Men & Women Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Convert men's to women's shoe sizes and vice versa. See our conversion chart for US, UK, EU, JP, CN. Includes width and brand tips. Understanding the differences between men's and women's sizing is crucial for finding the perfect fit, especially when shopping unisex styles or sharing shoes.
Men's and women's shoe sizes use different scales even though they're based on the same foot length measurements. The general rule is that women's sizes are typically 1.5-2 sizes larger than men's for the same foot length. However, this can vary between different sizing systems (US, UK, EU) and brands.
How to Convert Between Men's and Women's Shoe Sizes
Step-by-Step Guide
- Know Your Current Size: Determine your shoe size in one system (US, UK, or EU) and whether it's a men's or women's size.
- Select the Conversion Direction: Choose whether you want to convert from men's to women's, or from women's to men's.
- Use the General Rule: For US sizes, add 1.5 to convert from men's to women's (e.g., men's 8 = women's 9.5), or subtract 1.5 to convert from women's to men's.
- Check the Chart: Use the conversion chart below for precise conversions across all sizing systems. The chart accounts for variations between different systems.
Quick Reference Examples
US Sizes:
Men's 8 → Women's 9.5
Men's 10 → Women's 11.5
Women's 7 → Men's 5.5
UK Sizes:
Men's 8 → Women's 6.5
Men's 9 → Women's 7.5
Women's 6 → Men's 7.5
EU Sizes:
EU sizes are generally the same for men and women, based on foot length. However, some brands may have slight variations.
💡 Important: The general rule is to add 1.5 sizes when converting from men's to women's (US), and subtract 1.5 sizes when converting from women's to men's. However, this can vary between brands and regions.
When to Use Men's to Women's Conversion
Shopping Unisex Styles
Many popular shoe styles are available in unisex designs, but they may be listed using either men's or women's sizing. Converting your size helps you find the right fit regardless of which sizing system the brand uses.
Common unisex styles include Converse, Vans, and many athletic shoes. These brands often use men's sizing as the base.
Sharing Shoes
When sharing shoes with a partner or family member of a different gender, understanding the conversion helps ensure you're trying on the right size. This is especially useful for athletic shoes or casual styles.
Converting sizes is also helpful when buying shoes as gifts for someone of a different gender.
International Shopping
When shopping from international retailers, you may encounter sizes listed in a different gender's system than you're used to. Converting helps you understand the sizing and find your correct fit.
Some European brands may use men's sizing for unisex styles, while others use women's sizing.
Finding Better Deals
Sometimes, the same shoe style is available in both men's and women's versions with different pricing. Knowing your converted size allows you to shop both sections and potentially find better deals.
This is especially useful during sales when one gender's sizes may be more discounted than the other.
Understanding Width Differences
In addition to length differences, men's and women's shoes also have different width characteristics. Understanding these differences is important when converting between sizes.
Men's Shoe Widths
- D (Medium): Standard width for most men
- B, C (Narrow): Less common, for narrow feet
- E, 2E (Wide): Common width option
- 4E, 6E (Extra Wide): For very wide feet
Women's Shoe Widths
- D (Medium): Standard width for most women
- B, C (Narrow): More common than in men's
- E, 2E (Wide): Available from many brands
- Note: Women's shoes are generally narrower than men's at the same size
Important: When converting between men's and women's sizes, you may also need to adjust the width. Women with wide feet may find men's shoes in a smaller size provide better width options, while men with narrow feet may find women's shoes in a larger size work better.
Brand-Specific Considerations
Unisex Brands
Converse: Uses men's sizing. Women typically size down 1.5 sizes.
Vans: Generally uses men's sizing for unisex styles. Women size down 1.5 sizes.
Nike: Some unisex styles use men's sizing; check product description.
Adidas: Varies by model; check individual product sizing.
Gender-Specific Brands
Most Athletic Brands: Maintain separate men's and women's lines with different sizing.
Luxury Brands: Typically maintain strict gender separation in sizing.
Dress Shoe Brands: Usually have distinct men's and women's sizing systems.
Tip: Always check the brand's specific size chart when converting between genders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert men's to women's shoe sizes?
For US sizes, women's sizes are typically 1.5 sizes larger than men's for the same foot length. For example, a men's US 8 is approximately a women's US 9.5. For UK sizes, the difference is typically 1.5 sizes in the opposite direction (men's 8 = women's 6.5). Use the chart above for precise conversions, or try our Men's to Women's Shoe Size Converter tool.
Are men's and women's shoe sizes the same in the UK/EU?
In the EU system, men's and women's sizes are generally the same for the same foot length, as the EU system is based on foot length rather than gender-specific scales. However, in the UK system, there is still a difference (typically 1.5 sizes). Always check the brand's specific chart, as some brands may have slight variations even within the same sizing system.
Why do men's and women's shoe sizes differ?
Men's and women's shoe sizes use different scales even though they're based on the same foot length measurements. This is due to historical sizing conventions and different fit preferences. The difference is typically about 1.5 sizes, with women's sizes being larger for the same foot length. This allows for gender-specific design considerations while maintaining consistent foot length measurements.
Can I wear unisex shoes in either men's or women's sizes?
Yes, many unisex shoe styles are designed to work with both men's and women's sizing. However, you'll need to convert your size. For example, if you normally wear a women's US 8, you would look for a men's US 6.5 in unisex styles.
Always check the brand's size chart for unisex styles, as some brands may use one gender's sizing system as the base. Common unisex brands like Converse and Vans typically use men's sizing.
Does the conversion work the same for all shoe types?
The general conversion rule (1.5 sizes difference) applies to most shoe types, but there are some considerations:
- Athletic shoes: Conversion is generally accurate
- Dress shoes: May have more precise fit requirements
- Boots: May need to account for width differences
- High heels: Women's sizing may differ more significantly
Always try on shoes when possible, especially when converting between genders for the first time with a new brand.
What about width when converting between men's and women's sizes?
Width is an important consideration when converting between men's and women's sizes. Women's shoes are generally narrower than men's shoes at the same size, even after conversion.
For example, a women's US 8 (D width) may be narrower than a men's US 6.5 (D width). If you have wide feet, you may need to look for wide width options (E, 2E) in the converted size, or consider going up half a size.