Chinese Shoe Sizes Explained
Chinese shoe sizes are based on a foot-length measurement system with incremental whole numbers. The system is similar in principle to Japanese sizing but uses a different numerical scale — here is how to decode it.
What it is
Chinese shoe sizing is a foot-length-based system where the size numbers increase incrementally with foot length in roughly 0.5 cm steps. Unlike the US/UK barleycorn systems or the European Paris-point system, Chinese sizes are tied to physical foot measurement rather than a traditional named unit.
The system resembles Japanese mondopoint sizing in principle, but the numbers are different — a Chinese size 44 corresponds to the same foot as a Japanese size 27, for example.
Where it is used
Chinese sizing is used on Mainland China. Taiwan and Hong Kong often use European or other international sizing. Chinese sizes are increasingly visible on global e-commerce platforms, particularly when buying from Chinese manufacturers or retailers.
How the numbers work
Chinese sizes step up in approximately 0.5 cm increments of foot length, similar to Japanese sizing. The numbers cover a wide range: children's sizes start in the 20s, women's in the low-to-mid 30s, and men's run from the high 30s up to the 50s for very large feet.
The size number does not directly equal foot length in centimetres (unlike Japanese sizing), so you need to use a conversion chart to find your equivalent. The table on this page lists the exact correspondence for each size.
There is no separate gendered scale in the standard system — the same number means the same foot length regardless of gender, though many Chinese brands do use separate catalogues for men and women.
Men's, women's and children's
Because Chinese sizing is foot-length-based, there is no inherent gendered offset. The same size number covers the same physical foot length for men, women, and children, which makes the system logical once you understand the mapping.
In practice, individual Chinese manufacturers sometimes label the same shoe differently, so always confirm with the maker's own chart when precision matters.
Tips for buying
Chinese sizing can vary between manufacturers — what one brand calls a 42 another may call a 41. Treat any conversion as a starting point and cross-check with the seller's specific size chart.
When shopping on international platforms, Chinese sizes are often listed alongside EU or US equivalents. If in doubt, measure your foot in centimetres and use the table on this page to find the closest Chinese size.
As the disclaimer on this site notes: conversions are approximate and vary by brand and style. For the best fit, measure your foot and check the maker's own chart.
Men's size chart: China, US/CA, UK, EU, Japan/Mexico, inches, cm
| China | US/CA | UK | EU | Japan/Mexico | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 | 9.3 | 23.7 |
| 39 | 7 | 6 | 39 | 24.5 | 9.7 | 24.6 |
| 41 | 8 | 7 | 40 | 25.5 | 10 | 25.4 |
| 42 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 26 | 10.3 | 26.2 |
| 44 | 10 | 9 | 43 | 27 | 10.7 | 27.1 |
| 46 | 11 | 10 | 44 | 28 | 11 | 27.9 |
| 48 | 12 | 11 | 45 | 29 | 11.3 | 28.8 |
| 49 | 13 | 12 | 46 | 29.5 | 11.7 | 29.6 |
| 51 | 14 | 13 | 48 | 30.5 | 12 | 30.5 |
FAQ
Is Chinese sizing the same system as Japanese sizing?
They work on the same principle — both are foot-length-based and step in roughly 0.5 cm increments — but the numbers themselves are different scales. A Chinese 44 and a Japanese 27 can represent the same foot, so always convert through the table rather than assuming the numbers line up.
Do all Chinese retailers use the same size numbers?
Not always. Domestic Chinese sizing can vary between manufacturers, and many brands selling internationally now print EU or US equivalents alongside the Chinese number. If a listing shows multiple size systems, use whichever one you can verify against your own measured foot length.