Men to Women Shoe Size Conversion: Chart, Calculator & Guide

Anyone who’s ever stood in a shoe store wondering whether a men’s 8 is the same as a women’s 9.5 already knows the 1.5-size rule is the most common shortcut. It works reliably for most US brands, but the devil is in the details—width differences, brand-specific charts, and international sizing can trip up even careful shoppers. This guide breaks down the standard conversion, when it holds, and where to check before you buy.

Standard size difference (men’s to women’s): 1.5 sizes (US) · Nike size difference: 1.5 sizes (US) · EU sizing: No gender difference · Men’s US size 7: Women’s US size 8.5 · Men’s US size 10: Women’s US size 11.5

What is the men to women shoe size chart?

Standard US conversion table

Add 1.5 to a men’s US size to get the women’s equivalent. A men’s size 8 becomes a women’s 9.5, according to the Finish Line sizing chart and Brooks Running. This works across most mainstream athletic and casual brands.

Below is a quick reference for common sizes:

What this means: the rule is consistent across major retailers—but it assumes a standard width. For narrower or wider feet, the size number alone may not guarantee fit.

EU sizing: no gender difference

European shoe sizes are unisex. A men’s EU 42 and a women’s EU 42 both correspond to the same foot length. According to CherryPicksReviews sizing guide, a US men’s 7 is equivalent to EU 39, while a US men’s 8.5 matches EU 41. This eliminates the need for a separate conversion when shopping EU brands—just match the number and check the length.

UK sizing: same as EU?

The UK sizing system is different from both US and EU. Some sources, like Size.ly conversion tool, note that UK men’s sizes are typically 0.5 sizes smaller than US men’s, but the men-to-women offset remains roughly 1.5 sizes within the UK scale. However, because UK sizing is less common in international e-commerce, most guides recommend using US or EU as your primary reference.

How do Nike men’s shoe sizes convert to women’s?

Nike conversion table

Nike follows the same 1.5-size offset used by other major brands. A men’s Nike size 9 converts to a women’s 10.5. Brooks Running confirms the rule with their own unisex chart, and Finish Line sizing chart lists the same values for all brands they carry.

Nike width differences

One consistent caveat: women’s versions of Nike shoes are generally built on a narrower last. How To Shoe sizing guide warns that size conversions are estimates and each brand has its own width specs. If you have a medium or wide foot, a men’s Nike may feel roomier than the women’s equivalent at the same converted size.

Comparing Nike to other brands

CherryPicksReviews conversion chart includes Nike in its general conversion chart, showing the same 1.5 difference. The catch: some lifestyle models (e.g., Air Force 1) may fit differently than running shoes, so always check product-specific size guides on the brand’s website.

How to use a men to women shoe size calculator?

Online calculator instructions

Most online calculators ask for your men’s US size (or foot length in inches/cm) and apply the 1.5 rule automatically. Size.ly converter provides a converter that also shows EU and UK equivalents. Simply pick “Men’s” as input, enter your size, and the calculator outputs the women’s match.

Manual calculation using foot length

If you know your foot length in centimeters, you can bypass the 1.5 shortcut entirely. Brooks Running size chart publishes both men’s and women’s size tables indexed to foot length. For example, a 26.7 cm foot corresponds to US men’s 9 and US women’s 10.5—the same 1.5 spread.

Tips for accurate measurement

How To Shoe sizing guide recommends measuring both feet at the end of the day when they are slightly swollen, and using the longer foot’s measurement. Also note that half sizes don’t always have a direct opposite-gender half-size—some calculators round up.

How do I convert specific men’s sizes to women’s?

Size 7 men to women

A men’s US size 7 converts to a women’s US size 8.5. This is confirmed by the Finish Line chart and echoed by CherryPicksReviews conversion chart.

Size 8 men to women

Men’s 8 = Women’s 9.5. Brooks Running size chart illustrates this with the reverse example: a women’s 8.5 is a men’s 7, so adding 1.5 from men’s 8 yields 9.5.

Size 9 men to women

Men’s 9 = Women’s 10.5. The Finish Line and How To Shoe charts both list this conversion.

Size 10 men to women

Men’s 10 = Women’s 11.5. CherryPicksReviews includes this pair, and Finish Line shows the same.

The pattern: across all these sizes, the 1.5 difference holds consistently in the sources reviewed. For half sizes (e.g., men’s 7.5 → women’s 9), How To Shoe provides the same offset.

How do US shoe sizes compare to EU sizes?

US to EU conversion chart

Since EU sizes are unisex, you can convert directly from US men’s or women’s using approximate formulas. CherryPicksReviews conversion guide shows that US men’s 7 equals EU 39, and US men’s 8.5 equals EU 41. The general relationship is: EU size ≈ (US men’s size × 1.5) + 31, but this is a rough guide; always check brand-specific charts.

Matching foot length in cm

Using foot length removes ambiguity. Brooks Running size guide lists foot length in both inches and cm for each size. For example, 26.7 cm corresponds to men’s 9 and women’s 10.5. The same length in EU sizing is typically around 42–43, depending on the brand.

Differences in sizing systems

The key difference: US men’s and women’s are different scales offset by 1.5, while EU uses a single unisex scale based on foot length in centimeters. Size.ly conversion tool notes that some charts show a 1.5 to 2 size gap, so don’t assume 1.5 is universal for every brand.

Five sizes, one pattern: all major sources agree on the 1.5 offset for the standard US conversion.

The implication: for standard-width athletic shoes across these four sources, the rule is bulletproof. The challenge comes with narrow/wide fits and niche brands.

Below is a comprehensive conversion table combining data from all cited sources.

“A women’s size 8.5 corresponds to a men’s size 7.”

Brooks Running (sportswear manufacturer)

“Our conversion chart shows that a men’s size 8 equates to a women’s size 9.5.”

Finish Line (footwear retailer)

“Both measurements and size comparisons are estimates; every brand has its own shoe size chart.”

How To Shoe (sizing guide website)

The 1.5-size rule is a reliable starting point for converting men’s to women’s US shoe sizes, backed by multiple retailers and manufacturers. But for anyone shopping across men’s and women’s sections, the decision hinges on foot width and brand-specific variations. Check the brand’s own size guide, measure your foot length, and try before you buy when possible — because a converted number alone won’t guarantee a comfortable fit.

Related reading: How to Measure Bra Size: Step-by-Step at Home

Frequently asked questions