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Shoe Size Converter: US to UK

Convert shoe sizes between US and UK instantly. Quick reference charts for men's, women's, and kids' sizes with foot length in cm and inches.

US 9 = UK 8.5

Foot length (cm)

27.5 cm

Foot length (in)

10.8 in

How to measure your foot

  1. Place a piece of paper on a hard floor against a wall.
  2. Stand on the paper with your heel against the wall.
  3. Mark the longest point of your foot (usually the big toe or second toe).
  4. Measure the distance from the wall to the mark in centimeters.
  5. Measure both feet and use the larger measurement.

Men's US to UK Shoe Size Chart

US SizeUK SizeFoot (cm)Foot (in)
3.5322.08.7
43.522.58.9
4.5423.09.1
54.523.59.3
5.5524.09.4
65.524.59.6
6.5625.09.8
76.525.510.0
7.5726.010.2
87.526.510.4
8.5827.010.6
98.527.510.8
9.5928.011.0
109.528.511.2
10.51029.011.4
1110.529.511.6
11.51130.011.8
1211.530.512.0
131231.012.2
141331.512.4
151432.012.6

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US to UK shoe size converter. American to British shoe size conversion for men, women, and kids.

A US to UK shoe size converter translates between the American and British systems, which share the same barleycorn step but set size zero differently. US men's sizes run half a size above UK, women's run two sizes above, and it reads the rest from lookup tables.

What Is a US to UK Shoe Size Converter?

Here is the part most size charts gloss over: the US and UK scales are not really two different systems. Both step up by exactly one barleycorn — one-third of an inch, about 8.47 mm — per full size, the same unit the English shoe trade has used for centuries. What differs is only where each country pins the bottom of the scale, the foot length it calls size zero. Because that anchor sits in a different place, US numbers sit a fixed distance above UK numbers, so unlike a US-to-EU conversion (where the step sizes themselves disagree and the gap wanders), US-to-UK is a clean, near-constant offset.
The catch is that the offset is not the same for both genders, which is exactly where people slip up. The US scale splits into separate men's and women's numbering, while the UK keeps one shared scale. On the men's chart a US 9 reads as UK 8.5 and a US 10 reads as UK 9.5 — a steady half-size gap across the common adult range, roughly US 3.5 to US 12. On the women's chart a US 8 reads as UK 6 and a US 10 reads as UK 8 — a steady two-size gap. So a man subtracts half a size and a woman subtracts two, and assuming both genders shift by the same amount is the classic mistake. (At the very top of the men's range the gap widens: a US 13 reads as UK 12, a US 14 as UK 13, and a US 15 as UK 14 — a full size apart rather than a half.)
That is why a quick mental subtraction can still leave you with the wrong box. This converter handles both directions for men, women, and kids: type a US size and it returns the matching UK size, or type a UK size and it returns the US one, reading each pair straight from manufacturer-grade lookup tables. It is built for the moment you are on a UK checkout — Dr. Martens, Clarks, or ASOS, all of which label shoes in UK numbers — and need the right size before you commit.

How to Convert US Shoe Size to UK (and UK to US)

Converting between US and UK shoe sizes starts with the gender category, because the US system uses separate scales for men and women while the UK uses one shared scale. The amount you shift depends on which scale you are on.
To convert US to UK shoe size:
1. For men's shoes, subtract 0.5 from your US size. A US men's 10 becomes a UK 9.5, and a US men's 9 becomes a UK 8.5. The half-size gap holds steady across the common adult range, roughly US 3.5 to US 12. At the largest sizes it widens to a full size — a US 13 is a UK 12, a US 14 is a UK 13, and a US 15 is a UK 14 — so read those straight from the chart rather than subtracting 0.5.
2. For women's shoes, subtract 2 from your US size. A US women's 8 becomes a UK 6, and a US women's 10 becomes a UK 8.
3. For kids' shoes there is no single clean rule — the gap drifts from zero at the small end to about one size in the middle of the range, so a US kids' 10 maps to a UK 9 while a US kids' 13 maps to a UK 13. Use foot length in centimeters as the bridge, or read the kids' chart directly.
To convert UK to US shoe size:
1. For men, add 0.5 to the UK size. A UK 9.5 becomes a US men's 10, and a UK 8.5 becomes a US men's 9.
2. For women, add 2 to the UK size. A UK 6 becomes a US women's 8, and a UK 8 becomes a US women's 10.
3. For kids, the offset varies by size, so match on foot length rather than a fixed add. A UK 9 is a US kids' 10.
These rules hold across mainstream brands like Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Dr. Martens, and Clarks. For the most precise result, measure your foot length in centimeters and use that as the bridge between systems. The converter above reads manufacturer-grade lookup tables, so it stays accurate across the full size range even where the kids' offset is uneven.

US to UK Shoe Size Conversion Formula

UK=USmen−0.5UK=USwomen−2UK = US_{men} - 0.5 \qquad UK = US_{women} - 2
  • UKUK = UK shoe size (one shared scale for men and women)
  • USmenUS_{men} = US men's shoe size
  • USwomenUS_{women} = US women's shoe size
Both the US and UK systems space their sizes by the same barleycorn step (1 barleycorn = 1/3 inch, about 8.47 mm), so the conversion is a simple shift rather than a stretch. Reading the offset straight off the size charts gives:
UK=USmen−0.5UK = US_{men} - 0.5
UK=USwomen−2UK = US_{women} - 2
For example, a US men's 10 maps to a UK 9.5 (10 minus 0.5), and a US women's 8 maps to a UK 6 (8 minus 2). The half-size men's formula is an approximation that holds across the common adult range (about US 3.5 to US 12); at the very top of the men's range the gap widens to a full size, so a US 13 is a UK 12, a US 14 is a UK 13, and a US 15 is a UK 14. The women's two-size gap is steady across the women's range.
To go the other way, add the same amount back:
USmen=UK+0.5US_{men} = UK + 0.5
USwomen=UK+2US_{women} = UK + 2
The reason the two genders shift by different amounts is that the US scale is split into separate men's and women's numbering that start at different foot lengths, while the UK keeps one shared scale for both. The women's US numbering sits higher relative to the same foot, which is why subtracting two — not a half — is correct for women.
Children's sizes do not follow a single constant. Across the kids' chart the gap drifts from zero at the smallest sizes to roughly one full size in the middle, then closes again at the top (a US kids' 13 and a UK kids' 13 describe the same foot). For kids, matching on foot length in centimeters is more reliable than any subtraction, which is what the converter above does.

US to UK Shoe Size Conversion Examples

Ordering Dr. Martens Online (Men's US 10)

You wear a US men's 10 and want to buy Dr. Martens 1460 boots. Dr. Martens uses UK sizing exclusively — even on their US website, the primary size listed is UK. Applying the men's offset: UK = 10 - 0.5 = UK 9.5. Because Dr. Martens are sold only in whole UK sizes, that half result forces a choice: a UK 10 for a roomier fit or a UK 9 if you want them snug. Dr. Martens leather boots tend to run about a half size large and stretch slightly after break-in, so most US 10 wearers do well with a UK 9 and thicker socks for the first few weeks rather than sizing up to UK 10.

Shopping on ASOS for Women's Shoes (US 8)

You wear a US women's 8 and want to order heels from ASOS, which lists all footwear in UK sizes. Applying the formula: UK = 8 - 2 = UK 6. Select UK 6 on the ASOS website. ASOS also shows the equivalent US size in their size chart, but the UK number is the one printed on the shoe itself. If you normally wear a US 8.5, select UK 6.5 on ASOS. For pointed-toe styles from European designers sold on ASOS, consider going up to UK 7, as narrow toe boxes can feel tighter.

Buying Clarks School Shoes for Kids (US 10)

Your child wears a US kids' 10 and you are buying Clarks school shoes, which use UK sizing. On the kids' chart a US 10 maps to a UK 9 — a one-size gap in the middle of the range, not the steady half-size gap that applies to men. Select UK 9 in the Clarks size guide, or measure the foot first, because the kids' offset is not constant: a US kids' 13 lands on a UK 13 with no gap at all. Children's feet grow roughly 1 to 2 sizes per year between ages 4 and 10, so many parents leave a little growing room. Clarks runs an in-store foot-measuring service that captures both length and width, which is worth using if a store is nearby.

Tips for Accurate US to UK Shoe Size Conversion

  • Remember the key offsets: subtract 0.5 for men (US 10 = UK 9.5), subtract 2 for women (US 8 = UK 6). Kids do not follow a fixed rule — the gap drifts from zero up to about one size, so check the chart or measure the foot.
  • When the men's conversion lands on a half size (US 10 = UK 9.5), some heritage brands stock only whole UK sizes. Northampton shoemakers like Crockett & Jones, Church's, and Edward Green also cut their lasts long, so a single brand chart can beat the general offset for high-end footwear — always check it.
  • Dr. Martens are labeled in UK sizes even when sold in the US. The US size printed on the box is the converted number — always refer to the UK size first and apply your own conversion to avoid double-converting.
  • When ordering from ASOS, the shoe itself will be marked in UK sizes. The US conversion shown on the product page is an estimate. If you know your UK size from these formulas, use that directly.
  • Measure your foot in the afternoon when feet are at their largest. Stand with full weight on the foot and measure heel to longest toe. This foot length in centimeters is the universal reference if the offset formulas leave you uncertain.
  • If you are between sizes, round up. UK shoes that are slightly too large can be adjusted with an insole. UK shoes that are too small, especially leather ones like Dr. Martens or Clarks, will cause blisters during the break-in period.

Frequently Asked Questions: US to UK Shoe Size

What UK shoe size is a US 10?

A US men's 10 is a UK 9.5, and a US women's 10 is a UK 8. Men subtract half a size and women subtract two, because the US runs separate men's and women's scales while the UK uses one shared scale. So US men's 10 minus 0.5 equals UK 9.5, and US women's 10 minus 2 equals UK 8.

What is a UK 8 in US shoe size?

A UK 8 equals a US men's 8.5 and a US women's 10. To convert UK to US, add half a size for men and add two for women. A UK 8 is a very common men's size in Britain, matching a foot length of about 27 cm (10.6 inches).

What US size is a UK 7 in women's shoes?

A UK 7 is a US women's 9. To convert from UK to US women's sizes, add 2 to the UK number. UK 7 corresponds to a foot length of approximately 26 cm (10.24 inches). This is considered a medium-to-large women's size in both the US and UK markets.

What size Dr. Martens should I buy in UK if I wear US 9?

A US men's 9 converts to a UK 8.5 (US 9 minus 0.5). Dr. Martens uses UK sizing as its primary system but stocks only whole UK sizes, so that half result means choosing UK 8 or UK 9. Because the 1460 and most leather styles run slightly large and stretch during break-in, a solid US 9 is usually best served by UK 8; size up to UK 9 only if you want extra room or plan to wear thick socks.

Are US and UK shoe sizes the same for kids?

Not by a fixed amount — the kids' gap drifts instead of holding steady. Around the middle of the range US kids' numbers run about one size above UK, so a US kids' 10 is a UK 9 and a US kids' 11 is a UK 10. At the small end the two scales nearly meet, and at the very top they converge: a US kids' 13 matches a UK 13. Because the offset is uneven, measuring the child's foot in centimeters is the safest way to size kids' shoes.

Why is the US-to-UK offset different for men and women?

Because the US splits its sizing into separate men's and women's scales that start at different foot lengths, while the UK keeps a single shared scale. The men's US numbers sit only half a size above the matching UK number, but the women's US numbers sit a full two sizes above. Both scales step by the same barleycorn unit, so the gap holds steady within each gender across the common range — it just starts from a different place, which is why men subtract 0.5 and women subtract 2. (The men's gap does widen to a full size above US 12.)

Do Clarks shoes use US or UK sizing?

Clarks uses UK sizing as its native system. On the Clarks US website, both US and UK sizes are shown, but the shoe itself is marked with the UK size. If you wear a US men's 10, that converts to UK 9.5; for US women's 8, select UK 6. Clarks generally fits true to size and offers width options (narrow, standard, wide) in both US and UK sizing, which makes the brand more accommodating than many European makers.

Is the US to UK men's offset always exactly half a size?

Across the common adult range, about US 3.5 to US 12, the men's offset holds steady at half a size: US men's = UK + 0.5, so a US 10 is a UK 9.5. At the largest sizes the gap widens to a full size — a US 13 is a UK 12, a US 14 is a UK 13, and a US 15 is a UK 14 — so read those from the chart. Fit adds another wrinkle: heritage Northampton shoemakers like Crockett & Jones, Church's, and Edward Green cut their lasts long and stock only whole UK sizes, so their printed conversions can differ from the half-size rule. When buying high-end British shoes, follow the brand's own size guide rather than the general offset.

Key Terms

Barleycorn

The unit of measurement used in both US and UK shoe sizing, equal to one-third of an inch (8.47 mm). Each full shoe size increment corresponds to one barleycorn of foot length. The name comes from the medieval English practice of using a grain of barley as a standard length.

Brannock Device

The standard foot-measuring tool used in US shoe stores since 1927, invented by Charles Brannock. It measures heel-to-toe length, arch length, and foot width, and produces sizes in the US/American scale. The Brannock system uses a different starting-point constant than the UK system, creating the offset between American and British sizes.

UK Sizing

The British shoe sizing system, which uses one shared scale for both men and women and steps up by one barleycorn per full size. UK sizing is the native system for brands like Dr. Martens, Clarks, Church's, ASOS own-brand shoes, and most footwear sold in the United Kingdom.

US Sizing

The American shoe sizing system, which uses separate numbering for men and women. For the same foot, a US women's number sits about 1.5 sizes above the US men's number — for example a 27 cm foot reads as a US men's 8.5 and a US women's 10 — which is why the conversion to UK differs by gender.

Last

A three-dimensional mold shaped like a foot, around which a shoe is constructed. Different brands use different lasts, which is why a UK 9 in Dr. Martens may feel different from a UK 9 in Clarks. The shape of the last determines the shoe's fit, width, and proportions.

Half-Size Offset

The standard men's US-to-UK gap: a US men's size equals the UK size plus half a size, so a US 10 is a UK 9.5. The gap stays at half a size across the common adult range, about US 3.5 to US 12, then widens to a full size at the top — a US 13 is a UK 12, a US 14 is a UK 13, and a US 15 is a UK 14. Some heritage British shoemakers also stock only whole UK sizes and cut their lasts long, so high-end brands may round or print conversions that differ from the half-size rule.

Width Fitting

A letter or descriptor indicating shoe width. In the UK, widths are typically labeled as narrow, standard (F for men, D for women), wide (G/H for men, E for women), and extra wide. The US uses letters like B (women's standard), D (men's standard), and EE (wide). Width designations do not change between US and UK sizing — only the length number converts.

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