Women's Shoe Size Guide for Pakistan
Share
This womens shoe size guide converts your foot length in centimetres into EU, UK and US sizes, which is what most Pakistani online stores use. Pakistani shops import shoes from China, Turkey, Italy and local manufacturers, so the label on the box depends on where it was made. Measure your foot first, then match it to the ladies shoe size chart below before ordering.
How to measure your foot at home
You need a wall, a piece of paper, a pen and a ruler or measuring tape.
- Place the paper on the floor against the wall.
- Stand on it with your heel touching the wall and your weight evenly on both feet.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe on the paper.
- Measure the distance from the wall edge of the paper to your mark in centimetres.
- Repeat with the other foot.
Measure in the evening, not the morning. Feet swell during the day, and by late afternoon most people's feet are slightly larger. If one foot is longer, always use the longer measurement. A difference of half a centimetre between feet is common and normal.
Wear the socks you plan to wear with the shoes when you measure. A thick winter sock can add 0.5 cm to your effective foot length.
Womens shoe size chart: EU, UK, US and cm
Most shoes sold in Pakistan carry an EU size, but many online listings show UK or US sizes as well. This women shoe size conversion table covers the sizes most women in Pakistan fall between.
| Foot length (cm) | EU size | UK size | US size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21.6 | 34 | 2 | 4 |
| 22.2 | 35 | 3 | 5 |
| 22.8 | 36 | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| 23.3 | 37 | 4 | 6 |
| 23.8 | 37.5 | 4.5 | 6.5 |
| 24.1 | 38 | 5 | 7 |
| 24.6 | 38.5 | 5.5 | 7.5 |
| 25.1 | 39 | 6 | 8 |
| 25.7 | 40 | 6.5 | 8.5 |
| 26.0 | 40.5 | 7 | 9 |
| 26.7 | 41 | 7.5 | 9.5 |
| 27.3 | 42 | 8 | 10 |
Two things to note about this chart. First, EU sizes are not perfectly standardised. A size 38 from an Italian brand and a size 38 from a Chinese factory can differ by up to half a centimetre in length. Second, US women's sizes run roughly two numbers above UK sizes, so a UK 5 is close to a US 7. If a listing only shows a US size, subtract 2 to estimate the UK size.
Why women's sizing runs narrower
Women's shoes are built on a narrower last, which is the foot-shaped mould the shoe is constructed around. On average, women's feet are narrower in the heel and the forefoot relative to their length compared with men's feet, so manufacturers cut women's shoes accordingly.
This matters in practice in three ways:
- If you have wide feet, a women's shoe in your length may pinch across the toes even when the length is correct.
- A unisex or men's shoe in the same length often has more room in the forefoot, but the heel may then slip.
- Closed shoes like pumps and formal flats show width problems more than open sandals.
If a brand offers width options, narrow is sometimes marked B, standard is B or C, wide is D, and extra wide is E or EE. Most shoes sold in Pakistan come in one standard width only, so width has to be managed through sizing and style choice.
For a visual reference and brand specific notes, the Mova size guide page lists how our own shoes run.
How to pick between two sizes when ordering online
When your measurement falls between two sizes, the right choice depends on the shoe type and the material.
For closed leather shoes, go half a size up. Leather stretches and moulds slightly with wear, but only in width, not in length. If the shoe is already tight at the toe when new, it will stay tight at the toe forever.
For sandals and slippers, you can often stay at your exact size or even go down half a size. Open toes and open heels give your foot room to sit slightly forward or back, and a sandal that is slightly long looks fine.
For sneakers, go half a size up if you plan to wear thick socks or if you will walk long distances. Feet swell on long days, and a tight toe box in a sneaker becomes painful after a few hours.
For synthetic or non-leather shoes, go up rather than down. Synthetic materials do not stretch the way leather does, so a tight synthetic shoe stays tight.
A simple rule: if the difference between your foot and the shoe is less than 0.5 cm of space at the toe, size up. You want roughly a thumb's width, about 1 cm, between your longest toe and the end of a closed shoe.
Common sizing mistakes Pakistani shoppers make
The first mistake is assuming your size is the same in every shoe you own. Your feet also change over time, and many women go up half a size after pregnancy or in their late thirties. Measure at least once a year.
The second mistake is trusting an old EU size from a shoe bought years ago. A size 38 from a local brand and a size 38 from an imported brand rarely match exactly. Always check whether the listing gives foot length in centimetres, because cm is the only measurement that does not change between systems.
The third mistake is ignoring the return window. Before ordering, check the store's exchange policy. You can read our exchange and delivery rules on the Mova customer FAQs page. If a store offers free exchange, ordering the size you are 70 percent sure about is low risk. If exchanges are difficult, order the larger size, since an insole can take up small amounts of extra room but nothing can add length to a short shoe.
What to check on a product page besides the size
Read the material description. Leather, mesh, synthetic and fabric all fit differently, as covered above. Also check the heel height if it is listed, because heels above 2 inches push your foot forward into the toe box, effectively shortening the usable length of the shoe by a few millimetres.
Look at the sole construction. A stiff sole with no flex makes a slightly small shoe feel worse, because your foot cannot spread naturally as you step. A flexible sole is more forgiving.
Check product photos of the shoe on a foot if available. This tells you where the shoe ends relative to the toes, which is more informative than the size number alone.
Sizing for different shoe types
Different styles fit differently even in the same nominal size.
Ballerinas and flats: these have no adjustment, so fit at the toe matters most. If you are between sizes, go up. A flat that slips at the heel can be fixed with a heel grip pad, which is cheap and available at most shoe shops.
Heels: your foot slides forward, so the heel counter needs to hold your foot firmly. If heels in your normal size slip at the heel, try a half size down rather than up.
Sneakers: athletic brands often run slightly small. Half a size up from your EU size is a common choice for everyday comfort.
Sandals and slippers: length matters less because the foot is open. Focus on the strap positions and whether the straps press on any bony part of your foot.
If you are browsing, you can filter by style directly. For open styles see the women's sandals collection, and for everyday closed styles see the women's shoes range.
Where to buy
You can browse the full women's range at the Mova women's collection, and check the Mova size guide before ordering to confirm your size against our shoes. For sizing and exchange questions, the Mova customer FAQs covers delivery and returns in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is size 38 in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, a size 38 normally refers to the EU system, which corresponds to a UK size 5 and a US size 7, with a foot length of about 24.1 cm. However, because Pakistani shops stock shoes from many countries, the actual fit of a 38 can vary by brand. Always check the foot length in cm on the listing if it is given.
How do I convert EU size to UK size for women?
As a general rule, subtract roughly 2.5 to 3 from the EU size to get the UK women's size. So EU 37 is about UK 4, and EU 39 is about UK 6. US women's sizes are about 2 numbers higher than UK sizes, so UK 6 is close to US 8. Use the conversion table in this guide for exact pairs, and rely on cm measurements when a brand gives them.
Should I size up or down when buying shoes online in Pakistan?
For closed shoes, especially leather ones, size up when you are between sizes, because tightness at the toe does not improve with wear. For sandals and slippers, your exact size or half a size down usually works. Also check the store's exchange policy before ordering, since a free exchange removes most of the risk of guessing wrong.
Why do shoes of the same size fit differently from different brands?
Shoe sizes are based on lasts, and each manufacturer shapes lasts slightly differently. An Italian brand, a Chinese factory and a local Pakistani maker can all label a shoe 38 while producing three different internal lengths and widths. There is no global enforcement of size standards, which is why foot length in centimetres is the most reliable number to shop by.
My feet are different sizes. Which size should I order?
Order the size that fits your longer foot. A shoe that is slightly loose on the smaller foot can be tightened with an insole or a heel grip, but a shoe that is too short for the longer foot cannot be fixed. A difference of up to half a centimetre between feet is very common and is not a problem in itself.
Sources and further reading
- NHS guidance on foot health and choosing well-fitting footwear
- Society of Shoe Fitters, UK, general fitting references
- International Organization for Standardization (ISO), shoe size designation standards
- American Podiatric Medical Association, general footwear fit guidance