The Men's vs. Women's Size Difference
In the US/Canada Brannock system, women's shoe sizes are numbered 1 higher than men's for the same foot length. The formula offsets: US Men = 3 × foot (in) − 22 vs. US Women = 3 × foot (in) − 21. The difference is always exactly 1 size.
So: Women's = Men's + 1 and Men's = Women's − 1. A US Men's 9 is a US Women's 10, and vice versa. This offset is consistent across the entire adult size range.
EU, Japan/Mexico, and China sizes are unisex — a men's EU 42 is the same as a women's EU 42. The gender distinction only exists in US/Canada and UK/India sizing.
Men's to Women's Conversion Chart
| US Men's | US Women's | UK | EU | cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 23.7 |
| 6.5 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38 | 24.1 |
| 7 | 8 | 6 | 39 | 24.6 |
| 7.5 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 39 | 25 |
| 8 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 25.4 |
| 8.5 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 41 | 25.8 |
| 9 | 10 | 8 | 41 | 26.2 |
| 9.5 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 42 | 26.7 |
| 10 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 27.1 |
| 10.5 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 43 | 27.5 |
| 11 | 12 | 10 | 44 | 27.9 |
| 11.5 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 28.4 |
| 12 | 13 | 11 | 45 | 28.8 |
| 12.5 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 46 | 29.2 |
| 13 | 14 | 12 | 46 | 29.6 |
| 13.5 | 14.5 | 12.5 | 47 | 30.1 |
| 14 | 15 | 13 | 48 | 30.5 |
Worked Examples
- Men's 9 → Women's 10: add 1. Foot = 26.2 cm, EU 41, UK 8.
- Women's 8 → Men's 7: subtract 1. Foot = 24.6 cm, EU 39.
- Men's 10.5 → Women's 11.5: 10.5 + 1 = 11.5. EU 43.
Common Mistakes
- Using a 1.5 or 2 size difference: Some brand guides cite 1.5 or 2 sizes. The Brannock standard is exactly 1 size. Check the brand's chart if in doubt.
- Applying the offset to EU sizes: EU sizes are unisex. A Women's EU 39 and a Men's EU 39 represent the same foot length.
- Forgetting width differences: Men's shoes are typically cut on a wider last (D width for men, B width for women). Even if the length converts, the width profile may differ.
Enter a size in the shoe size converter to see the cross-gender equivalent plus EU, UK, Japan, and China sizes.