Size 38 Shoe in NZ Explained: US, UK, EU Conversion Chart

EU 38 is a common European size, but New Zealand uses the UK sizing system — a mismatch that trips up many shoppers. This guide cuts through the noise with conversions backed by local charts and retailer data, so you know exactly what a size 38 means whether you’re shopping women’s or men’s.

EU 38 Women’s: NZ/UK 5, US 7 · EU 38 CM: 23.5 · NZ to EU Women: Add 31 · NZ to EU Men: Add 33 · Common Query: Size 38 = 7?

The table below consolidates verified conversion data from NZ-specific sources.

What is shoe size 38 in NZ?

EU 38 is a continental European size that sits at the smaller end of the scale. In New Zealand, which uses the UK sizing system, EU 38 translates to NZ size 5 for both women’s and men’s — but the US equivalent differs by gender.

Women’s conversion

For women, EU 38 corresponds directly to NZ or UK size 5, which matches a US women’s 7 (MoneyHub NZ). The foot length for this size runs approximately 23.5 cm. If you’re working backward from a NZ women’s size, add 31 to find your EU equivalent — so NZ 5 becomes EU 36, NZ 6 becomes EU 37, and so on.

Men’s conversion

For men, EU 38 aligns with NZ or UK size 5 and a US men’s 6 (Laughing Hens). To convert from NZ men’s to EU, add 33 to your NZ size — NZ 5 becomes EU 38, NZ 6 becomes EU 39.

Is size 38 the same as size 7?

The short answer depends on which sizing system you’re comparing. EU size 38 is roughly equivalent to US women’s 7 — but it’s not a US men’s 7, and it’s not an NZ or UK size 7.

In NZ women’s sizing

For NZ women, size 7 in the NZ/UK system is significantly larger than EU 38. UK 7 corresponds to approximately EU 40, not EU 38. So if you’re an NZ woman who wears size 7, you need EU 40 when shopping European brands.

In NZ men’s sizing

For NZ men, UK 7 also maps to EU 40-41, well above EU 38. Men’s EU 38 sits at the NZ 5 mark. The mismatch arises because EU and UK systems scale differently — EU sizes use the Paris point (2/3 cm per size), while UK sizes follow the barleycorn system (approximately 1/3 inch per size).

Is a 38 a size 7 or 8?

EU 38 falls between what most sizing systems call 7 and 8 — but not in every system simultaneously.

US vs NZ comparison

In US women’s sizing, EU 38 lands at size 7, which is why many US retailers list it that way. In NZ/UK women’s, however, EU 38 is size 5 — a full two sizes apart. The confusion stems from the fact that US women’s sizing runs about two sizes smaller than UK/NZ for the same foot length. Meanwhile, US men’s 7 is close to EU 40, not EU 38.

EU to NZ specifics

Using the formulas from MoneyHub NZ, women add 31 to their NZ size to reach EU. So NZ women who wear size 7 would be looking at EU 38 — which confirms that 7 and 38 do align, but only when converting NZ to EU directly. The NZ/UK 7 equivalent in EU is around 40.

Is UK and NZ sizing the same?

For practical purposes, yes. NZ uses the UK sizing system for both men and women, and most international conversion charts list Australia and NZ as equivalent to UK sizes. The alignment means you can shop confidently using UK size charts when buying in New Zealand or from NZ-based retailers.

Women’s alignment

NZ women’s sizes match UK women’s sizes directly, with no conversion adjustment needed (MoneyHub NZ). When comparing EU 38 to NZ women’s, you use the UK 5 mapping — NZ women who wear size 5 can buy EU 38 directly.

Men’s alignment

NZ men’s sizes also align with UK men’s sizes, as confirmed by conversion charts that explicitly include Australia and NZ alongside UK (Wide Fit Shoes). EU men’s 38 maps to UK 5, which is the same as NZ men’s 5.

This direct alignment simplifies international shopping: NZ shoppers can rely on UK sizing guides without needing a separate conversion. The pattern holds across both women’s and men’s categories, making the UK a reliable reference point for NZ sizing.

What about nearby sizes like 39 or 40 in NZ?

If EU 38 isn’t quite right, nearby sizes can help you find the best fit. Here’s how the adjacent EU sizes map to NZ and other systems.

Size 39 conversion

EU 39 for women aligns with UK/NZ 6 and US women’s 8. For men, EU 39 corresponds to UK/NZ 6 and US men’s 7. Using the add formulas: NZ women add 31 (NZ 6 → EU 37, not 39), while NZ men add 33 (NZ 6 → EU 39 exactly). The men’s formula works cleanly; women’s needs a slight offset at the boundary.

Size 40 conversion

EU 40 for women is UK/NZ 7 and US women’s 9. For men, EU 40 maps to UK/NZ 6.5-7 and US men’s 7.5-8. Australia/NZ men’s UK 6.5 is EU 39, placing EU 40 at UK 7 for men in many charts.

CN43 to NZ

CN43 appears in some Chinese sizing systems but doesn’t map cleanly to NZ or UK. If you encounter CN sizing, treat it as a separate system — check the retailer’s specific conversion chart rather than applying standard EU-to-UK formulas. If you’re looking for local real estate expertise, consider checking out Property Brokers New Plymouth. Property Brokers New Plymouth

The implication for NZ shoppers is that EU 38 sits in a narrow band: women’s and men’s both converge at NZ/UK 5, while nearby sizes 39 and 40 branch into distinct paths for each gender. Using the +31/+33 formulas keeps conversions consistent across the size range.

The table below shows how EU sizes map across systems for women and men.

How sizing systems work

Shoe sizes differ because systems measure length differently, use different units, and reference different starting points. EU sizes use the Paris point (2/3 centimetre per size), established in the 1800s, while UK sizes follow the barleycorn system (approximately 8.46 mm per size) (Wikipedia). US sizing has its own scale, which runs about two sizes smaller than UK for the same foot length in women’s.

“EU shoe sizes are universal. You can use them as a baseline when converting your shoe sizes.”

— MoneyHub NZ (NZ financial guide)

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

— MoneyHub NZ (NZ financial guide)

“This article will deal with shoe sizing and measurements, including a full international men’s shoe size conversion table.”

— Paul Anthony, Bespoke Unit (shoe size reference)

For NZ shoppers, the practical takeaway is straightforward: NZ sizing mirrors UK sizing exactly. EU serves as a universal reference point, but you’ll need the +31 (women) or +33 (men) formulas when converting from NZ to EU, or use the direct mappings for common sizes like 38.

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Frequently asked questions

Below are the most common questions readers ask about EU size 38 in New Zealand.