Guide to Indian shoe sizes and converting to US footwear
Shoppers purchasing footwear from American online retailers like Nike, Amazon, or Nordstrom need accurate translations of Indian sizes. Indian shoe sizing has a historical origin rooted in the British imperial scale, but international purchases require comparison against American and European measurements. This guide explains how the Indian shoe size chart works and how to convert sizes accurately.
How an Indian shoe size chart works
Shoe manufacturing across India adopted the British imperial scale under Indian standard IS 1638:1969. In this system, shoe sizes increment by one barleycorn (1/3 inch, or 8.46 mm) per full size, and 1/6 inch (4.23 mm) for half sizes. Because of this heritage, Indian size numbers match United Kingdom sizes in length. Background on barleycorn units is covered in our shoe size in inches guide.
An Indian size 8 refers to an anatomical foot length of 26.5 cm (EU 41.5, US Men 8.5 on the standard scale, or US Men 9 on sneaker charts). Because the United States system starts from a different zero point, converting sizes is necessary before ordering American shoes.
Core formulas: converting Indian shoe sizes to US sizes
Converting from an Indian size to an American US size depends on footwear category:
- For adult men, the standard ISO formula adds 0.5 (US Men = India + 0.5), meaning India 8.5 converts to US Men 9.0 (27.0 cm foot length). Athletic sneaker brands add 1 full size (US Men = India + 1).
- For women, American sizes run 2 full numbers larger (US Women = India + 2). An Indian size 5 in sandals or pumps converts to US Women 7.0 (24.0 cm, EU 38), and Indian size 6 converts to US Women 8.0 (25.0 cm, EU 39).
- Indian children's footwear corresponds to British youth sizing, which is 0.5 to 1 size smaller than American children's numbering (for example, India 9.5C child equals US 10C, measuring 16.5 cm).
European sizing queries in India
Shoppers in India frequently encounter European numbers on multi-brand platforms like Myntra, Ajio, and Nykaa:
- European 36 corresponds to Indian size 3.5 for women (22.5 cm foot length, US Women 5.5).
- European 37 matches Indian size 4.5 (23.5 cm foot length, US Women 6.5).
- European 38 matches Indian size 5.5 for women (24.5 cm foot length, US Women 7.5).
- European 40 corresponds to Indian size 6.5 for men (25.0 cm foot length, US Men 7.0).
- European 42 matches Indian size 8.5 for men (27.0 cm foot length, US Men 9.0).
- European 44 corresponds to Indian size 9.5 for men (28.0 cm foot length, US Men 10.0).
Foot width and the Indian Bha sizing standard
When converting from an Indian size to an American shoe, width is a significant factor. The CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) completed an anthropometric foot survey across India, published in their 2022 survey report. The report documented that Indian feet show broader metatarsal ball girth and higher dorsal instep measurements relative to European lasts.
To address this, the Bureau of Indian Standards formulated the Bha standard. Standard American shoes use D width for men and B width for women. Shoppers with broad forefeet often choose wide fittings (EE for men, D for women) or order a half size larger.
Measuring foot length in centimeters
Before ordering footwear from overseas, determine your physical foot length in centimeters following our shoe size by foot length guide. A 27.0 cm foot length corresponds to Indian size 8.5 and US Men 9.0.