Shoe and clothing sizes in the UK: how to convert them to European sizes

Shoe and clothing sizes in the UK do not match Polish or European numbering. This affects shopping in stores and ordering online. On 25 October 2026 the Polish Express portal published a set of conversion charts. Below are its main points.

Shoes: UK and EU

A shoe size can be converted in two ways: from the Polish size, or from foot length in centimetres, measured from heel to big toe.

Women's examples (UK – EU – foot length):

• UK 3 – 35.5/36 – 22.1 cm,
• UK 5 – 38 – 23.7 cm,
• UK 7 – 41 – 25.4 cm,
• UK 8 – 42 – 26.2 cm.

Men's examples:

• UK 6 – 39/40 – 24.5 cm,
• UK 8 – 42 – 26.2 cm,
• UK 10 – 44 – 27.9 cm,
• UK 12 – 46 – 29.6 cm.

In children's footwear, UK 3–5 corresponds to EU 19–22, and UK 10–13 is EU 28–32. Youth sizes UK 1–3 are EU 33–36.

Shoe width

Many British brands, such as Clarks and New Balance, give a width as well as a size, usually as a letter. D is the standard width. According to the source, Clarks offers C, D, E, EE and 4E, from narrow to very wide. Two pairs of the same size can therefore differ in comfort. Width matters especially for a child's first shoes.

Clothes

Women's examples: UK 8 is EU 36 (S), UK 10 is EU 38 (M), UK 12 is EU 40 (L), UK 14 is EU 42 (XL).

In men's clothing the UK size is the chest measurement in inches. UK 38 is EU 48 (M), UK 40 is EU 50 (L), UK 42 is EU 52 (XL). One inch is 2.54 cm. A number on a trouser label, such as 32, is the waist measurement in inches.

Children's clothes are labelled by age, not height. According to the guide, a child in size 3–4 years is usually 98–104 cm tall, and 7–8 years is 122–128 cm. However, the height of children of the same age can vary a lot.

Mondopoint

Roller skates, inline skates and ski boots use the Mondopoint system, developed by ISO in the 1970s. In practice it means foot length in centimetres. The system has not become a universal shoe sizing standard.

What this means for you

Before buying, it is worth measuring your foot in centimetres and checking the size chart of the specific shop or brand. The guide's authors cite Clarks advice: try on both shoes, shop in the afternoon and leave about a thumb's width of space in front of the longest toe. The conversions are approximate, so sizes from different manufacturers may vary slightly.