Many sneakers and boots are sold in men’s sizes only, and women are told to “go up one and a half sizes”. Others say one size. This converter does the arithmetic from the chart of a major brand and tells you which convention it used, so you can see both answers and decide.
How to use the women’s to men’s shoe size converter
- Choose the direction: women’s to men’s, or men’s to women’s.
- Type the size in half steps.
- Read the result. You get the converted size, the alternative with a one-size difference, and the EU, UK and foot length.
Women’s to men’s shoe size formula
alternative convention: men’s = women’s − 1
Nike’s men’s and women’s footwear charts (retrieved 2026-10-15) line up with a 1.5 difference throughout the range, with the same EU size and foot length in each row. Wikipedia’s Shoe size article notes that its table uses the FIA women’s scale and that the “common” women’s scale adds another half size, which matches Nike’s convention. The table below lists whole women’s sizes from 5 to 14.
| US women’s | US men’s (Nike, women − 1.5) | US men’s (women − 1) | UK | EU | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3.5 | 4 | 3 | 35.5 | 21.6 |
| 6 | 4.5 | 5 | 4 | 36.5 | 22.4 |
| 7 | 5.5 | 6 | 5 | 38 | 23.3 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7 | 6 | 39 | 24.1 |
| 9 | 7.5 | 8 | 6.5 | 40.5 | 24.9 |
| 10 | 8.5 | 9 | 7.5 | 42 | 25.9 |
| 11 | 9.5 | 10 | 8.5 | 43 | 26.7 |
| 12 | 10.5 | 11 | 9.5 | 44.5 | 27.5 |
| 13 | 11.5 | 12 | 10.5 | 45.5 | 28.4 |
| 14 | 12.5 | 13 | 11.5 | 47 | 29.2 |
Worked example
A women’s 8, buying unisex sneakers listed in men’s sizes.
- Nike: 8 − 1.5 = men’s 6.5, with UK 6 and EU 39.
- With the one-size convention: men’s 7.
- Foot length for the size: 24.1 cm.
If the shoe runs small, choose the larger of the two.
Practical tips
- Check the brand: if the product page prints both men’s and women’s sizes, trust it over a general rule.
- Width: men’s shoes are cut wider; a women’s 8 in a men’s 6.5 may feel roomy, so lacing and insoles help.
- Half sizes: men’s sizes below 6 are often not made, so women with small feet may need youth sizes.
- EU sizes: use the EU number as a cross-check; it is the same for either gender.
For other countries see the Shoe Size Converter (US/UK/EU/JP), and to find a size from your foot length use the Shoe Size Calculator (foot length). This converter gives general guidance only.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- Nike — men’s shoes size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Nike — women’s shoes size chart — checked 2026-10-15
- Wikipedia — Shoe size (women’s scale conventions) — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert women’s shoe size to men’s?
On Nike’s chart subtract 1.5 from the women’s size: a women’s 8 is a men’s 6.5. Some brands and the Wikipedia reference table subtract 1 instead, so a women’s 8 would be a men’s 7. The calculator shows both.
Why do brands disagree?
Wikipedia explains that the US women’s scale has two versions, the one used by industry sizing (FIA) and a “common” scale half a size higher. Nike follows the second, so the difference is 1.5.
Are men’s and women’s shoes the same length?
The same foot length is a smaller number for men than for women: a 26.2 cm foot is a men’s 9 and a women’s 10.5. The converter prints the foot length the size is built for.
Do men’s shoes fit women the same way?
Not always. Men’s lasts are usually wider, so a shoe converted by length may feel loose. Check the width and use Shoe Size Calculator (foot length) to find your size from the foot.
Can I use this for kids?
No. Kids’ shoes use C and Y sizes; use the Kids Shoe Size Calculator. In unisex youth sizes a youth 7 is close to a men’s 7.