How EU and US Sizes Relate
European shoe sizes use the Paris Point system, where each full size equals ⅔ cm. The formula is: EU = 1.5 × foot (cm) + 2. To reverse it: foot (cm) = (EU − 2) ÷ 1.5, then apply the Brannock formula for US sizes.
There is no simple “subtract N” shortcut that works across the entire range. EU sizes are roughly 31–33 numbers higher than US Men's, but the exact gap varies because the systems use different units (cm vs. inches) and increments (whole vs. half sizes).
EU to US Conversion Chart
| EU | US Men's | US Women's | UK | cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 22 |
| 36 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 22.7 |
| 37 | 5.5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 23.3 |
| 38 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 24 |
| 39 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 24.7 |
| 40 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 25.3 |
| 41 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 26 |
| 42 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 26.7 |
| 43 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 27.3 |
| 44 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 28 |
| 45 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 28.7 |
| 46 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 29.3 |
| 47 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 12.5 | 30 |
| 48 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 30.7 |
Worked Examples
- EU 42 → US Men's 9.5: foot = (42−2)÷1.5 = 26.7 cm = 10.5 in. US Men = 3 × 10.5 − 22 = 9.5.
- EU 38 → US Women's 7.5: foot = 24 cm. US Women = 7.5.
- EU 44 → US Men's 11: foot = 28 cm. US Men = 11.
Common Mistakes
- Using a fixed “subtract 33” rule: EU 42 − 33 = 9, but the actual US Men's size is 9.5. The shortcut only approximates near the middle of the range.
- Expecting EU half sizes: EU sizes are whole numbers only. A “42.5” is brand-specific, not standard Paris Point.
- Forgetting gender: An EU 38 is US Men's 6.5 or US Women's 7.5 — always specify which.
Enter an EU size in the shoe size converter to see US, UK, Japan, and China equivalents.