EU Shoe Sizing System

The European shoe sizing system—often called the Paris point or continental system—is used across most of Europe and in many brands worldwide. Unlike US and UK systems, EU sizing is tied directly to foot length via a simple formula, and it does not use separate number scales for men and women for the same length. This guide explains how EU sizes work, how they convert to US, UK, and Japan, how width is handled, and where to find exact conversions on this site.

How the EU (Paris Point) System Works

EU shoe size is derived from the length of the foot in centimeters. The standard formula is:

EU size = (foot length in cm × 1.5) − 2

So each full EU size step corresponds to about ⅔ of a centimeter (two-thirds of a cm) in foot length. For example, a foot that measures 27 cm gives roughly EU 38.5; 28 cm gives about EU 40. The system has a single numeric scale for adults: typical ranges are about EU 35–40 for smaller women’s sizes, 38–44 for average men’s, and 44–48+ for larger men’s. Because the scale is length-based and unisex in principle, the same EU number can appear on both men’s and women’s shoes when the internal length is the same—though in practice brands often separate men’s and women’s lines and may label them the same EU size for different foot lengths.

Half sizes are common in Europe (e.g. 41, 41.5, 42). Not every brand offers them; when they do, conversion to US or UK half sizes is more accurate. For precise conversions from your foot length, use our Foot Measurement Calculator or CM to US Shoe Size tool, then cross-check with the Shoe Size Converter.

EU to US, UK, and Japan: Conversion Examples

Conversion between EU and other systems is based on matching foot length. Slight differences exist between charts; below are typical equivalents.

For Japan, sizes are often in cm (e.g. 26 cm). EU 42 is close to Japan 26–27 cm. Use our EU 42 to Japan and other programmatic index pages for single-size lookups. The main Shoe Size Converter, US to EU Size, and UK to US Size pages cover multiple regions at once.

Width in EU Sizing

European width is less standardized than in the US. Many EU brands assume a “standard” width (sometimes marked F) and only offer wide (e.g. G) or narrow (E) in selected styles. There is no single EU-wide letter system like US (B, D, E, EE). If you have wide or narrow feet, check the brand’s size chart for width options and consider using our Foot Width Calculator and Foot Width Guide to see how you compare to standard assumptions. When converting EU to US, the length conversion is primary; width still depends on the specific brand and last.

Tools and Programmatic Pages

Use these resources for EU conversions and related sizing:

For more context on global sizing, see the Complete Global Size Chart Guide and the Shoe Size Guides hub.

FAQ: EU Shoe Sizing

How does EU shoe sizing work?

EU shoe sizes use the Paris point system: size = (foot length in cm × 1.5) − 2. So each full size is about ⅔ cm. EU does not use separate men's/women's numbers for the same length; the same EU number can apply to both. Adult sizes typically run from about 35 to 48.

Is EU 42 the same as US 9?

Roughly yes for men. EU 42 usually converts to US men's 9 (or 8.5–9). For women, EU 42 is closer to US women's 10–11. Always use our shoe size converter or programmatic pages (e.g. EU 42 to US) and select the correct gender.

Does EU use half sizes?

Many EU brands offer half sizes (e.g. 42, 42.5, 43). Not all do; some use only full sizes. When converting, half sizes give a closer match to US/UK half sizes.

How do I convert EU to UK shoe size?

UK is typically about one to one and a half sizes lower than EU for the same foot length (e.g. EU 42 ≈ UK 8). Use our shoe size converter, UK to US Size and US to EU Size pages, or the programmatic index for single-size pages like EU 42 to UK.

What about EU shoe width?

EU width is often shown as standard (F), narrow (E), or wide (G). Some brands use numbers or letters; it's less standardized than US width (B, D, E, etc.). Use our foot width calculator to see where you fall and check the brand's size chart.

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