UK women’s size 5 consistently maps to EU 38 across ASOS, Parade, and Grivet Outdoors, and that direct alignment removes the guesswork for cross-border shoe shopping. Multiple retailers report a matching foot length of 237mm, confirming that both sizing labels describe the same physical fit.
UK Size 5: EU 38 · Corresponding US Women’s: 7 · Foot Length: 237mm · UK Size 6: EU 39 · EU 38 UK Equivalent: 5
Quick snapshot
- UK 5 = EU 38 across ASOS, Parade, and Grivet Outdoors
- ASOS lists foot length as 237mm for this size
- Some retailers show UK 5 as EU 37.5 in their charts
- Brand-specific variations not fully documented
- ISO/TS 19407 updated its conversion standards in 2023
- Russia adopted ISO 19407 via GOST R 57425-2017
- Retailer charts remain the most reliable real-world reference
- Brand-specific sizing increasingly emphasised over general rules
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| UK 5 to EU | 38 |
| EU 38 to UK | 5 |
| UK 5 Foot Length | 237mm |
| Next Size UK 6 to EU | 39 |
| Common Pitfall | EU not exact UK +33 |
What is a size 5 UK in EU?
Women’s shoes
UK women’s size 5 converts directly to EU 38, and multiple major retailers confirm this alignment. ASOS, which publishes some of the most detailed size charts available online, lists UK 5 as EU 38 with an accompanying foot length measurement of 237mm ( ASOS (online fashion retailer with detailed size guides) ). Famous Footwear similarly maps US women’s 7—which is equivalent to UK 5—to EU 38 ( Famous Footwear (specialist footwear retailer) ).
The reason this conversion works so cleanly is that UK and EU sizing systems share a similar construction philosophy, unlike the US system which uses inches and includes half sizes. According to the Wikipedia (reference source for ISO/TS 19407 sizing standard) , the EU sizing system uses the Paris point (2/3 cm per size), while UK sizes run on the same “barleycorn” system as US sizes but start from a different zero point. That difference means women’s UK 5 and EU 38 land on the same physical foot measurement.
For women shopping from UK-based brands looking to buy EU-sized shoes, size 5 maps to 38 without any mental math needed.
Men’s shoes
Men’s sizing follows a different offset. UK sizes are typically two sizes smaller than US for men, and the conversion rule adds 33 to reach EU sizing. Parade Protection’s chart shows UK men’s size 5 as EU 38 ( Parade Protection (workwear sizing specialist) ), matching the women’s equivalent despite the different offset calculation.
Kids’ shoes
Children’s foot growth introduces additional variability. Retailers like Stride Rite recommend checking size every 3-6 months for growing feet, as children’s feet can expand by as much as 1-2 sizes per year depending on age. The +33 rule works for older children, but parents should measure both feet and use the larger measurement when ordering.
What is a 38 in the UK?
For women
EU 38 translates directly back to UK 5 for women’s footwear. This reverse conversion is confirmed by Grivet Outdoors’ sizing charts ( Grivet Outdoors (outdoor footwear specialist) ) and Steve Madden’s brand-specific guidance ( Beck Shoes (shoe retail specialist) ). The alignment holds because both systems use similar last proportions for this size range.
General footwear
The general rule for UK-to-EU conversion adds 33 to the UK size, but this doesn’t mean EU 38 = UK 5 by adding 33. Instead, it’s a coincidence of the starting points used in each system. Greek Sandals explains that EU sizes generally run 33 numbers higher than UK sizes across the range, but the specific UK 5 to EU 38 relationship is a direct equivalence rather than a calculated one ( Greek Sandals (footwear sizing resource) ).
Is EU 38 a 5 UK?
Common confusions
Yes—EU 38 is a 5 UK for women’s footwear, and this is one of the cleaner conversions across the size spectrum. Laughing Hens’ chart, which covers multiple international standards, shows UK 5 as US 7.5 and EU 38 ( Laughing Hens (online footwear retailer) ). The confusion sometimes arises when consumers encounter brands that use UK sizing for their labels but EU sizing for their stock, or vice versa.
EU 38 fits a foot measuring 237mm according to ASOS—the same foot that wears UK 5. When retailers display both sizing systems, this direct match should be visible, but sometimes the information is presented separately, causing unnecessary uncertainty.
Chart comparisons
Looking at five major retailer sources—ASOS, Famous Footwear, Zappos, Grivet Outdoors, and Parade Protection—four show UK 5 as EU 38 with high confidence. The fifth (Saint G) shows UK 5 as EU 37.5-38, acknowledging the borderline between sizes ( Saint G (leather footwear brand) ). This minor variation reflects the reality that EU systems generally lack universal half sizes, sometimes causing a rounding effect at certain measurements.
What is a 39 in the UK?
Next size up
EU 39 converts to UK 6 for women’s footwear. ASOS lists UK 6 as EU 39, continuing the pattern of direct one-to-one mapping that characterises women’s sizes between UK 3 and UK 8. The foot length for UK 6/EU 39 measures approximately 244mm, providing another useful data point for those measuring at home.
US equivalents
US women’s size 8 is equivalent to UK 6, which means it maps to EU 39. This trilaterally confirmed relationship appears consistently across retailer charts. For shoppers transitioning between markets—whether buying US brands online or shopping European retailers while travelling—the US 8 to UK 6 to EU 39 chain provides a reliable anchor point.
UK to EU shoe size charts
Five retailers, one pattern: their conversion charts agree on the core UK-to-EU equivalencies for women’s sizes 3-8.
| UK Women’s | EU | US Women’s | Foot Length (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 36 | 5 | 221 |
| 4 | 37 | 6 | 229 |
| 5 | 38 | 7 | 237 |
| 6 | 39 | 8 | 244 |
| 7 | 40 | 9 | 252 |
| 8 | 41 | 10 | 260 |
The pattern holds because both UK and EU sizing use the same 2/3 cm (Paris point) increment for their size scales, just with different numbering origins. This is formalised in ISO/TS 19407:2023, which standardises the conversion formulas across footwear sizing systems ( Wikipedia (reference source for international sizing standards) ).
The implication: shoppers can rely on this one-to-one mapping for women’s sizes 3–8, but brand-specific charts become essential outside that range or for half sizes.
US UK EU inches
UK 5 corresponds to 9.25 inches, confirmed by Grivet Outdoors ( Grivet Outdoors (outdoor footwear specialist) ). Shoe City also reports 23.5 cm for UK 5, which converts to approximately 235mm—slightly different from ASOS’s 237mm but within normal measurement variation across brands ( Shoe City (footwear retailer) ).
Women’s specific
Nordstrom’s Tory Burch size chart aligns UK 5 with EU 38 at approximately 23.7 cm, another confirmation within the measurement range reported across sources ( Nordstrom (premium department store with brand-specific guides) ). The slight variations in reported foot length—ranging from 23.5 cm to 23.7 cm—reflect legitimate differences in how brands construct their sizing lasts.
EU shoes may feel slightly larger than UK sizes because the EU system does not include universal half sizes. When a UK half size would normally fall between sizes, the EU equivalent rounds to the nearest whole number, creating a marginally wider fit in some cases.
What experts say
UK sizes are typically two sizes smaller than US. For example, a US 8 equals a UK 6.
— Saint G Blog (footwear guide author)
To easily convert a UK shoe size in EU size, simply add 33 to your existing UK size – eg a UK size 6 is an EU size 39.
— Greek Sandals (sizing expert resource)
Always measure both feet and use the larger one for sizing. Brand-specific charts should be checked over general conversions when possible.
— Beck Shoes (shoe retail specialist)
Confirmed vs uncertain
Multiple independent sources confirm that UK 5 equals EU 38 for women’s footwear, with foot length measurements clustering around 237mm. What’s less clear-cut is whether some retailers show UK 5 as EU 37.5 in specific brand charts—a minor discrepancy that reflects the lack of universal half sizes in the EU system rather than any real difference in the physical shoe.
- UK 5 = EU 38 (confirmed by ASOS, Parade, Grivet Outdoors, Zappos)
- Foot length 237mm confirmed by ASOS
- US 7 = UK 5 = EU 38 trilaterally confirmed
- +33 rule applies for men’s and children’s sizes
- Minor EU 37.5 variation reported by some brands
- Brand-specific sizing varies more than general charts suggest
Related reading: Skechers Shoes for Men – UK Clearance Deals Guide
While women’s size 5 UK aligns with EU 38, detailed Size 5 UK-EU chart breaks down men’s equivalents at EU 38-39 alongside full conversion tips for perfect fits.
Frequently asked questions
What is size 5 in EU?
UK size 5 is EU 38 for women’s footwear. This direct conversion is confirmed across multiple major retailers including ASOS, Famous Footwear, and Zappos. The corresponding US women’s size is 7.
What is UK size 6 in EU?
UK size 6 converts to EU 39 for women’s footwear. The foot length for this size measures approximately 244mm. US women’s equivalent is size 8.
Is EU 39 a UK 6?
Yes, EU 39 is equivalent to UK 6 for women’s footwear. This follows the consistent pattern where UK and EU sizes align one-to-one in the women’s range from sizes 3 to 8.
How do UK and EU clothing sizes differ?
Clothing sizes follow a different system than footwear. While UK shoe size 5 maps to EU 38, UK clothing size 8 typically corresponds to EU 36. The conversion formulas differ significantly between apparel and footwear categories.
What US size is UK 5?
UK size 5 corresponds to US women’s size 7. This two-size difference between UK and US women’s sizing is consistent across the full range, according to Saint G’s sizing guide.
How to measure foot for shoe sizing?
Measure both feet at the end of the day when they’re largest. Place paper on a hard floor, stand with your heel against a wall, and trace around your foot. Measure the length in millimetres and use the larger foot’s measurement. Compare against the retailer’s size chart rather than relying on numeric labels alone.
Do shoe sizes vary by brand?
Yes, shoe sizes can vary between brands even when the labelled size is identical. Factors include the brand’s last construction, intended fit (performance versus casual), and the specific market the shoe was designed for. Always check the brand’s own size chart when available.
Henry William Bennett Murray is a staff writer for CivicInsight.uk, covering UK public affairs, policy and civic life. He works under Editor-in-Chief Rebecca Langford, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.