Quick answer: EU 46 is a UK 11 on most size charts (US men's 12, about 30 cm / JP 30). EU 42 is a UK 8, and you can roughly convert UK to EU by adding 33 to 34 to the UK size. Brands differ by up to half a size, so measure your foot in centimetres and check the brand's own chart before you buy court shoes.
We fit court shoes every day in our Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Cardiff and Hereford stores, and the same questions keep coming up: what is a 46 in UK sizes, why does my Yonex say 27.0, and should I go up half a size? Here are full conversion tables, brand fit notes and how to measure your feet at home.
Men's shoe size conversion chart: UK to EU, US and JP (cm)
Use this as a starting point. The JP column is the Japanese size, which is the foot length in centimetres the shoe is built around. Yonex, Asics, Mizuno and many Asian brands print it on the label, and it is the most reliable number to compare across brands.
| UK | EU | US men's | JP / cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 35.5 | 4 | 22 |
| 3.5 | 36 | 4.5 | 22.5 |
| 4 | 37 | 5 | 23 |
| 4.5 | 37.5 | 5.5 | 23.5 |
| 5 | 38 | 6 | 24 |
| 5.5 | 38.5 | 6.5 | 24.5 |
| 6 | 39 | 7 | 25 |
| 6.5 | 40 | 7.5 | 25.5 |
| 7 | 40.5 | 8 | 26 |
| 7.5 | 41 | 8.5 | 26.5 |
| 8 | 42 | 9 | 27 |
| 8.5 | 42.5 | 9.5 | 27.5 |
| 9 | 43 | 10 | 28 |
| 9.5 | 44 | 10.5 | 28.5 |
| 10 | 44.5 | 11 | 29 |
| 10.5 | 45 | 11.5 | 29.5 |
| 11 | 46 | 12 | 30 |
| 11.5 | 46.5 | 12.5 | 30.5 |
| 12 | 47 | 13 | 31 |
| 12.5 | 48 | 13.5 | 31.5 |
| 13 | 48.5 | 14 | 32 |
EU sizes are not a straight swap at every brand (a UK 7.5 can be EU 41, 41.5 or 42), so check the JP / cm figure when you are between sizes.
Women's shoe size conversion chart
UK and EU sizes use the same scale for men and women, so a women's UK 6 is the same length as a men's UK 6. The difference is in US sizing, where women's sizes run 1 higher than men's (a women's US 8 is a men's US 7). Women's and unisex court shoes may also be cut slightly narrower in the heel.
| UK | EU | US women's | JP / cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 35.5 | 5 | 22 |
| 3.5 | 36 | 5.5 | 22.5 |
| 4 | 37 | 6 | 23 |
| 4.5 | 37.5 | 6.5 | 23.5 |
| 5 | 38 | 7 | 24 |
| 5.5 | 38.5 | 7.5 | 24.5 |
| 6 | 39 | 8 | 25 |
| 6.5 | 40 | 8.5 | 25.5 |
| 7 | 40.5 | 9 | 26 |
| 7.5 | 41 | 9.5 | 26.5 |
| 8 | 42 | 10 | 27 |
| 8.5 | 42.5 | 10.5 | 27.5 |
| 9 | 43 | 11 | 28 |
For unisex shoes listed in UK sizes, just order your normal UK size; if a shoe is listed in US men's sizes, go one size down from your US women's size. For more on fit, see our guide to choosing women's badminton shoes.
46 shoe size in UK, EU 42 to UK and other common conversions
These are the conversions we get asked about most in store:
- EU 46 in UK: UK 11 (some brands label UK 10.5 as EU 46).
- EU 45 in UK: UK 10.5 (some brands UK 10).
- EU 44 in UK: UK 9.5.
- EU 43 in UK: UK 9 (UK 8.5 on some charts).
- EU 42 in UK: UK 8 (UK 7.5 on some charts).
- EU 40 in UK: UK 6.5.
- EU 38 in UK: UK 5.
- UK to EU rule of thumb: add roughly 33 to 34 to the UK size for adult sizes 5 to 11.
Badminton shoe size guide: how Yonex, Asics, Victor and Li-Ning fit
Court shoes are built for side-to-side movement, so a snug, locked-in fit matters more than in a running shoe. Here is how the brands we stock tend to fit. These are general patterns from fitting players in store, not guarantees, as each model and last is slightly different.
- Yonex: labels shoes in JP centimetres alongside UK and EU. Most players find Yonex roughly true to size. Power Cushion models have a fairly roomy toe box, and Yonex makes wide versions of several popular shoes (marked Wide) for broader feet. Our Yonex badminton shoes guide explains the range.
- Asics: also lists JP / cm sizing. Court shoes such as the Gel-Netburner tend to be a little narrower through the midfoot, so wider feet may want to try before buying.
- Victor: generally close to true to size. Some models are built on a wider, more Asian-style last, so check the model description for width.
- Li-Ning: often fits slightly small or snug in length on some models; if you are between sizes, going up half a size is a sensible default.
Across all brands, tennis and padel shoes in the same size usually fit similarly in length but can feel firmer and more structured, because they are built for harder outdoor surfaces. See our tennis shoe buying guide and padel shoes guide for surface-specific advice.
How to measure your foot length at home
- Measure in the evening, when your feet are at their largest after a day of walking.
- Wear the socks you play in. Sports socks can add a few millimetres.
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall and your weight evenly spread.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe (it is not always the big toe), then measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
- Measure both feet and use the longer one.
- Match the measurement to the JP / cm column. If it falls between two sizes, go up to the next one.
A well-fitting court shoe should leave roughly a thumb's width (about 1 cm) between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, with no heel lift when you lunge.
Should you go up half a size in badminton shoes?
Only if you need to. Badminton involves sharp stops and deep lunges, and a shoe that is too long lets your foot slide forward, which leads to black toenails and blisters. Our advice:
- Go up half a size if you are between sizes, wear thick socks, use a custom insole or ankle support, or have a high instep.
- Choose a wide-fit model rather than a bigger size if the shoe is the right length but pinches across the forefoot. Our wide-fit shoes are the place to start.
- Stay true to size if the fit is snug but not painful. Court shoes give a little in the upper after a few sessions.
Still unsure? Call into any of our stores and we will measure you, or read our best badminton shoes guide and our explainer on badminton shoes vs running shoes.
Top picks from Central Sports
- Yonex Power Cushion 65X4 VA Badminton Shoe Unisex – £90 at time of writing. A well-cushioned all-rounder with a wide size run, and a reliable benchmark for true-to-size Yonex fit.
- Yonex Power Cushion 65Z4 VA Badminton Shoe Men – £149.99 at time of writing. Yonex's flagship stability shoe for competitive players.
- Yonex Power Cushion 65Z4 VA Wide Badminton Shoe Unisex – £149.99 at time of writing. The same flagship shoe on a wider fit for broad forefeet.
- Yonex Cascade Accel 2026 Badminton Shoes Unisex – £84 at time of writing. Light and comfortable, a good mid-price club shoe.
- Yonex PC Strider Flow Unisex – £60 at time of writing. Power Cushion comfort at an entry price, ideal for weekly club play.
- ASICS Gel-Netburner Professional FF – £84.03 at time of writing. A supportive indoor court shoe for players who prefer Asics fit (limited sizes left).
FAQs
What is a size 46 shoe in UK?
EU 46 is a UK 11 on most charts, which is a US men's 12 and about 30 cm (JP 30). A few brands label UK 10.5 as EU 46, so check the cm length if you are close to the edge.
Is EU 42 a UK 8?
On most charts, yes: EU 42 converts to UK 8 and US men's 9. Some brands put EU 42 at UK 7.5, so compare the JP / cm size if you own shoes from more than one brand.
Do Yonex badminton shoes run small?
Most players find Yonex roughly true to size in length. If your feet are broad, a Yonex Wide model is usually a better fix than going up a size.
What does 27.0 mean on a Yonex shoe?
It is the Japanese (JP) size, the foot length in centimetres the shoe is designed for. A JP 27.0 is roughly a UK 8 / EU 42.
Are tennis and padel shoes the same size as badminton shoes?
Usually you will take the same UK size across sports from the same brand, but tennis and padel shoes are stiffer, so try them on with your playing socks if you can.
Once you know your size, browse our full footwear range, including Yonex badminton shoes, tennis shoes and padel shoes. Orders over £65 get free UK delivery, and if the size is not quite right, our team is happy to help you swap.
