Clothing & Shoe Size Converter

How to Measure Your Shoe Size

To find your true shoe size, stand on a piece of paper with your heel against a wall. Mark the longest point of your foot (usually the big toe or second toe), then measure from the wall to the mark in centimeters. Match this measurement to the cm (foot length) column in the size charts above. Measure both feet and use the longer measurement, as most people have one foot slightly larger than the other.

Shoe sizes vary between brands, so these charts provide general international equivalents. When in doubt, try the shoes on or check the brand's specific sizing guide. Measure your feet in the afternoon or evening, when they are at their largest after a full day of walking.

How to Find Your Ring Size at Home

The simplest method is the string or paper strip method: wrap a thin piece of string or paper around the base of the finger you want to size. Mark where the strip overlaps, then lay it flat and measure the length in millimeters. Divide by 3.14 (pi) to calculate the inner diameter. Look up your diameter in the ring size chart above.

Alternatively, if you already own a ring that fits well, place it on a ruler and measure the inside diameter in millimeters. A 17.3 mm diameter corresponds to a US/Canada size 7, a UK size N½, and an EU size 54.4.

For the most accurate result, measure your finger at the end of the day when your hands are warm. Fingers swell slightly with heat and activity. Avoid measuring when your hands are cold, as this can give a reading that's up to half a size smaller than your true fit.

Understanding International Sizing Systems

Clothing and shoe sizes differ across regions because each system was developed independently. The US system uses numbered sizes loosely based on body measurements in inches. The UK system is similar but offset by about 2 sizes for women's clothing. The EU system uses centimeter-based measurements, which is why EU sizes tend to be larger numbers.

For shoes, the EU (Continental European) system is based on the Paris Point, where each size increment equals 6.67 mm of shoe length. The US and UK systems use barleycorn increments (approximately 8.47 mm). This is why the conversion between systems isn't a simple addition — the scales have different step sizes.

Women's clothing sizes are particularly tricky because US sizing has experienced "vanity sizing" over the decades, where the same physical dimensions correspond to smaller size numbers than they did in the past. A modern US size 8 has measurements that would have been a size 12 in the 1970s. When shopping internationally, always refer to the bust, waist, or hip measurements in centimeters for the most reliable fit.