# Shoe size

World's largest pair of shoes, Riverbank Center, Philippines—5.29 metres (17.4 ft) long and 2.37 metres (7.75 ft) wide, equivalent to a French shoe size of 753
A soldier recruit measuring for shoe size during uniform issue at the Afghan National Army training site in Kabul, Afghanistan, 2002.

A shoe size is an indication of the fitting size of a shoe for a person.

There are a number of different shoe-size systems used worldwide. While all of them use a number to indicate the length of the shoe, they differ in exactly what they measure, what unit of measurement they use, and where the size 0 (or 1) is positioned. Some systems also indicate the shoe width, sometimes also as a number, but in many cases by one or more letters. Some regions use different shoe-size systems for different types of shoes (e.g. men's, women's, children's, sport, and safety shoes). This article sets out several complexities in the definition of shoe sizes. In practice, shoes should be tried on for size and fit before they are purchased.

## Deriving the shoe size

### Foot versus shoe and last

The length of a person's foot is commonly defined as (a) the distance between two parallel lines that are perpendicular to the foot and (b) in contact with the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. Foot length is measured with the subject standing barefoot and the weight of the body equally distributed between both feet.

The sizes of the left and right feet are often slightly different. In this case, both feet are measured, and purchasers of mass-produced shoes are advised to purchase a shoe size based on the larger foot, as most retailers do not sell pairs of shoes in non-matching sizes.

Each size of shoe is considered suitable for a small interval of foot lengths, typically limited by half-point of the shoe size system.

A shoe-size system can refer to three characteristic lengths:

• The median length of feet for which a shoe is suitable. For customers, this measure has the advantage of being directly related to their body measures. It applies equally to any type, form, or material of shoe. However, this measure is less popular with manufacturers,[citation needed] because it requires them to test carefully for each new shoe model, for which range of foot sizes it is recommendable. It puts on the manufacturer the burden of ensuring that the shoe will fit a foot of a given length.
• The length of the inner cavity of the shoe. This measure has the advantage that it can be measured easily on the finished product. However, it will vary with manufacturing tolerances and only gives the customer very crude information about the range of foot sizes for which the shoe is suitable.
• The length of the "last", the foot-shaped template over which the shoe is manufactured. This measure is the easiest one for the manufacturer to use, because it identifies only the tool used to produce the shoe. It makes no promise about manufacturing tolerances or for what size of foot the shoe is actually suitable. It leaves all responsibility and risk of choosing the correct size with the customer. Further, the last can be measured in several different ways resulting in different measurements.[1]

All these measures differ substantially from one another for the same shoe. For example, the inner cavity of a shoe must typically be 15 mm longer than the foot, and the shoe last would be 2 size points larger than the foot, but this varies between different types of shoes and the shoe size system used. The typical range lies between 12 to 23 inch (12.7 to 16.9 mm) for the UK/US size system and 43 to 53 cm (13.3 to 16.7 mm) for the European size system, but may extend to 14 to 34 inch (6.4 to 19.1 mm) and 23 to 63 cm (6.7 to 20.0 mm).

### Length

Sizing systems also differ in what units of measurement they use. This also results in different increments between shoe sizes, because usually only "full" or "half" sizes are made.

The following length units are commonly used today to define shoe-size systems:

• The Paris point equates to 23 centimetre (6.67 mm; 0.26 in). Whole sizes are incremented by 1 Paris point; this corresponds to 3.33 millimetres (0.131 in) between half sizes. This unit is commonly used in Continental Europe.
• The barleycorn is an old English unit that equates to 13 inch (8.47 mm). This is the basis for current UK and North American shoe sizes, with the largest shoe size taken as twelve inches (a size 12) i.e. 30.5 cm, and then counting backwards in barleycorn units, so a size 11 is 11.67 inches or 29.6 cm.
• Metric measurements in centimetres (cm) or millimetres (mm) with intervals of 5 mm and 7.5 mm are used in the international Mondopoint system (USSR/Russia and Asia).

### Zero point

The sizing systems also place size 0 (or 1) at different locations:

• Size 0 as a foot's length of 0. The shoe size is directly proportional to the length of the foot in the chosen unit of measurement. Sizes of children's, men's, and women's shoes, as well as sizes of different types of shoes, can be compared directly. This is used with the Mondopoint and the Asian system.
• Size 0 as the length of the shoe's inner cavity of 0. The shoe size is then directly proportional to the inner length of the shoe. This is used with systems that also take the measurement from the shoe. While sizes of children's, men's and women's shoes can be compared directly, this is not necessarily true for different types of shoes that require a different amount of "wiggle room" in the toe box. This is used with the Continental European system.
• Size 0 (or 1) can just be simply a shoe of a given length. Typically this will be the shortest length deemed practical; but this can be different for children's, teenagers', men's, and women's shoes - making it impossible to compare sizes. For example, a women's shoe at size 8 is a different length from a men's shoe at size 8 in the US system, but not the British.

### Width

Some systems also include the width of a foot (or the girth of a shoe last), but do so in a variety of ways:

• Measured foot width in millimetres (mm) - this is done with the Mondopoint system.
• Measured width as a letter (or combination of letters), which is taken from a table (indexed to length and width/girth) or just assigned on an ad-hoc basis. Examples are (each starting with the narrowest width):
• A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G (typical North American system, with the unlettered norm being D for men and B for women; also foot circumference in Japanese Mondopoint system).
• 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E (variant North American)
• C, D, E, F, G, H (common UK; "medium" is usually F, but varies by manufacturer—makers Edward Green and Crockett & Jones, among others, use E instead, but one maker's E is not necessarily the same size as another's).
• N (narrow), M (medium) or R (regular), W (wide).

The width for which these sizes are suitable can vary significantly between manufacturers. The A–E width indicators used by most American, Canadian, and some British shoe manufacturers are typically based on the width of the foot, and common step sizes are ​316 inch (4.8 mm).

## Common sizing systems

### United Kingdom

Shoe size in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Pakistan and South Africa is based on the length of the last used to make the shoes, measured in barleycorn (​13 inch) starting from the smallest size deemed practical, which is called size zero. It is not formally standardised. Note that the last is typically longer than the foot heel to toe length by about 12 to 23 inch (13 to 17 mm).

A child's size zero is equivalent to 4 inches (a hand = 12 barleycorns = 10.16 cm), and the sizes go up to size ​13 12 (measuring ​25 12 barleycorns, or 8 12 inches (21.59 cm)). Thus, the calculation for a children's shoe size in the UK is:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{child shoe size}}=(3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}})-12}$

equivalent to

${\displaystyle {\mbox{child shoe size}}\approx (3\times {\mbox{heel to toe length in inches}})-10}$

An adult size one is then the next size up (26 barleycorns, or 8 23 in (22.01 cm)) and each size up continues the progression in barleycorns.[2] The calculation for an adult shoe size in the UK is thus:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}=(3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}})-25}$

equivalent to

${\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}\approx (3\times {\mbox{heel to toe length in inches}})-23}$

Although this sizing standard is nominally for both men and women, some manufacturers use different numbering for women's UK sizing[citation needed].

In Australia and New Zealand, the UK system is followed for men and children's footwear.[citation needed] Women's footwear has a slightly different sizing that is unique and in between the UK and US's sizings.[citation needed]

In Mexico, shoes are sized either according to the foot length they are intended to fit, in cm, or alternatively to another variation of the barleycorn system, with sizes calculated approximately as:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}=(3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}})-25.5}$

### United States

In United States, there are different systems that are used concurrently. The size indications are usually similar but not exactly equivalent especially with athletic shoes at extreme sizes. The most common is the customary, described in more detail below, which for men's shoes is one size shorter than the UK equivalent, making a men's 13 in the US the same size as a men's 12 in the UK.

#### Customary

The traditional system is similar to English sizes but start counting at one rather than zero, so equivalent sizes are one greater.

The calculation for a male shoe size in the United States is:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{male shoe size}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-24}$

In the "standard" or "FIA" (Footwear Industries of America) scale, women's sizes are men's sizes plus 1 (so a men's 10.5 is a women's 11.5).

${\displaystyle {\mbox{female shoe size (FIA)}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-23}$

There is also the "common" scale, where women's sizes are equal to men's sizes plus 1.5.

#### Children's

Children's sizes are equal to men's sizes plus ​12 13. Children’s sizes do not differ by gender even though adults’ do.

${\displaystyle {\mbox{Child shoe size}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-11{\frac {2}{3}}}$

Children's shoe stores in the United States use a sizing scheme which ends at 13, after which the adult range starts at 1. Alternatively, a scale running from K4 to K13 and then 1 to 7 is in use.[3] K4 to K9 are toddler sizes, K10 to 3 are pre-school and 1 to 7 are grade school sizes.

#### Brannock Device

Drawing of a Brannock Device (from U.S. Patent 1,725,334)

A slightly different sizing method is based on the Brannock Device, a measuring instrument invented by Charles F. Brannock in 1925 and now found in many shoe stores. The formula used by the Brannock device assumes a foot length 23 in (1.7 cm) less than the length of the last; thus, men's size 1 is equivalent to a foot's length of 7 23 in (19.47 cm).[4] Women's sizes are one size up.

${\displaystyle {\mbox{male shoe size (Brannock)}}=3\times {\mbox{foot length in inches}}-22}$[5]
${\displaystyle {\mbox{female shoe size (Brannock)}}=3\times {\mbox{foot length in inches}}-21}$[5]

The device also measures the length of the arch, or the distance between the heel and the ball (metatarsal head) of the foot. For this measurement, the device has a shorter scale at the instep of the foot with an indicator that slides into position. If this scale indicates a larger size, it is taken in place of the foot's length to ensure proper fitting.[6]

For children's sizes, additional wiggle room is added to allow for growth.[6]

The device also measures the width of the foot and assigns it designations of AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, or EEE. The widths are 3/16 inches apart and differ by shoe length.[4]

Some shoe stores and medical professionals use optical 3D surface scanners to precisely measure the length and width of both feet and recommend the appropriate shoe model and size. [7]

UK and U.S. shoe sizes
Last length Foot length/Brannock UK Sizes US Sizes
Inches Millimetres Inches Millimetres Children's Adult's Children's Men's Women's
5 127.0 413 110.06 3
5118 128.41 4718 111.47 3.5
516 131.23 412 114.3 3.5
529 132.64 459 115.71 4
513 135.46 423 118.53 4
5718 136.87 41318 119.94 4.5
512 139.7 456 122.76 4.5
559 141.1 489 124.17 5
523 143.93 5 127.0 5
51318 145.34 5118 128.41 5.5
556 148.16 516 131.23 5.5
589 149.57 529 132.64 6
6 152.4 513 135.46 6
6118 153.81 5718 136.87 6.5
616 156.63 512 139.7 6.5
629 158.04 559 141.1 7
613 160.86 523 143.92 7
6718 162.27 51318 145.34 7.5
612 165.1 556 148.16 7.5
659 166.51 589 149.57 8
623 169.3 6 152.4 8
61318 170.74 6118 153.81 8.5
656 173.56 616 156.63 8.5
689 174.97 629 158.04 9
7 177.8 613 160.86 9
7118 179.21 6718 162.27 9.5
716 182.03 612 165.1 9.5
729 183.4 659 166.51 10
713 186.26 623 169.3 10
7718 187.67 61318 170.74 10.5
712 190.5 656 173.56 10.5
759 191.91 689 174.97 11
723 194.73 7 177.8 11
71318 196.14 7118 179.21 11.5
756 198.96 716 182.03 11.5
789 200.37 729 183.4 12
8 203.2 713 186.26 12 1
8118 204.61 7718 187.67 12.5
816 207.43 712 190.5 12.5 1.5
829 208.84 759 191.91 13
813 211.6 723 194.73 13 0 1 2
8718 213.07 71318 196.14 13.5
812 215.9 756 198.96 13.5 0.5 1.5 2.5
823 220.13 8 203.2 1 2 3
856 224.36 816 207.43 1.5 2.5 3.5
9 228.6 813 211.6 2 3 4
916 232.83 812 215.9 2.5 3.5 4.5
913 237.06 823 220.13 3 4 5
912 241.3 856 224.36 3.5 4.5 5.5
923 245.53 9 228.6 4 5 6
956 249.76 916 232.83 4.5 5.5 6.5
10 254.0 913 237.06 5 6 7
1016 258.23 912 241.3 5.5 6.5 7.5
1013 262.46 923 245.53 6 7 8
1012 266.7 956 249.76 6.5 7.5 8.5
1023 270.93 10 254.0 7 8 9
1056 275.16 1016 258.23 7.5 8.5 9.5
11 279.4 1013 262.46 8 9 10
1116 283.63 1012 266.7 8.5 9.5 10.5
1113 287.86 1023 270.93 9 10 11
1112 292.1 1056 275.16 9.5 10.5 11.5
1123 296.3 11 279.4 10 11 12
1156 300.56 1116 283.63 10.5 11.5 12.5
12 304.8 1113 287.86 11 12 13
1216 309.03 1112 292.1 11.5 12.5 13.5
1213 313.26 1123 296.3 12 13 14
1212 317.5 1156 300.56 12.5 13.5 14.5
1223 321.73 12 304.8 13 14 15
Inches Millimetres Inches Millimetres Children's Adult's Children's Men's Women's
Last length Foot length/Brannock UK Sizes US Sizes

### Europe

In the Continental European system, the shoe size is the length of the last, expressed in Paris points, for both sexes and for adults and children alike. Because a Paris point is ​23 of a centimetre, the formula is as follows:

${\displaystyle \mathrm {shoe~size~({Paris~points})={\frac {3}{2}}\times {last~length}\left({cm}\right)} }$

The last is typically 2 to 2.5 Paris points or 43 to 53 cm (13.3 to 16.7 mm) longer than the foot, so to determine the size based on actual foot length from heel to toe, one must add 2 points:

${\displaystyle \mathrm {shoe~size~({Paris~points})\approx {\frac {3}{2}}\times \mathrm {~foot~length\left({cm}\right)} +2} }$

The European system is used in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany[8], Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain[9], Sweden, Switzerland, and most other continental European countries. It is also used in Middle Eastern countries (such as Iran), Brazil—which uses the same method but subtracts 2 from the final result, in effect measuring foot size instead of last size[citation needed]—and, commonly, Hong Kong. The system is sometimes described as Stich size (from Pariser Stich, a German for Paris point), or Stichmass size (from Stichmaß, a micrometer tool for internal measurements).

### Mondopoint

Measurement of foot length, width and perimeter (cirсumference) as defined in the Mondopoint standard

The Mondopoint shoe length system was introduced in 1970s by International Standards ISO 2816:1973 "Fundamental characteristics of a system of shoe sizing to be known as Mondopoint" and ISO 3355:1975 "Shoe sizes - System of length grading (for use in the Mondopoint system)". [10] ISO 9407:1991, "Shoe sizes—Mondopoint system of sizing and marking",[11] is the current version of the standard.

The Mondopoint system is based on average foot length and foot width for which the shoe is suitable, measured in millimetres. The length of the foot is measured as horizontal distance between the perpendiculars in contact with the end of the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. The width of the foot is measured as horizontal distance between vertical lines in contact with the first and fifth metatarsophalangeal joints. The perimeter of the foot is the length of foot circumference, measured with a flexible tape at the same points as foot width. The origin of the grade is zero.

Standard foot lengths are defined with interval steps of 5 mm for casual footwear and steps of 7.5 mm for specialty (protective) footwear.

The labeling should typically include foot length, followed by an optional foot width - a shoe size of 280/110 indicates a foot length of 280 millimetres (11.0 in) and width of 110 millimetres (4.3 in). Other customary markings, such as EU, UK and US sizes, can also be used.

Because Mondopoint takes the foot width into account, it allows for better fitting than most other systems. A given shoe size shall fit every foot with indicated average measurements, and those differing by no more than a half-step of the corresponding interval grid.

Mondopoint system is widely used in sports industry to size athletic shoes, ski/skate boots, and Pointe ballet shoes; it was also adopted as the primary shoe sizing system in USSR[12]/Russia[13], GDR, China [14], Japan/Taiwan/South Korea, and as an optional system in United Kingdom[15], India [16], Mexico, and European countries. Mondopoint system is also used by NATO and other military services.

The standard is maintained by ISO Technical Committee 137 "Footwear sizing designations and marking systems"; as of 2018, a new revision is under development.

#### Japan

In Japan, Taiwan and South Korea, the Mondopoint system is used as defined by national standard JIS S 5037:1998 and its counterparts CNS 4800-S1093:2000 and KS M 6681:2007.

Foot length and girth (foot circumference) are taken into account.[17] The foot length is indicated in centimetres; an increment of 5 mm is used.

The length is followed by designators for girth (A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G), which are specified in an indexed table as foot circumference in millimeters for each given foot length; foot width is also included as supplemental information. There are different tables for men's, women's, and children's (less than 12 years of age) shoes. Not all designators are used for all genders and in all countries. For example, the largest girth for women in Taiwan is EEEE, whereas in Japan, it is F.

The foot length and width can also be indicated in millimeters, searated by a slash or a hyphen.

#### USSR (Russia/CIS)

Historically the USSR used the European (Paris point) system, but the Mondopoint metric system was introduced in 1980s by GOST 24382-80 "Sizes of Sport Shoes" and GOST 11373-88 "Shoe Sizes", and lately by GOST R 58149-2018. Foot lengths are aligned to 5 mm and 7.5 mm intervals.

Standard metric foot sizes can be converted to the nearest Paris point (​23 cm) sizes using approximate conversion tables; shoes can be marked with both foot length in mm, as for Pointe ballet shoe sizes, and/or last length in European Paris point sizes (although such converted 'Stichmass' sizes typically come ½ to 1 size smaller than comparable European-made adult footwear, and up to 1½ size smaller for children's footwear, according to ISO 19407 shoe size definitions). Optional foot width designations includes narrow, normal (medium or regular), and wide grades.

Infant sizes start at 16 (95 mm) and pre-school kids at 23 (140 mm); schoolchildren sizes span 32 (202.5 mm) to 40 (255 mm) for girls and 32 to 44 (285 mm) for boys. Adult sizes span 33 (210 mm) to 44 for women and 38 (245 mm) to 48 (310 mm) for men.

GOST 11373-88 Shoe Sizes (5 mm and 7.5 mm steps) Children's
Mondopoint/Foot Length (mm) 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170 175 180 185 190 195 200
172.5 180 187.5 195
Stich size 16 16½ 17 18 19 19½ 20 21 22 22½ 23 24 25 25½ 26 27 27½ 28 28½ 29 29½ 30 31 31½
Mondopoint/Foot Length (mm) 205 210 215 220 225 230 235 240 245 250 255 260 265 270 275 280 285 290 295 300 305 310
202.5 210 217.5 225 232.5 240 247.5 255 262.5 270 277.5 285 292.5 300 307.5
Stich size 32 33 34 34½ 35 36 36½ 37 37½ 38 38½ 39 40 40½ 41 42 43 43½ 44 45 45½ 46 46½ 47 47½ 48

## ISO 19407

ISO/TS 19407:2015 Footwear - Sizing - Conversion of sizing systems is a technical specification from International Standards Organisation. It contains three conversion tables (for adults and children) which feature major shoe sizing systems (e.g., Mondopoint, United States, European, United Kingdom, China, and Japan).[18] Each table is based on actual foot length measurement (insole) in millimeters; typical last length ranges are also included.

The standard includes conversion tables for Mondopoint (USSR/Russian/Chinese/Japanese/Korean systems) using length steps of 5 mm and 7.5 mm, European Paris point system, and UK 1/3 inch system. The standard has also been adopted as Russian GOST R 57425-2017.

The standard is maintained by ISO/TC 137, which also developed ISO/TS 19408:2015 Footwear - Sizing - Vocabulary and terminology; currently in development are companion standards ISO/TS 19409 "Footwear - Sizing - Measurement of last dimensions" and ISO/TS 19410 "Footwear - Sizing - Inshoe measurement".

### Shoe sizing

The adult shoe sizes are calculated from typical last length, which is converted from foot length in mm by adding an allowance of two shoe sizes:

${\displaystyle EUR~shoe~size={\frac {L+2\times {6.6{\bar {6}}}}{6.6{\bar {6}}}}={\frac {3}{20}}\times {L}+2}$
${\displaystyle UK~shoe~size={\frac {L+2\times {8.4{\bar {6}}}}{8.4{\bar {6}}}}-25={\frac {3}{25.4}}\times {L}-23}$

where ${\displaystyle {L}}$ is foot length in mm.

Direct conversion between adult UK, European and Mondopoint shoe size systems is derived as follows:

${\displaystyle L={\frac {20}{3}}\times \left(EUR~shoe~size-2\right)={\frac {25.4}{3}}\times \left(UK~shoe~size+23\right)}$
${\displaystyle EUR~shoe~size={1.27\times \left(UK~shoe~size+23\right)}+2}$
${\displaystyle UK~shoe~size={\frac {EUR~shoe~size-2}{1.27}}-23}$

Exact foot lengths may contain repeating decimals because the formulas include division by 3; in practice, approximate interval steps of 6.67 mm and 8.47 mm are used, then resulting lengths are rounded up to 0.1 mm, and shoe sizes are rounded to either 0.5 size points or closest matching Mondopoint size.

Foot length Mondopoint EUR UK* Typical last length range
mm cm inch 5.0 mm 7.5 mm 6.6 mm 8.46 mm mm
210.0 21 210 210 33.5 217 229
211.6 813 2 219 231
213.3 2113 34 220 232
215.0 2112 215 222 234
215.9 812 2.5 223 235
216.6 2123 34.5 224 236
217.5 2134 217.5 225 237
220.0 22 220 35 227 239
220.13 823 3 227 239
223.3 2213 35.5 230 242
224.36 856 3.5 231 243
225.0 2212 225 225 232 244
226.6 2223 36 234 246
228.6 9 4 236 248
230.0 23 230 36.5 237 249
232.5 2314 232.5 240 252
232.83 916 4.5 240 252
233.3 2313 37 240 252
235.0 2312 235 242 254
236.6 2323 37.5 244 256
237.06 913 5 244 256
240.0 24 240 240 38 247 259
241.3 912 5.5 248 260
243.3 2413 38.5 250 262
245.0 2412 245 252 264
245.53 923 6 253 265
246.6 2423 39 254 266
247.5 2434 247.5 255 267
249.76 956 6.5 257 269
250.0 25 250 39.5 257 269
253.3 2513 40 260 272
254.0 10 7 261 273
255.0 2512 255 255 262 274
256.6 2523 40.5 264 276
258.23 1016 7.5 265 276
260.0 26 260 41 267 279
262.46 1013 8 269 281
262.5 2614 262.5 270 282
263.3 2613 41.5 270 282
265.0 2612 265 272 284
266.6 2623 42 274 286
266.7 1012 8.5 274 286
270.0 27 270 270 42.5 277 289
270.93 1023 9 278 290
273.3 2713 43 280 292
275.0 2712 275 282 294
275.16 1056 9.5 282 294
276.6 2723 43.5 284 296
277.5 2734 277.5 285 297
279.4 11 10 286 298
280.0 28 280 44 287 299
283.3 2813 44.5 290 302
283.63 1116 10.5 291 303
285.0 2812 285 285 292 304
286.6 2823 45 294 306
287.86 1113 11 295 307
290.0 29 290 45.5 297 309
292.1 1112 11.5 299 311
292.5 2914 292.5 300 312
293.3 2913 46 300 312
295.0 2912 295 302 314
296.3 1123 12 303 315
296.6 2923 46.5 304 316
300.0 30 300 300 47 307 319
300.56 1156 12.5 308 320
303.3 3013 47.5 310 322
304.8 12 13 312 324
305.0 3012 305 312 324
306.6 3023 48 314 326
307.5 3034 307.5 315 327
309.03 1216 13.5 316 328
310.0 31 310 48.5 317 329
313.26 1213 14 320 332
313.3 3113 49 320 332
315.0 3112 315 315 322 334
316.6 3123 49.5 324 336
317.5 1212 14.5 325 337
320.0 32 320 50 327 339
321.73 1223 15 329 341
mm cm inch 5.0 mm 7.5 mm 6.6 mm 8.46 mm mm
Foot length Mondopoint EUR UK* Typical last length range
*UK sizes listed are nominally unisex, but women's UK sizes may vary.

Children sizes are approximations converted from foot length by adding a 8% allowance at the toes and matching the result to the closest practically available last size.

Children's shoe sizes
Foot length, mm Mondopoint EUR UK US Typical last length range, mm
120 120 19.5 3.5 4 130 136
123 125 20 4 4.5 133 139
127 20.5 4.5 5 137 143
130 130 21 5 5.5 140 146
133 21.5 5.5 6 143 149
135 135 22 147 153
138 140 22.5 6 6.5 150 156
142 23 6.5 153 156
146 145 23.5 7 7.5 157 165
148 24 160 166
150 150 24.5 7.5 8 163 169
154 155 25 8 8.5 167 173
157 25.5 8.5 9 170 176
160 160 26 9 9.5 173 179
164 26.5 177 183
166 165 27 9.5 10 180 186
169 170 27.5 10 10.5 183 189
173 28 10.5 11 187 193
176 175 28.5 11 11.5 190 196
179 180 29 11.5 12 193 199
182 29.5 197 203
185 185 30 12 12.5 200 206
188 30.5 12.5 13 203 209
192 190 31 13 13.5 207 213
195 195 31.5 13.5 1 210 216
198 32 213 219
200 200 32.5 1 1.5 217 223
204 205 33 1.5 2 220 226
207 33.5 223 229
210 210 34 2 2.5 227 233
213 34.5 2.5 3 230 236
217 215 35 3 3.5 233 239
220 220 35.5 3.5 4 237 243
224 36 240 246
226 225 36.5 4 4.5 243 249
230 230 37 4.5 5 247 253
232 37.5 250 256
236 235 38 5 253 259
Foot length, mm Mondopoint EUR UK US Typical last length range, mm

### Size conversion

The standard also includes quick conversion tables for adult shoe sizes; they provide matching sizes for shoes marked in Mondopoint, UK and US systems. Converted values are rounded to a larger shoe size to increase comfort.

Mondopoint conversion
Mondo EUR UK US men US women
215 34 2.5 3.5 4.5
220 35 3 4 5
225 35.5 3.5 4.5 5.5
230 36.5 4 5 6
235 37 4.5 5.5 6.5
240 38 5.5 6.5 7.5
245 38.5 6 7 8
250 39.5 6.5 7.5 8.5
255 40 7 8 9
260 41 7.5 8.5 9.5
265 41.5 8.5 9.5 10.5
270 42.5 9 10 11
275 43 9.5 10.5 11.5
280 44 10 11 12
285 44.5 10.5 11.5 12.5
290 45.5 11 12 13
295 46 12 13 14
300 47 12.5 13.5 14.5
305 47.5 13 14 15
310 48.5 13.5 14.5 15.5
315 49 14 15 16
320 50 15 16 17
European shoe size conversion
EUR Mondo UK US men US women
34 215 2 3 4
34.5 215 2.5 3.5 4.5
35 220 3 4 5
35.5 225 3.5 4.5 5.5
36 225 4 5 6
36.5 230 4 5 6
37 235 4.5 5.5 6.5
37.5 235 5 6 7
38 240 5.5 6.5 7.5
38.5 245 5.5 6.5 7.5
39 245 6 7 8
39.5 250 6.5 7.5 8.5
40 255 7 8 9
40.5 255 7.5 8.5 9.5
41 260 7.5 8.5 9.5
41.5 265 8 9 10
42 265 8.5 9.5 10.5
42.5 270 9 10 11
43 275 9.5 10.5 11.5
43.5 275 9.5 10.5 11.5
44 280 10 11 12
44.5 285 10.5 11.5 12.5
45 285 11 12 13
45.5 290 11.5 12.5 13.5
46 295 11.5 12.5 13.5
46.5 295 12 13 14
47 300 12.5 13.5 14.5
47.5 305 13 14 15
48 305 13 14 15
48.5 310 13.5 14.5 15.5
49 315 14 15 16
49.5 315 14.5 15.5 16.5
50 320 15 16 17
United Kingdom shoe size conversion
UK Mondo EUR US men US women
2 210 34 3 4
2.5 215 34.5 3.5 4.5
3 220 35 4 5
3.5 225 35.5 4.5 5.5
4 230 36.5 5 6
4.5 235 37 5.5 6.5
5 235 37.5 6 7
5.5 240 38 6.5 7.5
6 245 39 7 8
6.5 250 39.5 7.5 8.5
7 255 40 8 9
7.5 260 40.5 8.5 9.5
8 260 41.5 9 10
8.5 265 41.5 9.5 10.5
9 270 42.5 10 11
9.5 275 43.5 10.5 11.5
10 280 44 11 12
10.5 285 44.5 11.5 12.5
11 290 45.5 12 13
11.5 290 46 12.5 13.5
12 295 46.5 13 14
12.5 300 47 13.5 14.5
13 305 47.5 14 15
13.5 310 48.5 14.5 15.5
14 315 49 15 16
14.5 320 49.5 15.5 16.5
15 320 50 16 17

### Labels

Shoe size in the primary sizing system used in production should be placed first on the label, preferably in a bold font, and approximate shoe size conversion to other systems should be included as well.

## Difficulties in shoe size comparison

Differences between various shoe size tables, makers' tables or other tables found on the Web are usually due to the following factors:

• The systems are not fully standardised. Differences between shoes from different makers, which are due to different methods of measuring the shoes, different manufacturing processes, or different allowances[1] are sometimes related to different countries. A "German" size may then differ from a "French" size, although both countries use the Continental European system.
• Different widths may have the result that for wide feet, a shoe multiple sizes larger (and actually too long) may be required. This may also result in different size indications, especially if different typical widths are attributed to different sizing systems or countries.
• Some tables for children take future growth into account. The shoe size is then larger than what would correspond to the actual length of the foot.[6]
• An indication in centimetres or inches can mean the length of the foot or the length of the shoe's inner cavity. This relation is not constant but varies due to different amounts of wiggle room required for different sizes of shoes.
• There are several U.S. systems, which differ substantially for sizes far above or below medium sizes.

Further, some tables available on the Web simply contain errors. For example, the wiggle room or different zero point is not taken into account, or tables based on different U.S. systems (traditional and athletic) are simply combined although they are incompatible.

Moreover, though the ISO had released a technical specification (ISO/TS 19407:2015) for converting shoe sizes across various local sizing systems, the organization noted that the problem of converting shoe sizes accurately has yet to be fully resolved. At best, its own published standards for shoe sizes conversions only serve as "a good compromise solution" for shoe-buyers.[18][19]

Please note that the following tables indicate theoretical sizes calculated from the standards and information given above.

## References

1. ^ a b Andersson, Bendt. "Recommendations to suppliers and manufacturers of orthopedic footwear concerning sizes of shoes and lasts" (PDF) (in Swedish). Retrieved 2009-01-06.
2. ^ Cairns, Warwick. About the Size of It. Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-230-01628-6.
3. ^ ASICS Oceania Pty Lyd., Asics Shoe Sizes, stating "Shoe sizes on product details pages are in US shoe size"; accessed 16 January 2017
4. ^ a b Brannock Device Co. "History". Retrieved 2009-01-06.
5. ^ a b Brannock Device Co. "Size Conversion Chart". Archived from the original on 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2010-04-20.
6. ^ a b c Brannock Device Co. "Instructions". Retrieved 2009-01-06.
7. ^ Telfer S, Woodburn J (2010). "The use of 3D surface scanning for the measurement and assessment of the human foot". J Foot Ankle Res. 3: 19. doi:10.1186/1757-1146-3-19. PMC 2944246. PMID 20815914.
8. ^ German Standard DIN 66074:1975, Shoe sizes
9. ^ Spanish Standard UNE 59850:1998, Shoes: Size designation
10. ^ R. Boughey. Size Labelling of Footwear. Journal of Consumer Studies & Home Economics. Volume 1, Issue 2. June 1977. DOI:10.1111/j.1470-6431.1977.tb00197.x
11. ^ International Standard ISO 9407:1991, Shoe sizes—Mondopoint system of sizing and marking
12. ^ GOST 11373-88
13. ^ GOST R 58149-2018
14. ^ GB/T 3293:1998
15. ^ BS 4981:1973
16. ^ IS 8751:1978
17. ^ (in Japanese) Rakuten.co.jp Archived 2011-07-27 at the Wayback Machine.
18. ^ a b "ISO/TS 19407:2015 - Footwear -- Sizing -- Conversion of sizing systems". www.iso.org. Retrieved 2018-06-22.
19. ^ "Shoe Size Conversion: Use this EASY Tool, Size Guide + How To". BlitzResults.com. 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2018-06-22.