Men’s shoe size guide

See below our handy men’s shoe size guide to make sure your footwear fits correctly.

How to measure your feet

What you’ll need:

• A flat edge or wall to lean against

• A pair of socks

• A ruler

• Two pieces of paper

• A pen or pencil

Step one: First, we’d advise measuring your feet at the end of day if possible. Being on your feet all day means they could swell, and might measure slightly larger in the evening than in the morning as a result.

Step two: Try the pair you want to wear before you start measuring.

Step three: To measure your feet, you’ll need to make sure your foot is on a level surface. If you’re able to stand, your heel should be against a straight edge or wall.

This step can also be done sitting down in a chair (just make sure your feet are flat on the floor).

Step four: Tape your piece of paper onto the surface you’ll be standing on. Make sure it doesn’t slip around.

Step five: Trace the outline of your foot on the paper, then repeat with the other foot on another piece of paper. (Most people have one foot slightly bigger than the other so it’s best to treat each foot separately).

If someone is available to help with this step, ask them to trace the outline for you. That way, you can concentrate on keeping your foot firmly planted on the ground for the most accurate measurement.

Step six: On the outlines of each foot, place a dot on the tip of your longest toe (this might not be your big toe) and another on the longest point at the back of your heel.

Step seven: How to measure foot length

Using a ruler (cm side) measure the distance between both points. This is your foot length.

Step eight: How to measure foot width:

For your foot width: Measure the widest part of the feet from left to right.

If your feet are two different sizes, always use the measurements of the larger foot when looking at a shoe sizing chart.

Conversion and measurement chart

This size chart is for reference only, and may vary from product to product.

Wide fit vs narrow fit shoes

Wide fit shoes' soles are wider to accommodate broader feet. The toe box is deeper than a standard fit, and midfoot areas are roomier for additional comfort. Narrow fit shoes are designed for feet that are slimmer across the ball of the foot, with less room inside the shoe for a tight and secure fit.

How to tell if you have wide feet

Usually, people with wide feet will experience friction and pain on their big and little toes where their feet are squashed inside the shoe. Discomfort and soreness when wearing the shoes for extended periods of time are also a sign you might have wide feet.

How to tell if you have narrow feet

Visual signs like blisters, calluses and redness are also a sign of narrow-fitting shoes. The best way to check if you have narrow feet is by trying on shoes and evaluating how they feel. If your shoes feel loose, slip off or move from side to side, you probably have narrow feet.

How do I measure my shoe width?

1. Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your bare foot

2. Place the foot on the ground

3. Mark the width of foot in millimeters on the measuring tape

4. Use this measurement to find out what shoe width you need

FAQs

Are men’s and women’s shoe sizes the same?

• No, men’s and women’s shoe sizes are not the same. The difference between men’s and women’s shoe sizes is usually roughly 1.5 sizes. E.g. A women’s size 9.5 is a men’s size 8.

Is it better to size up or down in shoes?

• Sizing can vary between brands, so unfortunately there’s no definitive rule. But to help prevent common foot health problems like bunions, blisters and ingrown toenails, it's usually better to size up in shoes — especially if you have one foot slightly bigger than the other. The ball of your foot should sit comfortably in the widest part of the shoe. At the other end of your shoe, there should be some room for movement. Breaking in your shoes slowly should help prevent annoying blisters.

Should your toes touch the end of your shoes when walking?

• No, your toes should not touch the end of your shoes when you're walking. This would mean that the shoes are too small. There should be about a finger’s width between your longest toe and the end of the shoe (AKA the "toe box"). Wearing shoes that are too tight around the toes can lead to ingrown toenails.

How much room should be in the toe of a running shoe?

• Making sure the fit of your running shoes is tailored to YOU is the most important thing — whether you’re training for a race or running for fun. A rule of thumb: there should be plenty of room around your toes and at the front of the shoe, with a tighter fit around the middle of the foot and at the heel. Think supportive, but not restrictive.

Trying on new running shoes? Treat trying them on like you would a regular run: take socks with you that you'd usually wear. Test the sneakers out on a treadmill, too (if possible).