Women's Shoe Size Chart (US, UK, EU, JP) — Find Your Fit
One foot measurement, one width measurement, one chart, one brand-specific note. Then you stop guessing. Includes the half-size rule and wide-foot fit guide.
A US 8 women's shoe is a UK 6, an EU 39, and a JP 25. Same foot. Four different numbers. Plus a width letter (N, M, W, XW) that nobody talks about and most online stores don't even publish.
The result is the same problem every woman knows. Order shoes online. Wait. Try them on. Realize they don't fit. Box them up. Mail them back. Repeat.
Shoe sizing is solvable. One foot measurement, one width measurement, one chart, one brand-specific note. Then you stop guessing.
This guide gives you the complete women's shoe size chart with US, UK, EU, and JP conversions, the N (narrow) to XW (extra wide) width letter system explained, foot-length-to-shoe-size lookup in inches and millimeters, and the half-size rule for women whose feet fall between standard sizes. Plus brand-specific calibration for the most popular labels.
How Women's Shoe Sizes Work
Two numbers determine women's shoe size.
Length number
Width letter
An "8M" is a size 8 in standard medium width. An "8W" is a size 8 in wide. The length is the same. The forefoot width differs by roughly 1/4 inch per width letter.
Foot Length to US Women's Shoe Size
| Foot Length (in) | Foot Length (mm) | US Women's Size |
|---|---|---|
| 8.4375" | 214 | 5 |
| 8.625" | 219 | 5.5 |
| 8.75" | 222 | 6 |
| 8.875" | 226 | 6.5 |
| 9.0625" | 230 | 7 |
| 9.25" | 235 | 7.5 |
| 9.375" | 238 | 8 |
| 9.5" | 241 | 8.5 |
| 9.6875" | 246 | 9 |
| 9.875" | 251 | 9.5 |
| 10" | 254 | 10 |
| 10.1875" | 259 | 10.5 |
| 10.3125" | 262 | 11 |
| 10.5" | 267 | 11.5 |
| 10.6875" | 271 | 12 |
Measure in the late afternoon or evening
International Conversion: US, UK, EU, JP, AU
| US Women | UK Women | EU | JP (cm) | AU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2.5–3 | 35–35.5 | 22 | 3.5 |
| 5.5 | 3–3.5 | 35.5–36 | 22.5 | 4 |
| 6 | 3.5–4 | 36–36.5 | 23 | 4.5 |
| 6.5 | 4–4.5 | 36.5–37 | 23.5 | 5 |
| 7 | 4.5–5 | 37–37.5 | 24 | 5.5 |
| 7.5 | 5–5.5 | 37.5–38 | 24.5 | 6 |
| 8 | 5.5–6 | 38–38.5 | 25 | 6.5 |
| 8.5 | 6–6.5 | 38.5–39 | 25.5 | 7 |
| 9 | 6.5–7 | 39–40 | 26 | 7.5 |
| 9.5 | 7–7.5 | 40–40.5 | 26.5 | 8 |
| 10 | 7.5–8 | 40.5–41 | 27 | 8.5 |
| 10.5 | 8–8.5 | 41–41.5 | 27.5 | 9 |
| 11 | 8.5–9 | 41.5–42 | 28 | 9.5 |
Quick rules:
- US to UK: subtract 2 to 2.5
- US to EU: add 30.5 to 31 (varies slightly by size)
- US to JP: JP uses foot length in cm directly
- US to AU: subtract 2 (matches UK roughly)
JP is the easiest international system
Width Chart for Women
Women's shoe widths use these letters from narrow to extra wide.
| Width Letter | Description | Forefoot Width (size 8 ref) |
|---|---|---|
| AAAA / 4A | Slim | 2.8" / 71 mm |
| AAA / 3A | Very narrow | 2.95" / 75 mm |
| AA / 2A or N | Narrow | 3.05" / 77 mm |
| B or M | Standard medium (US default) | 3.2" / 81 mm |
| C or D or W | Wide | 3.4" / 86 mm |
| 2E / EE / XW | Extra wide | 3.55" / 90 mm |
| 4E | Very extra wide | 3.7" / 94 mm |
Each width letter step is roughly 0.15 to 0.2 inches (4 to 5 mm) of forefoot width.
Many women's brands skip narrow widths entirely
Brand-Specific Sizing — Athletic and Sport
- Nike: runs slightly small. Most shoppers size up 0.5. Available widths: B and W in select models.
- Adidas: true to size for running. Yeezy line runs large; size down 0.5.
- Asics: true to size. Wider toe box than Nike.
- New Balance: true to size. Available in B, D (wide), and 2E (extra wide).
- Brooks: true to size. Available in 2A (narrow), B, D, and 2E.
- Saucony: true to size. Wide toe box.
- Hoka: runs roomy. Size down 0.5 if between sizes.
- On: runs slightly small. Size up 0.5.
Brand-Specific Sizing — Casual and Lifestyle
- Vans: runs large. Size down 0.5.
- Converse: runs large. Size down 1 full size.
- Veja: runs slightly large. Size down 0.5.
- Birkenstock: EU sizing only. Runs slightly large. If between, go down to next EU size. Available in narrow.
- Allbirds: runs true. Half-sizes round down.
Brand-Specific Sizing — Heels and Dress
- Sam Edelman: true to size. Wide selection.
- Steve Madden: runs slightly small. Size up 0.5.
- Stuart Weitzman: true to size. Premium fit.
- Ferragamo: Italian sizing. Runs slightly narrow. Order one EU size up if your foot is wider than B.
- Manolo Blahnik: runs small and narrow. Size up 0.5 to 1.
- Christian Louboutin: runs small and narrow. Size up 0.5 to 1, more if you have a wide foot.
- Jimmy Choo: runs slightly small. Size up 0.5.
Brand-Specific Sizing — Boots and Comfort
- Frye: runs large. Size down 0.5.
- Sorel: true to size. Built for socks.
- Dr. Martens: runs large. Size down 0.5 to 1.
- Blundstone: Australian sizing (UK-style). Match the AU/UK column on the chart.
- Clarks: true to size. Wide selection of widths.
- Naturalizer: true to size. Available in narrow, medium, wide.
- Vionic: true to size. Designed for orthotic insole compatibility.
When in doubt, search "[brand] [style] sizing" + "true to size" or "runs small" for verified shopper feedback.
Half-Sizes: When to Round Up or Down
Women's shoes use half-sizes more frequently than men's. A foot length that falls between 9 and 9.5 has two valid options.
When to round up
- You wear thicker socks (winter, athletic socks)
- The shoe is described as fitting tight or runs small
- You have a wider forefoot than the brand's standard last
- You have hammertoe, bunions, or other foot conditions that need extra room
When to round down
- You wear thin socks or no socks
- The shoe is described as running large or roomy
- You have a narrow forefoot
- The shoe is a heel where toes slide forward on a slope
When in doubt, round up
Wide-Foot Fit Guide
If you measure as a wide foot (forefoot width above 3.4 inches at size 8), the chart will fail you at most major brands.
Three options:
Buy from brands with wide widths
New Balance, Brooks, Asics, Naturalizer, SAS, Aravon all publish W and 2E in women's sizes.
Size up half a size in a standard width
A 0.5 size up gives you 1 to 2 mm of extra forefoot width. Not as good as a true wide, but works in a pinch.
Skip narrow-last brands
Italian brands (Ferragamo, Tod's), Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik all run narrow. Avoid these if your foot is wide.
If you measure as extra wide (forefoot above 3.55"), almost no fashion brand will fit. Stick with comfort-focused brands and lines.
Athletic vs Heel vs Flat Sizing
Same foot, different sizes for different shoe categories.
- Running shoes: size up 0.5 from measured length.
- Walking/casual sneakers: match exactly.
- Basketball or court shoes: match exactly.
- Heels (under 3 inches): match exactly. Toe box is shorter than flats.
- Heels (3 inches+): size down 0.5 if between sizes. Toes slide forward on the slope.
- Flats and ballet flats: match exactly. Some lines benefit from 0.5 down.
- Boots and ankle boots: match exactly for socks.
- Tall boots and knee-highs: match exactly. Confirm calf width separately if available.
- Sandals and open-toe: match exactly. Excess length looks bad.
Five Mistakes That Wreck Women's Shoe Sizing
Buying by the size you "always wear"
Brand calibration shifts year to year. Re-measure every 1 to 2 years.
Ignoring width
Most online stores don't publish width letters by default. If you have wide or narrow feet, you need to seek out brands that do.
Trusting one brand's size on another
Nike 8 is not Vans 8. Use the brand's specific chart.
Measuring without socks
Measure with the socks you'll wear with the shoes. Athletic socks fit differently than nylons.
Buying high heels by your usual flat size
Heels run 0.5 smaller because the toe area shifts forward. Size down for tall heels.
When to Size Up vs. Size Down
Default by category:
- Running and athletic: size up 0.5.
- Casual sneakers: match exactly.
- Heels under 3": match exactly.
- Heels 3"+: size down 0.5 if between two sizes.
- Flats: match exactly.
- Boots: match exactly.
- Sandals: match exactly.
Brand exceptions:
- Vans, Converse, Frye, Hoka, Yeezy: size down 0.5 to 1 regardless of category.
- Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Ferragamo: size up 0.5 to 1.
- Birkenstock: use EU only. Size down to the next EU number if between sizes.
FAQs
Are my feet the same size on both sides?
Usually not. Most women have one foot 2 to 5 mm larger. Buy shoes for the larger foot and use insoles in the smaller foot if needed.
My size keeps changing between brands. Why?
Each brand uses its own last (the foot-shaped form shoes are built around). Different lasts produce different fits at the same labeled size.
Should I order multiple sizes and return what doesn't fit?
Yes for high-stakes online purchases (heels, boots, dress shoes). Many brands offer free returns. Order measured size and 0.5 up.
How does my shoe size relate to my dress size?
Not at all. Foot size is independent of body size.
Do my feet really change size as an adult?
Yes. Feet flatten and lengthen with age, pregnancy, weight gain, and hormonal changes. Re-measure every 2 to 3 years.
What does the width letter (N, M, W, XW) mean?
N is narrow, M is standard medium (US default), W is wide, XW (sometimes 2E or EE) is extra wide. Each letter step is roughly 0.15 to 0.2 inches (4 to 5 mm) of forefoot width.
Save Your Numbers Once
Three numbers and a brand cheat sheet are all you need to shop women's shoes online from any brand in any country.
- Foot length, larger foot (mm and inches)
- Forefoot width, larger foot (mm and inches)
- Width letter (N, M, W, XW)
Plus your brand-specific notes (Nike +0.5, Christian Louboutin +0.5 to 1, etc.).
Match against the brand's chart, factor the brand-specific note, and the next pair of shoes you order online lands at your door fitting like they were made for you. Stores running Tailor Size Guide let shoppers save these numbers and reuse them across every shoe in the store.
Need help measuring? See how to measure your foot length and width at home.
Selling women's shoes on Shopify?
Width and brand sizing variation cause more returns than any other category in fashion. Tailor Size Guide adds smart size charts, brand-specific recommendations, and width-aware fit guides to your product pages so customers find their right size on the first try.