UK shops sell shoes in UK sizes, but Italian and European brands label them in EU sizes and American brands in US sizes. As a rough guide, a women’s UK 4 is an EU 37, and a men’s UK 8 is an EU 42 and a US 9. US men’s sizes are about one above UK sizes; US women’s sizes are two or three above, depending on whose chart you use.
Those conversions are approximate, and the gaps between brands can be bigger than the gaps between countries. Two pairs marked EU 38 can differ in length, and the same size in a trainer and a court shoe rarely feels the same.
The most reliable approach is to measure your feet, check the brand’s own size chart and read what the shop says about fit before you order.
Conversion tables
These figures follow the size charts published by the fashion search site Lyst. Other charts put US women’s sizes one lower, and brands vary, so use them as a starting point.
Women
| UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 36 | 6 |
| 3.5 | 36.5 | 6.5 |
| 4 | 37 | 7 |
| 4.5 | 37.5 | 7.5 |
| 5 | 38 | 8 |
| 5.5 | 38.5 | 8.5 |
| 6 | 39 | 9 |
| 7 | 40 | 10 |
| 8 | 41 | 11 |
Men
| UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 40 | 7 |
| 7 | 41 | 8 |
| 8 | 42 | 9 |
| 9 | 43 | 10 |
| 10 | 44 | 11 |
| 11 | 45 | 12 |
| 12 | 46 | 13 |
Some listings give two systems at once, such as “EU40/US7” on many Dolce & Gabbana men’s shoes, which saves you converting. Unisex styles, including many Crocs clogs, are often sized in men’s sizes, with the women’s size shown alongside; check which one the listing uses.
How to measure your feet
- Measure late in the day. Feet swell a little during the day, so measuring in the afternoon or evening avoids shoes that are tight by bedtime.
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, wearing the socks you would wear with the shoes.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe, which is not always the big toe.
- Measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres. Do both feet and use the longer one.
- Compare with the brand’s chart, which often lists foot length in centimetres for each size. Leave a little room at the toe; most shoes need around a finger’s width.
If you are between sizes, the shape of the shoe decides: an open sandal or a stretchy knit trainer can go down, while a closed boot or a pointed court shoe usually needs the larger size.
How fit differs by shoe type
| Type | Fit tips |
|---|---|
| Court shoes and heels | Pointed toes and higher heels push the foot forward; many people need half a size up |
| Trainers | Fit with sports socks; leave a thumb’s width for walking and running |
| Ankle and knee boots | Allow for thicker socks; check calf width on tall boots |
| Sandals | Toes should not hang over the front; straps should hold without digging in |
| Clogs | Usually a roomy fit; heel straps keep them on |
| Slippers | Many come in whole sizes only; if you are a half size, check the brand’s advice |
The women’s sandals range includes flat, wedge and block heel styles from Hush Puppies, Love Moschino, Hogan and others, and the Hogan range covers trainers and boots in EU sizes.
Width and half sizes
Length is only half the story. If shoes often pinch across the ball of your foot, look for brands and styles with a wider fit. Hush Puppies lists many styles in UK sizes, which avoids conversion altogether. Half sizes are common in EU sizing (36.5, 37.5) but less so in some slipper and casual ranges.
For children, fit is more important still, because their feet are still growing; see the school shoes guide.
Breaking in and caring for new shoes
- Wear new leather shoes around the house for short periods before a long day out.
- Use a shoe horn to protect the heel counter.
- Let leather shoes rest a day between wears so they dry out.
- Use shoe trees or stuff with paper to keep the shape.
- Rinse rubber and foam clogs such as Crocs in cool water and keep them away from strong heat, which can deform foam.
Quick checklist
- Measure both feet in centimetres, late in the day.
- Use the brand’s own size chart, not only a general one.
- Check whether a unisex shoe is in men’s or women’s sizes.
- Size up for pointed shoes, high heels and winter boots with thick socks.
- Look for wide fits if shoes often pinch.
- Read the shop’s returns policy before ordering several sizes.
Common questions
What is EU 38 in UK shoe sizes?
For women it is usually a UK 5. Some brands treat EU 38 as a UK 4.5 or 5.5, so check the brand’s size chart and the foot length in centimetres.
Should I size up or down in Italian shoes?
Many Italian shoes are cut narrow and some run small, but it depends on the brand and style. Compare your foot length with the brand’s chart and read the shop’s fit notes. For Italian clothing sizes, see our Italian size guide.
Are US and UK shoe sizes the same?
No. A US men’s size is about one above the UK size. A US women’s size is two or three above the UK size, depending on the brand’s chart, so a women’s US 7 can be a UK 4 or a UK 5. Always check the brand’s own chart.
