Shoe width letters, which vary across and within brands, lack a universal standard, leading to confusion.
Due to lack of standardization and variations in measurement systems (inches or centimeters), it’s recommended to consult brand-specific size charts for accurate fitting.
Contents
- Shoe Width Charts
- What Do Shoe Width Letters Mean
- What Do These A, B, C, D, E Different Shoe Width Letters Mean
- What Does C/D Mean in Shoe Size
- What Does D Mean in Shoe Size
- The Difference Between Women’s and Men’s Width
- How to Know What Width is Best for You
- How to Determine if You Have Wide Feet
- Are Wide Feet Bad
- How Much Bigger is a Wide Shoe
- Why Shoe Width is Important
- Can Shoe Width Change
- Conclusion
Shoe Width Charts
The average width for men’s shoes is D. The average width for women’s shoes is B. Some shoes might have no letters, but most shoe sizes will have a letter on them. If you don’t see a letter it means the shoe size is standard and should fit. You can find the size by looking at the box or label inside your shoe.
Most shoes in the United States are made with different widths, and many brands offer different widths. Some of these include New Balance, Munro and Clarks.
Shoe Width Chart for Women
| US Shoe Size | Narrow AA | Medium B | Wide D |
| 5 | 2 13/16” | 3 3/16” | 3 9/1” |
| 5.5 | 2 ⅞” | 3 ¼” | 3 ⅝” |
| 6 | 2 15/16” | 3 5/16” | 3 11/16” |
| 6.5 | 3” | 3 ⅜” | 3 ¾” |
| 7 | 3 1/16” | 3 7/16” | 3 13/16” |
| 7.5 | 3 ⅛” | 3 ½” | 3 ⅞” |
| 8 | 3 3/16” | 3 9/16” | 3 15/16” |
| 8.5 | 3 ¼” | 3 ⅝” | 4” |
| 9 | 3 ⅜” | 3 11/16” | 4 1/16” |
| 9.5 | 3 ⅜” | 3 ¾” | 4 ⅛” |
| 10 | 3 7/16” | 3 ¾” | 4 3/16” |
| 10.5 | 3 ½” | 3 ⅞” | 4 ¼” |
| 11 | 3 9/16” | 3 15/16” | 4 5/16” |
| 12 | 3 11/16” | 4 1/16” | 4 7/16” |
Shoe Width Chart for Men
| US Shoe Size | Narrow C | Medium D | Wide E |
| 6 | 3 5/16” | 3 ½” | 3 11/16” |
| 6.5 | 3 5/16” | 3 ⅝” | 3 ¾” |
| 7 | 3 ⅜” | 3 ⅝” | 3 ¾” |
| 7.5 | 3 ⅜” | 3 11/16” | 3 15/16” |
| 8 | 3 ½” | 3 ¾” | 3 15/16” |
| 8.5 | 3 ⅝” | 3 ¾” | 4” |
| 9 | 3 ⅝” | 3 15/16” | 4 ⅛” |
| 9.5 | 3 11/16” | 3 15/16” | 4 ⅛” |
| 10 | 3 ¾” | 4” | 4 3/16” |
| 10.5 | 3 ¾” | 4 ⅛” | 4 5/16” |
| 11 | 3 15/16” | 4 ⅛” | 4 5/16” |
| 11.5 | 3 15/16” | 4 3/16” | 4 ⅜” |
| 12 | 4” | 4 5/16” | 4 ⅜” |
| 12.5 | 4 ⅛” | 4 5/16” | 4 ½” |
| 13 | 4 ⅛” | 4 5/16” | 4 ⅝” |
| 13.5 | 4 3/16” | 4 ⅜” | 4 ¾” |
Shoe Width Chart for Kids
| US Shoe Size | Average B | Wide D | Extra-Wide E |
| 1Y | 33/16” | 35/8” | 33/16” |
| 2Y | 35/16” | 33/4” | 315/16” |
| 3Y | 37/16” | 37/8” | 41/16” |
| 4Y | 39/16” | 4” | 43/16” |
| 5Y | 311/16” | 41/8” | 45/16” |
| 6Y | 33/16” | 41/4” | 47/16” |
What Do Shoe Width Letters Mean
There are a lot of shoes. They all have codes on them to show which size they are. The measurements on the code can be different for men and women, and for boys and girls.
a. Shoe Width Letters for Women
| SHOE WIDTH | DESCRIPTION |
| AAA | Super slim. |
| A or AA | Narrow. |
| B | Standard or medium width. |
| C | Wide. |
| D | Extra wide. |
| EE | Extra-extra wide. |
b. Shoe Width Letters for Men
| SHOE WIDTH | DESCRIPTION |
| A | Extra narrow. |
| B | Narrow. |
| C | Standard or medium width. |
| D | Wide. |
| E or EE | Extra wide. |
| EEE or EEEE | Extra-extra wide. |
c. Shoe Width Letters for Kids
| SHOE WIDTH | DESCRIPTION |
| B | Narrow. |
| D | Medium or standard width. |
| E | Extra-Wide. |
If you are confused about the U.S., EU and UK shoe sizes then check out the Shoe Size Conversion Chart.
What Do These A, B, C, D, E Different Shoe Width Letters Mean
- A/AA/AAA Width: In women’s shoes, the more A’s, the narrower the shoe. AA (2A) is narrower than AAAA (4A). ‘Slim’ refers to narrow shoes, while ‘super slim’ indicates extra narrow widths.
- B Width: This is the standard medium width for women. In men’s sizes, B indicates narrow, and in children’s sizes, it’s considered average width.
- D Width: In men’s shoes, D is the standard or average width. For women and children, D is considered wide.
- E/EE/EEE Width: These widths vary in size. EE (2E) is wide, EEE (3E) is wider, and EEEE (4E) is even wider. For men, 2E and 3E indicate wide shoes, while for women, 2E is the widest commonly available. Extremely large sizes, like 10E, are rare and typically suited for specific needs, such as for individuals with diabetes.
What Does C/D Mean in Shoe Size
C/D means that there are two different widths on the shoe. The ball of the foot is size D and the heel is C. This can also be E/C, D/B, C/A and other combinations.
- E/C—wide-medium for men, extra-wide-medium for women.
- D/B—narrow medium for men, medium-wide for women.
- C/A—narrow and extra-narrow for men, medium-narrow for women.
What Does D Mean in Shoe Size
If you wear a size D shoe, it is average for men but wide for women. Brands that don’t make many widths usually use D as the standard for men’s shoes.
The Difference Between Women’s and Men’s Width
Men’s feet are wider than women’s. That is why there are different sizes for men and women. Men usually wear size EEE or above. Women can wear size A, but they usually wear D because their feet are narrower than men’s.
How to Know What Width is Best for You
To find the best shoe size, it’s ideal to get your foot measured at a store with an accurate scale. Since foot size can change due to factors like weight fluctuations or swelling after a long day, it’s good to measure each time you shop. When trying on shoes available in various widths, test different sizes to find the best fit for each model.
If you’re measuring at home, follow these steps:
- Remove your shoes and socks.
- Place your foot on a piece of paper and trace around it closely.
- Measure the widest part of the traced foot with a tape measure.
How to Determine if You Have Wide Feet
If you keep trying on shoes and feel they are good at lengthwise but your toes are cramped on the side of the shoe, then you might have wide feet. If your shoes are too tight, you might need wide-width shoes.
A common fix is to get a longer shoe. But this can be bad for your feet – it can cause blisters or pain in your toes and lead to tripping. So make sure that the shoes fit correctly at all times. You can also test by using the Brannock Device (a device used to measure the length and width of the foot).
Are Wide Feet Bad
If you have wide feet, it is not bad. You just need to find your shoe size and width. If you have flat feet, that’s worse.
How Much Bigger is a Wide Shoe
A wide shoe is not much different from a regular one. Sometimes, the width of the shoes increases by 0.25 inches. But some brands do not increase the width by that much, or even less at times, like 0.188 inches instead.
Why Shoe Width is Important
For comfortable footwear, it’s crucial to find shoes that fit both the length and width of your foot. Always try on shoes before purchasing to ensure a good fit, especially if you spend a lot of time walking or standing.
- Too Narrow Shoes: Shoes that are too narrow can cause blisters, sores, cramps, bunions, and even ingrown toenails due to cramped toes. Tight shoes also increase sweating, which can lead to infections, especially if you have open sores or blisters.
- Too Wide Shoes: Overly wide shoes can cause your foot to slide around, leading to blisters and blood blisters under the nails. This lack of stability can result in cramps and foot pain.
Properly fitting shoes are essential for foot health and comfort, so it’s important to choose the right width to avoid these issues.
Can Shoe Width Change
Yes, your shoe width can change. Factors like weight gain, water retention, diabetes, and pregnancy can cause feet to widen. Additionally, activities like long-distance running or standing all day can lead to swollen feet, temporarily increasing their size.
Typically, larger feet tend to be wider, but this isn’t always the case. It’s important to remember that shoes too big or too small can be uncomfortable. With the variety of sizes available, you should be able to find shoes that fit well, as long as they’re the right length for your feet.
Conclusion
Shoe sizing is complex due to different sizing methods in the US and Europe, varying standards for men and women, and inconsistencies across brands. To ensure a proper fit, focus on both length and width. Shoes that are too tight can cause cramps and rubbing, while those too loose may lead to blisters. While it’s possible to widen narrow shoes after purchase, it’s more comfortable and easier to choose the right size from the beginning. Always measure your feet to find the best fitting shoes.