Asian Shoe Size to US Conversion
Convert Asian shoe sizes to US sizes fast. Most Asian sizes use foot length in cm (mm), so divide by 10 and read the chart for men and women.
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Quick answer
Most Asian shoe sizes are labelled by foot length in millimeters or centimeters (the Mondopoint system). To convert to US, divide the mm label by 10 to get cm, then match it on the chart — for example, 270 mm (27 cm) equals roughly US men's 9 or US women's 10.5.
Asian Shoe Size to US: The Quick Method
Most footwear sold across Asia is labelled using Mondopoint — the foot length in millimeters (China, Korea, Taiwan) or centimeters (Japan). That makes conversion refreshingly logical compared with the UK/EU systems. To go from an Asian size to US:
- Take the printed number (e.g. 270) and divide by 10 to get centimeters: 27 cm.
- Match that foot length to the US column for your gender on the chart below.
Because the label is your foot length, the conversion is mostly a lookup, not a calculation. A 27 cm foot lands at about US men’s 9 or US women’s 10.5.
Asian (CM) to US Shoe Size Chart
The table below uses standard Mondopoint-to-US conversions. The “Asian (mm)” column is what you will see printed inside Korean and Chinese shoes; the “cm” column matches Japanese labels.
| Asian (mm) | Foot length (cm) | US Men | US Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 230 | 23.0 | 5 | 6.5 |
| 235 | 23.5 | 5.5 | 7 |
| 240 | 24.0 | 6 | 7.5 |
| 245 | 24.5 | 6.5 | 8 |
| 250 | 25.0 | 6.5 | 8 |
| 255 | 25.5 | 7.5 | 9 |
| 260 | 26.0 | 8 | 9.5 |
| 265 | 26.5 | 8.5 | 10 |
| 270 | 27.0 | 9 | 10.5 |
| 275 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 11 |
| 280 | 28.0 | 10 | 11.5 |
| 285 | 28.5 | 10.5 | 12 |
| 290 | 29.0 | 11 | 12.5 |
| 300 | 30.0 | 12 | 13.5 |
US labels are rounded to the nearest half size; some brands round differently, so treat values as the closest match rather than an exact equivalent.
How to Measure Your Foot in CM
The Mondopoint system rewards an accurate measurement, so do this before converting:
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall (measure in the evening, when feet are largest).
- Mark the wall edge and the tip of your longest toe.
- Measure the distance in centimeters, then add about 0.5–1 cm of wiggle room.
- Measure both feet and use the larger one.
Your measured length in cm is effectively your Mondopoint size — round up to the nearest 5 mm to find the label to buy.
Sizing Differences to Watch For
- Width runs narrow. Many Asian lasts are cut slimmer than US shoes. Wide-footed buyers often size up half a size for comfort rather than length.
- Men’s vs women’s offset. US women’s sizes sit about 1.5 numbers above US men’s for the same foot, which is why the chart shows two columns for one measurement.
- Brand variation. Even within Asia, athletic brands (e.g. running shoes) can run a half size short. Always cross-check the manufacturer’s own chart.
Quick Reference: Common Conversions
| If your foot is… | Asian label | US Men | US Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 240 mm / 24 cm | 6 | 7.5 |
| Average | 260 mm / 26 cm | 8 | 9.5 |
| Large | 280 mm / 28 cm | 10 | 11.5 |
When in doubt, trust the centimeter measurement of your own foot over any printed label — it is the one number that stays constant across every regional system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert an Asian shoe size to US?
Asian sizes are usually the foot length in millimeters. Divide that number by 10 to get centimeters, then look it up on a cm-to-US chart. For instance, a 250 mm Asian size is 25 cm, which is about US women's 8 or US men's 6.5.
Is Asian shoe sizing the same as Japanese or Chinese sizing?
Largely yes. Japan, China, Korea and Taiwan all commonly use the Mondopoint (cm/mm) system based on actual foot length, so a 260 mm label means roughly the same foot in each country. Korea and China most often print millimeters, while Japan prints centimeters.
Why do Asian shoes feel narrower than US shoes?
Many Asian brands are built on a slightly narrower last and the length runs true to foot measurement rather than US shoe-industry rounding. If you have a wide or high-volume foot, consider going up about half a size when buying Asian-sized footwear.
Does an Asian size convert the same for men and women?
The foot-length number is unisex, but the US label differs by gender. US women's sizing runs about 1.5 sizes higher than US men's for the same foot, so 260 mm is roughly US men's 8 and US women's 9.5.
How accurate are Asian-to-US conversions?
Length conversions are reliable to within about half a size because they are based on real measurements. The bigger variable is width and brand last shape, so always measure your foot in cm and, when possible, check the maker's own size chart.