You wear a 38 in Europe and you are ordering from a British or American site? The numbers look nothing alike: 5.5 in the UK, 7.5 in the US for women, 6 for men. To get it right, here is the EU, UK and US shoe size conversion chart, with the most reliable measure of all: your foot length in centimetres.
Key points
- The European size (EU) is the same in France, Italy, Spain and Germany.
- In the US, women's and men's sizes are different for the same foot.
- Foot length in centimetres is the safest reference from one brand to another.
- Between two sizes, measure your foot in the evening and take the larger one.
The EU, UK, US conversion chart
This chart matches the size guide we use for our clogs, mules and sandals. Equivalents can vary slightly between brands, which is why the centimetre column matters.
| EU | UK | US women | US men | Foot length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 5 | 23.0 cm (9.1 in) |
| 37 | 5 | 7 | 5.5 | 23.5 cm (9.3 in) |
| 38 | 5.5 | 7.5 | 6 | 24.0 cm (9.4 in) |
| 39 | 6 | 8 | 6.5 | 24.5 cm (9.6 in) |
| 40 | 6.5 | 8.5 | 7 | 25.0 cm (9.8 in) |
| 41 | 7.5 | 9.5 | 8 | 25.5 cm (10.0 in) |
| 42 | 8 | 10 | 8.5 | 26.0 cm (10.2 in) |
| 43 | 9 | 11 | 9.5 | 26.5 cm (10.4 in) |
| 44 | 9.5 | 11.5 | 10 | 27.0 cm (10.6 in) |
| 45 | 10.5 | 12.5 | 11 | 27.5 cm (10.8 in) |
| 46 | 11.5 | 13.5 | 12 | 28.0 cm (11.0 in) |
| 47 | 12 | 14 | 12.5 | 28.5 cm (11.2 in) |
Why the systems don't match
Each system starts from its own unit. European sizes count in "Paris points" (two thirds of a centimetre), while UK and US sizes count in thirds of an inch, from a different starting point. The numbers therefore don't grow at the same pace, and a rough conversion can put you half a size off. In the US, the women's scale is also about one and a half sizes above the men's scale.
Measure your foot in 2 minutes
Place a sheet of paper against a wall, heel touching the wall, and mark the tip of your longest toe. Measure in centimetres for both feet and keep the larger value. Do it in the evening, when feet are at their longest. The full method is in how to measure your foot and find your size.
Between two sizes: what to do?
- For a mule or a clog open at the back, the heel can sit slightly over the edge: choose the size that matches your foot length.
- For a fur-lined slipper, the lining takes a little room at first, then settles: the size up is often more comfortable if you hesitate.
- If you have wide feet, choose a style with an adjustable buckle rather than going up a size. Our test how to know if you have wide feet will help you decide.
Our sizes
Our styles run from EU 35 to 47 depending on the pair: the Sienna clog and the Ravello sandal from 36 to 47, the fur-lined Bormio clog from 35 to 45, the Varenna loafer mule and the Cortina bootie from 35 to 44. And if the size isn't right, the size exchange is free.
Frequently asked questions
Is a French size 38 the same in Italy or Spain?
Yes: 38. Italy, Spain, Germany and France all use the European (EU) size.
Why is my US women's size different from my US men's size?
Because the two American scales start from a different base. Don't look for a formula: use a chart, or better, your foot length in centimetres.
Do half sizes exist in Europe?
Rarely for mules and slippers. If you are between two sizes, go by your foot length and the type of shoe.
Read also
- Which size to choose for slippers or mules?
- How to measure your foot and find your size
- Wide feet: finding truly comfortable shoes
EU 35 to 47, free delivery and free size exchange: discover all our styles.
