UK shoe sizing system uses the oldest unit shoe length measurement, i.e. barleycorn. It is the most common system in the world, many countries outside of UK use it as well. However, with the myriad of shoe sizes and systems around the world, it’s easy to get confused, in this article, we’ll delve into the intricacies of UK shoe sizes, demystify the sizing system, and offer some tips on finding the right fit.

Unit of Shoe Length

The United Kingdom employs its own shoe sizing system, which is based on the length of the foot in barleycorns (one-third of an inch). This is based on an ancient notion between 10-12th century that three barleycorns make an inch. In those times is was fairly normal to measure things in reference to objects found in real world.

Available sizes

UK shoe sizes start at about 0.5 for infants and progress in whole and half sizes. Women sizes are available from 2-10 and from 5.5 to 12.5 for men.

Countries

United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Pakistan and South Africa widely use this system. Australia and New Zealand follow the UK system for men and children’s footwear. Women’s footwear follows the US sizings.

Conversion from Other Shoe Sizing Systems

Below are some general guidelines for common conversions:

UK to US: Subtract 1 size from your UK shoe size to get the equivalent US size. For example, if you wear a UK 7, you’d likely need a US 8.

UK to Euro: Add 33 to your UK shoe size to get the equivalent European size. For example, if you wear a UK 6, you’d typically need a European size 39.

Quick and easy way to use this shoe size calculator or shoe size conversion chart. Remember, each brand may have its own sizing quirks, so don’t hesitate to try on different sizes or consult customer reviews to make a purchase.