Sneaker sizes are not the same across brands, but they are close if you compare the right number. Find your US men's size, use that across Nike, Jordan, adidas and New Balance, then adjust for the specific model: most popular sneakers fit true to size, and only a handful run big or small.
Quick answer: Compare by US men's size, never UK or EU. A US men's 9 is a UK 8 in Nike but a UK 8.5 in adidas and New Balance. Women's to men's: subtract 1.5 for Nike, Jordan and New Balance, subtract 1 for adidas. Go half down in Air Force 1s and half up in Yeezy 350s.
Updated November 2026 by Josh Cole, Im Your Wardrobe
Sneaker size chart: Nike, adidas and New Balance (US, UK, EU)
This chart puts the three brands' official men's charts side by side. Read across from your US men's size to see how the UK and EU labels change from brand to brand. Most sneakers we sell are unisex and listed in US men's sizes, with the women's size next to it.
| US men's | Nike UK | adidas UK | New Balance UK | Nike EU | adidas EU | New Balance EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 38 2/3 | 38.5 |
| 6.5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 39 | 39 1/3 | 39.5 |
| 7 | 6 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| 7.5 | 6.5 | 7 | 7 | 40.5 | 40 2/3 | 40.5 |
| 8 | 7 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 41 | 41 1/3 | 41.5 |
| 8.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 8 | 42 | 42 | 42 |
| 9 | 8 | 8.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 42 2/3 | 42.5 |
| 9.5 | 8.5 | 9 | 9 | 43 | 43 1/3 | 43 |
| 10 | 9 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 44 | 44 | 44 |
| 10.5 | 9.5 | 10 | 10 | 44.5 | 44 2/3 | 44.5 |
| 11 | 10 | 10.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 45 1/3 | 45 |
| 11.5 | 10.5 | 11 | 11 | 45.5 | 46 | 45.5 |
| 12 | 11 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 46 | 46 2/3 | 46.5 |
| 12.5 | 11.5 | 12 | 12 | 47 | 47 1/3 | 47 |
| 13 | 12 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 47.5 | 48 | 47.5 |
Sources: Nike's official men's footwear size chart (Nike and Jordan), the official adidas men's footwear size chart (adidas.com) and the official New Balance men's and unisex size chart (newbalance.co.uk). Conversions cross-checked against the brand comparison charts published by Hibbett and Outsole.
Sneaker size chart in cm
Centimetres are the most reliable way to size yourself, but each brand publishes its cm figure differently. Nike and adidas list foot length, the distance from your heel to your longest toe. New Balance's chart lists a slightly larger cm figure for the same US size, so use its column only for New Balance and don't mix it with the other two.
| US men's | Nike foot length (cm) | adidas foot length (cm) | New Balance chart (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 23.7 | 23.8 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 24.1 | 24.2 | 24.5 |
| 7 | 24.6 | 24.6 | 25 |
| 7.5 | 24.9 | 25.0 | 25.5 |
| 8 | 25.4 | 25.5 | 26 |
| 8.5 | 25.9 | 25.9 | 26.5 |
| 9 | 26.2 | 26.3 | 27 |
| 9.5 | 26.7 | 26.7 | 27.5 |
| 10 | 27.1 | 27.1 | 28 |
| 10.5 | 27.5 | 27.6 | 28.5 |
| 11 | 27.9 | 28.0 | 29 |
| 11.5 | 28.4 | 28.4 | 29.5 |
| 12 | 28.7 | 28.8 | 30 |
| 12.5 | 29.2 | 29.3 | 30.5 |
| 13 | 29.7 | 29.7 | 31 |
Sources: Nike men's footwear size chart (foot length), adidas men's footwear size chart (foot length) and the New Balance men's and unisex size chart. Nike boxes also print a JP/cm figure (27 for a US 9), which is not foot length; size from the foot-length column above.
How do Nike, adidas and New Balance sizes differ?
In length, the three brands are close. A US men's 9 is about 26.2 cm in Nike and 26.3 cm in adidas, so most people wear the same US size in a Jordan, a Samba and a New Balance 9060. The confusion comes from three labelling differences:
- UK sizes: Nike puts a US 9 at UK 8, while adidas and New Balance put it at UK 8.5. Outsole's brand-by-brand charts show the same split, and Hibbett's conversion guide confirms Nike's US 9 = UK 8. If you shop by UK size, you can be half a size out.
- EU sizes: adidas uses thirds (42 2/3), while Nike and New Balance use halves (42.5).
- Women's sizes: Nike, Jordan and New Balance put women's 1.5 sizes above men's (men's 9 = women's 10.5). adidas puts women's only 1 size above men's (men's 9 = women's 10).
The fix is simple: write down your US men's size in a pair that fits well, and carry that number across. Then check the model notes below.
Women's sneaker size conversion
Most of our sneakers are listed as US men's with the women's size in brackets, for example "9 US (10.5 Women's)". Use this table to find the men's size to order.
| US women's | Nike / Jordan men's | adidas men's | New Balance men's |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 5.5 | 6 | 5.5 |
| 7.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 6 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 7 | 6.5 |
| 8.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 7 |
| 9 | 7.5 | 8 | 7.5 |
| 9.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 8 |
| 10 | 8.5 | 9 | 8.5 |
| 10.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 9 |
| 11 | 9.5 | 10 | 9.5 |
Source: the official Nike, adidas and New Balance size charts above. Shop more in women's sneakers.
GS and big kids' sizes
GS (Grade School) sizes are marked with a Y. On Nike's big kids' chart they run from 3.5Y to 7Y, and the number matches the men's size: a 7Y is a men's 7 and a women's 8.5. New Balance's chart works the same way, with a 4Y and a men's 4 both at 22 cm. That means women up to about a US 8.5 can often wear GS pairs, such as the Jordan 1 High UNC Toe (GS). Always check whether a listing is in Y or adult sizes before you order, because the numbers overlap at the small end.
Do sneakers run small, true to size or big?
Once you know your US size, the model decides whether you move. This table sums up our size guides, each built from the brand's official chart and at least two independent sizing sources. Click through for wide-foot and narrow-foot advice.
| Model | Fit | What to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan 1 | True to size | Usual Nike size; wide feet half up |
| Jordan 4 | True to size, snug forefoot | Usual size; wide feet half up |
| Jordan 3, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 | True to size | Usual size; narrow feet can go half down in the 6 |
| Nike Dunk | True to size | Usual size; SB Dunks and wide feet can go half up |
| Nike Air Force 1 | Runs big | Half a size down |
| Nike Air Max | True to size | Usual size |
| Nike Kobe Protro | True to size | Usual size; wide feet half up |
| Yeezy 350 V2 | Runs small | Half a size up |
| Yeezy Slides | Runs small | One full size up |
| adidas Samba | True to size, narrow | Usual size; wide feet half up |
| adidas Gazelle, Campus 00s | True to size, roomy | Usual size |
| New Balance 9060 | True to size, roomy | Usual size, even with wide feet |
| New Balance 2002R, 1906R, 550 | True to size, snug | Usual size; wide feet half up |
| ASICS | Mostly true to size | Usual size; check the model notes |
| Salomon XT-6 | Narrow | Half a size up for most people |
The Air Force 1 trap
The most common sizing mistake we see is copying an Air Force 1 size across to other shoes. Nike's own Air Force 1 sizing advice is to go half a size down, so many people wear a smaller number in AF1s than in everything else. If your AF1s are a US 9, your Jordan 1, Dunk, Samba or 9060 size is usually a US 9.5. Always start from a true-to-size shoe, like a Nike Dunk Low Panda or a Jordan 1 High Lost & Found, not from your AF1s.
How to measure your feet in cm
- Tape a sheet of paper to a hard floor, against a wall. Do it in the late afternoon, when your feet are at their largest.
- Stand on it with your heel against the wall, wearing the socks you usually wear with sneakers.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe and measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
- Measure both feet and use the longer one.
- Find that length in the brand's own column above. If you land between two sizes, take the larger one, which is also New Balance's official advice.
Should I size up or down?
For most people, neither. Stay in your usual US size unless the model is one of the exceptions above, or your feet are noticeably wide or narrow. Wide feet usually need half a size up in snug shoes like the Jordan 4, Samba, 2002R and XT-6. Narrow feet can sometimes go half down in roomy shoes like the Gazelle or Jordan 6. Thick socks take up room too, so size with the socks you actually wear. Break-in softens stiff leather but never adds length, so a pair that is too short will stay too short.
Clothing size guides
Need help with hoodies and tees as well? Our clothing guides cover the FOG Essentials size guide (it runs big), the Supreme size guide, the streetwear size guide for Corteiz, Stüssy, Sp5der and Hellstar, and the Denim Tears size guide.
Where to buy sneakers in NZ
Im Your Wardrobe stocks Nike, Jordan, adidas, New Balance, ASICS, Salomon and more, with sizes listed in US men's and women's on every listing. Every pair is authentic and inspected before it ships (see our authenticity process), shipping is free on every NZ order, and Afterpay is available at checkout.
- Shop all Jordans and Nike Dunk Lows
- Shop adidas, including the adidas OG Samba Black Gum
- Shop New Balance, including the New Balance 9060 Rain Cloud Grey
- Shop Yeezy
- Brand charts on one page: our sizing guide and NZ buying guides
Sneaker size chart FAQ
Are Nike, adidas and New Balance sizes the same?
Close, if you compare by US men's size. A US men's 9 measures about 26.2 cm in Nike and 26.3 cm in adidas, so most people wear the same US size in both, and the same US size again in true-to-size New Balance models. The UK and EU numbers differ between brands, so don't compare those.
Why is my UK size different on Nike and adidas boxes?
The brands convert US to UK differently. A US men's 9 is a UK 8 on Nike's chart but a UK 8.5 on the adidas and New Balance charts. If you buy by your Nike UK size in adidas, you can end up half a size small.
How do I convert women's sneaker sizes to men's?
Subtract 1.5 for Nike, Jordan and New Balance (women's 10.5 = men's 9) and subtract 1 for adidas (women's 10 = men's 9). Most unisex pairs are listed in US men's sizes, with the women's size shown next to it on our listings.
Which sneakers run big or small?
Most popular models fit true to size. The main exceptions: Nike Air Force 1s run big (go half a size down), Yeezy 350 V2s run small (go half a size up), Yeezy Slides run small (go a full size up) and the Salomon XT-6 runs narrow (most people go half a size up).
What does the cm on a sneaker box mean?
On Nike boxes the cm (JP) figure is not your foot length. A Nike US 9 box says 27 cm, but Nike lists the foot length for a US 9 as 26.2 cm. Measure your foot and match it to the brand's foot-length column instead.
What size is a GS 7Y in women's?
On Nike's chart a 7Y is a US women's 8.5 and a US men's 7. New Balance big kids' sizes also match the men's number (4Y = men's 4), so women up to about a US 8.5 can often wear Y sizes.
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