Shoe Size Converter
Convert between Australian, US, UK, and European shoe sizes for men, women, and kids.
Why are shoe sizes so confusing?
Shoe sizing is a global mess — there's no international standard, and every country did their own thing for centuries. Here's a quick explainer:
- Australian men's sizing usually follows the UK system almost exactly — it's based on barleycorns (yes, the grain) from the 1300s. One barleycorn = ⅓ inch.
- US sizing is offset from UK sizing, commonly by about 0.5–1 size for men's shoes.
- European sizing (Paris Points) is based on ⅔ of a centimetre per size. Far more sensible, but good luck converting in your head.
- Women's sizing in Australia is inconsistent: some retailers use UK-style numbering, others use US-style numbering. Always check the brand chart if you're buying online.
🦘 Fun fact: Despite Australia metrifying in the early 1970s, shoe sizes never got the memo. We still sell plenty of shoes using old imperial sizing logic. Classic.
Want a deeper guide?
Read: Shoe Sizes in Australia vs the US, UK, and EU: The Conversion Guide — why Australian shoe sizes are confusing, where women's sizing gets messy, and how to avoid ordering the wrong pair.
Read the shoe size guide →