A cycling shoe has a stiff sole, a snug upper and a cleat under the ball of the foot, so a half size too big or too small shows up as slipping, hot spots or numb toes on long rides. Most makers, Shimano among them, design their shoes on the European scale and add US and UK numbers afterwards. This calculator takes the length of your longer foot and gives the Shimano EU and US size from a published chart.
How to use the cycling shoe size calculator
- Measure your foot. Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the longest toe, and measure from the wall to the mark. Do both feet, late in the day, and use the longer.
- Choose the chart, men’s or women’s.
- Enter the length in centimetres, millimetres or inches.
- Read the EU and US size and the foot length that size is built for.
Cycling shoe size formula
1 inch = 2.54 cm
The foot lengths below are from the Shimano size tables published by Alpine Trek (retrieved 2026-10-16). Rounding up when you fall between two sizes follows the usual advice for cycling shoes. The inch column in the tables is calculated from the centimetres.
Men’s chart
| Shimano EU | US men’s | Foot length (cm) | Foot length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 4 | 22.5 | 8.86 |
| 37 | 4.5 | 23 | 9.06 |
| 37.5 | 4.5/5 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 38 | 5/5.5 | 23.7 | 9.33 |
| 38.5 | 5.5 | 24.2 | 9.53 |
| 39 | 5.5/6 | 24.5 | 9.65 |
| 39.5 | 6 | 24.7 | 9.72 |
| 40 | 6.5 | 25.2 | 9.92 |
| 40.5 | 7 | 25.5 | 10.04 |
| 41 | 7.5 | 25.8 | 10.16 |
| 41.5 | 8 | 26.3 | 10.35 |
| 42 | 8/8.5 | 26.5 | 10.43 |
| 42.5 | 8.5/9 | 27 | 10.63 |
| 43 | 9 | 27.3 | 10.75 |
| 43.5 | 9/9.5 | 27.5 | 10.83 |
| 44 | 9.5 | 28 | 11.02 |
| 44.5 | 10 | 28.3 | 11.14 |
| 45 | 10.5 | 28.6 | 11.26 |
| 45.5 | 11 | 29 | 11.42 |
| 46 | 11/11.5 | 29.3 | 11.54 |
| 46.5 | 11.5 | 29.6 | 11.65 |
| 47 | 11.5/12 | 30 | 11.81 |
| 48 | 12/13 | 30.5 | 12.01 |
| 49 | 13 | 31 | 12.20 |
| 50 | 14 | 31.5 | 12.40 |
Women’s chart
| Shimano EU | US women’s | Foot length (cm) | Foot length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 5 | 22.5 | 8.86 |
| 37 | 5.5 | 23 | 9.06 |
| 37.5 | 6 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 38 | 6.5 | 23.7 | 9.33 |
| 38.5 | 6.5/7 | 24 | 9.45 |
| 39 | 7/7.5 | 24.5 | 9.65 |
| 39.5 | 7.5 | 24.7 | 9.72 |
| 40 | 7.5/8 | 25.2 | 9.92 |
| 40.5 | 8/8.5 | 25.5 | 10.04 |
| 41 | 8.5 | 25.7 | 10.12 |
| 41.5 | 9 | 26.2 | 10.31 |
| 42 | 9.5 | 26.5 | 10.43 |
| 42.5 | 10 | 26.8 | 10.55 |
| 43 | 10.5 | 27.2 | 10.71 |
| 43.5 | 10.5/11 | 27.5 | 10.83 |
| 44 | 11 | 27.8 | 10.94 |
Worked example
A rider’s longer foot is 25.0 cm and they use the men’s chart.
- EU 39.5 is built for 24.7 cm, which is too short for 25.0 cm.
- EU 40 is built for 25.2 cm, which is the first size that is long enough.
- Result: Shimano EU 40, US 6.5, with 0.2 cm to spare.
Fitting tips
- Toe room. The chart’s foot lengths are the lengths the sizes are built for, so check that the toes do not touch the end of the shoe with the socks you ride in.
- Heel hold. If the heel lifts when you pedal, the shoe is too big or the closure is too loose.
- Width. A pinch across the ball of the foot calls for a wide fit, not a longer shoe; see the Shoe Width Calculator.
- Different charts. Brands differ from each other, and the US numbers differ between retailers, so use your EU size and the brand’s own chart.
For everyday shoes use the Shoe Size Calculator (foot length), for running shoes the Running Shoe Size Calculator and for socks the Sock Size Calculator. The result is general guidance based on one published chart.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the date shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- Alpine Trek — Shimano size chart (men’s and women’s shoes: EU, US and foot length) — retrieved 2026-10-16
Frequently asked questions
What size cycling shoes should I get?
Measure your longer foot in centimetres and find the first size on the chart that is at least that long. Shimano shoes follow the European scale, so the EU number is the one to trust and the US number is an approximate conversion. If you are between sizes, go to the larger size.
Do cycling shoes fit like normal shoes?
Usually they fit close to your regular size but are stiffer and less forgiving, so a sloppy fit shows up as a hot spot on long rides. Make sure the toes have a little room and the heel does not lift. Use the Shoe Size Calculator (foot length) to compare your everyday size.
Why do US sizes differ between charts?
The US column on Shimano charts is a conversion and different retailers publish slightly different pairs, for example EU 40 as US 6.5 or 7 for men. This calculator uses one retailer’s published Shimano chart. When ordering, go by the EU size or the foot length.
Are women’s cycling shoes sized differently?
On the chart used here the EU size and foot length are nearly identical for men and women, but the US size is different: EU 40 is men’s US 6.5 and women’s US 7.5/8. Women’s sizes also stop at EU 44.
Do I need a wide cycling shoe?
If your forefoot feels pinched, consider a wide version rather than a larger size, since extra length lets the foot slide. See the Shoe Width Calculator, and for socks that suit tight cycling shoes use the Sock Size Calculator.