CN shoe size usually shows the length of your foot in millimeters, making fit easier to measure.
Understanding what is CN shoe size can save you from costly returns when buying shoes from Chinese brands or online marketplaces. Unlike US sizing, CN sizing often relates closely to foot length, but brand charts, shoe shape, and measuring methods still matter. This guide explains how CN shoe sizes work, how to convert them, and how to choose a comfortable fit with confidence.
What Is CN Shoe Size?
CN shoe size means Chinese shoe size. It is used by many footwear brands and online stores based in China. The system often uses the length of the foot in millimeters.
For example:
• CN 240 usually refers to a foot length of about 240 millimeters, or 24 centimeters.
• CN 250 usually refers to a foot length of about 250 millimeters, or 25 centimeters.
• CN 270 usually refers to a foot length of about 270 millimeters, or 27 centimeters.
This method is more direct than US or UK sizing. A US men’s size 9 may vary slightly between brands. A CN 270 gives you a clearer starting point because it points to a measurement.
However, CN shoe size does not always equal the exact inside length of the shoe. Some charts show foot length. Others show insole length or outsole length. That difference can affect the fit.
The safest approach is to measure your foot and compare it with the seller’s own size chart. Do not rely on a general conversion table alone.
How Does the CN Shoe Size System Work?
The CN shoe size system is based mainly on the Chinese standard for footwear measurements. Modern Chinese shoe sizes commonly use millimeters. You may see numbers such as 220, 230, 240, 250, or 260.
The number generally represents the recommended foot length:
• CN 220: about 22 centimeters
• CN 230: about 23 centimeters
• CN 240: about 24 centimeters
• CN 250: about 25 centimeters
• CN 260: about 26 centimeters
• CN 270: about 27 centimeters
• CN 280: about 28 centimeters
Some sellers may list sizes as 35, 36, 37, 38, or 39 and call them Chinese sizes. These listings can be confusing because they may use European sizing, an older local scale, or a brand-specific chart.
This is why the label alone is not enough. A shoe marked CN 250 might fit like a European size 39 in one brand and closer to a European size 40 in another.
Think of CN sizing as a ruler, not a universal promise. The ruler gives useful data, but the shape of the shoe still affects comfort.
CN Shoe Size Conversion Chart
The table below gives a general guide. It is not a guarantee because sizing can vary by brand, gender category, shoe type, and design.
| Foot length | Approximate CN size | Approximate US women’s size | Approximate US men’s size | Approximate EU size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22.0 cm | CN 220 | 5 | 3.5 | 35 |
| 22.5 cm | CN 225 | 5.5 | 4 | 36 |
| 23.0 cm | CN 230 | 6.5 | 5 | 37 |
| 23.5 cm | CN 235 | 7 | 5.5 | 37.5–38 |
| 24.0 cm | CN 240 | 7.5–8 | 6 | 38–39 |
| 24.5 cm | CN 245 | 8.5–9 | 6.5–7 | 39–40 |
| 25.0 cm | CN 250 | 9–9.5 | 7–7.5 | 40 |
| 25.5 cm | CN 255 | 10 | 8 | 41 |
| 26.0 cm | CN 260 | 10.5–11 | 8.5–9 | 42 |
| 26.5 cm | CN 265 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 42–43 |
| 27.0 cm | CN 270 | 12 | 10 | 43–44 |
| 28.0 cm | CN 280 | 13 | 11 | 44–45 |
Women’s and men’s conversions overlap because foot shape and sizing standards differ. A person with a 25-centimeter foot may need a different size in a narrow women’s shoe than in a wide men’s sneaker.
Use this chart only as a starting point. The brand’s measurement chart should always take priority.
How to Measure Your Foot for a CN Shoe Size
Measuring your foot takes only a few minutes. It is more reliable than guessing from your usual US shoe size.
What You Need
• A sheet of paper
• A pen or pencil
• A ruler or measuring tape
• The socks you plan to wear with the shoes
• A flat wall or hard floor
Measuring Steps
- Place the paper on a hard, level floor. Avoid soft carpet because it can change the result.
- Stand on the paper with your heel lightly touching a wall.
- Keep your weight evenly placed on both feet.
- Ask someone to mark the end of your longest toe. Do not angle the pen under your toe.
- Measure from the edge of the paper near your heel to the toe mark.
- Repeat the process for the other foot.
- Use the longer measurement when selecting a CN shoe size.
Your feet may not be the same length. This is normal. Many people have one foot that is slightly longer or wider than the other.
If your foot measures 24.6 centimeters, you can start by checking CN 250. A little extra space is often useful, especially for walking shoes or shoes worn with thick socks. The exact amount depends on the shoe type and the seller’s advice.
Foot Length, Insole Length, and Shoe Length
One of the biggest CN shoe size mistakes is confusing foot length with insole length.
Foot length is the distance from your heel to your longest toe. Insole length is the length of the removable or internal footbed. Shoe length may refer to the full outer base, which includes extra material around the shoe.
These measurements are not interchangeable.
For example, a seller may list:
• Foot length: 25.0 cm
• Insole length: 25.5 cm
• Outsole length: 27.0 cm
All three numbers can describe the same shoe. If you compare your foot length with the outsole length, you may choose a shoe that is much too large.
A practical rule is to look for wording such as “fits foot length,” “recommended foot length,” or “insole length.” If the listing does not explain the measurement, contact the seller before ordering.
Shoes also need some space in front of the toes. Many adults need about 0.5 to 1.0 centimeter of extra room, but the best amount depends on the footwear. Running shoes often need more room than fitted dress shoes.
CN Shoe Size for Men, Women, and Children
CN shoe size numbers can be used for men, women, and children. The number is still linked to length, but the shoe’s width and shape may differ.
Men’s shoes often have a wider toe box and a larger overall volume. Women’s shoes may use a narrower shape, even when the listed foot length is the same. Children’s shoes need extra care because growing feet change quickly.
When buying children’s shoes, check both length and width. A child may outgrow the length before the shoe shows much wear. Yet too much extra space can make walking less stable.
For children, check for:
• Enough room for natural toe movement
• A secure heel that does not slip
• Flexible material near the front of the foot
• A sole that bends near the toes
• A fit that does not squeeze the widest part of the foot
A CN size chart may list age ranges, but age is only a rough guide. Children of the same age can have very different foot sizes. Measure the child’s foot instead.
Why CN Shoe Sizes May Fit Differently
A CN shoe size can still feel different from one model to another. The number is only one part of the fit.
Common causes include:
