US to EU Shoe Size: The Complete Conversion Guide

6 min read · Sizing guides

Converting US shoe sizes to European sizing seems like it should be a simple formula — add a fixed number and you're done. In practice it's slightly more complicated, because the offset between US and EU sizes is different for men and women, and because EU sizes don't always land on whole numbers when you convert.

Here's a clear breakdown of how the two systems relate, with common conversions you can reference and an explanation of why the formula approach often falls short.

The Basic Formula (and Why It's Imprecise)

The commonly cited rule is: add 33 to your US men's size to get the EU equivalent. A US men's 10 gives you EU 43, which is close — but the exact EU equivalent of a US men's 10 is EU 44, not EU 43. The "add 33" formula works as a rough approximation but consistently lands half a size low.

For women's, the approximation is "add 31" — a US women's 8 gives roughly EU 39. Again, this is close but not always exact. The actual EU equivalent of a US women's 8 is EU 38.5 to EU 39, depending on the brand's specific chart.

The reason the formula is imprecise is that EU sizing is based on the Paris Point system (one point = 2/3 of a centimetre), and the US sizing system wasn't designed to map neatly onto it. There isn't a clean integer relationship between the two systems — the conversion involves fractions that brands resolve differently.

Men's US to EU Conversion Chart

US 6 → EU 38.5
US 6.5 → EU 39
US 7 → EU 40
US 7.5 → EU 40.5
US 8 → EU 41
US 8.5 → EU 42
US 9 → EU 42.5
US 9.5 → EU 43
US 10 → EU 44
US 10.5 → EU 44.5
US 11 → EU 45
US 11.5 → EU 45.5
US 12 → EU 46.5
US 13 → EU 47.5

Women's US to EU Conversion Chart

US 5 → EU 35.5
US 5.5 → EU 36
US 6 → EU 36.5
US 6.5 → EU 37
US 7 → EU 37.5
US 7.5 → EU 38
US 8 → EU 38.5
US 8.5 → EU 39
US 9 → EU 40
US 9.5 → EU 40.5
US 10 → EU 41
US 11 → EU 42
US 12 → EU 43

Why EU Sizes Don't Change Between Men's and Women's

This is one of the things that confuses people when first working with EU sizing. EU 42 is EU 42 — it doesn't have a men's version and a women's version. What changes is the US equivalent. A US men's 9 and a US women's 10.5 are both approximately EU 42, because they refer to the same foot length (roughly 27cm). The EU system is consistent; the US system has a gender offset.

This means that when you're shopping on a European site and find a shoe listed in EU sizing with no gender distinction, you just need to match your EU size — the same number covers everyone. It's one of the reasons EU sizing is arguably more practical for international shoppers.

What Does EU 42 Mean in US Sizes?

EU 42 is a US men's 8.5 or a US women's 10.5. The same EU size translates to different US sizes depending on whether you're using the men's or women's chart — which is why specifying gender context matters when converting.

Common EU-to-US questions:

EU 38: Men's US 5.5 / Women's US 7.5
EU 40: Men's US 7 / Women's US 9
EU 42: Men's US 8.5 / Women's US 10.5
EU 44: Men's US 10 / Women's US 12
EU 46: Men's US 12 / Women's US —

Use our US to EU converter for an instant, exact result — including men's, women's and kids' sizing across all EU sizes.

Open the US to EU converter →

Shopping from European Sites: What to Watch Out For

When buying from a European retailer (a German sneaker shop, a French brand's own site, an Italian outlet), sizes will be listed in EU. A few things are worth knowing.

First, European retailers will often show both EU sizes and UK sizes, since the UK is a significant market. UK sizes are also displayed on most sneakers' tongues or insoles. If you see a size chart with UK and EU but no US, check the UK column — that may be easier to read if you're comfortable with UK sizing.

Second, half sizes in EU notation sometimes appear as 38.5, 40.5 and so on, and sometimes as 38⅓ or 38⅔ (using fractions). These are the same thing. EU 38.5 and EU 38½ are identical.

Third, if you're buying from a brand that doesn't have a US retail presence — a niche European running brand, an Italian fashion house — their size chart may differ slightly from what the converter predicts. The converter uses standard size chart conversions; some brands use their own. When in doubt, enter your foot length in CM and match directly against the brand's own chart.

Disclaimer: Size conversions are a guide. Actual fit varies between brands and models. Always verify against the brand's own size chart before ordering.