Shoe size

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A shoe size is an indication of the fitting size of a shoe for a person.

There are a number of different shoe-size systems used worldwide. While all of them use a number to indicate the length of the shoe, they differ in exactly what they measure, what unit of measurement they use, and where the size 0 (or 1) is positioned. Some systems also indicate the shoe width, sometimes also as a number, but in many cases by one or more letters. Some regions use different shoe-size systems for different types of shoes (e.g. men's, women's, children's, sport, and safety shoes). This article sets out several complexities in the definition of shoe sizes. In practice, shoes should be tried on for size and fit before they are purchased.

Video Shoe size

Deriving the shoe size

Foot versus shoe and last

The length of a foot is commonly defined as (a) the distance between two parallel lines that are perpendicular to the foot and (b) in contact with the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. Foot length is measured with the subject standing barefoot and the weight of the body equally distributed between both feet.

The sizes of the left and right feet are often slightly different. In this case, both feet are measured, and purchasers of mass-produced shoes are advised to purchase a shoe size based on the larger foot, as most retailers do not sell pairs of shoes in non-matching sizes.

Each size of shoe is considered suitable for a small interval of foot lengths, typically limited by half-point of the shoe size system.

The inner cavity of a shoe must typically be 2 size points longer than the foot, but this varies between different types of shoes and the shoe size system used. Typical difference would be ¹/₂ to ²/₃ inch (12.7 to 16.9 mm) for the UK/US system and ⁴/₃ to ⁵/₃ cm (13.3 to 16.7 mm) for the European system, but can go as high as ¹/₄ to ³/₄ inch (6.4 to 19.1 mm) or ²/₃ to ⁶/₃ cm (6.7 to 20.0 mm).

A shoe-size system can refer to three characteristic lengths:

• The median length of feet for which a shoe is suitable. For customers, this measure has the advantage of being directly related to their body measures. It applies equally to any type, form, or material of shoe. However, this measure is less popular with manufacturers, because it requires them to test carefully for each new shoe model, for which range of foot sizes it is recommendable. It puts on the manufacturer the burden of ensuring that the shoe will fit a foot of a given length.
• The length of the inner cavity of the shoe. This measure has the advantage that it can be measured easily on the finished product. However, it will vary with manufacturing tolerances and only gives the customer very crude information about the range of foot sizes for which the shoe is suitable.
• The length of the "last", the foot-shaped template over which the shoe is manufactured. This measure is the easiest one for the manufacturer to use, because it identifies only the tool used to produce the shoe. It makes no promise about manufacturing tolerances or for what size of foot the shoe is actually suitable. It leaves all responsibility and risk of choosing the correct size with the customer. Further, the last can be measured in several different ways resulting in different measurements.

All these measures differ substantially from one another for the same shoe.

Length

Sizing systems also differ in what units of measurement they use. This also results in different increments between shoe sizes, because usually only "full" or "half" sizes are made.

The following length units are commonly used today to define shoe-size systems:

• The Paris point equates to ²/₃ centimetre (6.67 mm; 0.26 in). Whole sizes are incremented by 1 Paris point; this corresponds to 3.33 millimetres (0.131 in) between half sizes. This unit is commonly used in Continental Europe.
• The barleycorn is an old English unit that equates to ¹/₃ inch (8.47 mm). This is the basis for current UK and US shoe sizes, with the largest shoe size taken as twelve inches (a size 12) i.e. 30.5 cm, and then counting backwards in barleycorn units, so a size 11 is 11.67 inches or 29.6 cm.
• Metric measurements in centimetres (cm) or millimetres (mm) with intervals of 5 mm and 7.5 mm are used in the international Mondopoint system (USSR/Russia and Asia).

Zero point

The sizing systems also place size 0 (or 1) at different locations:

• Size 0 as a foot's length of 0. The shoe size is directly proportional to the length of the foot in the chosen unit of measurement. Sizes of children's, men's, and women's shoes, as well as sizes of different types of shoes, can be compared directly. This is used with the Mondopoint and the Asian system.
• Size 0 as the length of the shoe's inner cavity of 0. The shoe size is then directly proportional to the inner length of the shoe. This is used with systems that also take the measurement from the shoe. While sizes of children's, men's and women's shoes can be compared directly, this is not necessarily true for different types of shoes that require a different amount of "wiggle room" in the toe box. This is used with the Continental European system.
• Size 0 (or 1) can just be simply a shoe of a given length. Typically this will be the shortest length deemed practical; but this can be different for children's, teenagers', men's, and women's shoes - making it impossible to compare sizes. For example, a women's shoe at size 8 is a different length from a men's shoe at size 8 in the US system, but not the British.

Width

Some systems also include the width of a foot (or the girth of a shoe last), but do so in a variety of ways:

• Measured width in millimetres (mm). This is done with the latest version of the Mondopoint system (ISO 9407:1991).
• Measured width as a letter (or combination of letters), which is taken from a table (indexed to length and width) or just assigned on an ad-hoc basis: Examples are (each starting with the narrowest width):
  • A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G (typical North American system, with the unlettered norm being D for men and B for women)
  • 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E (variant North American)
  • C, D, E, F, G, H (common UK; "medium" is usually F, but varies by manufacturer--makers Edward Green and Crockett & Jones, among others, use E instead, but one maker's E is not necessarily the same size as another's).
  • N (narrow), M (medium) or R (regular), W (wide).

The width for which these sizes are suitable can vary significantly between manufacturers. The A-E width indicators used by most American, Canadian, and some British shoe manufacturers are typically based on the width of the foot, and common step sizes are ³/₁₆ inch (4.8 mm).

Maps Shoe size

Common sizing systems

United Kingdom

Shoe size in the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, and South Africa is based on the length of the last used to make the shoes, measured in barleycorn (¹/₃ inch) starting from the smallest size deemed practical, which is called size zero. It is not formally standardised. Note that the last is typically longer than the foot heel to toe length by about ¹/₂ to ²/₃ inch (13 to 17 mm).

A child's size zero is equivalent to 4 inches (a hand = 12 barleycorns = 10.16 cm), and the sizes go up to size 13 ¹/₂ (measuring 25 ¹/₂ barleycorns, or 8 ¹/₂ inches (21.59 cm)). Thus, the calculation for a children's shoe size in the UK is:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{child shoe size}}=(3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}})-12}$

equivalent to

${\displaystyle {\mbox{child shoe size}}\approx (3\times {\mbox{heel to toe length in inches}})-10}$

An adult size one is then the next size up (26 barleycorns, or 8 ²/₃ in (22.01 cm)) and each size up continues the progression in barleycorns. The calculation for an adult shoe size in the UK is thus:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}=(3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}})-25}$

equivalent to

${\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}\approx (3\times {\mbox{heel to toe length in inches}})-23}$

Note: some manufacturers choose to use a constant other than 25, so sizes do vary in either direction e.g. A shoe marked as a European size 40 may also be marked as a UK: 6 by Jimmy Choo, Nike; a 6 ¹/₂ by Adidas, Clarks, Dr Martens, Fred Perry, Karrimor, Monsoon, New Balance, Reebok, and Slazenger; a 7 by Converse, Gap, Pavers, and Timberland; and a 7 ¹/₂ by Crocs. Some retailers mark a larger size on women's European compatible which can cause confusion with the UK unisex sizes. A size 8 should be a European 42 in both male and female shoes, but this is often marked as a 9 for women.

In Australia and New Zealand, the UK system is followed ofr men and children's footwear. Women's footwear has a slightly different sizing that is unique and in between the UK and US's sizings.

In Mexico, shoes are sized either according to the foot length they are intended to fit, in cm, or alternatively to another variation of the barleycorn system, with sizes calculated approximately as:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{adult shoe size}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-25.5}$

United States

In United States and Canada, there are different systems that are used concurrently. The size indications are usually similar but not exactly equivalent especially with athletic shoes at extreme sizes. The most common is the customary, described in more detail below, which for men's shoes is one size shorter than the UK equivalent, making a men's 13 in the US or Canada the same size as a men's 12 in the UK.

Customary

The traditional system is similar to English sizes but start counting at one rather than zero, so equivalent sizes are one greater. So the calculation for a male shoe size in the USA or Canada is:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{male shoe size}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-24}$

Women's sizes are almost always determined with the "common" scale, in which women's sizes are equal to men's sizes plus 1.5 (for example, a men's 10.5 is a women's 12). In other words:

${\displaystyle {\mbox{female shoe size (common)}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-22{\frac {1}{2}}}$

In the less popular scale, known as the "standard" or "FIA" (Footwear Industries of America) scale, women's sizes are men's sizes plus 1 (so a men's 10.5 is a women's 11.5).

${\displaystyle {\mbox{female shoe size (FIA)}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-23}$

Children's

Children's sizes are equal to men's sizes plus 12 ¹/₃. Children's sizes do not differ by gender even though adults' do.

${\displaystyle {\mbox{Child shoe size}}=3\times {\mbox{last length in inches}}-11{\frac {2}{3}}}$

Children's shoe stores in the United States and Canada use a sizing scheme which ends at 13, after which the adult range starts at 1. Alternatively, a scale running from K4 to K13 and then 1 to 7 is in use. K4 to K9 are toddler sizes, K10 to 3 are pre-school and 1 to 7 are grade school sizes.

Brannock Device

A slightly different sizing method is based on the Brannock Device, a measuring instrument invented by Charles F. Brannock in 1925 and now found in many shoe stores. The formula used by the Brannock device assumes a foot length ²/₃ in (1.7 cm) less than the length of the last; thus, men's size 1 is equivalent to a foot's length of 7 ²/₃ in (19.47 cm). Women's sizes are one size up.

${\displaystyle {\mbox{male shoe size (Brannock)}}=3\times {\mbox{foot length in inches}}-22}$

${\displaystyle {\mbox{female shoe size (Brannock)}}=3\times {\mbox{foot length in inches}}-21}$

The device also measures the length of the arch, or the distance between the heel and the ball (metatarsal head) of the foot. For this measurement, the device has a shorter scale at the instep of the foot with an indicator that slides into position. If this scale indicates a larger size, it is taken in place of the foot's length to ensure proper fitting.

For children's sizes, additional wiggle room is added to allow for growth.

The device also measures the width of the foot and assigns it designations of AAA, AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, or EEE. The widths are 3/16 in apart and differ by shoe length.

Some shoe stores and medical professionals use optical 3D surface scanners to precisely measure the length and width of both feet and recommend the appropriate shoe model and size.

Europe

The Continental European system is used in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and most other continental European countries. It is also used in Middle Eastern countries (such as Iran), Brazil--which uses the same method but subtracts 2 from the final result-- and, commonly, Hong Kong. The system is sometimes described as Stich size (from Pariser Stich, a German for Paris point), or Stichmass size (from Stichmaß, a micrometer tool for internal measurements).

In this system, the shoe size is the length of the last, expressed in Paris points, for both sexes and for adults and children alike. Because a Paris point is ²/₃ of a centimetre, the formula is as follows:

${\displaystyle \mathrm {shoe~size~({Paris~points})={\frac {3}{2}}\times {last~length}\left({cm}\right)} }$

To compute the size based on actual foot length, one must first add a length of 2 to 2.5 Paris points or ⁴/₃ to ⁵/₃ cm (13.3 to 16.7 mm). For instance, for a shoe having an external length of 2 Paris points longer than the foot:

${\displaystyle \mathrm {shoe~size~({Paris~points})={\frac {3}{2}}\times {\left(~foot~length\left({cm}\right)+2\times {{\frac {2}{3}}~}\right)}} ={\frac {3}{2}}\times \mathrm {~foot~length\left({cm}\right)} +2}$

Mondopoint

TheMondopoint shoe length system was introduced in 1970s by International Standards ISO 2816:1973 "Fundamental characteristics of a system of shoe sizing to be known as Mondopoint" and ISO 3355:1975 "Shoe sizes - System of length grading (for use in the Mondopoint system)". ISO 9407:1991, "Shoe sizes--Mondopoint system of sizing and marking", is the current version of the standard.

The Mondopoint system is based on average foot length and foot width for which the shoe is suitable, measured in millimetres. The length of the foot is measured as horizontal distance between the perpendiculars in contact with the end of the most prominent toe and the most prominent part of the heel. The width of the foot is measured as horizontal distance between vertical lines in contact with the first and fifth metatarsophalangeal joints. The origin of the grade is zero.

Standard foot lengths are defined with interval steps of 5 mm for casual footwear and steps of 7.5 mm for specialty (protective) footwear.

The labeling should typically include foot length, followed by an optional foot width - a shoe size of 280/110 indicates a foot length of 280 millimetres (11.0 in) and width of 110 millimetres (4.3 in). Other customary markings, such as EU, UK and US sizes, can also be used.

Because Mondopoint takes the foot width into account, it allows for better fitting than most other systems. A given shoe size shall fit every foot with indicated average measurements, and those differing by no more than a half-step of the corresponding interval grid.

Mondopoint system is widely used in sports industry to size athletic shoes, ski/skate boots, and Pointe ballet shoes; it was also adopted as primary shoe sizing system in USSR/GDR/Russia and Japan/China/South Korea, and as an optional shoe sizing system in India, Mexico and European countries. Mondopoint system is also used by NATO and other military services.

The standard is maintained by ISO Techincal Committee 137 "Footwear sizing designations and marking systems"; as of 2018, a new revision is under development.

Japan

In Japan, China, and South Korea, the Mondopoint system is used by national standard JIS S 5037:1998 and its counterparts CNS 4800-S1093:2000 and KS M 6681:2007.

Foot length and girth are taken into account. The foot length is indicated in centimetres; an increment of 5 mm is used.

The length is followed by designators for girth (A, B, C, D, E, EE, EEE, EEEE, F, G), which is taken from a table indexed to girth and length. There are different tables for men's, women's, and children's (less than 12 years of age) shoes. The tables also include the width in millimeters as supplemental indications. Not all designators are used for all genders and in all countries. For example, the largest girth for women in China is EEEE, whereas in Japan, it is F.

USSR (Russia/CIS)

Historically the USSR used the European (Paris point) system, but the Mondopoint metric system was introduced in 1980s by GOST 24382-80 "Sizes of Sport Shoes" and GOST 11373-88 "Shoe Sizes". Foot lenghts are aligned to 5 mm and 7.5 mm intervals.

Standard metric foot sizes can be converted to the nearest Paris point (²/₃ cm) sizes using approximate conversion tables; shoes can be marked with both foot length in mm, as for Pointe ballet shoe sizes, and/or last length in European Paris point sizes (although such converted 'Stichmass' sizes typically come ½ to 1 size smaller than comparable European-made adult footwear, and up to 1½ size smaller for children's footwear, according to ISO 19407 shoe size definitions). Optional foot width designation sincludes narrow, normal (medium or regular), and wide grades.

Infant sizes start at 16 (95 mm) and pre-school kids at 23 (140 mm); schoolchildren sizes span 32 (202.5 mm) to 40 (255 mm) for girls and 32 to 44 (285 mm) for boys. Adult sizes span 33 (210 mm) to 44 for women and 38 (245 mm) to 48 (310 mm) for men.

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ISO 19407

ISO/TS 19407:2015 Footwear - Sizing - Conversion of sizing systems is a technical specification from International Standards Organisation. The standard includes conversion tables for Mondopoint (USSR/Russian/Chinese/Japanese/Korean systems) using length steps of 5 mm and 7.5 mm, European Paris point system, and UK 1/3 inch system. Shoe size definitions are based on actual foot (insole) length in millimeters; typical last length ranges are also included. The standard has been adopted as Russian GOST R 57425-2017.

The standard is maintained by ISO/TC 137, which also developed ISO/TS 19408:2015 Footwear - Sizing - Vocabulary and terminology; currently in development are companion standards ISO/TS 19409 "Footwear - Sizing - Measurement of last dimensions" and ISO/TS 19410 "Footwear - Sizing - Inshoe measurement".

Shoe sizing

The adult shoe sizes are calculated from typical last length, which is converted from foot length in mm by adding an allowance of two shoe sizes:

${\displaystyle EUR~shoe~size={\frac {L+2\times {6.6{\bar {6}}}}{6.6{\bar {6}}}}={\frac {3}{20}}\times {L}+2}$

${\displaystyle UK~shoe~size={\frac {L+2\times {8.4{\bar {6}}}}{8.4{\bar {6}}}}-25={\frac {3}{25.4}}\times {L}-23}$

where ${\displaystyle {L}}$ is foot length in mm.

Direct conversion between adult UK, European and Mondopoint shoe size systems is derived as follows:

${\displaystyle L={\frac {20}{3}}\times \left(EUR~shoe~size-2\right)={\frac {25.4}{3}}\times \left(UK~shoe~size+23\right)}$

${\displaystyle EUR~shoe~size={1.27\times \left(UK~shoe~size+23\right)}+2}$

${\displaystyle UK~shoe~size={\frac {EUR~shoe~size-2}{1.27}}-23}$

Excact foot lenghts may contain repeating decimals because the formulas include division by 3; in practice, approximate interval steps of 6.67 mm and 8.47 mm are used, then resulting lengths are rounded up to 0.1 mm, and shoe sizes are rounded to either 0.5 size points or closest matching Mondopoint size.

Children sizes are approximations converted from foot length by adding a 8% allowance at the toes and matching the result to the closest partically available last size.

Size conversion

The standard also includes quick conversion tables for adult shoe sizes; they provide matching sizes for shoes marked in Mondopoint, UK and US systems. Converted values are rounded to a larger shoe size to increase comfort.

Labels

Shoe size in the primary sizing system used in production should be placed first on the label, preferably in a bold font, and approximate shoe size conversion to other systems should be included as well.

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Difficulties in shoe size comparison

Differences between various shoe size tables, makers' tables or other tables found on the Web are usually due to the following factors:

• The systems are not fully standardised. Differences between shoes from different makers, which are due to different methods of measuring the shoes, different manufacturing processes, or different allowances are sometimes related to different countries. A "German" size may then differ from a "French" size, although both countries use the Continental European system.
• Different widths may have the result that for wide feet, a shoe multiple sizes larger (and actually too long) may be required. This may also result in different size indications, especially if different typical widths are attributed to different sizing systems or countries.
• Some tables for children take future growth into account. The shoe size is then larger than what would correspond to the actual length of the foot.
• An indication in centimetres or inches can mean the length of the foot or the length of the shoe's inner cavity. This relation is not constant but varies due to different amounts of wiggle room required for different sizes of shoes.
• There are several U.S. systems, which differ substantially for sizes far above or below medium sizes.

Further, some tables available on the Web simply contain errors. For example, the wiggle room or different zero point is not taken into account, or tables based on different U.S. systems (traditional and athletic) are simply combined although they are incompatible.

Please note that the following tables indicate theoretical sizes calculated from the standards and information given above.

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See also

• List of shoe styles
• Shoes

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References

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External links

• IS 8751-1 (1978): Footwear sizes in mondopoint system, Part 1: Fundamental characteristics
• IS 8751-2 (1978): Footwear sizes in mondopoint system, Part 2: Length grading
• Chart of US shoe widths by size

Source of the article : Wikipedia