Why shoe sizes differ
US and European sizes measure the same thing — the length of the last, the form a shoe is built on — in different units and from different starting points. A European (Paris point) size is the last length in units of 2/3 cm. A US men's size counts thirds of an inch from a zero point 8¼ inches below size 1, and US women's sizes run one size above men's for the same last.
Because each brand chooses its own allowance between foot and last, and rounds to its own half or third sizes, published charts disagree by up to a full size. Use this converter to get close, then check the brand's chart when buying.
Worked example
US men's 9: last length = (9 + 24) ÷ 3 = 11 in = 27.94 cm. In Paris points that is 27.94 × 3/2 = 41.9, so EU 42. A US women's 9 is a men's 8 on the same last, which comes to EU 40.5 when rounded to the nearest half size.
How this works
Both sizes are converted through last length:
US men's: L(in) = (S + 24) ÷ 3
US women's: L(in) = (S + 23) ÷ 3
EU: S = L(cm) × 3/2
The result is rounded to the nearest half size. These are the customary scale definitions; ISO/TS 19407 tabulates conversions between the major sizing systems, and Mondopoint (foot length in mm) is the most precise way to buy if a brand publishes it.
Frequently asked
What EU size is a US men's 10?
About EU 43 (last length 28.79 cm). Some brands label it 44.
Are women's US sizes different from men's?
Yes. On the same last, the women's number is one higher: a women's 9 fits like a men's 8.
Why does a brand's chart give a different answer?
Brands add their own allowance for toe room and round to their own size steps, so charts differ by a half to a full size.
What is the most reliable way to choose?
Measure your foot length in millimetres and use the brand's Mondopoint or centimetre chart.
Sources
Reviewed Oct 17, 2026 · test vectors fixtures/sizes/shoes/us-to-eu/