Unboxed
Expert Advice
Jan 28, 2021
So that hype launch the entire sneakersphere has been buzzing about since mid-year last year is finally launching… exclusively in men’s sizes. Can’t a sneakerista catch a break?! But, before we launch into a full dialog on the scarcity of inclusive sizing in the sneaker world, we’ll share another insider sneakret with you about how you can cop those grails even without women’s-specific sizes released. Just convert your women’s shoe size into the men’s shoe size equivalent and shop on, sole sister!
First things first, you need to measure your feet to make sure you’re wearing the proper shoe size in women’s styles. To do this, you will need:
- Socks
- A wall and hard-surfaced floor
- Piece of paper larger than your foot
- Pencil or marker
- Scotch tape
- Ruler
Step 1:
Put on a pair of socks you plan to wear with your shoes, and stand on the paper with your back and ankles against the wall.
Step 2:
Mark the longest part of both feet with the pencil.
Step 3:
Use the ruler to measure each foot’s length (heel to toe) and width.
Step 4:
Repeat with the other foot. Since your feet may be slightly asymmetrical, go with the larger size.
Step 5:
Use the below chart to determine your women’s to men’s converted shoe size. A general rule of thumb is that men’s and women’s shoe sizes differ by about 1.5-sizes. So, if your size in women’s is an 8.5, then your men’s shoe size equivalent will be a size 7. Shoe widths should be consistent across both women’s and men’s styles.
Size Chart
Women | Men |
7 | 5.5 |
7.5 | 6 |
8 | 6.5 |
8.5 | 7 |
9 | 7.5 |
9.5 | 8 |
10 | 8.5 |
10.5 | 9 |
11 | 9.5 |
11.5 | 10 |
12 | 10.5 |
12.5 | 11 |
13.5 | 12 |
Notice that our conversion chart begins with a women’s size 7. For women who wear a size 6.5 and smaller, it might be a little more difficult to shop the styles you want. But no worries, we can also help you convert your women’s shoe size to the equivalent kids’ shoe size to level the playing field a little.
You can also take a look at our sizes-by-brand hub for individual sizing charts for sneakers, apparel and accessories from your favorite brands.
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Men’s Vs. Women’s Shoe Size: How Does It All Translate?
We broke down men’s vs. women’s shoe size so you can grab the information you need to find your perfect fit. Knowing your shoe size in other conversions might come in handy more than you think. For example, if you’re a woman shopping for a unisex shoe or you like a men’s style of shoe then chances are you’re going to want to know how to convert your women’s to men’s shoe size. Whatever the case
is, our conversion chart has the answers you need. Get the lowdown on men’s vs women’s shoe size. Generally speaking, there’s a 1.5-size difference in length between women and men shoes (ladies, if you’re a size 8.5, you’d be a size 7 in men’s shoes) but the width size remains the same (so if you’re a women’s D, you’re also a men’s D). Join VIP, Test Run These Shoes for 90 Days. If You Don’t Love Them, Exchange Them! We’ve done the research and found accurate shoe conversions for over 1,267 combinations—so you’ll have no trouble translating men’s vs. women’s shoe size.Men’s vs. Women’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart
Adult Men and Women’s Shoe Size Conversion Table
M/W indicates Men’s or Women’s Sizes. Other systems are for either gender.
SystemSizesSystem Europe 35
35½
36
37
37½
38
38½
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46½
48½
EuropeMexico
4.5
5
5.5
6
6.5
7
7.5
9
10
11
12.5
MexicoJapanM 21.5
22
22.5
23
23.5
24
24.5
25
25.5
26
26.5
27.5
28.5
29.5
30.5
31.5
JapanMW 21
21.5
22
22.5
23
23.5
24
24.5
25
25.5
26
27
28
29
30
31
JapanWU.K.M 3
3½
4
4½
5
5½
6
6½
7
7½
8
8½
10
11
12
13½
U.K.MW 2½
3
3½
4
4½
5
5½
6
6½
7
7½
8
9½
10½
11½
13
U.K.WAustraliaM 3
3½
4
4½
5
5½
6
6½
7
7½
8
8½
10
11
12
13½
AustraliaMW 3½
4
4½
5
5½
6
6½
7
7½
8
8½
9
10½
11½
12½
14
AustraliaWU.S. & CanadaM 3½
4
4½
5
5½
6
6½
7
7½
8
8½
9
10½
11½
12½
14
U.S. & CanadaMW 5
5½
6
6½
7
7½
8
8½
9
9½
10
10.5
12
13
14
15.5
U.S. & CanadaWRussia & UkraineW 33½
34
35
36
37
38
39
Russia & UkraineWKorea (mm.) 228
231
235
238
241
245
248
251
254
257
260
267
273
279
286
292
KoreaInches 9
91/8
9¼
93/8
9½
95/8
9¾
97/8
10
101/8
10¼
10½
10¾
11
11¼
11½
InchesCentimeters 22.8
23.1
23.5
23.8
24.1
24.5
24.8
25.1
25.4
25.7
26
26.7
27.3
27.9
28.6
29.2
CentimetersMondopoint 228
231
235
238
241
245
248
251
254
257
260
267
273
279
286
292
Mondopoint
Running Shoe FAQ
Road Runner Sports has way more information than just showing you how to understand men’s vs. women’s shoe size. We’re here to get you locked into the perfect pair of running shoes tailored to your needs, so be sure to take advantage of our whole suite of resources—not just our gender shoe size conversion chart—to score your most comfortable ride. Check out the answers to your most frequently asked running shoe questions below:
How Should Running Shoes Fit?
Glad you asked! In one answer: Bigger! In fact, you’ll want to get shoes that are a half size bigger than your usual size. Generally, you want your running shoes to feel a little roomier than your casual footwear unless you’re looking to push the pace and break your PR. This page covers everything you should be looking for in a running shoe fit.
What If My Fit Is Almost Just Right?
Agh, so frustrating! So, you have the perfect running shoe for you, but the fit is just not quite there, here are a few strategies you can try to dial in your ideal feel.
- Use these running shoe lacing tips to make minor tweaks that can tighten shoes with high insteps and roomy shoes with excess volume. The lace-locking method is a solid means for keeping annoying heel slippage at bay.
- Your socks affect your fit, too; chunky, thick socks will take up space if you’re looking for a tighter feel. Make sure you have the right socks for your needs.
How to Choose Running Shoes?
So, you now know what size you need, but are you struggling to pick out what shoes might work for you. Here are some tips to help you along the way:
- Learn the essential tips on how to choose running shoes
- Rely on our 3D Perfect Fit System to be automatically matched up with a few suggestions that fit your unique needs.
Get Fitted in Person for our Perfect Fit Zone System
At Road Runner Sports, we are extremely proud of our Perfect Fit Zone. This system takes you through a variety of different steps to ensure we get you into your perfect fit. We take a 3D scan of your foot, see how you run to analyze your gait, customize your best plan, and custom fit your insoles. We can also save a digital scan of your insoles, so you can reorder them anytime from anywhere. And did I mention, all of this is done in only 9 minutes!
Check out this video walking you through our Perfect Fit Zone:
TEST RUN THIS SHOE FOR 90 DAYS
Not only do Road Runner Sports VIP Family Rewards members get EXCLUSIVE access to shoes before anyone else, but they get to test run shoes for 90 days! Yup. You read that right. Test them and if you don’t love them, exchange them within 90 days. You’ll also get 5% back in Rewards Cash on everything. Learn more about our VIP Family Rewards Program here.