European Shoe Sizing System (Paris Points)
Direct Answer
Continental European shoe sizing is based on the Paris Point (point de Paris), an 18th-century French unit where 1 point equals exactly 2/3 of a centimeter (6.67 mm / 0.262 in). Calculated directly from shoe last length (foot length plus a 1.5 to 2.0 cm toe allowance), EU sizes range from EU 15 (infant) to EU 50+ (adult) without official half-size intervals.
Source: DIN 66074 / Continental European Footwear Standards
Specs
| Governing Standards | DIN 66074 / AFNOR / Continental European Standard |
| Base Unit (Paris Point) | 1 Paris Point = 2/3 cm = 6.667 mm (0.262 inches) |
| Sizing Formula | EU Size = (Last Length in cm) × 1.5 = (Foot Length in cm + 1.5 cm) × 1.5 |
| Size Increment Step | 6.667 mm per full European size |
| Typical Adult Men's Range | EU 40 (25.3 cm foot) to EU 46 (29.3 cm foot) |
| Typical Adult Women's Range | EU 36 (22.7 cm foot) to EU 41 (26.0 cm foot) |
| Half-Size Availability | Non-standard in Europe (each full step is a compact 6.67 mm) |
The 2/3 Centimeter Paris Point Formula
Because $1\text{ Paris Point} = 2/3\text{ cm} = 6.667\text{ mm}$, the shoe size is calculated directly from the length of the internal shoe last ($L_{\text{last}}$) in centimeters: $$\text{EU Size} = \frac{L_{\text{last}}\text{ (cm)}}{2/3} = 1.5 \times L_{\text{last}}\text{ (cm)}$$
To accommodate natural foot elongation during walking and prevent toe impact with the front of the shoe, shoemakers add a toe clearance allowance ($1.5\text{ cm}$) to the barefoot length ($L_{\text{foot}}$): $$\text{EU Size} = 1.5 \times (L_{\text{foot}}\text{ (cm)} + 1.5\text{ cm})$$
Example: For a $27.0\text{ cm}$ barefoot length, $\text{EU Size} = 1.5 \times (27.0 + 1.5) = 1.5 \times 28.5 = 42.75 \approx \mathbf{43}$.
Why European Sizing Rarely Uses Half Sizes
In the US/UK system, a full size step is $8.47\text{ mm}$ ($1/3\text{ inch}$), making half sizes ($4.23\text{ mm}$) essential for precise fitting. In contrast, the European full size increment is already a compact $6.67\text{ mm}$, sitting halfway between an Anglo-American full size and half size. Consequently, most European shoemakers produce solely whole numbered sizes.