Width designators

Just like people, feet come in all different shapes. Because shoes that fit better perform better, at The Shoe Link we also provide information about shoes’ width. We stock shoes from Narrow (B width) to extra extra wide width (4E).

There are different methods indicating the width. The measured width is assigned a letter (or combination of letters), which is taken from a table (indexed to length and width) or just assigned on an ad-hoc basis: Examples include (each starting with the narrowest width):

• 4A, 3A, 2A, A, B, C, D, E, 2E, 3E, 4E, 5E, 6E (variant North American)
• N (narrow), M (medium), W (wide), XW (extra wide), XXW(extra extra wide)

The exact foot width for which these sizes are suitable can vary significantly between manufacturers. The A-E width indicators used by most US and some UK shoe manufacturers.

Men’s Shoes Widths

Women’s Shoes Widths

Shoe Width Chart – Girth Measurement at the Ball of the Foot

The girth measurements displayed on a shoe width chart is typically the measurement at the ball of the foot (the widest part of the foot). It is recommended that the girth is measured using a flexible measuring tape.

The following shoe width chart provides generic girth measurements at the ball of the foot and has been provided for women, men and kids. This shoe width chart needs to be read in conjunction with the relevant shoe size charts to determine the approximate shoe size.

Women’s Width Shoe Chart – Metric

All Measurements in Millimeters (mm)

Men’s Width Shoe Chart – Metric

All Measurements in Millimeters (mm)

Children’s Width Shoe Chart – Metric

What size are you?

• In general, the standard Men's width is "E"; for Women, the standard width is "C". If the majority of shoes you own, or have purchased in the past, fit adequately, these are the widths you should select.
• If the shoes you own tend to feel overly spacious in width, you should consider selecting a narrower width size. If the shoes you own tend to feel noticeably narrow or snug, then you should consider selecting a wider width size.
• If your feet seem "between" sizes and you cannot decide which size to select, we suggest you choose the larger size. You can make adjustments for a better fit with socks, insoles, or a different lacing pattern.
• Since feet always swell during the day, we encourage you to try shoes on later in the day when your feet are at their largest.

Measuring your foot size

Following are the steps to how to measure your feet size:

1. Place a piece of blank paper on a hard floor.
2. Stand on the paper wearing a sock of medium thickness.
3. Holding a pencil vertically, place a mark at the end of you heel.
4. Place another mark at the tip of your longest toe.
5. Mark the sides of you foot at the widest part.
6. Measure you other foot using the same method.
7. To find your size, measure the heel-to-toe mark and use the table guide
8. To find your width, measure the marks for the widest part of you foot and use the size table.
9. If your measurements are between two sizes, or you find one foot's measurement larger than the other, always move up to the larger size.

Women's Size Conversions

Men's Size Conversions

Youth Size Conversions (6 – 10 years)

Kids' Size Conversions (1 – 5 years)

Please refer to the following Video about how to measure your foot:

http://video.about.com/shoes/How-to-Measure-Your-Foot-at-Home.htm

Sizing Tips

• With respect to feel, your heel should fit snug with no slipping; the midfoot of the shoe under your arch and over the top of your foot should be snug but not tight; and you should have enough room in the toe box to wiggle your toes.
• People are more than twice as likely to buy a shoe that is too small than too big. Clues that your shoes are too small or narrow include - foot cramping or "falling asleep" while running or just after running or the formation of blisters and calluses between or on your toes.
• All shoes are supposedly made to fit directly out of the box. They do not need to be broken in.
• Feet typically get bigger with age. We encourage you to have your feet measured every year.
• Women's feet often become a half-size (or more) larger after pregnancy.
• Your left and right feet may differ in length or width as much as a full size. Be sure to measure and try shoes on both feet, and always buy shoes to fit your larger foot.