Comparative Shoe Sizes

As we explained in
Finding and Fitting Wide Shoes something as simple as shoe size gets very complicated when you realize that there is no standardization for measuring shoe sizes across the globe. That matters when you may be as likely to shop online at an Asian shoe store as the shoe store on the corner of Main and Chestnut.

The shoe manufacturers are aware of this too. Perhaps some day the nature of the global market will force standardization of shoe sizes, but until then you are on your own when shopping outside your national boundaries. Knowing your foot length and width in inches and centimeters is the best way to get a good fit when buying shoes online until that day arrives. Remember to have the foreign shoe store measure the length and width of the shoes on the inside.

If you have good eyesight and a free weekend you can take-on the challenge of deciphering this Comparative Shoe Size Chart from Bata Industries.