Heels’ height is not the same as shoes’ height. It makes your online buying process much more complex. So, this guide has a heels height chart and a few more useful related information.
Knowing how high you want your shoes to be is essential when shopping for heels, especially if you’re doing so online.
If the heel height of a shoe is anywhere from 3.5 to 4.5 inches, it is considered to be a “high heel.” But what about other styles of heels?
Heel height variations have become widely accepted over time for heels ranging from kitten heels to really high and even exceptionally high heels. Unfortunately, this makes it really hard for you to recognize which height is suitable for your heels. So, this guide includes the heels height chart and other related information to help you choose the right height for your heels.
How Is the Height of Heels Measured?
In general, people typically measure heel height in inches. However, you can follow these steps to determine your heel height:
- Set your heels down on a flat floor.
- Tape a tape measure to the back of your heels.
- Measure the distance between the highest point on your heels’ back and the point where the heels reach the heel cap’s top area.
The heels’ size may not be accurate to the inch, depending on your heels’ size. They could be slightly larger than a full inch or slightly smaller.
When it comes to measuring the height of heels, it’s important to consider the amount of height that shoes, boots, heels, and insoles add. Check out this article on how much height shoes add to help you determine the true height of your footwear.
High Heels Height Chart
| Name | Height (inches) | Height (cm) |
| Kitten heels | 2″ or less | 5.2 cm or less |
| Low heels | 2.1″ – 2.5″ | 5.3 cm – 6.4 cm |
| Mid height heels | 2.6″ – 3.4″ | 6.5 cm – 8.9 cm |
| High heels | 3.5″ – 4.5″ | 9 cm – 11.5 cm |
| Very high heels | 4.6″ – 5.5″ | 11.6 cm – 14 cm |
| Extreme heels | 5.6″ or more | 14.1 cm or more |
One thing to keep in mind is that what constitutes a “high heel” can shift a little bit with a sort of manner.
Heel heights are decreasing in 2021, and a lot of designers take into account a 3-inch pump as the top of their height spectrum. This does not exactly make it a “high heel,” but it is considered their highest heel.
Global High Heel Size Conversion Chart
Converting between worldwide high heel sizes is not as complicated or as distressing as you may believe.
The following heel size conversion chart will simplify switching between high heel sizes in the United States and those in Australia, Europe, and the United Kingdom.
| US / Australian heel size | European size | UK size |
| 5 | 36 | 3 |
| 6 | 37 | 4 |
| 7 | 38 | 5 |
| 8 | 39 | 6 |
| 9 | 40 | 7 |
| 10 | 41 | 8 |
| 11 | 42 | 9 |
| 12 | 43 | 10 |
How does the high heel size conversion chart work when converting from the UK to US sizes and vice versa?
The high heel size conversion between UK and US sizes relies on the principle that most officials follow: simply add two sizes to convert from a UK size to a US size.
It is really that simple, and most high-heel designers do it this manner!
However, a small proportion of shoemakers (for example, Christian Louboutin) suggest subtracting three sizes, and I sometimes also see minor differences to this rule. If you are unsure, I recommend that you contact your high heel manufacturer.
If you’re struggling to find the perfect high heels, make sure to check out this shoe size conversion chart. It will help you compare your regular shoe size with different international sizes, including US, UK, and EU. So you can avoid any confusion before adding those perfect, stylish high heels into your cart.
Which Heel Height Is Best For Me?
The appropriate heel height for you is determined by individual taste and how comfy you are moving in your heels.
Heels under 3 inches are usually the most comfortable and come in a variety of appealing styles, such as round toes, block heels, and peep toes. On the other hand, heels over 3 inches may be painful to move in and are typically restricted for dressy events such as nights out and evenings in the city.
Can I Just Adjust My Heel Height?
If necessary, you can adjust your heel height, but only by a few millimeters. If high heels are changed too much or improperly, the heel’s stability is thrown off, causing issues while walking.
Lowering heel height can also lead to complications. The core issue caused by lowering the heel height is popularly known as ‘kick under.’ Kicking under is when the heel of your shoes folds slightly underneath the shoe. This occurs since the heel is not the correct size for the shoe.
It is best performed by an expert. However, if you really need your heel height adjusted, you should bring them to a shoemaker. It will then be feasible ossible to ascertain if the heels can be modified and still be worn.
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to adjust the heel height of your shoes, check out our Shoe Fitting Guide: How to Tell Shoes Too Big, Small or Fit. It’ll show you how to properly size your shoes and determine if they fit or not. If they’re too big, we’ve got you covered with our 11 Hacks to Make Shoes Smaller article.
What Heels Are Best For My Feet?
If you select the ideal heel height and form, high heels could be really comfortable to wear. If you own:
- Narrow feet: pointed toe high heels look great on a skinnier foot and provide more than enough support.
- Wide feet: round toe high heels seem to be the best option as they will have plenty of room in the front, while pointed-high heels might feel too stiff, painful, and uncomfy.
- High arches: the most suitable choice will be very low heels that are less than a couple of inches in height.
- Low arches: heels around 2-4 inches high will provide the greatest support and feel the most comfortable walking in.
