Each person has a different shoe size. Manufacturers also make a wide variety of sizes from small to large to meet everyone’s needs. So, how to tell if you need wide shoes? The following article will give you all you need to know about wide feet vs narrow feet. Let’s jump into it now!
Read more about the shoe size conversion charts that includes the comparsion charts for men, women, kids and toddlers.
How to Tell If You Need Wide Shoes?
Necessary Materials:
- Tape measure
- Paper
- Pen
Draw the contour of the foot with the pen that you have prepared. First of all, you put a piece of paper on the floor. You stand on the paper and pick up the pen. Try to use the stylus to contour the contour of the foot. Try to outline the most accurately. Note, the widest part of the foot is the width.
The most suitable measurement time is night. After a long day of activity, your legs tend to expand. The night is the most accurate time to measure. Remember to measure both feet as not everyone has precisely equal footing.
Compare with the size chart. Once you have a specific width measurement, compare to the size chart to determine if your feet are large or small. To ensure the best accuracy, combine width with length. Plus, everyone has different foot sizes so that you can move a little from the size chart.
Standard/ Medium, Narrow and Wide Shoe Size Chart
The fit of a shoe is determined by the length and width of the foot. Foot widths are divided into three specific categories: narrow, regular, and comprehensive. If your feet do not match the width of the shoe, you may experience discomfort.
| Shoe size | Standard/ Medium | Narrow | Wide |
| 6 | 3.5’’ | 3.3’’ | 3.7’’ |
| 6.5 | 3.6’’ | 3.3’’ | 3.8’’ |
| 7 | 3.6’’ | 3.4’’ | 3.8’’ |
| 7.5 | 3.7’’ | 3.4’’ | 3.9’’ |
| 8 | 3.8’’ | 3.5’’ | 3.9’’ |
| 8.5 | 3.8’’ | 3.6’’ | 4.0’’ |
| 9 | 3.9’’ | 3.6’’ | 4.1’’ |
| 9.5 | 3.9’’ | 3.7’’ | 4.1’’ |
| 10 | 4.0’’ | 3.8’’ | 4.2’’ |
| 10.5 | 4.1’’ | 3.8’’ | 4.3’’ |
| 11 | 4.1’’ | 3.9’’ | 4.3’’ |
| 11.5 | 4.2’’ | 3.9’’ | 4.4’’ |
| 12 | 4.2’’ | 4.0’’ | 4.4’’ |
This shoe size chart will show how to tell if you need wide shoes. It is the standard chart used in the United States and many parts of the world. Check to what size your foot is based on this chart. Suppose your shoe size is eight and your feet are 3.9 ”, which means your feet are wide. If you wear the wrong shoes for a long time, you may experience some foot-related problems.
However, many people still wear shoes of the wrong size these days. The reason is that people usually only focus on the length and often ignore the width of the feet. Only measuring the width of your foot will tell you how big or small your feet are. Another thing to note is that the sizes between countries can vary. For example, size 8 in the US might be equal to size 10 in Asia.
Besides, you can refer to the shoe width charts classified by men, women, and children below to find the correct answer quickly.
When it comes to measuring shoe width, it’s important to understand the meaning of each letter, such as E, EE, D, and DD. To learn how to measure and understand shoe width sizes, check out this helpful guide: Understanding E, EE, D, and DD Shoe Sizes. Get the perfect fit for your next pair of shoes with these tips and tricks.
Shoe Width Chart for Men
| US Size | Wide | Narrow | Medium |
| 6 | 3 11/16’’ | 3 5/16’’ | 3 ½’’ |
| 6.5 | 3 ¾’’ | 3 5/16’’ | 3 5/8’’ |
| 7 | 3 ¾’’ | 3 3/8’’ | 3 5/8’’ |
| 7.5 | 3 15/16’’ | 3 3/8’’ | 3 11/16’’ |
| 8 | 3 15/16’’ | 3 ½’’ | 3 ¾’’ |
| 8.5 | 4’’ | 3 5/8’’ | 3 ¾’’ |
| 9 | 4 1/8’’ | 3 5/8’’ | 3 15/16’’ |
| 9.5 | 4 1/8’’ | 3 11/16’’ | 3 15/16’’ |
| 10 | 4 3/16’’ | 3 ¾’’ | 4’’ |
| 10.5 | 4 5/16’’ | 3 ¾’’ | 4 1/8’’ |
| 11 | 4 5/16’’ | 3 15/16’’ | 4 1/8’’ |
| 11.5 | 4 3/8’’ | 3 15/16’’ | 4 3/16’’ |
| 12 | 4 3/8’’ | 4’’ | 4 5/16’’ |
| 12.5 | 4 ½’’ | 4 1/8’’ | 4 5/16’’ |
| 13 | 4 5/8’’ | 4 1/8’’ | 4 5/16’’ |
| 13.5 | 4 ¾’’ | 4 3/16’’ | 4 3/8’’ |
Shoe Width Chart for Women
| US Size | Extra-wide | Wide | Medium | Narrow |
| 5 | 3 15/16’’ | 3 9/16’’ | 3 3/16’’ | 2 13/16’’ |
| 5.5 | 4’’ | 3 5/8’’ | 3 ¼’’ | 2 7/8’’ |
| 6 | 4 1/16’’ | 3 11/16’’ | 3 5/16’’ | 2 15/16’’ |
| 6.5 | 4 1/8’’ | 3 ¾’’ | 3 3/8’’ | 3’’ |
| 7 | 4 3/16’’ | 3 13/16’’ | 3 7/16’’ | 3 1/16’’ |
| 7.5 | 4 ¼’’ | 3 7/8’’ | 3 ½’’ | 3 1/8’’ |
| 8 | 4 5/16’’ | 3 15/16’’ | 3 9/16’’ | 3 3/16’’ |
| 8.5 | 4 3/8’’ | 4’’ | 3 5/8’’ | 3 ¼’’ |
| 9 | 4 7/16’’ | 4 1/16’’ | 3 11/16’’ | 3 3/8’’ |
| 9.5 | 4 ½’’ | 4 1/8’’ | 3 ¾’’ | 3 3/8’’ |
| 10 | 4 9/16’’ | 4 3/16’’ | 3 ¾’’ | 3 7/16’’ |
| 10.5 | 4 5/8’’ | 4 ¼’’ | 3 7/8’’ | 3 ½’’ |
| 11 | 4 11/16’’ | 4 5/16’’ | 3 15/16’’ | 3 9/16’’ |
| 12 | 4 13/16’’ | 4 7/16’’ | 4 1/16’’ | 3 11/16’’ |
If you’re shopping for women’s shoes in a different country, you might need to use a shoe size conversion chart to help you find the right fit. This article breaks down shoe size conversions for the US, UK, EU, Japan, and other countries.
Shoe Width Chart for Children
| US Size | Extra-wide | Wide | Medium |
| 5 | 213/16’’ | 25/8’’ | 21/4’’ |
| 5.5 | 27/8’’ | 211/16’’ | 21/4’’ |
| 6 | 215/16’’ | 23/4’’ | 25/16’’ |
| 6.5 | 215/16’’ | 23/4’’ | 23/8’’ |
| 7 | 3’’ | 213/16’’ | 27/16’’ |
| 7.5 | 31/16’’ | 27/8’’ | 21/2’’ |
| 8 | 31/16’’ | 215/16’’ | 21/2’’ |
| 8.5 | 33/16’’ | 3’’ | 29/16’’ |
| 9 | 33/16’’ | 3’’ | 25/8’’ |
| 9.5 | 31/4’’ | 31/16’’ | 211/16’’ |
| 10 | 35/16’’ | 31/8’’ | 23/4’’ |
| 10.5 | 33/8’’ | 33/16’’ | 23/4’’ |
| 11 | 31/2’’ | 31/4’’ | 213/16’’ |
| 11.5 | 31/2’’ | 35/16’’ | 27/8’’ |
| 12 | 39/16’’ | 33/8’’ | 215/16’’ |
The Factors Cause the Wide Feet Problems
Many people have wide feet from birth, but it can also be a temporary condition. This problem can be a pathology affecting the bones and joints. No matter what the cause, you still have to find the main factor that causes wide feet.
Inherited from Family
One of the most common causes of wide feet is an inheritance from parents. Maybe you have inherited this family gene and been born wide feet. Usually, people with flat feet will have pretty large foot widths.
If you’re looking for a guide to shoe sizes to pass down to your family, be sure to check out our wide shoes size charts. Whether you have bunions, flat feet, or just prefer shoes with a little extra wiggle room, our charts will help you find the perfect fit for any member of your family.
Health Status
Any medical problem you have is also affecting the foot. Kidney disease, diabetes are the most common diseases today. These diseases will lead to edema, dilated feet.
In addition, if you are pregnant, your body will store a certain amount of water. It is also the reason that makes the legs widen. During the hormone Relaxin’s release, many people loosen the ligaments in their legs and feet that become much wider than before. Some people can handle this. Others have to live with it for life.
Age
Age is also a factor that quickly affects foot width. Many young people have tiny or well-fitting feet. But when you reach a certain age, your feet will also suffer from age. As you age, your bones and joints become weaker than before. Accordingly, the ligaments in the feet loosen, causing edema in the legs. Therefore, leg width will increase significantly.
If you’re interested in joining the military, check out the US, CA, AU Military Enlistment Age Limits to see what age requirements you’ll need to meet. Each branch of the military has different age limits, so it’s important to do your research and ensure that you’re eligible to enlist.
Defects in the Legs
In addition to the above causes, deformity in the foot also makes you choose a pair of shoes with enormous sizes. Defects in the legs are effects on the bones and joints such as clubfoot and calluses. Many defects are caused by the patient deliberately using shoes that do not last for a long time. In addition, some serious illnesses such as heel spikes, Plantar Fasciitis, or Morton nerve tumors will make you need to be more careful.
Reasons You May Need Wide Width Shoes
There are many reasons you may need wide width shoes. But the three reasons below are the most common and obvious for you to make your decision.
Prevent Health Problems
A narrow shoe will have a significant effect on the calf or other leg health problems. They even made the bunion condition worse. You can recover from the disease, but the condition will continue if you wear the wrong shoes.
In addition, bunion disease can be so severe that you need surgery. Therefore, wide shoes will help you avoid damaging your feet that are prone to breakouts.
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Affect Mood
One of the leading causes of foot pain is the wrong size of the shoe. You do not just feel pain when walking for long periods. These pains even lead to foul moods, affecting your whole day. If you wear shoes that fit out, you will feel more confident and comfortable instead of constantly adjusting your shoes. A pair of suitable shoes combined with your favorite outfit helps you make a bold impression on other people’s minds.
Many people even walk barefoot because their shoes are too tight. Do not do this as you may step on a sharp object and get a foot infection. A pair of shoes that can’t ruin your day!
Affect Aesthetics
When comparing wide feet vs narrow feet, you can see that a few narrow shoes will affect the outfit. Narrow shoes with a thin material cause the toes to bulge and print their contours on the shoe.
If your foot inflates the shoe so often that it goes over the sole, the shoe is susceptible to damage. Especially when you wear open-ended shoes, you will see this more clearly. Your feet are protruding from the outside and touching dirt! No matter what shoes you wear, blistering is possible. Pay attention to whether the sides or the top of the shoe are bulging. If your feet are rubbed a lot, they will show red spots and calluses.
You might not be aware of the surprising answer to this question. Different types of shoes add a different amount of height, from sneakers to platform shoes. Get more information about how much height shoes, boots, heels and insoles add, including some recommendation on which one to wear, just by clicking on this link.
A Guide to Buy Suitable Wide Width Shoes
Whether you have tiny feet or large feet, there are a few critical factors to consider before deciding to buy shoes. In particular, this is even more essential for people wearing wide shoes.
Determine the Correct Shoe Size
The first thing you need to do is measure and compare with the shoe size chart to determine your actual shoe size. Do not ignore the width of your feet; only go for the length. When you combine these two critical factors, you will find the correct size.
Knowing the correct shoe size isn’t enough, you also need to figure out the width size measurement which is the circumference of the ball of the foot. When it comes to shoe width letters, there are various letters used like A, B, C, D, EE, and more. To understand the meaning of each letter, refer to the shoe width letters guide to find the appropriate fit for your feet.
Create Space for Your Feet
Naturally, it would be best if you chose shoes that fit or slightly wider than shoes that are too small for the foot. The market has a lot of shoes dedicated to wide feet.
However, they may shrink after extended use due to different materials. Even if they are minimal, wide shoes still provide ventilation for the feet. Remember that you should be a small distance from your foot for more effortless wearing and more comfortable when choosing a size.
Make Your Shoes
For some people, choosing wide shoes is extremely difficult. Because they have trouble with sizing, choosing material, or many other factors. Therefore, it is best to make your shoes. You can ask a loved one to measure your foot size or ask a shoemaker directly. The advantage of custom shoes is that you can get the shoemaker to align quickly. You can even fit it into a narrow shoe.
Also, choose soft, ventilated materials so that your feet will not get stuck, like denim or suede. Complex fabrics will not give you a lot of space as you move around.
If your shoes are too big, don’t worry – there are ways to make big shoes fit smaller. From adding cushioning insoles to using heel grips, you can easily adjust your shoes to fit your feet comfortably. Don’t let ill-fitting shoes ruin your day – try these hacks and get the perfect fit.
FAQs
Why should we use wide width shoes?
A pair of narrow shoes will cause several health problems such as Morton nerve tumors, calluses, ingrown toenails. You even often feel ankle fatigue when moving. If you encounter these problems often, it is a sign for you to switch to wide shoes immediately.
Why are wide shoes more comfortable?
Wide shoes give foot ventilation thanks to the distance they provide. In particular, the toes – the part that takes up the most space – will also be more comfortable thanks to the wide sole.
What shoes are wide feet suitable for?
Let’s rely on a few guidelines below when looking for the right shoe:
- Choose shoes that are easy to remove
- High friction
- Eliminate shoes with a pointed design
- Soft material with a broad base
Conclusion
When choosing a shoe, you need to know whether you are narrow feet or wide feet. So shoe size chart will help you know how to tell if you need wide shoes. If you compare wide feet vs narrow feet, you can see that shoes for wide feet depend on many factors. There are many reasons you may need wide width shoes. A wide shoe will give you more ventilation and agility. Hopefully, through this article, you can determine which foot size you have to find the best shoes for you.
