Shoe Width Guide
Length is only half of fit - width matters just as much. Two feet of identical length can need entirely different shoes if one is narrow and the other broad. "Standard width" means B for women and D for men; anything wider or narrower is sold as a sub-size denoted by a letter code.
Brand lasts also have a default width built in. New Balance, Brooks and Hoka are known for accommodating wider feet; ASICS, Vans and Converse run narrower than average. If a brand consistently feels tight across the forefoot, the issue is usually width, not length.
Convert a shoe width
Pick a US width code to see its EU and UK descriptors plus a plain-English fit description.
- Width
- B - Medium (Women's standard)
- EU description
- Standard
- UK description
- Standard
- Fit
- Normal width for women
Most shoes are made in standard width (B for women, D for men). Check brand pages for wide-fit options.
Full width reference
| US code | Label | EU | UK | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A/AA | Extra Narrow | Schmal | Schmal | Very narrow - suited to slim, high-arched feet |
| A | Narrow | - | - | Narrow |
| B | Medium (Women's standard) | Standard | Standard | Normal width for women |
| D | Medium (Men's standard) | Standard | Standard | Normal width for men |
| E/W | Wide | Weit | Wide | Wide - suited to broader feet or bunions |
| 2E/EE | Extra Wide | Extra Weit | Extra Wide | Extra wide |
| 4E/EEEE | Double Extra Wide | - | - | Very wide - orthopaedic/diabetic fit |
US shoe width reference chart
All seven US width codes from narrowest to widest, taken from PRD §9.1.
| US code | Label | EU | UK | Fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2A/AA | Extra Narrow | Schmal | Schmal | Very narrow - suited to slim, high-arched feet |
| A | Narrow | - | - | Narrow |
| B | Medium (Women's standard) | Standard | Standard | Normal width for women |
| D | Medium (Men's standard) | Standard | Standard | Normal width for men |
| E/W | Wide | Weit | Wide | Wide - suited to broader feet or bunions |
| 2E/EE | Extra Wide | Extra Weit | Extra Wide | Extra wide |
| 4E/EEEE | Double Extra Wide | - | - | Very wide - orthopaedic/diabetic fit |
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I need a wide shoe?
Measure your foot width across the widest point of the ball, then compare it to the brand's size chart. Tell-tale signs you need a wide fit: bunions or knuckles pressing into the upper, pinching or pressure on the side of the foot, the laces refusing to tighten without bunching, or seeing the leather stretch and crease across the forefoot within weeks. If standard widths feel snug straight out of the box, a D (men) or 2E (women) is usually a better starting point.
Is the shoe width letter the same across all brands?
Broadly yes - D means men's standard and B means women's standard almost everywhere - but the actual width in millimetres varies between brands. Nike's 'wide' tends to run noticeably narrower than New Balance's 'wide' or Brooks' '2E'. Always cross-reference the specific brand's size chart and prefer brands known for accurate wide-fit lasts (New Balance, Brooks, Hoka, Altra) if you have wider feet.
What does 4E mean in shoe width?
4E (also written EEEE) is double-extra-wide - the widest commonly stocked US width. It is typically only found in orthopaedic, diabetic-friendly, or heavy-duty work-boot lines. If you wear 4E, you usually need to shop specialist retailers (New Balance, Propet, Dr. Comfort) rather than mainstream fashion brands, which rarely produce above 2E.
Sizes are approximate and may vary by brand. Check the manufacturer's size chart before buying.