If you’ve ever tried to order a pair of shoes online from a European brand and stared at the size chart wondering what your UK 5 really means, you’re not alone. The conversion from UK to EU sizing looks straightforward at first glance, but the reality is that a 237-millimetre foot can land in different boxes depending on the brand, the gender of the shoe, and even the type of last used.
UK size 5 in EU: 38 (women’s) ·
EU size 38 in UK: 5 (women’s) ·
Foot length for UK 5: 237 mm (9.33 in) ·
Standard: ISO 9407:2019
Quick snapshot
- UK 5 women’s = EU 38 (ASOS Women’s Shoe Size Charts)
- EU 38 = UK 5 women’s (Foot Locker EU Shoe Size to UK and US Full Conversion Guide)
- Corresponding foot length: 237 mm (9.33 in) (Millbry Hill Size Guides)
- Whether the conversion holds for all shoe types (heels, boots, sneakers) — brands use different lasts.
- Whether men’s UK 5 to EU 38 is consistent across brands; men’s charts often start at a different baseline.
- Whether a 237 mm foot should be UK 5 or UK 5.5 — boundary values differ by brand.
- No timeline data applicable — shoe size conversions are static, though brand-specific charts update occasionally.
- Always check the brand’s own size chart before ordering, and measure your foot in millimetres for the most accurate fit.
Here is the key data for the UK 5 to EU conversion.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| UK 5 women’s = EU | 38 |
| UK 5 men’s = EU | 39 |
| EU 38 women’s = UK | 5 |
| EU 38 men’s = UK | 4.5 |
| Foot length for UK 5 | 237 mm (9.33 in) |
What size is UK 5 in EU?
Direct conversion for women’s shoes
For women’s footwear, the most commonly cited conversion is UK 5 = EU 38. The ASOS women’s shoe size chart lists this mapping with a foot length of 237 mm. Primark’s women’s shoe size chart confirms the same pairing. The Foot Locker conversion guide states that “EU 38 typically converts to UK 5 for women.”
However, not every brand uses the same measurement point. Saucony’s women’s footwear size chart places UK 5 / EU 38 at 235 mm, while UK 5.5 jumps to EU 38.5 at 240 mm. This means a 237 mm foot — the ASOS reference length — sits between Saucony’s whole and half size. Duke + Dexter’s sizing guide uses a range of 229–237 mm for UK 5 / EU 38, so 237 mm falls at the very top of that range.
A 237 mm foot is a boundary value: some charts treat it as a solid UK 5, others nudge it toward UK 5.5. If you’re between sizes, the brand’s chart — not the general rule — is your best guide.
The implication: even within women’s sizing, the 237 mm reference point can push you into a half size depending on the brand’s last and measurement method.
Conversion for men’s/unisex shoes
When sizing men’s or unisex shoes, UK 5 shifts to EU 39. The Foot Locker guide shows that men’s sizes are offset by roughly one EU size compared to women’s. This is because men’s lasts are typically wider and longer for the same UK number. So a UK 5 in a unisex style (like a classic sneaker) will often be labelled EU 38 on the women’s side and EU 39 on the men’s side.
Is a UK 5 a 38?
For women’s shoe sizing
Yes, for the vast majority of women’s shoe size charts, UK 5 = EU 38. ASOS, Primark, Millbry Hill, and Foot Locker all agree. The foot length associated with this pair is 237 mm, though some charts (like Saucony) use 235 mm.
For unisex or men’s shoe sizing
In a men’s or unisex chart, UK 5 is not a 38 — it’s a 39. The Foot Locker conversion guide makes this distinction clear. So if you see a unisex shoe labelled “UK 5”, check whether the retailer defaults to the women’s or men’s conversion.
Brand-specific variations
Not all brands stick to the standard. Common Tread’s adult size chart maps women’s UK 5 to EU 37 for foot lengths of 223–231 mm, and UK 6 to EU 38/39 for 231–239 mm. That means a 237 mm foot — which most brands call UK 5 — would be a UK 6 on Common Tread. Base Protection’s conversion table shows 237.5 mm as EU 37 / UK 4.5, and 244 mm as EU 38 / UK 5, again shifting the boundary.
The 237 mm mark is a borderline that different brands resolve differently. A 237 mm buyer could be a UK 5 at ASOS, a UK 5.5 at Saucony, or a UK 6 at Common Tread. Measuring your foot in millimetres and then checking the brand’s own chart is the only reliable way to avoid misfits.
The pattern: brand-specific last designs and measurement conventions cause the 237 mm boundary to shift, so relying on a single conversion chart is risky.
Is EU 38 a UK size 5?
For women’s sizing
Yes, EU 38 converts to UK 5 for women. ASOS and Foot Locker both support this. The Millbry Hill size guide lists the same conversion with a foot length of 237 mm.
For men’s sizing
EU 38 in men’s sizing is UK 4.5, not UK 5. The Foot Locker guide shows this offset. So if you’re a man with a 237 mm foot, you’d likely wear EU 38 but UK 4.5.
The pattern: the UK number is not the same across genders even when the EU number is. The EU system is more consistent in millimetre increments (roughly 6.5 mm per size), but the UK system uses different starting points for men and women.
What is a 38 in the UK?
EU 38 in UK women’s sizing
As established, EU 38 = UK 5 in women’s shoes. ASOS and Primark both confirm this. The Foot Locker guide adds that EU 38 typically corresponds to a women’s US 7 as well.
EU 38 in UK men’s sizing
EU 38 in men’s sizing is UK 4.5. The Foot Locker conversion guide lists the men’s UK equivalent of EU 38 as 4.5. For men, a UK 5 would be EU 39.
Why this matters: if you’re buying shoes from a European brand that only lists EU sizes, you need to know whether the shoe is intended for women or men. A EU 38 shoe designed for a woman will fit a UK 5 foot; the same shoe designed for a man will fit a UK 4.5 foot.
Five major retailers, one pattern: the women’s UK 5 = EU 38 conversion holds at ASOS, Primark, Millbry Hill, Foot Locker, and Duke + Dexter, but Saucony and Common Tread shift the boundary.
| Brand | UK 5 women’s = EU | Foot length (mm) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASOS | 38 | 237 | Standard conversion |
| Saucony | 38 | 235 | UK 5.5 = 240 mm |
| Primark | 38 | — | Direct match |
| Common Tread | 37 | 223–231 | UK 6 = 38/39 |
| Duke + Dexter | 38 | 229–237 | Range-based |
One number, two axes: the full spec for UK 5 across gender and system.
| System | Women’s | Men’s |
|---|---|---|
| UK | 5 | 5 |
| EU | 38 | 39 |
| US | 7 | 5.5 |
| Foot length (mm) | 237 | 237 |
| Foot length (in) | 9.33 | 9.33 |
Confirmed facts
- UK size 5 women’s = EU 38
- EU 38 = UK size 5 for women
- Foot length 237 mm is the reference for UK 5 women’s
- UK 5 men’s = EU 39
What’s unclear
- Whether UK 5 = EU 38 applies to all shoe types (heels, boots, sneakers) — brands may use different lasts per style.
- Whether men’s UK 5 to EU 38 is consistent across brands — men’s charts vary more than women’s.
- Whether a 237 mm foot should be UK 5 or UK 5.5 — boundary values differ by brand.
Women’s UK 5 is EU 38 with a foot length of 237 mm.
— ASOS Women’s Shoe Size Charts
EU 38 typically converts to UK 5 for women.
— Foot Locker EU Shoe Size to UK and US Full Conversion Guide
EU sizes jump roughly 5/6 of a UK size per increment.
For anyone in the UK or Ireland shopping for European shoes, the conversion from UK 5 to EU 38 is the standard for women’s footwear — but the boundary at 237 mm means that small millimetre differences can push you into a half size. The same UK 5 in a men’s shoe becomes EU 39, not 38. For the buyer, the choice is clear: measure your foot in millimetres, then check the brand’s own chart, or risk a shoe that’s half a size too tight or too loose.
Related reading: UK 12 to EU Shoe Size: Women’s & Men’s Conversion
veronicabeard.com, dukeanddexter.com, millbryhill.co.uk, grivetoutdoors.com, maelstromboots.com, shoeinn.com
For a detailed breakdown of how UK size 5 to EU womens shoe conversion compares across retailers, this guide covers exact measurements and brand-specific tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is UK 5 the same as EU 38 for all brands?
No, it’s the most common mapping for women’s shoes, but brands like Saucony and Common Tread may shift the boundary. Always check the brand’s own size chart.
How do I measure my foot to confirm my shoe size?
Place your foot on a sheet of paper, mark the heel and longest toe, measure the distance in millimetres, and compare to the brand’s size chart.
What is UK 5.5 in EU?
UK 5.5 women’s is typically EU 38.5, with a foot length of about 240 mm.
What is UK 6 in EU?
UK 6 women’s is usually EU 39, with a foot length of about 244–245 mm.
Does UK 5 in women’s shoes equal EU 39 in men’s?
Yes, UK 5 women’s = EU 38, while UK 5 men’s = EU 39. The EU system is gender-neutral, but the UK system uses different baselines.
What is the difference between UK and EU shoe sizing systems?
The UK system uses barleycorn units (1/3 inch per size) and starts at size 0 for children. The EU system uses Paris points (2/3 cm per size) and is based on foot length in millimetres. EU sizes are continuous across genders, while UK sizes are not.