Dance Shoe Size Conversion: Complete EU, UK & US Guide

Nothing takes you out of the flow of a tango or salsa faster than a shoe that is just slightly too loose at the heel or painfully pinches your toes during a double turn. Converting shoe sizes for dance shoes is a specialty in itself, because the fit of professional brands like Werner Kern or Supadance often deviates significantly from your daily sneakers. An EU size 38 does not always translate directly to a standard UK or US size with dance brands, especially since materials like satin and suede will still stretch considerably due to friction and heat on the dance floor.

In my years as an instructor, I have seen countless students struggle with online orders that just didn't fit right; a dance shoe that is too large causes instability, while a size too small completely blocks your technique. I made that mistake myself at the start of my career and believe me, dancing on poorly fitting soles is simply asking for injuries. In this guide, I will help you determine the correct dance shoe size by clearly comparing the EU, UK, and US systems. We look not only at the numbers on the box, but also at the nuances of different lasts and width sizes, so that from now on you can order those new shoes with full confidence and only have to worry about your footwork.

Importance of Good Fit

What I often see in dance class is that students step onto the dance floor with their regular street shoe size and wonder why their feet already burn after half an hour or why that double turn just won't work. In practice, a dance shoe is not a piece of clothing, but a technical instrument. Where you often leave a half-size of extra room for comfort in a sneaker, in a dance shoe, that is actually a recipe for injuries. A common mistake is the idea that a shoe should feel 'nice and loose' from the first moment.

A good dance shoe should feel like a second skin. If even a fraction of space remains between your foot and the footbed, friction occurs. That friction not only causes painful blisters on your heels or under the ball of your foot, but it also takes the stability out of your movement. Especially in explosive styles like salsa or ballroom, that connection with the floor is essential. If you start sliding in your women's Latin shoes during a pivot, you immediately lose your balance because your center of gravity is no longer directly above your point of support.

Why the correct size prevents injuries

In practice, I often see that dancers who convert their shoe sizes and still choose a size too large, subconsciously start 'clawing' their toes to keep the shoe in place. This puts enormous tension on the tendons in your arch and can lead to inflammation such as plantar fasciitis in the long term. A shoe that fits perfectly supports the anatomy of your foot without your muscles having to do extra work to 'hold' the shoe.

• Stability during turns: A snug heel counter ensures that your ankle doesn't twist during fast weight shifts.
• Power transfer: The tighter the shoe (without pinching), the more direct the communication between your brain and the floor.
• Durability of the material: A shoe that is too large will crease and deform faster, causing the support to disappear from the sole more quickly.

The elasticity of leather and satin

What I often explain to my students is that you must take material properties into account when fitting. A leather shoe will always stretch a bit after three to four lessons and mold itself to the shape of your foot. If men's dance shoes already feel comfortably loose the first time you try them on, I am almost certain they will be too big in a month. Your foot will then slide forward, which can cause your toes to go over the edge of the sole or your heel to slip out of the shoe.

When determining your ideal dance shoe size, the trick is to find that line between 'firmly snug' and 'painfully pinching'. A good gauge I always use: you should just be able to wiggle your toes, but your foot should not be able to slide a millimeter in width. Especially when ordering online and using a table for converting shoe sizes from EU to UK or US, it is smart to look at the specific fit of a brand. Some brands run narrower at the instep, which is essential for dancers with a high arch to maintain proper support during jumps and landings.

International Size Differences Explained

Choosing the right size is often the biggest hurdle when ordering dance shoes online. What I often see in practice is that dancers use their trusted sneaker size as a starting point, only to find out during fitting that the shoe is either much too large or completely pinches their toes. This is because the dance world is a mixture of different measurement systems, each with its own historical origin. While we in the Netherlands are used to the European system (the so-called 'Paris point'), many renowned dance brands work with British (UK) or American (US) sizes.

The treacherous difference between UK and US sizes

A common mistake I see among my students is confusing British sizing with American sizing. Although both systems are based on the 'barleycorn' (an old English unit of measurement of about one-third of an inch), they start counting at a different point. In practice, this means that an American women's size usually turns out 1.5 to 2 sizes larger than the British variant. If, for example, you order women's dance shoes from a brand like Capezio (US), you often have to choose a completely different size than with a European brand like Werner Kern (UK), which often use their own specific size charts. The difference is crucial for your technique on the floor. When a shoe is too big due to a conversion error, your foot slides forward during a powerful 'forward walk' in the rumba or when pushing off for a double turn. This not only causes painful blisters on the ball of your foot but can also lead to injuries to the metatarsals because the arch support of the shoe is not in the correct place under your anatomical arch. A well-fitting shoe should feel like an extension of your leg, not like a loose object.

The anatomy of European sizing

The European system (EU) is theoretically more consistent because it works with fixed steps of 6.67 millimeters. Yet I often see that students who are used to their daily shoes are disappointed with dance shoes. This has everything to do with the 'last' of the shoe. A dance shoe is designed to completely enclose the foot without any empty space at the heel or toes, which is essential for 'feeling' the floor.

• UK Sizes: Frequently used by high-end ballroom and Latin brands. They often run narrower and more snug around the instep.
• US Sizes: Commonly found in jazz, tap, and modern dance shoes. Note: the conversion for men is completely different here than for women.
• EU Sizes: Most common for entry-level models and social dance shoes, but these sizes often take less account of the width gradations of the foot.

In practice, I always advise looking at the actual length in centimeters. A foot that has too much room at the toes in a pair of men's dance shoes for tango immediately loses control over the 'lead' and stability in the ankles. You want your toes to just touch the front of the sole without painfully curling. A good rule of thumb I use: a new dance shoe may feel 'unpleasantly snug' the first time you try it on. The leather or satin molds itself very quickly to your unique foot shape through the heat and friction of your feet while dancing.

Complete Dance Shoe Conversion Table

In the years that I have been advising dancers in the studio, the biggest frustration is almost always the same: that confusing switch between EU, UK, and US sizes. What I often see is dancers ordering their trusted size 38, only to find out at the first fitting that their toes are completely curling over the edge of their new salsa shoes. That's because dance sizes are not simply a copy of your sneakers. In the dance world, we work with precision; a millimeter of play can mean the difference between a stable double pirouette or a painful sprain. A common mistake is ignoring the difference between men's and women's sizes in the American system. Where an EU 42 for men often corresponds to a US 9, it's a completely different story for women. In practice, I usually use these basic rules for the most common brands like Bloch, Capezio, or Supadance:

• EU 36: UK 3 | US Women 5.5 | US Men 4
• EU 37: UK 4 | US Women 6.5 | US Men 5
• EU 38: UK 5 | US Women 7.5 | US Men 6
• EU 39: UK 6 | US Women 8.5 | US Men 7
• EU 40: UK 6.5 | US Women 9 | US Men 7.5
• EU 41: UK 7 | US Women 10 | US Men 8.5
• EU 42: UK 8 | US Women 11 | US Men 9.5

Why the table alone is not enough

Although this table is a solid starting point, I always advise my students to look beyond just the number. The anatomy of your foot plays a crucial role that no table can capture. For example, do you have a wide forefoot or a high instep? Then it might be that for men's Latin shoes, you need to go up half a size to relieve pressure on the ball of the foot, even if the length is correct on paper. What I often see with beginners is that they are afraid of a tight shoe. They then choose the size they wear in their daily shoes, but with dance shoes, "fitting" is actually "too big". A dance shoe should fit like a second skin around your foot. As soon as space arises between your heel and the back of the shoe, you lose control over your footwork. This is especially critical with leather ballet shoes, where the leather will stretch considerably after a few lessons. If you buy these too loose, you'll end up after three weeks with "baggy" shoes that hinder your technique.

The practice of conversion

In practice, I see that UK sizes often remain the most constant between different dance brands. Brands from the United Kingdom use a very strict mold. Once you know you are a UK 5 in a character dance shoe, there is a good chance this also applies to your ballroom pumps. However, the switch to US sizes becomes tricky. American brands vary enormously in their width sizes (N for narrow, M for medium, W for wide). A handy tip I always give: measure your foot in centimeters (Mondopoint). Place your foot on a white sheet of paper, draw a line at your heel and your longest toe, and measure the distance. Many manufacturers list the exact centimeters in their size charts. This eliminates the guesswork of converting between EU and US sizes. If you are between two sizes, I usually advise going for the smaller size with suede soles, because these always become a bit more flexible and mold to your foot due to the heat of your foot and the friction on the floor.

Step-by-Step Plan for Correct Foot Measurement

What I often see in the dance studio is that dancers keep their regular shoe size for their first pair of dance shoes. That is almost always a recipe for blisters or instability on the floor. A dance shoe must fit like a second skin, especially in styles like salsa or tango where you turn a lot on the ball of your foot. If your foot slides in the shoe, you lose control over your 'floor pressure'. Therefore, it is essential to first measure your feet in millimeters before you start converting shoe sizes to EU, UK, or US systems.

The technique for accurate tracing

A common mistake is that people measure their foot while sitting down or quickly hold a ruler along their sole. In practice, however, you must always stand upright, with your full weight on the foot you are measuring. Due to the pressure of your body weight, your foot spreads slightly – exactly as happens during a powerful 'push-off' in a ballroom frame or a fast spin. Follow these steps for the best result:

• Place a white sheet of paper on a hard floor (not carpet) against a smooth wall or baseboard.
• Stand on the paper with your heel tight against the wall. Make sure you are standing upright and distribute your weight over both legs.
• Mark the furthest point of your foot. This is usually your big toe, but for many dancers, the second toe is longer; always use the longest point.
• Keep the pencil or pen perfectly perpendicular while drawing. If you hold the pen at an angle under your toe, you unknowingly cheat off half a centimeter, which is the difference between a perfect fit and a pinching shoe.
• Measure the distance from the wall to the mark in millimeters. This number is your 'Mondopoint' or foot length, the only constant factor in the world of dance shoes.

Taking width and anatomy into account

In addition to length, width in dance shoes is often even more important than in your daily sneakers. In practice, I see that dancers with a narrow heel but a wide forefoot often struggle with standard sizes. If you notice your foot slipping forward in Latin shoes causing your toes to go over the edge, the shoe is often too wide and not necessarily too large.

Therefore, also measure the circumference of the ball of your foot (the widest part at the knuckles). Many specialized brands work with width sizes such as C (narrow), D (average), or E (wide). A good tip I always give my students: always measure your feet at the end of the afternoon or after a training session. Your feet swell due to heat and movement, and you want your dance shoe size to remain comfortable during the last song of a social dance evening.

Also keep in mind that the material of the shoe determines how much play you need. A satin shoe hardly stretches, while a flexible suede or leather shoe will completely mold to the shape of your foot after three or four lessons. For suede shoes, I often advise going for the tightest fit, because in practice they always become a fraction wider due to the heat of your feet.

Deviations per Dance Brand

In the years that I have been advising dancers, there is one thing I see time and again: the frustration when a size 38 from one brand seems totally different from the 38 of another brand. In the dance world, a size is unfortunately not a universal standard, but rather a guideline that varies per manufacturer. This is because each brand works with its own 'last'—the wood or plastic form around which the shoe is built. What I often see is that dancers blindly trust their normal street shoe size, but in practice, converting dance shoe sizes works a bit differently.

Ballroom and Latin: The British influence

With the big names in the Ballroom and Latin world, such as Supadance or Ray Rose, we almost always work with UK sizes. A common mistake I see among my students is that they think a UK 5 always corresponds exactly to an EU 38. In practice, these brands often run narrower to offer the foot maximum support during powerful turns and fast footwork. If, for example, you choose Latin shoes from a brand like Portdance, I often notice that these run slightly larger than the traditional British brands. Where you might need to order half a size larger at Supadance for your toes, you can often stick to your own size at Portdance. The material also plays a major role here: satin hardly stretches, while a leather shoe can feel half a size larger after only three lessons due to the heat and friction of your feet.

Ballet and Jazz: The American puzzle

When we look at brands like Bloch and Capezio, you enter the world of US sizes. This is where most confusion arises. A US size 8 from Bloch is not the same as a US size 8 from Capezio. What I often see with ballet shoes is that the sizing runs extremely small. At Bloch, I usually advise my students to go at least one to one and a half sizes larger than their normal shoe size. When fitting ballet shoes, pay particular attention to the pressure on your big toe. In dance practice, I often see blue nails because dancers buy their shoes too small, thinking they should be 'tight'. Although a good fit is essential for the line of your foot and your 'pointe', you must still be able to lay your toes flat. With jazz shoes from Capezio, on the other hand, I often see that the width size (M for medium, W for wide) is more important than the length size. Do you have a wide forefoot or a high instep? Then the width size is often the deciding factor in determining your ideal dance shoe size.

Social Dance and Sneakers

For the social dancers among us who like to stand on sneakers or dance sneakers, the transition from street shoes is often the easiest, but here too there are catches. Brands such as Anna Kern or Werner Kern often use EU sizing, but their lasts are based on a classic fit. In practice, this means they often run slightly wider at the heel. If you invest in high-quality ballroom shoes for training, you will notice that the sole is often more flexible than with a street shoe. Because of this, your foot slides a fraction forward with every step. My tip: if you are between two sizes, choose the smaller size for suede soles. The suede and leather will mold to your foot, while a shoe that is too large will start to 'slip' at the heel over time, which can be dangerous during fast pivots or spins. Remember that in EU UK US size conversions, the shape of your foot (do you have an Egyptian or Greek foot, for example?) is often more important than the number on the box.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

What I often see in the dance studio is that dancers transfer their regular shoe size one-on-one to their dance shoes. That is one of the most common mistakes when converting shoe sizes. You often wear a sneaker with a bit of 'over-length' at the toes for daily comfort, but in dancing, that extra space is your biggest enemy. In practice, this leads to blisters and, worse still, a lack of stability while turning.

When you start comparing your EU UK US size, you must understand that dance brands often work with half sizes that are much more precise than at an average shoe store on the corner. A common mistake is ignoring the specific size chart of a brand. A size 6 from Bloch is simply not the same as a size 6 from Capezio. I have seen countless students order ballet shoes online based on their street size, only to find out during the first plié that their toes were completely curled up or that the heel slipped away with every step.

The pitfall of the 'morning foot' and materials

A technical detail that is often overlooked is the anatomy of the foot throughout the day. What I often advise is never to measure your feet in the morning. After a few hours of standing or a short warm-up, your feet swell slightly. If you measure in the morning and order your Latin shoes based on that, they will guaranteed start to pinch during an intensive salsa evening. Additionally, the choice of material determines how you should read the table:

• Satin does not stretch: With satin shoes, the size must be perfect immediately. Is it too tight? Then it will stay too tight.
• Leather expands: Leather shoes may feel almost uncomfortably tight when fitting. In practice, I see that leather stretches exactly that half size you need for a 'glove-like' fit after three to four lessons.
• Suede soles: Keep in mind that the flexibility of the sole influences how you experience your size. A stiffer sole forces your foot into a position where you often need a fraction more room at the toes.

The difference between men's and women's sizes in the US table

When converting shoe sizes to the American system, things often go wrong with the gender-specific tables. A US 8 for women is something totally different than a US 8 for men. This is especially confusing with unisex models such as jazz shoes or certain sneakers. I regularly see dancers accidentally using the wrong column. Always double-check whether the table you have in front of you is intended specifically for your target group.

Also make sure you take the width of your foot into account. Many professional dance brands offer different width sizes (Narrow, Medium, Wide). A common mistake is to buy a size larger because the shoe feels too narrow. Don't do this! You end up with a shoe that is too long, meaning the flex point of the sole no longer lies under the ball of your foot. This hinders your technique and can lead to foot complaints. If you notice that your men's dance shoes pinch at the side, look for a model with a wider last instead of choosing a larger dance shoe size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do dance shoe sizes often deviate from normal shoe sizes?

Dance shoes have a specific fit because they must sit tightly around the foot for optimal control and safety on the dance floor. Brands from England or America use their own systems, making shoe size conversion essential. A standard EU size does not always translate directly to a dance size, because materials such as suede or satin can still stretch considerably during intensive use.

How can I best measure my feet for the correct dance shoe size?

To determine the correct dance shoe size, place your foot on a white sheet of paper and accurately trace the outline. Then measure the distance from your heel to your longest toe in centimeters. Use this exact measurement in the manufacturer's specific size chart. Keep in mind that feet can swell during the day, so preferably always measure in the late afternoon.

What is the main difference between a UK and a US size?

The difference between an EU UK US size can be confusing, especially because US sizes often run larger than the British equivalents. For women, a US size is usually one and a half to two sizes larger than the UK size, while for men this differs by about half to a full size. Therefore, always specifically check whether the table you are currently using is intended for men's or women's shoes when purchasing.

Should new dance shoes be comfortable immediately or feel tight?

Unlike normal shoes, new dance shoes should feel very tight at the beginning, almost like a second skin. This ensures that you do not slide in the shoe, which prevents blisters and improves balance. Because leather and suede still stretch due to heat, it is wise when in doubt between two sizes to often choose the smallest option for fit.

Why do professional dance brands often use centimeters in their charts?

Many professional dance brands prefer centimeters because this is the most accurate way to make shoe size conversion possible across international borders. By knowing your foot length in centimeters, you prevent errors caused by the variation between the different EU, UK, and US systems. It is simply the most reliable method to order the perfect size dance shoes online without unpleasant surprises.

How do I recognize if my new dance shoes are actually too small?

Although a dance shoe size should be tight, your toes should never be painfully curled or completely pinched in the toe box. If you experience numbness after a few minutes of wearing or if the edges of the shoe cut deep into your skin, the size is probably too small. A good dance shoe encloses the foot firmly without restricting circulation or causing sharp pain.

Does heel height affect the size I need?

Heel height can certainly affect how you experience an EU UK US size while dancing. With higher heels, the foot often slides slightly more forward, which can sometimes create unwanted space at the heel. Some experienced dancers therefore choose a half size smaller for very high heels to keep the foot firmly in place during turns.

The beauty of finding the right shoe size is that it's about much more than just a number; it's the foundation of your confidence on the dance floor. What I especially want to tell you is that every manufacturer has its own nuances. So don't stare blindly at the standard conversion from EU to UK or US, but trust the centimeters and the specific fit of a brand. Above all, remember that a dance shoe should feel like a second skin: tight enough for the necessary control, but without pinching your passion.

Now that you know exactly how to determine your size, it's time to turn that knowledge into movement. Take a look at our extensive collection of women's dance shoes to find a pair that takes your technique and comfort to the next level. When your shoes fit perfectly, you stop thinking about your feet and really start to feel the music. Your most beautiful dance starts with the shoe that effortlessly supports every turn and every step.