- Shoe sizes vary by country and are based on foot length, although width can also play a role.
- Europe, America, the UK and other countries use different numbering systems, which requires knowing the equivalents when purchasing footwear abroad.
- Measuring your foot correctly, preferably at the end of the day, is essential to selecting the right size.
More and more people are taking advantage of currency exchange rates and buying shoes abroad. Many purchases are made online, which includes checking the different sizes used in each country. There are even many people who travel abroad to visit family or friends in countries where prices are more affordable.
Shoe sizes are the measurements used to determine the type of footwear a person needs. Generally, foot length is measured, as width is usually a less common factor.
Shoe sizes in Spain
To take the measurement, the length of the foot is measured by drawing two parallel lines perpendicular to the foot. The measurement is taken from the point of the big toe to the end of the heel , with the foot bare and standing, distributing the body weight evenly between the right and left feet.
The size of the right foot often varies slightly from the left, meaning that shoe sizes aren't usually the same, but the difference is often minimal. This is why manufacturers use the same measurements for both feet in their shoes. The small difference is mainly due to the right foot typically being a bit wider and longer than the left, by about 15 to 20 millimeters.
Foot width is another measurement that is often taken into account depending on the manufacturer. In most cases, a combination of letters is used, such as A, B, C, D, E, and EE . These will vary depending on the country or region. As a general rule, there is a common European system, which includes countries like Spain, France, Germany, and Italy.
Shoe sizes used in various countries
Foot measurements, represented by a numerical system, differ and vary from continent to continent, and even within some countries. It's not difficult to learn, but you do need to do a little research on the equivalencies, so here are two very practical charts: one for women's shoe sizes and the other for men's.
In women's sizes we find American and European sizes, UK sizes and US sizes.
Here we show you men's shoe sizes , including European and American sizes, US sizes and UK sizes.
Here is another chart with children's shoe sizes.
Globally, we find a wide variety of sizes. Many of them might seem inconsistent, but there's a reason for it. They're very useful and easy to read, and they include sizes from many parts of the world, so write down the conversions for your size so you don't forget them.
American shoe size numbering
It follows the English sizing system , which the Americans copied at the time, differing initially from the French system. This size starts 1,116 millimeters earlier. To give you an idea, a French size 42 and an English size 8 would be equivalent to an American size 9.
Numbering in English shoe size
In this region , the measurement used is that of a barley grain , which is 1/3 of an inch or 8,5 millimeters, equivalent to one "Size." These sizes are represented by the abbreviation UK, where women's sizes range from 1.5 to 13.5 UK and men's sizes range from 5.5 to 21.0 UK.
Numbering in French shoe size
This type of sizing has been used since the early 19th century, coinciding with the Napoleonic era. It is represented at 2/3 of a centimeter, which is equivalent to 6,667 millimeters . For example, size 42 actually measures 28 cm.
How do you have to measure a foot?
Let's learn how to measure a foot in centimeters and what details to keep in mind. Ideally, you should measure them between the afternoon and evening, as the foot expands more and the measurement is much more accurate. If you measure it in the morning, you might get a measurement that indicates you have a smaller shoe size.
- We place both feet on a sheet of paper and resting on the ground.
- We will draw the outline of the foot with a pencil and maintaining the vertical position between the leg and the foot, that is, maintaining an angle of 90°.
- Once the template is made, we will measure from the heel to the big toe. The foot that has given the most measurement is the one we are left with, since when choosing footwear it is the measurement that counts.
- Next, we can see the table of centimeters with the size converter, both for men, women or children.
Curiosities about size in other countries
- En Asia The sizing system is totally different from the rest of the countries, they use letters instead of numbers.
- En Latin America the sizes coincide with those of Spain, except in the countries of Brazil and Mexico.
- En France and Italy They use a size smaller than that of Spain.
- En Canada, New Zealand and Australia, use the same sizing that is used in the United States, since they respect many of these parameters in international brands.
- En Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, etc., the sizes are half a number larger than in Spain.
Footwear exporters are already familiar with how their products are sold . They know that sizes aren't the same in all regions and choose to export them with sizes adapted to those regions. Manufacturers decide to include an informational label with the corresponding sizes for all countries. In this way, they are providing comparative size charts that can be used worldwide. It's important to note, however, that all countries have one thing in common: their sizing is based on foot length.