballet shoes or climbing shoes, there is very little encore here so that the shoes really fit exactly. For most everyday shoes, the addition will be between 10 and 15 millimeters.

Therefore: measure the foot, open the encore and you have the result in millimeters. So for example: woman has a foot length of 250 millimeters + addition of 10 millimeters = 260 millimeters. Then the length can be converted into the respective country format.

Up to this Point everything is pure mathematics and there is nothing to shake about the millimeter specification. But why are the sizes of different manufacturers different now? Why is it said that these shoes would be one size larger or those shoes would be one size smaller?

First each manufacturer uses a different encore. Some just 5 millimeters, some 15 millimeters. As you can see on the calculator, this is already ONE SIZE.

Secondly there are variances in the production itself. In theory, one shoe of one size should be the same size as the next. In practice, and unlike other goods (furniture, cars, cell phones), shoes are made of soft materials, which makes it difficult to ensure the correct size. In addition, the production is not as precise as one would like it to be. The problem: Nobody notices that the shoes labeled as size 40 are actually a 41 or even 42. Who already puts pairs / shoes of the same size next to each other in the store and compares them? And the most important thing: the length may be the same on the outside, nobody can see inside how long the shoe really is.

The third point especially affects the ladies of creation. It is a completely outdated and insane beauty ideal, but many women want a smaller shoe size or a smaller shoe than they actually have. Some manufacturers go into this and issue a size 39 shoe as size 38 to flatter the lady. This is called vanity sizing. Other manufacturers do not anticipate this wish. In practice, it can happen that a shoe for a foot of size 37 is carried by a manufacturer as 36, at others than 38.

In practice, unfortunately, only one thing remains: try, try, try – until the shoe actually fits.

Andreas Hurlsky, head of the shoe department

Shoe size: The problem with the fit

People whose feet deviate from the norm have a very special problem. For fashion reasons, shoes are usually cut rather tightly. And for cost reasons, usually only one shoe width is produced. People with wider feet, more muscular feet and, of course, people with deformities or deformations (sagging, kinking, or spreading feet) therefore often do not find the right shoe size. They often only have to go to the orthopedic shoe store to avoid deformities such as hallux valgus or hammer toes.

Women’s shoes and fashion trends promote deformation

High heels, particularly tight or very pointed shoes lead to deformation and deformation of the feet. Hallux Valgus, the misalignment of the big toe, is particularly notorious. There are also shortenings of the Achilles tendon, damage to the fine foot nerves and circulatory disorders.