EU Shoe Size To cm Foot Length Converter
Convert an EU shoe size into an estimated foot length in centimetres, or work back from a measured foot length to a likely EU size.
Convert Shoe Size Or Foot Length
Your Converted Size
EU 42 is estimated from a last length, then adjusted by your toe allowance.
How To Measure Before Converting
1Mark The Foot
Stand on paper with weight on the foot. Mark the heel and the longest toe. Do not measure a shoe sole; soles include extra shape and tread.
2Measure Both Feet
Measure each foot in centimetres and use the longer one. Many people have one foot that is a few millimetres longer, which can decide the size.
3Add Allowance
Shoes need space beyond the foot. Adults often use about 1 to 1.5 cm; children’s footwear may need a growth allowance set by a fitter.
4Check The Brand
Use the converter as a starting point, then compare it with the retailer’s own size chart, width options and returns policy.
Formula And Method
Estimated internal shoe length in cm = EU size x 2 / 3.
Estimated foot length in cm = internal shoe length – toe allowance.
Estimated EU size from foot length = (foot length + toe allowance) x 1.5.
The EU size system is commonly linked to Paris points, where one point is two-thirds of a centimetre. In practice, many charts treat EU size as a shoe last or internal-length indicator rather than the bare foot length. That is why the calculator includes a toe allowance. Without that adjustment, EU 42 would appear as 28 cm foot length, which is usually too long for the actual foot that wears it.
EU Shoe Size To Foot Length Table
| EU Size | Estimated Internal Length | Foot Length With 1.2 cm Allowance | Buying Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 23.3 cm | 22.1 cm | Often near smaller adult or older child charts. |
| 36 | 24.0 cm | 22.8 cm | Check width if the foot is broad. |
| 37 | 24.7 cm | 23.5 cm | Half-size gaps can matter in fitted shoes. |
| 38 | 25.3 cm | 24.1 cm | Common women’s size; brand charts vary. |
| 39 | 26.0 cm | 24.8 cm | Try insoles only if the shoe is otherwise right. |
| 40 | 26.7 cm | 25.5 cm | Compare trainer and formal shoe charts separately. |
| 42 | 28.0 cm | 26.8 cm | A typical conversion case for adult men’s footwear. |
| 45 | 30.0 cm | 28.8 cm | Width and toe-box shape may matter more than length alone. |
Worked Footwear Examples
EU 38 To cm
EU 38 gives an internal length of 25.3 cm. With a 1.2 cm toe allowance, the estimated foot length is 24.1 cm. A person measuring 24.1 cm should still check the retailer’s width and half-size options.
26.5 cm Foot To EU
A 26.5 cm foot plus 1.2 cm allowance gives 27.7 cm internal length. Multiply by 1.5 and the result is EU 41.55, which rounds to EU 42 for most shops.
Children’s Foot Check
A child’s foot may need a growth allowance set by a fitter. Do not rely on an adult allowance for school shoes where length, width, heel grip and toe room all matter.
Why Brand Size Charts Differ
EU labels do not remove fit variation. A running trainer, leather brogue, safety boot, football boot and fashion sandal may all use the same EU number but have different internal shapes. Toe-box height, width fitting, arch support, heel cup depth, sock thickness and upper material can alter the best size. For footwear ordered online, the safest approach is to measure the foot, use this converter for the size area, then compare with the exact brand chart.
For children, older adults, diabetes-related foot concerns, orthotics or foot pain, length conversion is not enough. A trained fitter or clinician may need to check pressure points and width. If you are buying work footwear, check the safety standard and employer requirements as well as the size label.
Width is the most common missing piece in a simple length conversion. A wide forefoot may need a larger size or a different width fitting, while a narrow heel may slip even when the length is correct. If shoes will be worn for sport, long shifts or daily school use, test them on the surface and sock type that match real use.
FAQ
Is EU 42 equal to 42 cm?
No. EU 42 is a shoe size. It corresponds to an estimated internal length of about 28 cm before toe allowance, not a 42 cm foot.
Why does the converter subtract toe allowance?
Because the EU size relates to shoe or last length, and a shoe must be longer than the bare foot. The allowance turns internal length into an estimated foot length.
Can I use the same result for UK sizes?
Use it only as a clue. UK shoe sizing uses a different scale and brand charts vary, so compare with the retailer’s UK table before buying.
Should I measure with socks?
If the shoes will be worn with thick socks, measure or test with those socks. For thin formal socks, a bare-foot paper measurement is usually a practical starting point.
Are half EU sizes real?
Some brands sell them, many do not. The calculator can round to half sizes for a more precise note, but the shop may only offer full EU sizes.
Does this work for children’s shoes?
It can help with rough length conversion, but children need width, growth room and heel grip checks. A fitted measurement is better for school or everyday shoes.
Sources
- International Organization for Standardization. (2017). ISO/TS 19407: Footwear – Sizing – Conversion of sizing systems. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/66539.html
- International Organization for Standardization. (2019). ISO 9407: Shoe sizes – Mondopoint system of sizing and marking. ISO. https://www.iso.org/standard/51018.html
- British Standards Institution. (n.d.). Footwear sizing and fitting standards. BSI. https://www.bsigroup.com/