Shoe sizing - why is a 7 a 41 in some shops and a 40 in others

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almost all shops I use a 7 is 40 yet had some boots delivered today, asked for size 7 and they say size 41 and are a little too big. a 41 is a 7.5 then in the uk?

it's very confusing

Continental and UK sizes aren't a precise equivalent. For some reason size 7-8 is where they "catch up". So, 40=7, 41=7.5, 42=8 and 43=9

Add in the inevitable variation between brands and it's a minefield!