How to convert US shoe size to India: sizing guide
Navigating international footwear sizing is essential for shoppers ordering imported shoes or ordering from Indian marketplaces like Myntra, Tata CliQ, and Ajio. Because India adheres to the British UK sizing standard for length measurements, American shoe sizes do not correspond directly to Indian numbers. This guide breaks down conversion rules, brand variations, and centimetre measurements.
Core rules to convert US size to India
The conversion between the American scale and the Indian shoe size chart depends on gender:
- Under standard ISO/TS 19407 guidelines, American men's shoe sizes are 0.5 sizes larger than Indian sizes (US Men = India + 0.5). For example, US 9 corresponds to India 8.5 (27.0 cm foot length). Many global athletic sneaker brands apply a full 1-size offset, labeling US 9 as India 8.
- For women, American sizes are 2 full sizes larger than Indian sizes (India = US − 2). A woman wearing US 7 wears Indian size 5 (24.0 cm), and US 8 corresponds to Indian size 6 (25.0 cm).
- For children, American sizes run 0.5 to 1 size larger than Indian sizes (for example, US 10C child corresponds to Indian 9.5C, measuring 16.5 cm).
Understanding Indian footwear standards
The standard Indian footwear scale adopted the British imperial barleycorn sizing system under Indian standard IS 1638:1969. In 2022, the CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI) completed an anthropometric survey of Indian feet. Their survey report found that Indian feet show broader metatarsal ball girth relative to European lasts. In response, the Bureau of Indian Standards developed the Bha standard to offer wider forefoot proportions.
When shopping online, checking foot length in centimetres provides the most reliable way to match sizes across domestic and imported brands.
Domestic brands and athletic sneaker sizing
Indian shoppers frequently encounter both domestic and international numbering:
- Domestic manufacturers like Bata India, Liberty, Relaxo, Campus, and Red Tape use Indian/UK numbering. In these brands, an Indian size 8.5 fits a 27.0 cm foot.
- Global athletic brands like Nike and Converse apply a 1-size offset, labeling US Men 9 as UK/India 8 on the tongue tag.
- For canvas sneakers with unisex sizing, verify the centimetre reading on the inner tongue tag before selecting a size.
European sizing translations in India
European fashion retailers operating in India use Continental Paris Point sizes:
- European 37 translates to Indian size 4.5 (23.5 cm foot length, US Women 6.5).
- European 38 translates to Indian women's size 5 (24.0 cm foot length, US Women 7.0).
- European 40 corresponds to Indian size 6.5 for men (25.0 cm foot length, US Men 7.0).
- European 42 corresponds to Indian size 8.5 for men (27.0 cm foot length, US Men 9.0) on the standard scale, or Indian size 8 under sneaker brand labeling.
- European 44 corresponds to Indian size 9.5 for men (28.0 cm foot length, US Men 10.0).
Measuring foot length in centimeters
To determine your foot size accurately, measure your barefoot length in centimeters following our shoe size by foot length guide. A 27.0 cm measurement corresponds to Indian size 8.5 and US Men 9.0 on the standard scale.