It is widely known that the average shoe size for women ranges between 8.5 and 9 in the US, while it is 8 for the average shoe size for women worldwide.
A lot of people have experienced difficulties when choosing the right size for their shoes. It is even much more challenging to find a matching shoe to fit your personal style. One of the major reasons may be that the most common shoe sizes for both women and men are getting bigger and bigger every couple of decades.
Although there are no official shoe size statistics, it is widely considered that the average shoe size for women in the US is usually from 8.5 to 9. On the other hand, the international average shoe size for women is from 7 to 9 with an average size of 8, while the global average shoe size for men ranges between 9 and 12 with an average size of 10.5.
Besides foot length or width (related: Wide Shoe Size Charts to understand wide Feet & narrow feet), height is also a vital factor when it comes to average shoe size for women and men. It is assumed that shorter people typically have smaller feet, while taller people tend to have larger feet. Of course, there are exceptions in this case because each individual’s feet are different, more or less.
So, the following article will go through the average shoe size for women, females’ medium/normal shoe size by height, as well as other factors affecting ladies’ shoe size.
Average Shoe Size For Women
It is widely believed that there is an established connection between women’s shoe size and height. In particular, shorter women usually have smaller feet as they don’t require a too big base for stability. On the other hand, taller ladies tend to have bigger feet because they need a wider base for better balance.
However, there were sources indicating that American women’s shoe sizes are different, regardless of their height. It could be due to natural differences in genetics and heredity, or you simply bought a pair of shoes that is either too big or too narrow for your foot.
When we think about the average women shoe size, the average weight and height might pop into your head. There was a time when the average shoe size for women was measured between 5 and 11. However, more and more attention has been paid to finding a universal shoe size for women to meet the need of various feet sizes and shapes over the last few years.
However, finding the common shoe size according to shoe brands and styles is much more difficult. So, the idea here is to find out the average shoe size for women that would fit a wide variety of feet sizes and shapes.
With a wide array of variations, it can be really hard to find a pair of shoes that fit them all. So, the following women’s global shoe size conversion chart will be helpful in deciding the right shoe size when you are buying women’s shoes from international brands.
| US | EU | UK | Japan | Korea | China | CM | IN |
| 5 | 35 | 2.5 | 21 | 228 | 35.5 | 22.8 | 9 |
| 5.5 | 35.5 | 3 | 21.5 | 231 | 36 | 23.1 | 9.12 |
| 6 | 36 | 3.5 | 22 | 235 | 37 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 6.5 | 37 | 4 | 22.5 | 238 | 37.5 | 23.8 | 9.37 |
| 7 | 37.5 | 4.5 | 23 | 241 | 38 | 24.1 | 9.5 |
| 7.5 | 38 | 5 | 23.5 | 245 | 39 | 24.5 | 9.62 |
| 8 | 38.5 | 5.5 | 24 | 248 | 29.5 | 24.8 | 9.75 |
| 8.5 | 39 | 6 | 24.5 | 251 | 40 | 25.1 | 9.87 |
| 9 | 40 | 6.5 | 25 | 254 | 41 | 25.4 | 10 |
| 9.5 | 41 | 7 | 25.5 | 257 | 41.5 | 25.7 | 10.12 |
| 10 | 42 | 7.5 | 26 | 260 | 42 | 26 | 10.25 |
| 10.5 | 43 | 8 | 27 | 267 | 43 | 26.7 | 10.5 |
| 12 | 44 | 9.5 | 28 | 273 | 44.5 | 27.3 | 10.75 |
| 13 | 45 | 10.5 | 29 | 279 | 46 | 27.9 | 11 |
| 14 | 46.5 | 11.5 | 30 | 286 | 47 | 28.6 | 11.25 |
| 15.5 | 48.5 | 13 | 31 | 292 | 48 | 29.2 | 11.5 |
If you wish to know more about which one is the most comfortable work shoes are fit for women, please check the link.
Average Female Shoe Size By Height
When it comes to the average female shoe size by height, Asian women with an average height from 4’9’’ to 5’3’’ usually have feet between 5 to 8.5 in the US women’s shoe sizes. For women who are from 5’4’’ to 5’7’’, the average shoe sizes range between 6.5 and 9.5, while any woman who is 5’8’’ high or taller tends to wear US shoe sizes from 9 to 13.
In fact, there is no formal document regarding the height of the US women with their average shoe sizes. However, some indicate the average shoe size for a woman based on her height as follows:
| Women Age | Women Height | Average Women’s Shoe Size |
| Over 20 | 4’9″ to 5’3″ | 5 to 8.5 |
| Over 20 | 5’4″ to 5’7″ | 6.5 to 10 |
| Over 20 | 5’8″ to 6′ or taller | 9 to 15 |
- Average shoe size for 5’2 woman: between 5 and 8.5
- Average shoe size for 5’4 woman: between 6.5 and 10
- Average shoe size for 5’5 woman: between 6.5 and 10
- Average shoe size for 5’7 woman: between 6.5 and 10
Having said that, it is still really vital to consider your foot width even when you get your average shoe size. For example, your foot length is equivalent to a size 9, but if your feet are wider at the ball of the foot area, then you will need a pair of shoes that are a little bit wider. This way, you can easily move or spread your toes inside the shoes when you are walking, running, or doing other stuff.
For women, some vital events in life, such as pregnancy, might also affect their shoe sizes. In particular, their feet tend to be wider when they are pregnant. There are different factors affecting this change. The first one might be short-lived as a result of added weight. It can be also because the hormone relaxin is excreted in the placenta, loosening the ligaments of their feet. I will go through this issue further in the next part.
What Is The Key Relationship Between Feet And Shoe Size?
The fact is that there is a close connection between feet and shoe sizes. You can’t buy a pair of shoes that fits your feet best if you don’t know your foot’s size. It is even more challenging for people with big or narrow feet to find an excellent pair.
You will find that both shoe size and foot size are associated with height. In other words, they share the same measurement range. As a rule of thumb, you will need to multiply by 9 centimeters (or 2.54 inches) if you want to convert shoe sizes to the measurements of your feet in the US.
But when it comes to height, you can use either inches or centimeters as the unit of measurements for both shoe and feet sizes. However, most people use centimeters on a daily basis because they are simply easier to measure than inches.
Having said that, the relationship between foot and shoe size is relatively complex. Accordingly, it has been calculated that the average shoe size in the US ranges from 7 to 11 inches, while the average foot size usually runs from 7 to 12.5 inches.
So, in subsequent, I will look at the relationship between foot size and shoe size, including several factors that affect this relationship. These consist of:
- Foot shape
- Foot width
- Foot length
- Bodyweight distribution
In fact, lots of people believe that shoe size is associated with foot length, whereas others think that it is related to body mass index. So, which one is true?
The primary connection between foot length and shoe size is that shoe size directly connects with foot length. No matter how large or small your foot is, you will absolutely need shoes as your foot size. This general rule applies to both women and men, as well as both adults and kids.
However, when it comes to BMI, there is no association existing. Instead, there is a straight relationship between weight and height in respect of BMI, which means that weight gain will increase BMI.
How Can I Measure My Foot Size at Home
In order to get the right shoe size, it is important to know your exact foot measurements. Fortunately, you can completely do this by yourself. And here are the detailed steps to follow.
- Place your foot on the paper on the flat floor. Stand straight with your leg bent a little bit and your shin in front of the ankle.
- Sketch the contours of your bare foot.
- On each side of your foot, draw a straight line. So it will look like your mark is in a rectangle.
- Calculate the inches between these 2 straight, parallel lines, from side to side and top to bottom, using a ruler.
- For each measurement, subtract 3/16 of an inch.
Once finishing your measuring process, refer to the above women’s shoe size chart to find your true size.
How to Figure out Your Actual Shoe Size
At the end of the day, your feet tend to be swollen due to different factors, such as walking or running too much. So, you should measure your foot from the tip of your longest toe to your heel during this time. Besides, don’t forget to measure both of your feet, as a lot of people have one foot that is either narrower or wider than the other. In addition, it is important to purchase shoes that are large enough for the bigger foot.
It is also worth noting that measuring both the width and length of your feet. This is because many people might have different measurement combinations, such as a small foot that is wide or a long foot that is small.
When measuring, if you find that your foot size is between two sizes, opt for the larger size to prevent foot problems with pain and discomfort.
Also, never assume that your foot size in one shoe is automatically the same in another shoe. Different styles and boots brands might have different size standards for their sneakers. Sometimes, the variation is so small that it can not be immediately recognizable.
Nevertheless, if you begin to experience foot pain or soreness over time, it is really vital to visit a podiatrist. This is because lots of people don’t realize that the root cause of foot issues usually derives from wearing shoes that are too narrow.
Even when you have your feet measured by a professional at a shoe shop, always make sure that the pair in that size are really squishy for your feet. In fact, you might know that feet vary quite a bit from individual to individual in terms of past injuries and shape. So, even when you get your best foot size measured on paper or by an expert, you might still need some minor adjustments when it comes to shoes in different styles or brands.
Why Are Average Shoe Sizes for Women Increasing?
It is very interesting to figure out that people’s feet tend to get bigger over time. According to some research, women’s feet have increased by over one size on average over the past 30 years. This is mainly because of the increased approach to high-calorie foods throughout childhood and even when they are still in their developmental stages.
In particular, the average shoe size for women in the early 20th century was between 3.5 and 4, and it was around 5.5 in the 1940s. The measurement continued to increase to 7.5 in the 70s. And now, it is 8.5.
Not only in the US but other countries, such as the UK, also saw an increase in the average shoe size of women’s feet.
Unfortunately, buying shoes with a large size makes women so embarrassed that they even purchase shoes that are too narrow. As a result, they have to suffer from foot pain, and over time, it can even lead to more serious complications, such as knee pain, back pain, headaches, etc. Usually, larger size shoes might look unfashionable and provide women with fewer options when it comes to style.
Worse still, a lot of shoe stores don’t even sell shoes that are wide enough for most women, making it even more embarrassing for women to buy a pair that actually fits their larger feet.
And the problem here is that shoe stores can’t send back what they don’t offer. Therefore, many women still refuse to purchase larger shoes, even though the demand for such wider sizes is increasing more and more over time. And it is not only normal but actually crucial to buy shoes that are wide enough for women with bigger feet.
Do Pregnancy Influence Women’s Feet?
Women’s feet tend to swell, feel unpleasant, and intolerably tired when they are pregnant. In addition, during their baby’s nine months of growing up, the size of women’s feet can also change, more or less.
There are various reasons for this foot’s size changes. However, it is commonly believed that it is because of a relaxing hormone that loosens joints and ligaments. As a result, it makes the structure more pliant.
Moreover, the arches tend to decrease when your belly expands and puts more pressure on your foot. So, this process might increase your foot length anywhere from 0.1 to 0.4 inches.
Nevertheless, substantial changes are likely to happen in first-time mothers rather than second or third-time mothers.
It is shocking that for some women, their feet size (both length and width) comes back to normal after childbirth. And this might also be the main reason why women are more susceptible to arthritis of the feet, knees, hips, and spine than males.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered small feet for a woman?
In fact, there is no formal document or data on what counts as small feet or small shoe size for women, or at least for women in the United States. This means that when you see an average shoe size for women is approximately between 7 and 8, it might suggest that anything below a size 6 is narrow.
What’s the average shoe size for a woman?
You might not find the official data on women’s shoe sizes in the United States and maybe other countries. However, it is commonly considered that the average shoe size for a woman in this US is from 8.5 to 9.
Is a size 11 shoe big for a girl?
A size 11 shoe was considered large for a girl in the past. However, as women’s feet tend to grow larger today, this size is not large anymore. Instead, it becomes a familiar and even normal size now. Unfortunately, some shoe factories still consider shoes with size 11 for women, and several shoe stores may also not have a wide selection of that size.
Is size 8 shoe big for a girl?
No, size 8 is not a large shoe size for women. Accordingly, the average shoe size for women in the US is anywhere from 8.5 to 9. In other words, any size under 8.5 can be considered small.
Is shoe size related to height?
In fact, your foot size does not have any relationship with your height. One of the key reasons for this is that different people have different body sizes and shapes. So, the size of your feet says nothing about your height. However, your foot structure is more closely related to your height.
Conclusion
American women’s feet are now getting bigger and bigger than they were many years ago. However, there are no abnormalities in their foot sizes. Whatever your foot size is, it is still normal and suitable for your weight and height.
For example, if you are shorter than 5’6’’, it is best to buy shoes with a heel height of around 1 to 5 inches. But if your height is more than 6’1’’, the ideal heel height should be between 2 and 3 inches. So, the average female shoe size by height chart above is a good way for you to discover your great shoe size.
Besides, the average shoe size for women tends to vary more than that for men. So, when you are measuring your shoe size, keep in mind that there is no real “average” size in this matter. This is because different shoe manufacturers might offer different averages for their shoe sizes. But you can assume that the average shoe size for women in the United States is between 8.5 and 9. So, after all, make sure that you feel really comfortable in your shoes.
