Shoe sizes

A shoe size is an indication of the fitting size of a shoe for a person.

There are a number of different shoe-size systems used worldwide. While all of them use a number to indicate the length of the shoe, they differ in exactly what they measure, what unit of measurement they use, and where the size 0 (or 1) is positioned. Some systems also indicate the shoe width, sometimes also as a number, but in many cases by one or more letters. Some regions use different shoe-size systems for different types of shoes e.g. men's, women's, children's, sport, and safety shoes).

A wide range of different systems and the various measurements used make it easy to become confused, so it's always best to measure your feet and work out the size before buying new ones. Most length systems are based on the length of the feet.

Shoe size^[1]

A "comfort allowance" is added to the length of the feet before the size is calculated. In the US, this is usually 0.5 inches (EU = 1.5 centimeters), but varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Shoe size = foot length + wiggle room

Inner length is also called insole length.

How to measure your shoe size^[2]

The best time to measure is the afternoon or evening when your feet have flattened out. If you measure your feet in the morning, they will be smaller, which would give you the wrong size and then you would buy shoes that were too small.

To measure your shoe size follow these instructions:
(Measure the length of the foot from the tip of the longest toe to the base of the heel.)

1. Put your feet on a piece of paper. Stick the paper to the floor with some tape so that it doesn't slip.
2. Draw around your foot with a pen, keeping the pen straight (at 90° to the paper).
3. Measure the longest distance from the heel to the tip of your longest toe.
4. Enter the measurement into the calculator or compare it with the respective shoe size conversion chart.

If one of your shoes is always too tight, measure both feet and then use the length of the largest foot to calculate the correct size for your footwear.

Or, click a link below to download a pdf file and print the sizing chart. You can then use this as a guide to find your US/Canada size which is the most commonly used size on the World Wide Web shopping sites.^[3]

• Men's foot sizing chart
• Women's foot sizing chart
• Kids foot sizing chart

Mondopoint^[4]

The Mondopoint shoe length system was introduced in 1970s by International Standards ISO 2816:1973 "Fundamental characteristics of a system of shoe sizing to be known as "Mondopoint" and ISO 3355:1975 "Shoe sizes - System of length grading (for use in the Mondopoint system)". ISO 9407:1991, "Shoe sizes-Mondopoint system of sizing and marking", is the current version of the standard.

The Mondopoint system is based on average foot length and foot width for which the shoe is suitable, measured in millimetres. The length of the foot is measured as horizontal distance between the perpendiculars in contact with the end of the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. The width of the foot is measured as horizontal distance between vertical lines in contact with the first and fifth metatarsophalangeal joints. The perimeter of the foot is the length of foot circumference, measured with a flexible tape at the same points as foot width. The origin of the grade is zero.

Standard foot lengths are defined with interval steps of 5 mm for casual footwear and steps of 7.5 mm for specialty (protective) footwear.

Size comparison^[5]

Adult shoe sizes comparison

Children shoe sizes comparison

Legend:

• EUR=Europe, UK=United Kingdom, US=United States, JP/CN=Japan/China
• M=men, W=women, C/Y=child/youth, Athl.=athlete, FIA=Footwear Industries of America

Size conversion^[6]

References

1. ^ Shoe size.  https://www.blitzresults.com/en/shoe-size/
2. ^ How to measure shoe size. Ibid.
3. ^ Foot sizing charts.  http://www.shoesizes.co/resources.html
4. ^ Mondopoint.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe_size
5. ^ Size comparison. Ibid.
6. ^ Size conversion.  http://www.shoesizes.co/index.html