Korean Shoe Size Conversion
Korean shoe sizes are foot length in mm. Convert Korean sizes to US, UK and EU with our chart, plus how to measure your foot in centimeters.
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Quick answer
Korean shoe sizes are simply the foot length in millimeters (the Mondopoint system). To convert, divide the Korean number by 10 to get centimeters — for example, 250 mm equals 25 cm, which is about US women's 8, US men's 6.5, or EU 39–40.
Korean Shoe Size Conversion Explained
Korea uses the Mondopoint system, which means a shoe’s size is the length of the foot it fits, measured in millimeters. A label of 250 is built for a 250 mm (25 cm) foot. This makes Korean sizing one of the easiest systems to convert — there is no hidden scale to decode.
To convert a Korean size:
- Read the printed number (e.g. 270).
- Divide by 10 for centimeters: 27 cm.
- Match that length to the US, UK or EU column below.
Korean to US, UK & EU Shoe Size Chart
| Korean (mm) | Foot (cm) | US Men | US Women | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 230 | 23.0 | 5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 37 |
| 235 | 23.5 | 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 37.5 |
| 240 | 24.0 | 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 |
| 245 | 24.5 | 6.5 | 8 | 6 | 39 |
| 250 | 25.0 | 6.5 | 8 | 6.5 | 40 |
| 255 | 25.5 | 7.5 | 9 | 7 | 40.5 |
| 260 | 26.0 | 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 41 |
| 265 | 26.5 | 8.5 | 10 | 8 | 42 |
| 270 | 27.0 | 9 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 |
| 275 | 27.5 | 9.5 | 11 | 9 | 43 |
| 280 | 28.0 | 10 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 44 |
| 285 | 28.5 | 10.5 | 12 | 10 | 44.5 |
| 290 | 29.0 | 11 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 |
Values are rounded to the nearest half size; individual brands may round differently, so use the closest row.
How to Measure Your Foot in CM
Because Korean sizing is measurement-based, an accurate foot length gives you the right size every time:
- Place your heel against a wall and stand on a sheet of paper.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe.
- Measure heel-to-toe in centimeters and multiply by 10 for the Korean millimeter figure.
- Add roughly 5–10 mm of toe room and round up to the nearest 5 mm.
Measure in the evening and use your larger foot — most people have one foot slightly bigger than the other.
Sizing Notes and Differences
- Width: Korean shoes tend to be cut narrow. Wide or high-volume feet may prefer one half size up.
- Athletic vs casual: Korean sneaker brands often run true to length; some imported athletic styles run a touch short.
- Children’s sizing also uses millimeters, so a child’s 180 simply means an 18 cm foot.
Quick Reference
| Your US size | Korean size |
|---|---|
| US Women’s 7 | 240 mm |
| US Women’s 9 | 255 mm |
| US Men’s 9 | 270 mm |
| US Men’s 11 | 290 mm |
Whenever a chart and your actual foot measurement disagree, trust the centimeter measurement — it is the constant the Mondopoint system is built around.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Korean shoe size like 250 mean?
It means the shoe fits a foot 250 millimeters (25 cm) long. Korea uses the Mondopoint system, so the printed number is the foot length itself, not an arbitrary scale. A 250 converts to roughly US women's 8 or US men's 6.5.
How do I convert a Korean shoe size to US?
Divide the Korean millimeter number by 10 to get centimeters, then match it to the US column on a conversion chart. For example, 270 mm is 27 cm, which equals about US men's 9 or US women's 10.5.
Is Korean sizing the same as Japanese sizing?
Almost. Both use foot length under Mondopoint, but Japan typically prints centimeters (e.g. 27.0) while Korea prints millimeters (e.g. 270). The same foot gets the same number once you align the units.
Do Korean shoes run small or narrow?
Korean lasts often run slightly narrow compared with US shoes, though the length is true to measurement. If you have a wide foot, sizing up by 5 mm (half a size) usually gives a more comfortable fit.
What is my Korean shoe size if I wear US women's 7?
US women's 7 corresponds to about a 24 cm foot, so your Korean size is roughly 240 mm. Measure your foot in centimeters to confirm, then round up to the nearest 5 mm.