International Size Converter
Select a category — shoes, tops, bottoms, or bras — pick your size, and instantly see the equivalent in US, UK, EU, JP, and more. Perfect for online shopping from overseas stores.
Size conversion
| JPN (cm) | 27 |
| US | 9 |
| UK | 8.5 |
| EU | 42.5 |
| CN (mm) | 270 |
Sizes vary by brand and manufacturer. Use this tool as a general guide and always check the brand's official size chart before purchasing.
How to use
Choose a category using the four tabs at the top: Shoes, Tops, Bottoms, or Bras.
For shoes, select men's or women's, choose an input size system (JPN, US, UK, EU, or CN), then pick your size. The full conversion row appears instantly. For tops, choose XS–XXL and see all regional labels. For bottoms, select a waist measurement in inches for the cm equivalent. For bras, select your band system and cup to see the conversion.
Hit the Copy button to save the result to your clipboard — handy for pasting into order forms.
Common use cases: shopping on US, UK, or EU websites; buying clothes while traveling abroad; picking a gift from an international brand; checking sizes on resale platforms.
Understanding size systems
JPN shoe sizes actually mean your foot length in cm
Japanese shoe sizes (JPN) are based on JIS S 5037 and represent the actual length of the foot in centimetres — a system known as the Mondopoint method. A size of "26.0" doesn't mean the shoe is 26 cm long; it means the foot is 26 cm long.
By contrast, US, UK, and EU numbers are derived from the length of the shoe's last (the mold used to shape the shoe) and do not directly equal foot length. Even within a single size designation, the fit can shift by roughly 1 cm depending on the last shape — toe box width, arch height, and overall construction all vary by brand. So "US 9 should fit the same everywhere" is a common misconception. That's why this chart is a guide only, and trying shoes on (or consulting the brand's official size guide) is always recommended.
Why EU shoe sizes look like odd numbers — the Paris point system
EU shoe sizes are based on the "Paris point," a unit equal to 2/3 cm (≈ 6.67 mm). That's why EU sizes come out as numbers like 42 or 43 — not round centimetres, not inches, but multiples of 6.67 mm (source: Wikipedia — Paris point).
This unit originated with French shoemakers in the early 19th century, in the wake of the metric system introduced after the French Revolution. Craftsmen needed finer increments than a full centimetre, so they settled on two-thirds of a centimetre. The result is a size scale that feels arbitrary until you know its history. Once you understand that JPN measures actual foot length in cm while EU counts Paris points, the conversion table makes a lot more sense.
FAQ
- Why does the same US size feel different from brand to brand?
- Each shoe brand uses its own proprietary last (the foot-shaped mold), so even identical size labels can differ in instep height, toe box width, and overall feel. Brands designed for Asian markets also tend to run narrower and flatter than those aimed at Western markets. Size charts are a starting point — always check the brand's official fit guide or try the shoes on when possible.
- I'm between two half sizes. Which should I choose?
- This chart includes half sizes, so you can look up both. When in doubt, most shoemakers suggest sizing up and using an insole for a precise fit. Keep in mind that feet tend to swell slightly toward the end of the day, so afternoon measurements are often more reliable. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
- Do you have a kids' or junior shoe size chart?
- The current version does not include children's shoe sizes. Children's footwear uses separate sizing standards in each region, and sizes change quickly with growth, so we're considering it as a future addition.
- Are Asian sizes bigger or smaller than European sizes?
- It's not a simple bigger/smaller comparison — the two systems use completely different scales. JPN measures actual foot length in cm, while EU counts Paris points (1 pt ≈ 6.67 mm), so the raw numbers can't be directly compared. In practice, Asian-market shoes also tend to be narrower and lower in the instep than their European counterparts, so fit depends on construction as much as size numbers.
- Why is the EU bra band size 5 higher than JPN?
- JPN, US, and UK band sizes are based on a naming convention tied to underband measurements in inches, while EU sizes add 5 to that nominal value (e.g., JPN 75 = EU 80). This reflects different baseline standards between the two systems. Note also that JPN cup sizes are sometimes labeled one step smaller than their US/UK equivalents, so the chart shows nominal correspondence — actual fit should always be verified by trying on or checking the brand's guide.
Related tool
Need to convert foot length or waist measurements between cm and inches? Use the Unit Converter (continuous value conversion, as opposed to this chart's size-standard lookup).