American to Japanese Shoe Size Conversion
Japanese shoe sizes are foot length in cm. Convert US men's and women's sizes to Japanese (JP) sizes with our chart and easy measuring guide.
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Quick answer
Japanese shoe sizes are the foot length in centimeters (the Mondopoint system). A US men's 9 is about JP 27 cm, and a US women's 8 is about JP 24–24.5 cm. To convert, find your foot length in cm — that number is essentially your Japanese size.
American to Japanese Shoe Size: The Basics
Japan uses the Mondopoint system, so a Japanese (JP) shoe size is simply the foot length in centimeters. A shoe marked 27.0 fits a 27 cm foot. To convert from an American size, you only need to know which centimeter length your US size corresponds to — then that number is your JP size.
Because US sizing rounds to half-number labels while Japanese sizing is a direct measurement, conversions are accurate to within about half a size.
US to Japanese (JP) Shoe Size Chart — Men
| US Men | JP (cm) | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 24.0 | 5.5 | 38.5 |
| 7 | 25.0 | 6.5 | 40 |
| 8 | 26.0 | 7.5 | 41 |
| 9 | 27.0 | 8.5 | 42.5 |
| 10 | 28.0 | 9.5 | 44 |
| 11 | 29.0 | 10.5 | 45 |
| 12 | 30.0 | 11.5 | 46.5 |
US to Japanese (JP) Shoe Size Chart — Women
| US Women | JP (cm) | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 22.0 | 3 | 36 |
| 6 | 23.0 | 4 | 37 |
| 7 | 24.0 | 5 | 38 |
| 8 | 24.5 | 6 | 39 |
| 9 | 25.5 | 7 | 40.5 |
| 10 | 26.5 | 8 | 42 |
| 11 | 27.5 | 9 | 43 |
Sizes are rounded to the nearest half; some brands round differently, so use the closest row.
How to Measure Your Foot in CM
Since Japanese sizing is measurement-based, an accurate foot length is the most reliable way to convert:
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall (measure in the evening).
- Mark the tip of your longest toe.
- Measure heel-to-toe in centimeters.
- Add about 0.5–1 cm of toe room and round up to the nearest 0.5 cm.
That final figure is your Japanese size. Measure both feet and use the larger one.
Sizing Differences to Watch For
- Width runs narrow. Japanese lasts are often slimmer than American ones; wide feet may prefer +0.5 cm.
- Men’s vs women’s. The cm number is unisex, but US labels split by gender, which is why the same 24 cm foot is US women’s 7 yet US men’s 6.
- Brand variation. Japanese sneaker brands tend to run true to length, while some imported athletic styles run slightly short.
Quick Reference
| Your US size | Japanese size |
|---|---|
| US Men’s 9 | 27.0 cm |
| US Men’s 11 | 29.0 cm |
| US Women’s 7 | 24.0 cm |
| US Women’s 9 | 25.5 cm |
If a chart and your measured foot length disagree, trust the centimeter measurement — it is the exact value the Japanese system is built on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert my American shoe size to Japanese?
Japanese sizes equal your foot length in centimeters. Match your US size to the cm column on a chart, and that centimeter figure is your Japanese (JP) size. For example, US men's 9 is JP 27.0 and US women's 7 is JP 24.0.
What does a Japanese shoe size like 26.5 mean?
It means the shoe is designed for a foot 26.5 centimeters long. Japan uses the Mondopoint system, so the printed number is the actual foot length, making it one of the most intuitive sizing systems to convert.
Is a US men's 9 the same as a Japanese 27?
Yes, very close. A US men's 9 corresponds to about a 27 cm foot, which is exactly JP 27.0. Women's conversions differ — a US women's 9 is about JP 25.5 cm.
Do Japanese shoes run small compared to American shoes?
Japanese shoes often run slightly narrow and the length is true to your cm measurement rather than US rounding. If you have a wide foot, going up 0.5 cm (about half a size) usually improves the fit.
How do I find my foot length in centimeters?
Stand on paper with your heel against a wall, mark your longest toe, and measure the distance in centimeters. Add about 0.5–1 cm of room and round up to the nearest 0.5 cm — that value is your Japanese size.