EU 38 Is What US Size? Converting Women's Shoe Sizes Without Returns

The quick answer: EU 38 usually converts to a US women's 7.5 or 8. The exact match depends on the brand and the type of shoe. To get it right, measure your foot in centimeters, check that length on the brand's own chart, and then adjust for boots, sneakers or heels. At Vivi Hart, we suggest ordering by foot length, not by size number.

A Reddit thread about hunting for EU 38 boots shows a problem many shoppers run into. One retailer lists EU 38 as a US 7.5, another calls it an 8, and a third skips it and jumps from 37 to 39. That isn't sloppiness. European and American sizes come from two different measuring systems, so they never line up exactly. This guide explains why the gap exists, how to measure your own foot, and how to pick between half sizes so your first order fits.

Here is the whole process before we go through each step:

1. Measure your foot length in centimeters, both feet, at the end of the day.
2. Use the longer foot and write the number down to one decimal place, for example 24.3 cm.
3. Open the brand's own size chart, not a generic conversion chart, and find your centimeter length.
4. Adjust for the shoe type: boots, sneakers and heels each need a different amount of room.
5. Choose between half sizes based on toe shape, material and whether you'll wear thick socks.
6. Check reviews and the return policy for "runs small" or "runs large" comments before you check out.

Why don't EU shoe sizes convert neatly to US sizes?

EU and US sizes don't line up because they use different units and different step sizes. The European system uses the "Paris point," which is two-thirds of a centimeter (about 6.67 mm). US sizing goes up in steps of one-third of an inch (about 8.5 mm) per full size, which makes each half size about 4.2 mm.

Because the steps are different lengths, one EU size covers more than a US half size and less than a full US size. EU 38 lands somewhere between a US 7.5 and a US 8, and each brand rounds it the way that suits its own lasts (the foot-shaped forms shoes are built on). This is also why some stores leave out certain sizes: if their factory lasts jump from 37 to 39, a true 38 doesn't exist in that range.

Getting this wrong is common. A 2018 systematic review in the Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that between 63% and 72% of people wear shoes that don't match their foot length or width. Online, a bad fit usually means a return: the National Retail Federation's 2024 returns report estimated total US retail returns at about 16.9% of annual sales.

How do you measure your foot length in centimeters at home?

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall, mark the tip of your longest toe, and measure from the wall to the mark in centimeters. That number is your foot length. It's the most reliable number you can use with any brand.

Measure in the late afternoon or evening, because feet swell slightly during the day. Wear the kind of socks you'll wear with the shoes, keep your weight evenly on both feet, and hold the pen upright so it doesn't angle under your toes. Measure both feet. Most people have one foot a few millimeters longer, and you should size for that one.

If you can, measure the width across the widest part of your forefoot too. Width doesn't change your EU-to-US conversion, but it tells you whether a pointed-toe pump or a narrow Italian boot will feel tight even in the "correct" size.

As footwear fitters often note, "The size on the box is a label. The centimeters on your tape measure are the fact. Shop by the fact."

What US women's size is EU 38, and how does it compare to nearby sizes?

EU 38 most often matches a foot that is about 24–24.5 cm long, which is a US women's 7.5 to 8. If your foot is at the short end of that range, a 7.5 is usually right. At the long end, an 8 is safer.

The table below shows typical conversions used by most mainstream brands. Treat it as a starting point and always check the specific brand's chart, because Italian, French and Scandinavian labels can differ by up to half a size.

Don't confuse foot length with shoe length. EU sizes are based on the length of the last, which is about 1–1.5 cm longer than the foot. An EU 38 last is about 25.3 cm, but it's built for a foot around 24 cm. Brand charts that list "foot length" have already done that math for you, so compare your measurement to the foot-length column only.

How do you read a brand's size chart correctly?

Find the centimeter or "foot length" column first, locate your measurement, and read across to the size. Don't start from the US column and work backward. The US column is the brand's rounding, while the centimeter column is how the shoe is actually built.

When your measurement falls between two rows, look for notes like "true to size," "runs narrow" or "size up for wide feet." Check whether the chart says it's for women's, men's or unisex sizing. Unisex sneakers are often listed in men's US sizes, which run about 1.5 sizes below women's, so a women's 8 is roughly a men's 6.5.

Also check where the chart comes from. A generic conversion chart on a third-party site doesn't know how a particular label cuts its lasts. On our women's shoes collection, the size guide on each product page is the one to trust for that style.

Is EU vs US boot sizing different from sneakers and heels?

Yes. The same EU 38 can fit differently in a boot, a sneaker and a heel, because each one needs a different amount of room at the toe and holds the foot in a different way. Use the guide below once you know your base size.

Boots are where most EU 38 problems show up. A tall boot that fits your foot in length can still be tight over the instep or at the calf, so check shaft height and calf circumference along with the size. Our guide to walkable ankle boots that still look good covers sole and shaft checks in more detail.

Heels need extra thought because your foot slides forward as the heel gets higher. A sleek style like the Adelaide Pointed Toe Pumps fits best when you size for your longer foot and your widest point. Open styles like the Ambre Heeled Sandals are more forgiving if you're between sizes.

Which half size should you choose if you're between two sizes?

Go with the larger half size for closed-toe boots, sneakers and pointed styles. Go with the smaller one for leather flats, slides and anything with an adjustable strap. A slightly large closed shoe can be fixed with a thin insole or heel grip, but a shoe that's too short can't be fixed.

A few more things can settle it:

• Material: soft leather and suede stretch about a quarter to a half size over time. Synthetics, patent leather and rubber hardly stretch at all.
• Toe shape: almond and pointed toes use up length, while round and square toes give you that length back.
• Season: if you'll wear wool socks with winter boots, size for the sock, not your bare foot.
• Heel height: above about 7 cm, the ball of your foot carries more weight and slides forward, so half a size up often feels better.
• Reviews: if three or more reviewers say a style "runs small," take it seriously.

Block heels and mules, such as the Anna Denim Block Heels or Arabella Ruffle Mules, spread your weight more evenly than stilettos. That's why many shoppers can wear their true size in them even when they size up in pumps.

When the size is sorted, think about the outfit too. Boot shaft height and hem length matter as much as fit, and our post on winter boots with wide-leg pants explains which hem lengths work. You can find matching trousers in women's pants and skirts, see what customers reorder in our best sellers, or browse new styles in women's new arrivals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is EU 38 a US 7.5 or a US 8 in women's shoes?

It can be either. EU 38 fits a foot of about 24–24.5 cm, which most brands label as a US 7.5 or 8. If your foot measures 24.2 cm or less, start with 7.5. If it measures more, start with 8.

What is the most accurate way to convert European shoe sizes for women?

Measure your foot length in centimeters and compare it to the foot-length column on the brand's own chart. Centimeters are the shared unit behind both systems, so they avoid rounding errors between EU and US labels.

Should I size up in EU boots?

Size up if you're between sizes, plan to wear thick socks, or the boot has a narrow toe or a fixed shaft. If the boot is soft leather with a round toe and you measured right at a size, your usual size is usually fine.

Why do Italian shoes feel smaller than other EU sizes?

Many Italian brands use narrower lasts and close-fitting toe boxes, so an Italian 38 can feel about half a size smaller than a German or Scandinavian 38. Check the brand's centimeter chart and reviews before you order.

What US women's size is EU 38 in a unisex sneaker?

Unisex sneakers often use men's US sizes, so EU 38 usually shows up as a men's US 5.5–6. That's about the same as a women's 7.5. Always check which US scale the chart is using.

Do feet change size over time?

Yes. Feet can get longer and wider with age, pregnancy and weight changes, so measure again every year or two instead of relying on an old size.

Ready to order shoes that fit the first time? Measure your foot, check the size guide on each product page, and shop the full range at vivihart.com.