Why the same size changes from country to country
Order shoes online from an overseas shop and there’s a good chance the number on the box looks nothing like what you expected. That’s not a mistake — each region sizes clothing and footwear on its own scale. The United States uses one set of numbers, continental Europe another, the UK a third, and Mexico and Spain each add their own habits on top. A women’s sneaker labelled US 7 is a EU 37-38, a UK 5, and fits a foot about 24 cm long. The label changes; the foot doesn’t.
This converter translates the size you already know into the five systems people ask about most —US, EU, UK, Mexico and Spain— for women’s, men’s and kids’ clothing, and for shoes. Everything runs in your browser from reference charts; no data leaves your device.
How to use the converter
- Pick the category: women’s clothing, men’s clothing, women’s shoes, men’s shoes, or kids’ clothing.
- Choose the origin region — the system in which you already know your size.
- Select your size in that region. You’ll instantly see the equivalents in every other system, plus a measurement in centimetres where it applies: bust or chest for clothing, foot length for shoes, and height for kids’ clothing.
Clothing categories also include letter sizes (S, M, L, XL), which come in handy when a garment’s tag has no number at all.
How to measure your foot at home (DIY Brannock method)
You don’t need the metal sliding device from the shoe shop. A sheet of paper, a pencil and a ruler give you a reliable reading:
- Put the paper flat on the floor against a wall and stand on it with your heel touching the wall.
- Mark where your longest toe ends — it isn’t always the big toe.
- Measure in centimetres from the edge of the paper to the mark. That’s your foot length.
- Do it at the end of the day, when feet are slightly larger, and measure both feet — go with the bigger one.
With that number you can read the shoe chart and find your true size anywhere in the world.
Worked example
You measure your foot and get 24 cm. Look up 24 cm in the women’s shoe chart and read the whole row:
| System | Size |
|---|---|
| Foot length | 24 cm |
| Europe (EU) | 37.5 |
| Spain (ES) | 37.5 |
| United States (US) | 7 |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 5 |
| Mexico (MX) | 24 |
So if a style only comes in US numbering, you know to order the US 7; and at a Spanish shop the 37-38 will fit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my EU or US size?
Start from a size you’re already sure about. If you know you take a Spanish 38 in shoes, set Spain as the origin region and the converter hands you the US, UK and the rest. For the most accurate shoe result, measure your foot length in centimetres — it’s the one figure that doesn’t depend on any brand.
Do sizes really vary by brand?
Yes, and by a lot. Two shirts both labelled M can differ by several centimetres around the chest, and a running shoe usually fits differently from a dress shoe of the same brand. Our charts follow international standards, but always check each retailer’s own size guide before buying, especially for footwear and fitted clothing.
How do I measure my foot at home?
Stand on a sheet of paper pushed against a wall, mark where your longest toe ends, and measure from the edge to the mark in centimetres. Measure both feet at the end of the day and keep the larger one. That length in centimetres is exactly what the shoe charts use to give you the right size in each country.