Birkenstock Sizing Guide Australia: How to Find Your Perfect Fit
July 09, 2020
Birkenstock Sizing Guide Australia: How to Find Your Perfect Fit
If you've never bought Birkenstocks before — or you've ordered online and had to exchange — you're not alone. Birkenstock sizing confuses a lot of people. They run differently to standard Australian shoe sizes, they come in two width fittings, and different styles fit differently even within the same size.
This guide covers everything you need to know before you buy, so you get it right the first time.
Do Birkenstocks run true to size?
Not exactly. Birkenstocks are sized in European (EU) sizing, not Australian sizing — and they run slightly large compared to most Australian footwear brands. As a general rule, most people size down by half a size from their usual shoe size when converting to EU sizing.
That said, the best approach is always to measure your foot in centimetres and match it to Birkenstock's own size chart, rather than converting from your Australian size. It's more accurate and takes less than two minutes.
How to measure your foot at home
- Place a piece of paper on a hard floor against a wall
- Stand with your heel against the wall, foot flat on the paper
- Mark the tip of your longest toe with a pen or pencil
- Measure the distance from the wall to the mark in centimetres
- Use the chart below to find your EU size
If your two feet are different lengths — which is more common than you'd think — always size for the larger foot.
Birkenstock size chart (EU to cm)
| EU Size | Foot length (cm) | Approx. AU Women's | Approx. AU Men's |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 22.0–22.9 cm | 4–5 | — |
| 36 | 23.0–23.9 cm | 5–6 | — |
| 37 | 24.0–24.9 cm | 6–7 | — |
| 38 | 25.0–25.9 cm | 7–8 | 6 |
| 39 | 26.0–26.4 cm | 8–9 | 7 |
| 40 | 26.5–27.4 cm | 9–10 | 7.5–8 |
| 41 | 27.5–27.9 cm | 10–11 | 8.5–9 |
| 42 | 28.0–28.9 cm | — | 9–10 |
| 43 | 29.0–29.9 cm | — | 10–11 |
| 44 | 30.0–30.9 cm | — | 11–12 |
| 45 | 31.0–31.9 cm | — | 12–13 |
| 46 | 32.0–32.4 cm | — | 13–14 |
If you land between two sizes, size up.
Regular fit vs narrow fit — which one do you need?
This is the most overlooked part of Birkenstock sizing and the most common reason for returns.
Every Birkenstock style comes in regular fit and narrow fit — and getting this right matters as much as the length.
Regular fit is suitable for most feet. The footbed is wider across the toe box and the straps sit with a bit of room on either side of your foot. If you have a medium or wide foot, regular is almost always the right choice.
Narrow fit is designed for slimmer, more tapered feet. The footbed is narrower and the straps sit closer to the edge of your foot. If you've tried Birkenstocks before and found the footbed too wide — your foot sitting in the middle with a lot of cork visible either side — narrow fit is likely what you need.
A quick way to check: when you stand in your Birkenstocks, your foot should sit naturally on the footbed with roughly 5mm of cork visible around the edge. If you can see significantly more than that on both sides, try narrow. If your foot is spilling over the edge, try regular or go up a size.
Do different Birkenstock styles fit differently?
Yes — and this is worth knowing before you buy a second pair in a different style.
Arizona — the two-strap sandal — is adjustable across both straps, which makes it forgiving for a range of foot shapes. It's one of the easier styles to get right first go.
Boston — the closed-toe clog — fits more snugly because there's no open back. Some people find they need to size up half a size compared to their Arizona size, particularly if they have a higher instep or wider forefoot.
Mayari — the toe-post sandal — fits closer to the Arizona in terms of sizing, but the toe post can feel firm initially. This softens with wear.
Gizeh — another toe-post style — also fits similarly to the Arizona but runs a touch more narrow across the toe box for some foot shapes.
If you're buying your first pair, the Arizona is the most straightforward fit. If you're buying a second style, don't assume your size will be identical.
What about half sizes?
Birkenstock doesn't make half sizes. If you measure between two EU sizes, size up — there's enough adjustability in the straps to accommodate the small difference, and a slightly longer footbed is more comfortable than one that's too short.
Tips for wide feet
Birkenstock is genuinely one of the better footwear brands for wide feet, particularly in regular fit. The wide toe box and contoured footbed accommodate broader foot shapes well. If you have wide feet:
- Always choose regular fit over narrow
- If you're between sizes, size up
- The Arizona and Boston are particularly well suited to wider feet due to their adjustable straps and generous toe box
Breaking in your Birkenstocks
New Birkenstocks can feel firm underfoot for the first few wears — this is normal. The cork footbed gradually moulds to the contours of your foot over time, which is part of what makes them so comfortable long-term. Start with an hour or two of wear per day and build up gradually. Most people find they're fully broken in within one to two weeks of regular wear.
Still not sure? We can help.
At Bstore we stock a seriously wide selection of Birkenstock styles in both regular and narrow fits, across the full size range. If you're unsure which style or fit is right for you, get in touch — we're happy to help you work it out before you order.
Last updated: 2026
