Published by the Democratique Socks design team on August 27, 2026.
Sock size is generally sold in shoe-size bands rather than single numbers — a sock size range like EU 41-46 is designed to fit any foot whose shoe size falls in that range, rather than one exact size. EU and French sock sizes use the same scale, so "taille chaussette" in France converts directly to the EU number without any adjustment. This guide gives a general reference table for converting between EU, UK, US and French sock sizes, plus how to measure your foot length to pick the right band with confidence.
Why sock sizes are bands, not exact numbers
Unlike shoes, socks stretch, so a single sock size is built to comfortably fit a range of foot lengths rather than one precise measurement. That's why you'll typically see sock sizes listed as a band — such as EU 39-42 or EU 43-46 — instead of a single number like a shoe size. This also means exact fit varies slightly by brand, knit density and stretch, so treat any conversion table, including the one below, as a general reference rather than an exact science. If you're between two bands, it's usually safer to size up slightly rather than down, since a sock that's a little roomy stays comfortable while one that's genuinely too small will show at the toe and heel and wear out faster.
EU, UK, US and French sock size conversion table
France uses the same numeric scale as the rest of the EU for sock and shoe sizing, so a French sock size and an EU sock size are the same number — there's no separate French-to-EU conversion needed, just EU-to-UK and EU-to-US. The table below gives the common sock size bands and roughly how they map across systems.
| EU / French sock size | UK sock size | US men's | US women's | Foot length (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EU 35-38 | UK 2.5-5 | US 3.5-6 | US 5-7.5 | ~22-24.5 cm |
| EU 39-42 | UK 5-8 | US 6-9 | US 7.5-10.5 | ~24.5-27 cm |
| EU 41-46 | UK 7-11 | US 8-12 | US 9.5-13 | ~26-30 cm |
| EU 43-46 | UK 9-11 | US 10-12 | — | ~28-30 cm |
Note that some of these bands overlap on purpose — a size like EU 41-46 is a common wide "one size fits most men" sock band, while EU 43-46 is a narrower band sometimes used for larger sizing runs specifically. If you see "taille chaussette 39 42 ou 43 46" while shopping, that's exactly this choice: a size run offered as either a 39-42 band or a 43-46 band, and you'd pick whichever one your EU shoe size falls inside. Likewise, "taille chaussette 9 11 en France" refers to a UK-style 9-11 sock band, which in French/EU terms corresponds to roughly the EU 43-46 row above.
How to measure your foot to find your sock size
If you're unsure which size band you fall into, or you're converting from a shoe size you're not confident about, measuring your actual foot length is the most reliable method.
Step 1: Measure at the end of the day
Feet swell slightly over the course of a day, so measuring in the evening rather than first thing in the morning gives a more realistic, worst-case measurement — useful for making sure a sock fits comfortably even after a full day on your feet.
Step 2: Stand on a piece of paper
Place a sheet of paper on a hard floor against a wall, stand on it with your heel touching the wall, and mark the longest point of your foot (usually the tip of the big toe, though for some foot shapes it's the second toe). Measure the distance from the wall edge to that mark in centimeters.
Step 3: Match your foot length to the table above
Compare your foot length in centimeters to the "foot length" column above to find your band, rather than relying purely on a remembered shoe size, which can vary between shoe brands and styles. If your measurement lands right on the edge between two bands, sizing up is generally the safer choice for comfort and longevity.
Step 4: Repeat for both feet
Most people have a very slightly larger foot on one side. Measure both and size for the larger foot — a sock with a small amount of extra room on the smaller foot is far less noticeable than a sock that's genuinely tight on the larger one.
UK sock size to US: the quick version
As a rule of thumb for converting UK sock size to US, US men's sizing runs roughly one full size larger than UK sizing across the same foot length — a UK size 8 sock corresponds to roughly a US men's 9. Because sock sizes are sold in bands rather than single sizes, this mostly matters when you're deciding between two adjacent bands rather than needing a precise single-size conversion; use the foot-length table above as the more reliable method whenever you have it.
How sock length interacts with sizing
Sock size (the width and stretch built for your foot length) is a separate question from sock length (crew, ankle, no-show or knee-high), which is a style choice rather than a fit issue. Once you've picked the right size band, the length you choose depends mostly on the shoe and outfit — for sneakers specifically, the guide to crew, ankle and no-show sock length breaks down which works best with which shoe style. For dressing socks with shorts, sock length also becomes a style question worth getting right — briefly, sock length with shorts for men tends to look most balanced with a crew or mid-calf length rather than very long tube socks or very short no-shows, which is covered in more detail in the guide to wearing crew socks with shorts.
It's also worth knowing that sock construction affects perceived fit even within the right size band. A heavier melange knit or a sock with reinforced terry in the foot can feel slightly snugger than a lightweight dress sock in the same nominal size, simply because of the density of the knit. If you're unsure which sock style suits your needs beyond just size, sock styles explained covers the differences between ribbed, melange, crew, dress and tube constructions.
Common sock sizing mistakes to avoid
Assuming shoe size and sock size always align exactly
Shoe sizing itself varies between brands and even between styles from the same brand, so treating your remembered shoe size as an exact input into a sock size band can lead you astray. If you know your foot measures right at the edge of a size band, the actual centimeter measurement described above is more reliable than a shoe size you're recalling from memory.
Ignoring the difference between a snug fit and a genuinely tight one
A well-fitting sock should feel snug without pulling or bunching at the toe. If a sock leaves deep marks on your skin after a few hours, or the heel pocket sits noticeably off from your actual heel, that's a sign to size up rather than assume all socks fit the same way regardless of size band.
Buying one size for very different sock styles
A thin dress sock and a heavier ribbed or melange sock don't necessarily need the exact same size band even for the same foot, since knit thickness and stretch differ meaningfully between constructions. If you're mixing sock styles in your wardrobe — lightweight Originals-style dress socks alongside heavier knits — it's worth checking the specific size guidance for each style rather than assuming your usual size band applies identically across the board.
Not accounting for shrinkage over time
Cotton-based socks can shrink very slightly after repeated washing, especially if dried on high heat. If a sock that used to fit well starts to feel tight after months of wear, this is often the cause rather than a sizing error — washing on a cooler setting and air-drying where possible helps a sock hold its original size and shape for longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert UK sock size to US?
As a general rule, US sock sizing runs about one full size larger than UK sizing for the same foot — a UK 8 is roughly a US men's 9. Because socks are sold in size bands rather than exact sizes, it's more reliable to measure your actual foot length in centimeters and match it against a conversion table than to convert a single shoe size number directly.
What is taille chaussette in France, and how does it compare to EU?
"Taille chaussette" is simply French for "sock size," and France uses the same numeric sizing scale as the rest of the EU — so a French sock size and an EU sock size are identical numbers with no conversion needed.
What does "taille chaussette 39 42 ou 43 46" mean?
This refers to a sock style sold in two size band options: EU 39-42 (roughly UK 5-8, US men's 6-9) and EU 43-46 (roughly UK 9-11, US men's 10-12). You'd choose whichever band your EU shoe size falls within.
What is sock size 9 11 in French or EU terms?
A UK-style "9-11" sock size band corresponds roughly to the EU 43-46 range, which is a common larger men's sock size band covering foot lengths of approximately 28-30 cm.
How do I measure my foot for the right sock size?
Stand on a sheet of paper against a wall in the evening, mark the longest point of your foot, and measure the distance from the wall to that mark in centimeters. Match that measurement against a sock size conversion table rather than relying only on your remembered shoe size, since shoe sizing varies between brands.
Do sock sizes vary between brands?
Yes, slightly — exact fit depends on the knit density, stretch and construction of a given brand's socks, so a conversion table should be treated as a general reference. If you're between two size bands, sizing up is usually the more comfortable and durable choice.
Once you know your size, browse men's socks or women's socks to find the right fit across crew, ankle and dress styles.
