Average Shoe Size for Women: In the U.S. and Other Countries (2024)

The average shoe size for women depends on factors like country, height, and age, among others. In the United States, the average shoe size for women may range between 8.5 and 9.

Your feet are arguably the foundation of your whole body. They provide balance and enable you to walk, run, stand, and enjoy countless activities.

Foot health is important, but foot size is not. All women’s foot sizes are normal.

Heights and weights have increased in the United States over the past several decades. Feet have gotten larger, too.

While there are no official statistics about shoe sizes, anecdotally, the average shoe size for women in the United States ranges between 8.5 and 9.

There’s an established correlation between height and shoe size.

Taller women tend to have larger feet since they need a larger base for balance. Shorter women tend to have smaller feet since they require a smaller base.

Anecdotally, American women report that their shoe sizes vary widely, independent of their height. That may be due to natural variances in heredity and genetics, or simply buying shoes that are too big or too small for your feet.

There’s no official data correlating U.S. women’s height with their shoe size. Anecdotal information indicates the following:

AgeHeightShoe size
Over 204’9″ to 5’3″5 to 8.5
Over 205’4″ to 5’7″6.5 to 10
Over 205’8″ to 6′ or taller9 to 15

Average shoe sizes range from country to country. They’re based on many factors, including genetics and nutrition. Some average shoe sizes in other countries include:

CountryShoe sizeConversion to U.S. size
United Kingdom6 (EU 40)8.5
Japan23 (EU 37)6
Australia8 (EU 42)9.5

Anecdotal evidence supplied by shoe salespeople indicate the average shoe size for adult women worldwide is around a U.S. 7 to 8.

There’s some data that men and women find small feet in women more attractive than large feet.

However, these findings from 2007 are far from conclusively proven. In fact, some cultures go the other way, finding women with large feet more attractive than those with small feet.

Whether you’re a size 5 or a size 15, all women’s feet are equally attractive, normal, and appropriate for their height and weight.

Among the things that may affect women’s shoe size is pregnancy. During pregnancy, some women report that their feet become wider or flatter. In some instances, this change may become permanent.

The cause may be due to extra weight put on during pregnancy, or a hormone secretion in the placenta called relaxin. It dilates and softens the cervix as well as loosens the ligaments of the foot.

American women’s feet are getting larger than they were decades ago. Even so, there’s no abnormal foot size. Whatever size foot you have is normal and appropriate for your height and weight.

Average Shoe Size for Women: In the U.S. and Other Countries (2024)

FAQs

Average Shoe Size for Women: In the U.S. and Other Countries? ›

Average Shoe Size Worldwide

Across the globe, women have an average shoe size of 7 to 9. Each country ranges slightly with its own mean. Asian countries have been found to have smaller sizes, like China, with 5.5 to 6.5.

What is the average shoe size for a woman worldwide? ›

Average Shoe Size Worldwide

Across the globe, women have an average shoe size of 7 to 9. Each country ranges slightly with its own mean. Asian countries have been found to have smaller sizes, like China, with 5.5 to 6.5.

What is the average shoe size for a woman in Japan? ›

Average shoe size by country
CountryShoe sizeConversion to U.S. size
United Kingdom6 (EU 40)8.5
Japan23 (EU 37)6
Australia8 (EU 42)9.5
Aug 7, 2019

What is the most common women's shoe size in America? ›

Studies indicate that the average shoe size for women in the United States has increased over the past few decades, with the current average being around size 8.5. However, keep in mind that this is just an average, and there is a broad spectrum of normal sizes for women's feet.

What is the ideal foot size for a woman? ›

According to StatCrunch, a woman 5′6″ is likely to wear a size 9 shoe. I would guess anywhere from size 7 to size 11 would be “normal” for that height. In the U.S., the most common women's shoe sizes are 8.5 and 9. Anywhere from a size seven to a size nine is average.

What is the average shoe size in Europe? ›

Download Table Data
CountryAverage Men's Shoe SizeAverage Women's Shoe Size
United Kingdom106.5
France106.5
Spain106.5
Poland107
115 more rows

What women's shoe size sells the most? ›

In the US woman's “most sold” sizes are between 6.5 and 8.5. most common sized for a woman in the US is 7, 7.5 and 8. In my experience, size 8 is the most popular women's shoe size. I'm surprised — most sources say around an 8.

Is a size 8 shoe big for a woman? ›

In the United States, the average foot size of a woman was 6.5 in the 1960s. It rose to 7.5 in the '70s. While there are no official statistics available, anecdotal evidence received from shoe sales personnel indicates that the current women's average shoe size is around a U.S. 7 to 8.

What's the most common shoe size for a woman in the UK? ›

"What is the most common women's shoe size? In the US, the average shoe size of a woman is anywhere between 7-9; while in the UK, it is 6.5-7. For men, it is somewhere between 9-12 in the US, and between 7-8 in the UK."

What is the US shoe size to European women's? ›

US size 6.5 = EU size 37. US size 7.5 = EU size 38. US size 8.5 = EU size 39. US size 9 = EU size 40.

What is the UK shoe size in the US? ›

If you don't have the conversion chart handy, a quick way to go from US to UK sizes is to subtract 2 from the US size. If going from UK to US, add two to the UK shoe size. European sizes start at 35 and run through 43.

What is the most common shoe size for a man? ›

According to several studies, the average shoe size for men in the United States is about a 10.5. However, remember that this is just an average, and a wide range of sizes falls within the spectrum of normal.

Is size 10 in women's shoes big? ›

However, I can provide some general information. A women's size 10 shoe is relatively average for an adult woman, but for a 14-year-old who is still growing, it might be considered on the larger side. The average shoe size for a person can vary based on factors like genetics, ethnicity, and overall body size.

What is the average pair of shoes a woman has? ›

Presently in the United States, an average female owns 19 pairs of shoes.

What is the average women's shoe size in China? ›

Average shoe size by country: USA 🇺🇸 Male: Size 9 (43), Female: Size 7 (39) Canada 🇨🇦 Male: Size 10 (43.5), Female: Size 6.5 (38.5) UK 🇬🇧 Male: Size 9 1/2 (43), Female: Size 7 (39) China 🇨🇳 Male: Size 8 (41), Female: Size 5 1/2 (37.5).

What is the average women's height? ›

In the United States, the average height of female adults over the age of 20 is about 5 feet 3.5 inches.

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