US to EU Shoe Size Conversion: Charts & Guide

Anyone who has ever stared at a European shoe size chart while holding a US-made sneaker knows the feeling: it should be simple, but somehow it isn’t. A US women’s 8 might be a European 38, a 39, or something in between, depending on the brand, the style, and even the country where the shoe was designed.

Women’s US 8 to EU: 38 or 39 depending on brand · Men’s US 8 to EU: 41 · Kids’ US 8 to EU: approx. 25 · Women’s formula: US + 31 ≈ EU · Men’s formula: US + 33 ≈ EU

The following table provides a quick reference for key conversions.

Is a US size 8 a 38 or 39?

The short answer: it depends on whether you’re shopping for women’s, men’s, or kids’ shoes — and which brand you pick. A US women’s size 8 typically falls between EU 38 and EU 39, while a US men’s size 8 lands at EU 41. The reason lies in how each sizing system measures the foot.

What is the difference between EU 38 and 39?

• EU 38 corresponds to a foot length of roughly 24 cm (9.5 inches). Shoe Carnival’s size chart places US 9.5 at EU 40 with a 10-inch foot length, so EU 38 sits about a half-inch shorter.
• EU 39 corresponds to roughly 24.7 cm (9.7 inches) — a difference of about 0.7 cm, or the width of a pinky nail.
• The European sizing system uses the Paris point: one full EU size equals 2/3 cm of foot length, according to Grivet Outdoors’ explanation of continental sizing.
• Some brands assign US women’s 8 to EU 38, others to EU 39, and a few split the difference at 38.5.

The implication: if you normally wear a US women’s 8, you may need to try both EU 38 and 39 the first time you order from a new brand. The difference is small but can be enough to cause slipping or pinching.

How to convert men’s US sizes to EU

Men’s conversion follows a different baseline. According to Finish Line’s sizing chart, US men’s 9 equals EU 42 and US men’s 10 equals EU 43, which makes US men’s 8 equal to EU 41. Famous Footwear’s men’s chart confirms the pattern, mapping US men’s 9 to EU 43 — a one-size discrepancy that highlights brand variation even within men’s sizing.

What this means: the rough formula for men’s conversion is US size + 33 ≈ EU size, but this is an approximation. Always check the brand’s own chart.

Women’s US to EU size conversion

Women’s conversion is more variable. Famous Footwear’s women’s chart maps US 8 to EU 39 and US 9 to EU 40, while Veronica Beard’s women’s guide maps US 7.5 to EU 38 and US 8 to EU 38.5. Flow Feet’s chart uses ranges: US 8 maps to EU 38–39, reflecting real-world overlap.

• The common formula for women: US size + 31 ≈ EU size.
• EU 38 is frequently listed as US women’s 7.5, and EU 39 as US women’s 8.5.
• For US women’s 8, expect EU 38, 38.5, or 39 depending on the brand.

What size to get in Onitsuka Tiger?

Onitsuka Tiger, the Japanese brand behind the iconic Mexico 66 and Tokuten silhouettes, has a devoted following — but its sizing can trip up first-time buyers. The brand’s shoes are built on a last that differs from standard US sizing, so relying on your usual number is risky.

Do Onitsuka Mexico 66 run big or small?

• Onitsuka Tiger shoes typically run small compared to standard US sizes, per the brand’s own size guidance and customer feedback.
• The Mexico 66, Onitsuka’s most famous model, often requires going half a size up from your usual US size.
• Kohl’s shoe size guide emphasizes that sizing varies by brand, which is especially true for Japanese labels that follow a different foot shape standard.
• If you normally wear a US women’s 8 in Nike or Adidas, start with an EU 39 in Onitsuka Mexico 66 rather than EU 38.

Should I size up or down Onitsuka Tokuten?

The Onitsuka Tokuten runs closer to true to size but has a narrower fit. Nordstrom’s Nike conversion chart illustrates how brand-specific sizing works: women’s 5 maps to men’s 3.5 and kids’ 3.5Y, showing that even within a single company, conversions require care. For Tokuten, buyers with wider feet may want to size up half a step for comfort.

Onitsuka Tiger size chart comparison

Eight brands, one pattern: no two charts agree perfectly. Finish Line and Famous Footwear offer different mappings for the same US sizes, and Veronica Beard uses half-step EU numbers that mainstream athletic brands skip. Onitsuka’s own charts should always be your final reference.

How quickly do boys’ feet grow?

If you’re a parent buying shoes for a growing boy, you know the rhythm: just when you find a pair that fits, he outgrows it. Understanding the pace of foot growth can save money and prevent ill-fitting shoes.

At what age do feet stop growing?

• Boys’ feet grow fastest between ages 1 and 3, averaging 1 to 2 sizes per year, according to podiatric growth data.
• Growth slows between ages 4 and 10, then accelerates again during puberty (roughly ages 12–15 for boys).
• Feet typically stop growing around age 20 for males, though some may see subtle changes into their early 20s.
• New Balance’s kids size guide organizes its chart by foot length rather than age, which is more accurate because growth rates vary widely.

Will my son be tall if he has big feet?

This is one of the most common questions parents ask, and the answer is more nuanced than folklore suggests. While there is a statistical correlation between foot length and height — taller people tend to have larger feet — foot size is not a reliable predictor of adult height. Growth plates in the feet close before growth plates in the long bones of the legs, so large feet in childhood don’t guarantee tall stature later. No major study has established a formula that predicts height from shoe size with meaningful accuracy.

The pattern: growth spurts often lead to rapid shoe size changes, but foot size alone is not a predictor of final height.

Do feet get wider with age?

Many adults notice that shoes they wore in their 20s no longer fit in their 40s. It’s not imagination — feet change shape over time, and width is the most common adjustment.

How to measure foot width

Foot width is measured across the widest part of the foot (the ball, just below the toes). Adidas’s measurement guide provides a benchmark: a US men’s size 9 is about 4.2 inches wide at standard width, and more than 4.4 inches is considered wide. For women, a US size 9 is about 3.8 inches wide at standard, and above 3.9 inches is wide. Nike’s measurement guide recommends tracing your foot on paper while standing — your weight flattens and widens the foot, so sitting measurements will be too narrow.

Best shoe styles for wide feet

• Look for brands that offer explicit wide (W) and extra-wide (XW) sizing in both US and EU scales.
• Athletic brands like New Balance and Adidas have dedicated wide lines; New Balance’s size guide includes separate width columns.
• Avoid pointed-toe styles — they compress the toes and worsen width issues over time.
• Shoes with removable insoles let you swap in a thinner insert if you need a few extra millimeters of width.

The pattern: feet widen gradually as ligaments relax and the arch flattens. Kohl’s advice to measure both feet every time you shop is especially important for adults over 40.

Which foot shape is the rarest?

Foot shape influences which shoes feel comfortable and which cause blisters, yet most shoppers never think about it. There are four main foot shapes, and one of them is much less common than the others.

What are the different foot shapes?

• Egyptian foot: The big toe is the longest, and the other toes taper at a downward angle. This is the most common foot shape, found in roughly 50–60% of the population.
• Greek foot: The second toe is longer than the big toe. This shape is associated with a higher arch and is more common among people of Mediterranean ancestry.
• Roman foot: The first three toes are roughly the same length, with the others shorter. This square-shaped foot is more common in people with broader frames.
• Celtic foot: All five toes are nearly the same length, giving the foot a very square appearance. This is the rarest foot shape.

How foot shape affects shoe fit

Your foot shape determines which last (the mold a shoe is built on) will fit you best. Egyptian feet typically fit well in most shoes because the tapered toe mirrors the shape of a standard last. Greek feet may find pointed-toe shoes uncomfortable because the longer second toe presses against the tip. Roman and Celtic feet benefit from shoes with a square or rounded toe box that accommodates the even toe length. Kohl’s guide notes that sizing varies by brand, and the same advice applies to shape: a brand that uses a Greek-inspired last may never feel right on a Celtic foot.

Brand-by-brand conversion comparison

Five brands, five different takes on what a US women’s 8 means in EU sizing. The table below shows how much the numbers can shift.

The pattern: a US women’s 8 can be EU 38, 38.5, 39, or even a range. A US men’s 9 can be EU 42 or 43. Relying on any single chart is a gamble — cross-reference at least two sources.

Foot length to EU size mapping

Six sizes, one rule: foot length in centimeters is the only consistent baseline across brands and countries.

The trade-off: EU sizing is based on a linear centimeter scale, making it more consistent than US sizing, which uses different baselines for men, women, and children. That’s why measuring your foot in centimeters is the most reliable method.

How to measure your foot for the right size

The single most reliable way to determine your shoe size — in any system — is to measure your foot length and width while standing. Here’s how, based on guidance from Nike’s measurement guide and Adidas’s sizing advice.

1. Prepare the workspace: Place a piece of paper on a hard floor against a wall. Tape it down so it doesn’t slip.
2. Stand on the paper: Place your foot flat on the paper with your heel touching the wall. Stand normally — your weight should be evenly distributed. Don’t sit; standing gives the true length and width.
3. Mark the longest toe: Use a pencil held vertically (not angled) to mark the point at the tip of your longest toe. Do this for both feet — one is often slightly larger.
4. Measure the length: Measure the distance from the edge of the paper (where the wall was) to your mark. Record the measurement in both inches and centimeters.
5. Measure the width: Mark the widest part of your foot (the ball, below the toes) on both sides and measure the distance between the two marks. Compare to Adidas’s width benchmarks: for men, standard width at US 9 is 4.2 inches; for women, standard at US 9 is 3.8 inches.
6. Consult a brand-specific chart: Use the brand’s own conversion chart for your foot length in centimeters. New Balance’s kids guide is a good example of how foot-length-based charts work.

Why this matters: a measurement done once, carefully, replaces years of guesswork. Write your centimeter length down and keep it — it’s the one number that translates across every brand and every country.

What we know and what remains unclear

“The most common mistake people make is relying on a generic conversion chart instead of measuring their foot in centimeters. Your foot length doesn’t change when you cross a border — your size label does.”

— Nike, official measurement guide

“A US women’s size 9 is about 3.8 inches wide at standard width. If your measurement is above 3.9 inches, you should look for wide-width options — don’t just size up, because the shoe will be too long.”

— Adidas, sizing blog

“Sizing may vary by brand. Always measure your foot flat on the floor — never while sitting or in a shoe — to get an accurate measurement.”

— Kohl’s, shoe size guide

The takeaway from these three sources: measure your foot in centimeters while standing, check width separately, and never assume a brand’s label matches another’s. The evidence from Nike, Adidas, and Kohl’s converges on the same advice: measure, don’t guess.

For most shoppers, the best strategy is to measure foot length in centimeters and use that as the primary reference across all brands.

Frequently asked questions