Shoe Size Chart: US, EU, UK & CM Conversion Guide

Same foot. Three different numbers. That is the reality of global shoe sizing a US 9 is a UK 7 and an EU 42 or 43, depending on whether it is a women's or men's shoe. If you have ever ordered a shoe online and received something that fits nothing like your regular size, you are not alone. International sizing has no single universal standard, and the gap between systems trips up millions of buyers every year.

This guide gives you PAHI's official size charts for both men and women (US, UK, EU, and CM), covers the half-size rule, flags the most common conversion mistakes, and explains how to measure your own foot so you can buy with confidence regardless of where the shoe was made.

Women's Shoe Size Conversion Chart: US to EU, UK & CM

This is PAHI's official women's size guide. All measurements are foot length the distance from the back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe.

Men's Shoe Size Conversion Chart: US to EU, UK & CM

PAHI's official men's size guide below. Men's sizes run from US 7 to US 15, covering a wider range than most mainstream footwear brands. 

Why Shoe Size Varies Across Countries

Shoe sizing systems were developed independently across the US, UK, and Europe. Each uses a different baseline unit of measurement and a different starting point, which is why the same physical foot produces a different number in each system.

• US sizing: Based on barleycorn units (1/3 of an inch). Women's and men's sizes use different scales a women's US 9 and a men's US 9 are not the same foot length.

• UK sizing: Also uses barleycorn units but starts from a different zero point. UK sizes generally run 1.5 to 2 sizes smaller than US women's, and 1 size smaller than US men's.

• EU sizing: Based on Paris points (2/3 of a centimeter). EU sizing is technically unisex one EU scale for all feet, which is why EU 39 means different US sizes for men and women.

• CM sizing: Direct foot length in centimeters. The most precise system, most common in Japan and Korea. No gender difference it is simply the length of your foot.

Because each system starts from a different foundation, there is no clean 1:1 formula between them. The only reliable method is using a brand's own chart, not a generic converter against your actual foot measurement.

Shoe Size Conversion Mistakes: What EU 39 Actually Means

The single most common conversion error is treating EU sizes as unisex when buying US sizes. EU sizing is technically gender-neutral, but US sizing is not. Here is where buyers go wrong most often:

A second common mistake: assuming UK and US sizes differ by exactly 2. The gap is 1.5 to 2, depending on the size and brand. Always check the brand-specific chart rather than adding or subtracting a fixed number.

How to Figure Out Your Shoe Size: Measure Your Foot in 3 Steps

Sizing labels are inconsistent across brands, manufacturing tolerances vary, and your feet change over time. Measuring your own foot is the most reliable method, regardless of what size you have worn for years.

Step 1. Place a blank sheet of paper on a hard floor. Stand on it with your full body weight not sitting, since your feet spread and lengthen under load.

Step 2. Trace around your foot with a pencil held vertically. Mark the back of your heel and the tip of your longest toe.

Step 3. Measure the distance in centimeters between those two marks. That is your foot length in CM. Match it to the CM column in the chart above to find your PAHI size.

Tips for accurate measurement:

• Measure both feet. Most people have one foot slightly longer or wider. Always buy to fit the larger foot.

• Measure at the end of the day. Feet swell during the day under normal activity. An end-of-day measurement reflects your true loaded size better than a morning measurement.

• If you wear orthotics, measure with them in place or measure the orthotic itself, since inserts reduce the available interior length of the shoe.

The Half-Size Rule: When to Round Up vs Stay Put

Each full shoe size is approximately 1/3 inch (8.5mm) in foot length. A half size is roughly 4mm. That gap matters when your foot measurement falls between sizes.

The general rule: when in doubt, size up. A shoe that is very slightly long can be managed with lacing technique or a thin insole. A shoe that is even slightly short in length creates pressure at the toes that worsens through the day.

Shoe Width and Shoe Size: They Are Not the Same Thing

Length and width are separate dimensions, and confusing them leads to the wrong fix. If a shoe feels fine in length but uncomfortable across the sides of the foot, that is a width issue, not a size issue.

PAHI sells in two widths: Medium (standard fit) and Wide (built for broader feet). The width is available across all collections, so you can get the right length and the right width independently.

For a full breakdown of width codes, how to measure foot width at home, and which width is right for your foot, see the shoe width letters guide, which covers B, D, E, EE, and how PAHI's Medium and Wide map to the standard scale.

Do Feet Get Wider With Age?

Yes. Feet change throughout adulthood in both length and width. The ligaments and tendons that hold the foot's arch structure gradually lose elasticity, which causes the arch to flatten and the foot to spread laterally. This is especially noticeable after age 40.

Pregnancy, extended periods of standing, and previous injuries can also permanently alter foot shape. Someone who wore a medium-width shoe at 30 may genuinely need a wide fit at 55, even if the length has not changed.

If you have not had your foot measured in several years, it is worth re-measuring both length and width before your next shoe purchase. The number on your old shoe box may no longer reflect your actual foot.

Find Your Size at PAHI

PAHI's size guide above covers US 5–12 for women and US 7–15 for men. All shoes are available in Medium and Wide widths, so you are not choosing between the right length and the right fit across the foot.

Once you have your measurement and your width, you can shop directly by collection:

• Balance & Stability Shoes for Women sizes US 5–12, Medium and Wide

• Balance & Stability Shoes for Men sizes US 7–15, Medium and Wide

• B-Active Mesh Sneakers, a lightweight everyday shoe for men and women, available in Wide

• B-Steady Slide Sandals, effortless-entry slide for men and women, available in Wide

Every pair is built with P.O.R.T. technology for balance and stability, and available in non-slip outsole builds suited for both indoor and outdoor surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a US size 9 in EU shoe size?

For women, US 9 = EU 40. For men, US 9 = EU 42.5. EU sizing is technically unisex, but because US women's and men's scales are different, the same US size number maps to different EU sizes depending on gender. Always check which gender scale you are using.

What is EU 42 in shoe size (US)?

EU 42 = US 10.5 for women and US 8.5 for men. This is one of the most commonly misread sizes it is not a US 9 or US 10 for men, as many generic converters suggest.

How do you convert shoe sizes from UK to US?

For women: add approximately 2 to the UK size to get the US size (UK 6 = US 8). For men: add approximately 1 to the UK size (UK 9 = US 10). The difference varies slightly at the extremes, so use the chart above for accuracy at half sizes.

What shoe size is 27 cm in US sizing?

27 cm foot length = US 10 for women (EU 41) and US 8.5 for men (EU 42). This is a common point of confusion because the same foot length in CM maps to different US sizes depending on gender.

How do I figure out my shoe size if I don't know it?

Trace your foot on paper while standing with full body weight, measure heel to longest toe in centimeters, and match that number to the CM column in the chart above for your gender. Measure both feet at the end of the day and use the larger foot's measurement. This method is more reliable than your old size label because feet change over time.

Do feet get wider with age?

Yes. Foot ligaments lose elasticity over time, the arch naturally flattens, and the foot spreads laterally. This happens gradually from the mid-30s onward and can accelerate after pregnancy or long periods on your feet. If your current shoes feel tighter across the forefoot than they used to, a wider fit rather than a longer shoe is usually the right adjustment.

What is the difference between US shoe size for men vs women?

At the same US size number, men's shoes are longer and physically larger than women's shoes. A men's US 9 and a women's US 9 are not the same shoe the men's version is approximately 1 to 1.5 sizes larger in actual foot length. This is why a woman's US 9 converts to EU 40 while a man's US 9 converts to EU 42.5.