European Shoe Size to UK: Conversion Charts Men Women Kids

If you’ve ever stood in front of a EU-sized display in a UK shop—or stared at an online chart wondering whether your size 38 means UK 5 or UK 5.5—this guide is for you. EU and UK sizing systems don’t map one-to-one; each EU size typically spans two UK half-sizes, which is exactly why retailer conversion charts exist. Below you’ll find a full men’s, women’s, and kids conversion chart backed by retailer data, along with answers to the specific conversions shoppers actually search for.

UK 4: EU 37 (23.7–24.4 cm) · UK 5: EU 38 (24.4–25 cm) · UK 1 (kids): EU 34 (19.1 cm) · UK 7: EU 40 or 41 · EU 38: UK 5 or 5.5

This table summarizes the most consistent conversions found across retailer charts.

What are EU sizes in UK shoes?

The Continental European shoe sizing system uses the Paris point measurement—roughly ⅔ cm per size—and is standard across Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland (Wikipedia). Unlike UK sizing, which measures in barleycorns (about 2.54 cm per full size), EU sizing increments by 0.75cm per size for both men and women (Barefoot Run Review). This fundamental difference means EU and UK sizes don’t align directly: each EU size roughly spans two UK half-sizes.

The practical implication for UK shoppers: a size 40 in EU men’s shoes might correspond to UK 6, UK 6.5, or UK 7 depending on the brand’s own calibration. Multiple retailer charts confirm this overlap pattern, which is why conversion charts are essential rather than optional.

Men’s sizes

Men’s European shoe sizes typically range from 39 to 49 (HealthyFeetStore), with the lower end (EU 39) equating to approximately UK 5.5 or 6. For men’s shoes, the general rule is subtract one from the US size to get the UK equivalent, though EU conversion remains less straightforward. A quick example: Men’s UK 6 is US 7 and EU 39 according to Laughing Hens.

Women’s sizes

Women’s European shoe sizes typically range from 35 to 44/45 (HealthyFeetStore), starting noticeably lower than men’s sizes. The EU 35–36 range is where many women’s conversions cluster, with Women’s US 4 corresponding to UK 2 and EU 35 per HealthyFeetStore.

Key differences

The fundamental difference between the systems is measurement unit: UK sizing works in barleycorns (roughly 2.54 cm per full size), while EU sizing uses the Paris point (about 0.667 cm per size, though some sources cite 0.75cm). The practical result is that UK sizes appear “larger” numerically than EU sizes for the same actual foot length, and the two scales don’t reset at the same points. Because the US/UK and EU systems are designed on different metrics, converting between them is inherently tricky (Barefoot Run Review).

What’s a 38 in UK size?

EU 38 is one of the most frequently searched conversions, and the answer isn’t simple: it depends on whether you’re buying men’s or women’s shoes, and which retailer’s chart you consult. According to Grivet Outdoors, EU 38 maps to men’s US 7 and UK 6. However, for women’s styles, EU 38 corresponds to US 7.5–8 and UK 5.5–6 according to Clarks sizing via Morgans Shoes.

These discrepancies aren’t errors—they reflect real variation in how brands last their shoes. Shoe-Inn explicitly recommends using brand-specific conversion charts precisely because of these variations.

EU 38 for men

For men’s footwear, EU 38 most commonly corresponds to UK 6. This maps from Men’s US 7 equating to UK 6.5 and EU 40 in some charts, suggesting EU 38 sits one step below (HealthyFeetStore). The Grivet Outdoors chart confirms EU 38 as men’s US 7, UK 6.

EU 38 for women

Women’s EU 38 is more commonly encountered and appears as UK 5–5.5 across most retailer charts. Morgans Shoes cites EU 38 for women’s as US 7.5–8, UK 5.5–6 via Clarks sizing. This half-size to full-size spread is typical for women’s conversions.

Foot length match

Each EU size increment represents approximately 0.75cm of foot length (Barefoot Run Review). EU 38 typically fits a foot of roughly 24–24.5 cm. The most reliable approach is to ignore the number entirely and measure your foot in centimetres, then match to the retailer’s cm column.

Is UK size 7 a 40 or 41?

UK size 7 sits in one of the most ambiguous zones for EU conversion. The answer is typically EU 40 or EU 41, with the exact mapping depending on the brand and whether you’re buying men’s or women’s styles. According to HealthyFeetStore, EU 40 accommodates men’s US 7–7.5 and UK 6–6.5, placing UK 7 at the borderline between EU 40 and 41.

For men’s shoes specifically, UK 7 commonly converts to EU 41, while women’s UK 7 often maps to EU 40. This gender difference stems from how the two sizing systems diverge across their ranges. Footlocker notes that for men’s shoes, you generally subtract one size from the US size to get the UK equivalent—which would make US 8 men’s equal UK 7, aligning roughly with EU 41.

Men’s UK 7

Men’s UK 7 most frequently corresponds to EU 41, though some charts place it at EU 40. Grivet Outdoors shows EU 40 for men’s US 7 (UK 6–6.5), which suggests UK 7 would be EU 41. This aligns with the typical pattern where men’s UK 7 is a full size above the common starting point of UK 6 for EU 39.

Women’s UK 7

Women’s UK 7 commonly converts to EU 40 or EU 40–41, sitting a half-size above the UK 6.5 / EU 39–40 range. Morgans Shoes notes EU 38 for women’s US 7.5–8 (UK 5.5–6), suggesting each full size increment covers roughly two UK half-sizes.

Brand variations

Brand-specific lasts cause real variation: a size 41 in one brand’s dress shoe may fit differently than in the same brand’s casual shoe. Shoe-Inn explicitly warns that conversion charts are approximate guides, and this is especially true in the UK 7 / EU 40–41 zone.

What size is EU 41?

EU 41 is a common men’s size that converts to approximately UK 7–8, though exactly where depends on the chart consulted. According to HealthyFeetStore, EU 41 typically fits a foot length of around 25.5–26 cm. In men’s UK terms, this places it between UK 7 and UK 8, skewing closer to UK 7.5 in many retailers’ charts.

The overlap reflects the half-size nature of UK sizing: EU 41 can’t map to a single UK whole size because the systems don’t align that way. Wikipedia notes that EUR 34 corresponds to UK men 2, women 3, US women 4—illustrating how gender-specific these conversions are even at the smallest end of the range (Wikipedia).

EU 41 in UK men’s

For men’s UK sizing, EU 41 most commonly corresponds to UK 7 or UK 7.5. Grivet Outdoors charts EU 40 for men’s US 7 (UK 6–6.5), implying EU 41 sits adjacent at UK 7. This is consistent with the observation that Men’s UK 6 is EU 39 per Laughing Hens.

EU 41 in UK women’s

Women’s EU 41 is less common but converts to approximately UK 8–8.5. Since women’s EU sizing starts lower (EU 35) than men’s (EU 39), by EU 41 the women’s range is already in its upper quartile. HealthyFeetStore places women’s typical range at EU 35–44/45.

EU shoe size to UK kids

Children’s shoe size conversions follow their own logic, with UK sizes typically running smaller than adult ranges. UK children’s size 1 corresponds to EU 34 at 19.1 cm foot length for approximately 7-year-olds (Laughing Hens). UK children’s size 4 is EU 20 and US 5 per Laughing Hens, though this conflicts slightly with some other retailers.

The discrepancy between sources is more pronounced in children’s sizing than adult ranges. Famous Footwear charts Kids’ US 13 as UK 11.5 and EU 30, while Laughing Hens shows Kids UK 13 as US 1 EU 32. Always verify against the specific retailer’s chart for children’s purchases.

Kids size chart

A representative children’s UK-to-EU range from Laughing Hens: For those curious about similar distinctions in the animal kingdom, here’s a guide to crocodile vs alligator differences. crocodile vs alligator differences

• UK 1 = EU 34 (19.1 cm, age ~7)
• UK 4 = EU 38 (age ~10–11)
• UK 13 = EU 32 (US 1)
• UK 22 (child) = EU 22 = UK 5 per Laughing Hens

Snow-Boots confirms Children’s EU 20 as UK 4 and US 4.5. Famous Footwear places Kids’ US 13 at UK 11.5 and EU 30.

Age-based recommendations

Age-based sizing is inherently imprecise because children’s feet grow at different rates. The most reliable approach is always to measure the child’s foot in centimetres and match to the retailer’s cm column. Snow-Boots provides a detailed children’s table that cross-references foot length with size, which is more useful than age-based labels.

Men’s, Women’s & Kids Conversion Table

Five key categories, one consistent pattern: EU sizes don’t map 1-to-1 with UK equivalents—the overlap means each EU number typically spans two UK half-sizes.

The implication: these ranges show why relying on a single number without checking the retailer’s foot-length column invites fit problems.

EU shoe size to UK specs

This specifications table pulls together the core data points that retailers and sizing experts consistently reference.

The pattern across these specs confirms that brand-to-brand variation is structural, not incidental.

What retailers say about EU-UK conversion

The good news is that each U.S. size has a corresponding European size.

— HealthyFeetStore (retailer sizing guide)

Because the US/UK and EU are designed on different metrics, converting between the two is very tricky.

— Barefoot Run Review (sizing systems analysis)

For men’s shoes, you generally subtract one size from the US size to get the UK equivalent.

— Footlocker (UK retailer guide)

The implication: no conversion chart is perfectly reliable across all brands, and the measurement basis difference (barleycorns vs Paris points) makes precision impossible without using foot-length data. For UK shoppers buying EU-sized shoes online, the cm column is your most trustworthy reference point.

Summary

EU to UK shoe size conversion is inherently approximate because the two systems use different measurement units—the UK barleycorn system versus the Continental Paris point—and these don’t reset at matching intervals. For men’s and women’s shoes, each EU size typically spans two UK half-sizes, which is why UK 7 might be EU 40 or 41 depending on the chart. Children’s sizes show even more retailer variation, making it essential to check the specific seller’s own conversion table. Online shoppers who rely only on size numbers without consulting the retailer’s foot-length column risk receiving shoes that don’t fit—measuring your actual foot in centimetres before ordering eliminates the guesswork.

Related reading: 140 lbs to kg conversion

Retailers like Famous Footwear align with patterns shown in the EU to UK shoe size chart, offering consistent conversions across men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizes.

Frequently asked questions