You’ve likely scrolled through an online shoe store, found a pair in European size 38, and wondered if it will fit in New Zealand. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to decoding EU 38 into your local NZ shoe size.

4 related posts

EU size 38 to NZ women’s: 7.5 ·
EU size 38 to NZ men’s: 5.5 ·
EU size 38 foot length: 24 cm ·
EU size 38 to UK women’s: 5

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • The EU-to-NZ conversion formulas (add 31 for women, add 33 for men) remain consistent across major sources – no changes reported in recent years (MoneyHub NZ)
4What’s next

Key facts at a glance

Quick reference for the core conversions from EU 38 to NZ and other systems.

EU size 38 foot length 24 cm
NZ women’s equivalent 7.5
NZ men’s equivalent 5.5
UK women’s equivalent 5
US women’s equivalent 7.5
US men’s equivalent 6

What is a 38 shoe size?

How does EU 38 relate to foot length?

European shoe sizes are directly based on foot length measured in centimetres. For EU 38, the standard foot length is 24 cm, a figure used by the ISO shoe-sizing system and confirmed by multiple sources including MoneyHub NZ and Wide Fit Shoes. This length is the baseline for all conversions to other sizing systems.

What systems use size 38?

Size 38 is used across Continental Europe, much of Asia, and increasingly in global footwear charts. In New Zealand, however, it’s not a direct size – it must be converted. The chart from Horner Shearing (international sizing PDF) shows EU 38 alongside Australia/NZ, US, and UK columns, making it easy to cross-reference.

The upshot

The 24 cm foot length is your most reliable anchor. If you know your foot in centimetres, you can bypass confusing size labels entirely and check any brand’s centimetre-based chart directly.

The implication: for New Zealand shoppers, EU 38 always means a 24 cm foot. The only remaining question is how that maps to the local NZ size number, which varies by gender and sometimes by brand.

Is UK and NZ sizing the same?

What is the difference between UK and NZ shoe sizes?

Yes – for most purposes, New Zealand shoe sizes are identical to UK shoe sizes. MoneyHub NZ states that men’s NZ sizes are exactly the same as UK sizes, while women’s NZ sizes are two sizes larger than UK women’s sizes. Athena Shoes (NZ shoe retailer) confirms this pattern: women add two sizes, men use the same number.

Are there any exceptions?

Some New Zealand retailers, especially those importing from the US or Asia, may list US or EU sizes alongside UK/NZ on the same label. Number One Shoes and Hannahs provide separate columns for UK, US, and EU on their size guide. This can lead to confusion if a buyer assumes the size on the box is NZ when it’s actually US.

Why this matters

A UK size 5 and a US size 5 are different lengths. If your online order shows a US label but you’re thinking UK scale, you’ll likely receive shoes that don’t fit. Always check which sizing system the retailer uses on its product page.

The pattern: NZ has no independent size standard – it adopts UK sizing for convenience. The catch is that women’s size numbers are two higher than UK (i.e., a UK 5 is a NZ 7), while men’s numbers stay the same. This quirk is the single biggest source of conversion mistakes.

How do you convert euro shoe size to NZ?

What is the conversion formula for women?

According to MoneyHub NZ (consumer guidance site), women add 31 to their NZ shoe size to get the EU size. So to convert EU to NZ, subtract 31: EU 38 – 31 = 7. However, the most common NZ women’s size for EU 38 is a half size: 7.5, because EU 38 typically lands between whole sizes on the NZ/UK scale.

What is the conversion formula for men?

For men, MoneyHub states: add 33 to NZ size to get EU size. So EU 38 – 33 = 5, but the typical NZ men’s equivalent for EU 38 is 5.5 due to rounding across the size ladder. The Wide Fit Shoes global chart lists UK men’s 5.5 as EU 38.5, confirming that EU 38 falls just below a half-size in men’s UK/NZ.

Key takeaway

Use the MoneyHub formulas (EU – 31 for women, EU – 33 for men) as your starting point, then verify with the retailer’s size chart to avoid fit issues.

The trade-off: these formulas are general rules. Because EU sizes are based on a continuous length (Paris points), and UK/NZ sizes jump in whole and half numbers, the exact match may vary by a half size. Always check the retailer’s specific chart.

Is size 38 a 7 or 8?

What US size does EU 38 correspond to?

EU 38 converts to US women’s 7.5 and US men’s 6, according to Zappos (US shoe retailer). So the answer “7 or 8” is misleading without specifying which system. A US women’s 7 is EU 37; a US women’s 8 is EU 38.5. Horner Shearing charts show EU 38 as US women’s 5.5 (a typo likely due to mixing columns), but most standard tables place EU 38 at US women’s 7.5.

What UK size does EU 38 correspond to?

EU 38 is UK women’s 5 and UK men’s 5.5. Wide Fit Shoes explicitly lists UK women’s 5 as EU 38 and UK men’s 5.5 as EU 38.5. This is consistent with the formulas from MoneyHub.

The catch: when someone says “size 38 is a 7”, they likely mean US women’s. When they say “size 38 is a 5”, they mean UK women’s. Without specifying the system, the number is useless. Always ask: “UK, US, or EU?”

What shoe sizes do they use in New Zealand?

Do New Zealanders use UK or US sizing?

New Zealand uses UK sizing as its default. This is confirmed by MoneyHub NZ and Athena Shoes. However, many online stores – especially those with a global reach – list US sizes first because of American influence. Number One Shoes and Hannahs shows UK, US, and EU columns side by side, which helps but can overwhelm a shopper who just wants their NZ size.

Are there size charts for women, men, and children?

Yes. New Zealand retailers provide separate charts for women, men, and children, all using UK sizing. Children’s sizes follow the same UK scale. The Wide Fit Shoes New Zealand site separates men’s and women’s tables, noting that the same UK size maps to different EU and US labels by gender.

The pattern: NZ’s adoption of UK sizing simplifies conversions for those who know their UK size, but creates confusion for shoppers used to US or EU labels. For size 38 specifically, the NZ women’s size is 7.5 and men’s is 5.5 – but always verify with the brand’s own chart.

Conversion comparison: EU 38 across systems

One size, five different numbers – here’s how EU 38 maps to the most common shoe scales used in New Zealand and international shopping.

System EU 38 equivalent Notes
NZ Women’s (UK-based) 7.5 Most brands use half-size; full size 7 may fit but 7.5 is standard
NZ Men’s (UK-based) 5.5 Men’s and UK men’s are the same scale
UK Women’s 5 Add 2 to get NZ women’s
UK Men’s 5.5 Same as NZ men’s
US Women’s 7.5 US women’s runs about 2 sizes larger than UK women’s
US Men’s 6 US men’s is about 1 size larger than UK/NZ men’s

What this means: if a product page shows “7” without specifying the system, it could be NZ women’s 7 (too small for EU 38) or US women’s 7 (even smaller). Always check the system label.

EU 38 to NZ: spec breakdown

Six key specs every shopper should know before buying size 38 in New Zealand.

Foot length (ISO) 24 cm
Women’s conversion formula EU – 31 = NZ
Men’s conversion formula EU – 33 = NZ
NZ default system UK sizing
Women’s size adjustment vs UK NZ women’s = UK + 2
Men’s size adjustment vs UK NZ men’s = UK (identical)
US women’s difference vs UK US women’s = UK + 2.5
US men’s difference vs UK US men’s = UK + 0.5
Half-size availability Common in women’s NZ sizes 5-10; check brand for men’s half sizes
Width options Most NZ retailers offer standard D width; wide fittings available at specialist stores
Brand variance Up to 0.5 size difference reported between brands (Flow Feet)

The takeaway: the formulas are reliable anchors, but the real-world fit depends on brand, width, and foot shape. The chart gives you a 90% solution – the final 10% is in the try-on.

How to convert EU 38 to NZ: step-by-step

  1. Determine whether the shoe is for a woman or man
    Conversion formulas differ by gender because men’s and women’s UK/NZ size scales are offset differently from European sizes. If you’re shopping for multiple people, calculate each separately.
  2. Apply the correct formula
    For women: subtract 31 from the EU size. EU 38 – 31 = 7. Then check if the brand suggests a half-size up or down – many women’s shoes in NZ list EU 38 as size 7.5. For men: subtract 33. EU 38 – 33 = 5, but men’s NZ size for EU 38 is typically 5.5 due to the way scales line up. MoneyHub NZ recommends using these formulas as starting points rather than exact matches.
  3. Cross-check with the retailer’s own size chart
    Every NZ retailer (e.g., Number One Shoes and Hannahs, Athena Shoes) publishes a size guide. Input the EU size into their table and note the NZ/UK size listed. Some retailers also include foot length in cm, which is the most reliable method.
  4. Measure your foot length in cm
    Place your heel against a wall, mark the longest toe, and measure the distance. If it’s 24 cm ± 2 mm, EU 38 is the right length. If it’s 24.5 cm, you may need EU 38.5 or EU 39. Nike’s size guide emphasises that foot measurement should be done at the end of the day when feet are slightly swollen.
  5. Account for brand quirks
    Some brands like Nike run a half size smaller; others like ASICS run a half size larger. Flow Feet warns that conversion may vary between brands and styles, and recommends referencing brand-specific charts before purchasing.
Bottom line: The upshot: these steps will get you the right size 9 times out of 10. For the 10th time, order from a store with a good return policy – your feet will thank you.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • EU 38 = 24 cm foot length (ISO standard, confirmed by MoneyHub NZ)
  • Women’s conversion: EU = NZ + 31 (MoneyHub NZ)
  • Men’s conversion: EU = NZ + 33 (MoneyHub NZ)
  • NZ uses UK sizing as its default (Athena Shoes)

What’s unclear

  • Whether all brands adhere to the same conversion – some run half a size larger or smaller (Flow Feet)
  • Exact origin of the “add 31 / add 33” formula – not officially documented by a standards body (Wikipedia, general reference)
  • Whether foot measurement method (standing vs sitting, morning vs evening) affects the recommended size (Nike)
  • Whether NZ women’s = UK + 2 sizes is always accurate – some charts show a 1.5-size difference (Horner Shearing)
  • Whether EU 38 maps to US women’s 7.5 or 5.5 – conflicting sources exist (Zappos vs Horner Shearing)

The combination of confirmed facts and remaining uncertainties means you should always verify with the retailer’s chart.

Quotes from the experts

“Women should add 31 to their NZ shoe size to get the EU size, while men should add 33.”

MoneyHub NZ (consumer guidance site)

“New Zealand shoe sizes are the same as UK sizes. However, women’s sizes are two sizes larger – for example, a UK 5 is a NZ 7.”

Athena Shoes (NZ shoe retailer)

The implication: these two sources – a trusted consumer guide and a local retailer – agree on the core conversion logic, giving shoppers a solid baseline to work from.

Summary

Size 38 in New Zealand is not a single number – it’s a relationship between your foot length (24 cm), a conversion formula that changes by gender, and a retailer’s specific chart. For the New Zealand shopper, the choice is clear: use the MoneyHub formulas to get close, then always cross-check with the brand’s own size guide before clicking “buy”. Your feet – and your next pair of perfectly fitted shoes – will thank you.

För en ännu mer detaljerad genomgång av just denna storlek, hänvisar vi till vår aktuella guide för storlek 38 i Nya Zeeland.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between EU and NZ shoe sizing?

EU shoe sizes are based on foot length in centimetres (Paris points), while NZ sizing follows the UK scale, which uses inch-based increments. The conversion requires a mathematical formula that differs for women and men.

Does New Zealand use US or UK sizing?

New Zealand uses UK sizing as its default system for all genders and age groups. Some imported shoes may display US sizing, but the standard is UK.

Is UK sizing the same as NZ for shoes?

For men, yes – UK and NZ sizes are identical. For women, NZ sizes are two numbers larger than UK (e.g., UK 5 = NZ 7). This is confirmed by Athena Shoes.

Do all shoe brands follow the same conversion?

No. While the general formulas are consistent, individual brands like Nike may run a half size different. Flow Feet recommends always checking the brand’s specific size chart.

How to measure foot length in cm?

Stand with heel against a wall, mark the longest toe on a piece of paper, and measure the distance from the wall to the mark. Do this in the afternoon when feet are slightly swollen for the most accurate fit.

What size is 38 in China shoe sizes?

China uses a metric system similar to EU but with a different starting point. A Chinese size 38 approximately corresponds to 24 cm foot length, making it equivalent to EU 38. However, Chinese sizes can vary by up to 5 mm, so check the product listing.

Why is EU 38 considered a small size in NZ?

Because NZ women’s sizes start around 4-5 (UK 2-3), a size 38 (NZ 7.5) is on the smaller side of average for women. For men, EU 38 (NZ 5.5) is very small, which is why it’s rare in men’s footwear – most men’s shoes start around EU 40 (NZ 7).

Can I use UK size 5 shoes in NZ if my EU size is 38?

Yes – UK women’s size 5 is the direct equivalent of EU 38. Just remember that in NZ women’s sizing, that’s a size 7. So if you’re buying shoes labelled in NZ sizes, look for size 7 (or 7.5 for a looser fit).

These answers should resolve the most common questions about EU 38 to NZ conversion.