Shoe Size Conversion - NZ Guide and Charts
Convert from US, UK and EU to NZ for women's, men's and kids' shoe sizes using our trusted conversion tables
Updated 19 October 2023
Buying shoes internationally poses different issues than buying them in New Zealand; not only are you buying shoes online, but you have to convert your shoe size to the appropriate sizing. Our tables show the different sizes you'll find online (US, UK and EU) and their equivalent for the other countries.
One quick tip – start with your European shoe size. They are universal, which means no matter where you buy your shoes, your European shoe size will be the same.
One quick tip – start with your European shoe size. They are universal, which means no matter where you buy your shoes, your European shoe size will be the same.
Warning Points for Online Shoe and Clothing Purchases:
- Inconsistent Manufacturer Sizing: Be aware of variations in sizing across different manufacturers and suppliers, especially for women's wear. One brand's "medium" might be another's "small". This continues to catch out New Zealanders and cause hassle.
- Prioritize Personal Measurements: Generic size charts can serve as a reference, but it's always best to rely on your measurements when making a purchase.
- Open Communication: Before committing to a purchase, establish a clear line of correspondence with the supplier. This helps in addressing potential sizing issues before they arise.
- Red Flags with Suppliers include Lack of Direct Contact (suppliers that only offer online forms and don't provide direct email addresses) and Unresponsive Customer Service (companies that don't respond or give unsatisfactory email replies can be red flags).
- Thorough Research: Dig deeper than just customer reviews. There are dedicated websites that provide insights about specific suppliers.
- Follow Company Guides: Adhere strictly to the sizing and ordering guidelines provided by the company. However, if you sense a discrepancy or have a concern, contact the company before purchasing.
- Responsibility on Companies: Once you've communicated your concerns and followed their guidelines, the company must provide accurate ordering information. If the product doesn't fit as expected, they should take responsibility.
- Leverage Chargebacks: If your purchase is unsatisfactory, consider pursuing a chargeback. Companies generally want to avoid this; sometimes, merely hinting at this action can lead to a resolution.
Women's Shoe Size Conversion Chart
US Women = NZ Women |
EU Women |
UK Women |
Inches |
CM |
4 |
35 |
2 |
8.1875" |
20.8 |
4.5 |
35 |
2.5 |
8.375" |
21.3 |
5 |
35-36 |
3 |
8.5" |
21.6 |
5.5 |
36 |
3.5 |
8.75" |
22.2 |
6 |
36-37 |
4 |
8.875" |
22.5 |
6.5 |
37 |
4.5 |
9.0625" |
23 |
7 |
37-38 |
5 |
9.25" |
23.5 |
7.5 |
38 |
5.5 |
9.375" |
23.8 |
8 |
38-39 |
6 |
9.5" |
24.1 |
8.5 |
39 |
6.5 |
9.6875" |
24.6 |
9 |
39-40 |
7 |
9.875" |
25.1 |
9.5 |
40 |
7.5 |
10" |
25.4 |
10 |
40-41 |
8 |
10.1875" |
25.9 |
10.5 |
41 |
8.5 |
10.3125" |
26.2 |
11 |
41-42 |
9 |
10.5" |
26.7 |
11.5 |
42 |
9.5 |
10.6875" |
27.1 |
12 |
42-43 |
10 |
10.875" |
27.6 |
Men's Shoe Size Conversion Chart
US Men |
EU Men |
UK Men = NZ Men |
Inches |
CM |
6 |
39 |
5.5 |
9.25" |
23.5 |
6.5 |
39 |
6 |
9.5" |
24.1 |
7 |
40 |
6.5 |
9.625" |
24.4 |
7.5 |
40-41 |
7 |
9.75" |
24.8 |
8 |
41 |
7.5 |
9.9375" |
25.4 |
8.5 |
41-42 |
8 |
10.125" |
25.7 |
9 |
42 |
8.5 |
10.25" |
26 |
9.5 |
42-43 |
9 |
10.4375" |
26.7 |
10 |
43 |
9.5 |
10.5625" |
27 |
10.5 |
43-44 |
10 |
10.75" |
27.3 |
11 |
44 |
10.5 |
10.9375" |
27.9 |
11.5 |
44-45 |
11 |
11.125" |
28.3 |
12 |
45 |
11.5 |
11.25" |
28.6 |
13 |
46 |
12.5 |
11.5625" |
29.4 |
14 |
47 |
13.5 |
11.875" |
30.2 |
15 |
48 |
14.5 |
12.1875" |
31 |
16 |
49 |
15.5 |
12.5" |
31.8 |
Kids' Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Age |
UK Kids |
US Kids |
EU Kids |
CM Length |
3-6 months |
2 |
3 |
18 |
10.5 |
6-12 months |
3 |
4 |
19 |
11.5 |
12-18 months |
4 |
5 |
20.5 |
12 |
18-24 months |
5 |
6 |
21.5 |
13 |
2-2.5 years |
6 |
7 |
23 |
14 |
2.5-3 years |
7 |
8 |
24 |
14.5 |
3-3.5 years |
8 |
9 |
25.5 |
15.5 |
3.5-4 years |
9 |
10 |
26.5 |
16.5 |
4-4.5 years |
10 |
11 |
27.5 |
17 |
4.5-5 years |
11 |
12 |
29 |
18 |
5-6 years |
12 |
13 |
30.5 |
19 |
6-7 years |
13 |
1L |
32 |
19.5 |
7-8 years |
1L |
2L |
33 |
20.5 |
8-9 years |
2L |
3L |
34.5 |
21 |
9-10 years |
3L |
4L |
35.5 |
22 |
10-11 years |
4L |
5L |
37 |
23 |
11-12 years |
5L |
6L |
38 |
24 |
Senior Kids |
6L |
7L |
39 |
25 |
Senior Kids |
7L |
8L |
40 |
26 |
Senior Kids |
8L |
9L |
41 |
27 |
Senior Kids |
9L |
10L |
42 |
28 |
Senior Kids |
10L |
11L |
43 |
29 |
Senior Kids |
11L |
12L |
44 |
30 |
Senior Kids |
12L |
13L |
45 |
31 |
Shoe Size Conversion - Frequently Asked Questions
​How do you measure feet? Are they measured in inches?
Measuring feet with a 2-dimensional tool, such as a ruler, doesn’t accurately measure your foot. Feet are 3-dimensional, but if you wear the socks you’ll wear with your shoes and measure with a tape measure rather than a ruler, you may get a close measurement. You’ll need to convert inches to millimetres for international conversion.
​What is the difference between shoe sizes?
Shoes are measured in barleycorns. One size bigger is one barleycorn bigger, which is 8.46 mm or 1/3 of an inch bigger.
​How do NZ shoe sizes compare to US shoe sizes?
Women’s New Zealand shoe size is equivalent to women’s U.S. shoe sizes, but men’s New Zealand shoe sizes are one size smaller than US shoe sizes. To help with online shopping, keep this in mind:
- NZ women shoe sizes are the same as US women’s
- NZ men shoe sizes are the same as UK men's
How do NZ shoe sizes compare to UK shoe sizes?
Women’s New Zealand shoe size is two sizes larger than the UK size. Men’s New Zealand shoe size is equivalent to the UK shoe size.
​How do EU shoe sizes work?
EU shoe sizes are universal. You can use them as a baseline when converting your shoe sizes. Women add 31 to their NZ shoe size, and men add 33 to their NZ shoe size to get their EU shoe size. Once you know this size, you can use it for all shoe sizes in any country. EU sizes are unisex and have one range, with the lower end usually for children and the largest end fitting men.
​Should you buy shoes a half of a size too big?
Rather than buying shoes a half size bigger, focus on whether you have at least a thumb’s width between the edge of the shoe and your big toe. If the shoes are too big, your heels will rub, causing blisters.
​Should shoes be tight or loose?
The right shoes are the shoes that feel good on your feet. In general, though, the shoe should feel comfortable (not too tight) at the ball of your foot and your heel. When you walk, you shouldn’t feel rubbing at the top of your foot or have heel slippage.
​Do shoe sizes vary by brand?
Some brands have their own sizing, which may run ½ size or so larger or smaller. Before you buy shoes of different brands, look at the brand’s own conversion chart, as there may be variations compared to the standards.
When you buy shoes online, especially internationally, read the return policies. Make sure returns are allowed and under what circumstances. Because each shoe fits differently, you need some leeway to make exchanges or returns if the shoes don’t offer a comfortable fit.
When you buy shoes online, especially internationally, read the return policies. Make sure returns are allowed and under what circumstances. Because each shoe fits differently, you need some leeway to make exchanges or returns if the shoes don’t offer a comfortable fit.
