Japanese Shoe Sizes: Centimetres, US, UK and EU

Japan sizes shoes by the length of the foot in centimetres. A Japanese size 26 is for a foot about 26 centimetres long. It is a refreshingly logical system, but brands differ in how much room they add, so the conversions below are a starting point rather than a guarantee.

Men's sizes

Japan (cm) US UK Europe
25 7 6 40
25.5 7½ 6½ 40½
26 8 7 41
26.5 8½ 7½ 42
27 9 8 42½
27.5 9½ 8½ 43
28 10 9 44
29 11 10 45
30 12 11 46

Women's sizes

Japan (cm) US UK Europe
22 5 2½ 35
23 6 3½ 36½
24 7 4½ 38
25 8 5½ 39
26 9 6½ 40½

Sneaker brands, dress-shoe makers and European houses all vary. Always compare with the size printed inside a pair that fits you well.

Traditional footwear

  • Tabi and jika-tabi. Split-toe socks and work boots are sized in centimetres. Older sizes were given in mon, an old unit of about 2.4 centimetres, so ten mon is about 24 centimetres.
  • Geta and zōri. Wooden clogs and sandals are often sold in small, medium and large, and are traditionally worn with the heel slightly overhanging the back.

Measuring your foot

  • Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall and mark the tip of your longest toe.
  • Measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres. Measure both feet and use the longer.
  • For a comfortable fit, most people choose a shoe about half a centimetre to a centimetre longer than the foot.
  • Ask us for the insole length of any pair; we measure on request.

Related references

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