The perfect shoes may not be in your usual shoe section. A woman shopping for shoes in the men’s section or vice versa can be problematic because men’s and women’s shoes are sized differently. It’s always a good idea to check a sizing chart before buying shoes online, but if you have an idea of how to convert shoe sizes, you can save time while you shop. We’ve put together two shoe size conversion charts to help you find the right size when shopping for either men’s shoes or women’s shoes.
In days past, you’ve probably used a Brannock device to correctly size your feet. These metal devices have a heel cup on one end with a slider on the other that touches the end of your longest toe. The slider shows the shoe size in both men’s and women’s that’s most likely to fit you. Most people don’t have a Brannock device lying around the house. Instead, shoe manufacturers offer their own sizing charts based on foot length.
Thankfully, there’s no need for a Brannock device if you’ve got a conversion chart.
US Shoe Size Chart – Casual
The conversion process is fairly simple, but it’s not the same for every shoe type. Women’s casual shoes usually run two sizes smaller than men’s casual shoes.
| Women’s Shoes Size | Equivalent Men’s Shoe Size |
| 6 | 4 |
| 7 | 5 |
| 8 | 6 |
| 9 | 7 |
| 10 | 8 |
| 11 | 9 |
| 12 | 10 |
| 13 | 11 |
US Shoe Size Chart – Sneakers
However, the conversion process gets a little more complicated when you step into the sneaker category. Running, basketball, tennis, and even some casual men’s sneakers run 1.5 sizes larger than women’s shoes.
| Women’s Sneaker Shoe Size | Equivalent Men’s Sneaker Shoe Size |
| 6 | 4.5 |
| 6.5 | 5 |
| 7 | 5.5 |
| 7.5 | 6 |
| 8 | 6.5 |
| 8.5 | 7 |
| 9 | 7.5 |
| 9.5 | 8 |
| 10 | 8.5 |
| 10.5 | 9 |
| 11 | 9.5 |
| 11.5 | 10 |
| 12 | 10.5 |
| 12.5 | 11 |
European and UK Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Different countries size shoes differently, too. Your favorite brand may hail from across the pond, where there are conversion issues when going from the metric to the imperial system. Then, there’s the European sizing system. European sizing runs on a unisex system, so there are no differences between men’s and women’s sizes. However, you need an accurate measurement of your foot length to get a perfect fit. If you’re trying to convert from a system you know to one you don’t, here’s a chart to help.
| European | 35 | 35 | 36 | 36 | 37 | 37 | 38 | |
| US | Women | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 |
| Men | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| UK | Women | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 |
| Men | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| European | 38 | 39 | 39 | 40 | 40 | 41 | 41 | |
| US | Women | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 |
| Men | — | — | — | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | |
| UK | Women | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 |
| Men | — | — | — | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | |
| European | 42 | 42 | 43 | 43 | 44 | 44 | 45 | |
| US | Women | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 13.5 | 14 |
| Men | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | |
| UK | Women | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 |
| Men | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | |
Shoe Width Differences
There’s a possibility that you may order a shoe in the correct size according to the manufacturer’s size chart, and the shoe might still not fit. That’s because there are other considerations besides foot length that affect the right size shoe.
The first being the shoe’s width. In general, men’s feet tend to be wider than women’s. Accordingly, men’s shoes tend to have a wide shoe design in the shoe’s forefoot. However, a woman’s narrow feet often have a larger heel to forefoot ratio, with shoes sized to accommodate this. You’ll have to factor in foot width if your feet are on the wider side of average.
Heel Cup Differences
The heel cup keeps the heel locked in place. Different brands use different lasts, a foot model used to design shoes. Some lasts may fit the unique shape and size of your heel better than others. But as a rule, men’s shoes have wider heels. Unisex shoes fall in between a men’s and women’s shoe in heel width and shape.
FAQs
Can you convert youth shoe sizes to adult?
Youth or children’s shoe sizes are known as “Big Kids” sizes. These sizes overlap with the smallest women’s shoe sizes. Big kids sizes run 1.5 sizes smaller than the women’s equivalent. For example, a women’s size 5 is the equivalent of a big kids 3.5. However, boys’ big kids sizes run a bit wider than the average women’s shoe, making them a great option for women with wide feet. Knowing how these sizes convert opens up a whole new world of shoe options.
How do I convert my usual shoe size to a unisex size?
Some brands like Converse use unisex sizing. This means they don’t use separate sizing charts for men and women. This type of sizing is usually unique to each manufacturer. You’ll have to rely on your foot measurements to find the right size. Sometimes the manufacturer offers a conversion chart of their own, using standard US, UK, or European sizing.
How do I measure my foot if one of my toes is longer than my big toe?
Your foot measurement should be from the back of your heel to the end of your longest toe, no matter which toe it is. You need at least a thumb’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe to maintain a comfortable fit.
A Final Note
Everyone’s feet are different. It’s even possible for your feet to be different sizes. You can rely on foot measurements and charts as a starting point. From there, take careful consideration of the characteristics of your feet that affect how shoes fit you. Often you can find a brand that feels tailored specifically to you. They may have a last that more closely follows the contours of your foot or arch or a heel cup that stays snug and comfortable. Once you find the perfect shoe size and fit, keep a mental note of the specific characteristics that make that shoe feel good to you.
