European Shoe Sizes Explained
European (EU) shoe sizes are based on the Paris point — a metric unit equal to two-thirds of a centimetre — and use a single scale for all genders. They are the standard across most of continental Europe.
What it is
The European sizing system is built on the Paris point (point de Paris), a unit equal to exactly 2/3 of a centimetre, or approximately 6.67 mm. Each whole EU size represents one Paris point of additional foot length.
Because the Paris point is a metric unit, European sizes have a direct relationship to centimetre measurements — making them easier to connect to physical foot length than the inch-based US and UK systems.
Where it is used
EU sizing is the standard across most of continental Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia. It is also widely recognised internationally as a neutral reference scale.
How the numbers work
One EU size step equals one Paris point (2/3 cm ≈ 6.67 mm). Unlike US and UK sizing, there are no half sizes in the standard European system — sizes go in whole-number increments only. This means the gap between adjacent sizes is slightly larger than in the US/UK barleycorn system.
The numbers reflect foot length in Paris points plus a historical offset. As a rough guide, EU size × 2/3 gives an approximate foot length in centimetres, but the exact values are shown in the diagram and table on this page.
Because EU uses a single unisex scale, the same number means the same foot length regardless of gender — unlike US and UK, which use separate scales for men and women.
Men's, women's and children's
EU sizing uses one continuous scale for men, women, and children. A EU 38 means the same foot length whether the shoe is labelled for men or women. This makes cross-gender comparisons straightforward.
The practical implication is that a woman who wears EU 38 and a man who wears EU 38 have feet of the same length. This is different from US and UK systems where men's and women's numbers diverge.
Tips for buying
The absence of half sizes is the main practical challenge. If your foot falls between two EU sizes, you may need to try both and choose based on the specific shoe's fit. Some brands label intermediate sizes as EU 38.5, but this is not part of the official standard.
EU sizes are a reliable cross-gender reference. If you know someone's EU size, you can find their foot length in the table below, then look up the equivalent in any other system.
Always treat conversions as approximate starting points. The same EU size from two different brands can differ noticeably in fit due to last shape and construction.
Men's size chart: EU, US/CA, UK, Japan/Mexico, China, inches, cm
| EU | US/CA | UK | Japan/Mexico | China | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 6 | 5 | 23.5 | 37 | 9.3 | 23.7 |
| 39 | 7 | 6 | 24.5 | 39 | 9.7 | 24.6 |
| 40 | 8 | 7 | 25.5 | 41 | 10 | 25.4 |
| 41 | 9 | 8 | 26 | 42 | 10.3 | 26.2 |
| 43 | 10 | 9 | 27 | 44 | 10.7 | 27.1 |
| 44 | 11 | 10 | 28 | 46 | 11 | 27.9 |
| 45 | 12 | 11 | 29 | 48 | 11.3 | 28.8 |
| 46 | 13 | 12 | 29.5 | 49 | 11.7 | 29.6 |
| 48 | 14 | 13 | 30.5 | 51 | 12 | 30.5 |
FAQ
Are EU shoe sizes the same in France, Germany, Italy and Spain?
Yes — the Paris-point EU scale is standardised across continental Europe, so a size 40 is the same foot length whether the label is in French, German, Italian or Spanish. Fit still varies by brand and last shape, but the underlying number is consistent.
Why do EU sizes look so much larger than US or UK numbers?
EU sizing counts in Paris points (2/3 cm) from a different historical baseline than the US/UK barleycorn systems, so the numbers land in the high 30s and 40s for adult feet rather than the single digits US/UK use. It is a different counting scale, not a different-sized foot.