Why Foot Length Matters Most
Every shoe sizing system — US, UK, EU, Japan, China — is ultimately derived from foot length. If you know your foot length in centimeters or inches, you can calculate your size in any system without needing to start from an existing shoe size. This is especially useful when shopping across countries for the first time.
The table below shows foot lengths from 21 cm to 31 cm (covering approximately US Women's 4 through US Men's 14) with the equivalent size in every system.
Foot Length to Shoe Size Chart (Adults)
| cm | Inches | US Men | US Women | UK | EU | JP/MX | CN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 8.3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 34 | 21 | 32 |
| 21.5 | 8.5 | 3.5 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 34 | 21.5 | 33 |
| 22 | 8.7 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 35 | 22 | 34 |
| 22.5 | 8.9 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 36 | 22.5 | 35 |
| 23 | 9.1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 23 | 36 |
| 23.5 | 9.3 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 37 | 23.5 | 37 |
| 24 | 9.4 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38 | 24 | 38 |
| 24.5 | 9.6 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 39 | 24.5 | 39 |
| 25 | 9.8 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 25 | 40 |
| 25.5 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 25.5 | 41 |
| 26 | 10.2 | 8.5 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 41 | 26 | 42 |
| 26.5 | 10.4 | 9.5 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 42 | 26.5 | 43 |
| 27 | 10.6 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 27 | 44 |
| 27.5 | 10.8 | 10.5 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 43 | 27.5 | 45 |
| 28 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 44 | 28 | 46 |
| 28.5 | 11.2 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 28.5 | 47 |
| 29 | 11.4 | 12.5 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 46 | 29 | 48 |
| 29.5 | 11.6 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 46 | 29.5 | 49 |
| 30 | 11.8 | 13.5 | 14.5 | 12.5 | 47 | 30 | 50 |
| 30.5 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 48 | 30.5 | 51 |
| 31 | 12.2 | 14.5 | 15.5 | 13.5 | 49 | 31 | 52 |
How to Measure Your Foot
- Stand on a piece of paper with your heel against a wall.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe (not always the big toe).
- Measure the distance from the wall to the mark in centimeters.
- Measure both feet and use the longer measurement.
- Measure in the evening — feet swell during the day and are largest in the late afternoon.
Worked Examples
- 25 cm foot: US Men 7.5, US Women 8.5, UK 6.5, EU 40, JP 25, CN 40. Inches: 9.8.
- 27 cm foot: US Men 10, US Women 11, UK 9, EU 43, JP 27, CN 44.
- 23.5 cm foot: US Men 6, US Women 7, UK 5, EU 37, JP 23.5.
Common Mistakes
- Measuring while sitting: Your foot spreads under body weight when standing. Always measure standing.
- Using only one foot: Most people have one foot 1–3 mm longer than the other. Size for the larger foot.
- Measuring inside a shoe: Shoe insoles are curved. Only bare-foot measurements on a flat surface are accurate.
- Confusing mm, cm, and inches: 270 mm = 27 cm = 10.6 inches. Make sure you enter the right unit.
Enter your foot length in the shoe size converter (cm, inches, or mm) to find your size in all systems instantly.