# Shoe Size Conversion

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 21, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852 "2003-07-21T04:12:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![BooksWoods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooksWoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooksWoods)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/1 "2003-07-21T04:12:06Z")

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Is a European size 42/British size 9 shoe the same as an American size 9? I have a friend overseas who wants me to send him some shoes.

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**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/2 "2003-07-21T04:26:39Z")

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[http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/conchart.htm](http://www.dancesport.uk.com/shoes/conchart.htm)

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**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/3 "2003-07-21T04:34:16Z")

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Which agrees with

[http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/1091156/002-0990220-7732804#menshoe](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/1091156/002-0990220-7732804#menshoe)

and

[http://www.onlineconversion.com/mens\_clothing.htm](http://www.onlineconversion.com/mens_clothing.htm)

although I have seen the U.S. and U.K. men shoes shown as identical. Good luck.

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**Author:** ![BooksWoods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e0b2c6/32.png) [@BooksWoods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BooksWoods)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/4 "2003-07-21T04:46:50Z")

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Actually each of those websites says something different. Now I’m really confused. He said European size 42 or English size 9. What size American shoe should I buy him?

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**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/5 "2003-07-21T05:30:22Z")

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You’re right. I had done a spot check to see that the _U.S._ size 9 went to the same _U.K_ size (8.5) consistently, and forgot to cross check the other sizes.  
(Well, I did tell you “Good luck.”)

Perhaps your best bet would be for him to send you the exact length of his foot and have you measure that against a U.S. shoe sizer at a shoe store.

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**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/6 "2003-07-21T05:33:34Z")

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[This](http://www.instepdrmartens.com/questions.htm#three) site seems to agree that for Mens shoes, (US size = UK size + 1 ). This is consistant with my understanding of the conversion. However, they also offer this:

> [@](#):
>
> TIP: This may or may not work for you. But many people that wear half-sizes wear the next closest UK size down and either use an insole or a heavy sock to take up space. For example: Men: If you wear a US 11.5 get a UK 11 and use an insole or a heavy sock.

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**Author:** ![jtull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e47774/32.png) [@jtull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtull)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shoe-size-conversion/189852/7 "2003-07-21T06:29:24Z")

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It may also depend on the shoes…

I used to wear 42 for the past three years, and all my shoes were adidas. Two days ago I bought a Nike Cortez, and lo! and behold, I’m down to 41. Different brand, different shoe shape, smaller size. I also think (can’t check right now) that this Nike Cortez was US size 8 and the 42 size I tried had US size 8.5 written on, although I can’t really bet on it.