Guide · Sizing
Shoe size guide for Malaysia — UK, EU and US, made simple.
Three sizing systems, one pair of feet. Here's how they actually differ, how to measure yourself correctly, and the Malaysian sizing myths that cost most shoppers a return.
Step 1
Measure your foot, not your old shoe.
Every reliable sizing decision starts with one number: the length of your foot in centimetres. Every chart on this page — UK, EU, US — is anchored to that measurement.
- 1
Place an A4 sheet flat against a wall.
Stand on it barefoot with your heel touching the wall.
- 2
Mark the tip of your longest toe.
It's usually the big toe, sometimes the second — mark whichever is furthest forward.
- 3
Measure heel-to-mark in centimetres.
Round up to the nearest 0.5 cm.
- 4
Repeat for the other foot.
One foot is almost always slightly longer. Use the larger of the two.
- 5
Measure in the evening.
Feet swell 3–5% through the day — especially in KL heat. Evening = true size.
Chart
Women's — UK / EU / US
Find your foot length on the left; read across for your size in each system. POLO HILL women's shoes are cut on European lasts — use the EU column as your reference.
| Foot (cm) | UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22.0 | 3 | 35.5 | 5 |
| 22.5 | 3.5 | 36 | 5.5 |
| 23.0 | 4 | 37 | 6 |
| 23.5 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 6.5 |
| 24.0 | 5 | 38 | 7 |
| 24.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 7.5 |
| 25.0 | 6 | 39 | 8 |
| 25.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 8.5 |
| 26.0 | 7 | 40.5 | 9 |
| 26.5 | 7.5 | 41 | 9.5 |
| 27.0 | 8 | 42 | 10 |
Chart
Men's — UK / EU / US
Men's UK and US numbering is offset by one from women's — a men's UK 8 is a longer shoe than a women's UK 8. EU is unisex, so the EU column is directly comparable.
| Foot (cm) | UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24.5 | 6 | 40 | 7 |
| 25.0 | 6.5 | 40.5 | 7.5 |
| 25.5 | 7 | 41 | 8 |
| 26.0 | 7.5 | 41.5 | 8.5 |
| 26.5 | 8 | 42 | 9 |
| 27.0 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 9.5 |
| 27.5 | 9 | 43 | 10 |
| 28.0 | 9.5 | 43.5 | 10.5 |
| 28.5 | 10 | 44 | 11 |
| 29.0 | 10.5 | 44.5 | 11.5 |
| 29.5 | 11 | 45 | 12 |
The difference
Why the same "size 8" fits three different ways.
The three systems use different starting points and different intervals between sizes. Here's what's actually going on beneath the number on the box.
British
UK sizing
Starts at UK 1 = 25.4 cm (men) / 20.3 cm (women). Each full size = 8.46 mm (⅓ inch). Men's and women's use the same numerical scale, but the same number is a different length — a men's UK 6 is longer than a women's UK 6.
Continental / Paris Point
EU sizing
Based on the Paris Point (⅔ cm). Each full size = 6.67 mm. Unisex numbering, so EU 40 is EU 40 whether the shoe is cut for men or women. Half-sizes are less common — many brands only stock full EU sizes.
American
US sizing
Same interval as UK (8.46 mm per size) but the numbering is offset. Women's US is roughly UK + 2; men's US is roughly UK + 1. A US 8 women's ≠ US 8 men's — always check which chart you're reading.
The quick rule
- Women: US ≈ UK + 2 · EU ≈ UK + 33
- Men: US ≈ UK + 1 · EU ≈ UK + 34
- Always: anchor on your cm measurement, not on the number you "usually wear."
Set the record straight
The common Malaysian sizing misconceptions.
After 50,000+ pairs shipped, these are the six myths behind almost every "wrong size" return we see in Malaysia.
- "Malaysia uses US sizing."
- No single 'Malaysian size' exists. Malaysian retailers stock a mix — most European and British-inspired brands (POLO HILL included) label in UK or EU. American athletic brands like Nike, Vans and Converse label in US. That's why the same 'size 8' fits differently across two shoeboxes in your wardrobe. Always check which system the box uses.
- "Just size up in Malaysia because feet swell in the humidity."
- Partly true, but often over-applied. Feet do swell 3–5% by late afternoon in KL heat — that's less than half a size. Sizing up a full size usually leaves the shoe loose in the morning and causes heel-slip. The better fix: measure your foot in the evening (when swollen), and pick the size closest to that measurement in cm.
- "My size in Nike is my size in every brand."
- Nike labels in US and runs slightly small; most European heritage brands label in UK or EU and run true-to-length. Your 'Nike US 9' foot is a UK 8 / EU 42 — that's the number you want on a POLO HILL loafer, not 9.
- "Half sizes don't matter."
- For sneakers and slides — mostly true, the sock and strap forgive 3–4 mm. For closed leather styles (loafers, brogues, dress shoes), a half size is the difference between snug and heel-blisters. If a brand only offers full sizes, size up for closed styles and down for slides.
- "Wider feet = size up."
- Length and width are separate. Sizing up adds length you don't need and creates toe-slip. For a wider foot, look for brands that offer a 'D' or 'wide' fit, or choose styles with adjustable straps and elastic gussets rather than fixed lace-ups.
- "Kids grow fast, so buy two sizes bigger."
- One size (about 6–8 mm of growing room) is enough. Two sizes creates a tripping hazard and a poor gait. Re-measure every 3–4 months for under-12s; kids' feet grow in short bursts, not steadily.
FAQ
Common sizing questions.
- How do I measure my foot at home?
- Stand on a sheet of A4 paper with your heel against a wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe. Measure heel-to-mark in cm. Do this in the evening when feet are at their largest, and measure both feet — pick the size for the larger one.
- What size is UK 7 in cm?
- UK 7 women's ≈ 26 cm foot length. UK 7 men's ≈ 25.5 cm. Use our women's and men's tables below for the exact conversion.
- Is EU 40 the same as UK 7?
- For women: EU 40 ≈ UK 6.5 (25.5 cm). For men: EU 40 ≈ UK 6 (24.5 cm). The Paris Point scale doesn't align cleanly with UK sizes, so half-size discrepancies are normal.
- Should I size up or down for POLO HILL shoes?
- Our shoes are built on European lasts and run true-to-length. For closed styles (loafers, moccasins), size up if you're between sizes. For slides and sandals, size down for a secure fit.
- Do POLO HILL shoes fit wide feet?
- Our slides, sandals and adjustable-strap styles suit wider feet well. For closed leather styles, we recommend trying in-store or ordering with our 14-day return window so you can check the fit at home.
Ready to shop
Got your size? Try POLO HILL, risk-free.
Every order ships with a 14-day return window across Malaysia — try them on at home, keep what fits.