With a global network of retailers offering some of the best shoes and sneakers for men, buying a pair of shoes in Australia from overseas has never been easier. However, to convert a US shoe size to AUS, for example, isn’t always as simple as you’d think.
While in most cases you’ll just want to size down from US shoe sizes to AU shoe sizes, some brands don’t always conform. To help you convert international shoe size to AUS, use the calculator below.
To use the shoe size conversion tool, select whether you want to convert an adult or a child’s shoe size, enter the size of the shoe you’re looking at in the field next to its respective country – for example, if you’re looking a US 12 men’s shoe size, enter ’12’ in the US/CA men field.
You’ll then be shown what the equivalent shoe size is in all other destinations around the world, making it easy to find your shoe size in AUS.
How are shoe sizes calculated?
Without a shoe size conversion tool like the one above, determining your shoe size can be tricky. This is both because of differences in manufacturing between brands, and the method of measurements used around the world.
Australia & United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Pakistan and South Africa, for example, shoe size is determined by the length of the last used in the production of the shoes. A last can be thought of like a mould, that shoe manufacturers use when making their shoes.
These lasts are measured in barleycorns (a former English unit of measurement) which is equal to 1/3 inch. Australian shoe sizes tend to follow this form of measurement, so a UK 11 should equal an AU 11.
United States
In the United States and Canada, a similar form of measurement is used to the UK, but men’s shoe sizes are one size longer than their UK equivalent, i.e. a UK 11 would be a US 12. This is because US men’s shoe sizes start at size 1, whereas in the UK, they start at 0.
Continental Europe
Continental Europe measures men’s shoe sizes slightly differently, using the Paris points system. One Paris point is equivalent to 2/3 cm, or 6.67mm. This system is used in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the majority of other continental European countries.
This shoe size measurement system results in a different number to what you’ll find in Australia, the UK and the US, which can make converting men’s shoe sizes even tricker.
For reference, a UK and AU 11 is an EU 45.
Are men’s shoe size conversions always the same?
Not necessarily.
One brand we’re aware of that doesn’t strictly follow the shoe size conversion methods mentioned above is Converse. If you’re after a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors, you’ll find a men’s US 11 is the same as an AU/UK 11.
So, while the Australian men’s shoe size conversion calculator above is a good indicator, it’s still always best to check the manufacturer’s shoe size conversion chart before you make a purchase.
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