The letter in a shoe size is the width. In US sizing, D is the standard (medium) width for men and a wide width for women. So a men’s 10D is a regular-width size 10, while a women’s 8D is a wide size 8.
In this guide
Shoe width chart
| Letter | Men’s | Women’s |
|---|---|---|
| 2A (AA) | Extra narrow | Narrow |
| B | Narrow | Medium (standard) |
| D | Medium (standard) | Wide |
| 2E (EE) | Wide | Extra wide |
| 4E (EEEE) | Extra wide | Extra extra wide |
Some brands use words or other codes instead: N (narrow), M (medium), W (wide) and XW (extra wide). When a shoe shows no width at all, it is the standard width: D for men’s shoes, B for women’s.
How much difference is there between widths?
Each step up in width adds roughly 3/16 of an inch (about 5 mm) across the ball of the foot. Width also scales with length, so a size 12D is wider than a size 8D. Exact measurements vary by brand and by the last the shoe is built on, which is why the same width can feel different in two brands.
How to measure your foot width
- Stand on a sheet of paper with your full weight on the foot, wearing your usual socks.
- Trace around the foot, holding the pen upright.
- Measure the widest part of the tracing, normally across the ball of the foot.
- Measure the length from heel to longest toe.
- Look up both numbers on the brand’s size chart to find the width letter for your length.
Measure both feet late in the day and use the larger one. The full method is in how to measure your shoe size at home.
Related: How to Polish Shoes: A Simple Routine for a Lasting Shine
Signs you need a wider shoe
- The sides of your foot bulge over the edge of the sole.
- You feel pressure or numbness at the little toe or the big toe joint.
- You get blisters or corns on the sides of your toes.
- You have been buying longer shoes just to get enough width.
- The upper stretches and creases outward at the widest point.
Signs you need a narrower shoe
- Your foot slides from side to side.
- You have to pull the laces until the eyelets nearly touch.
- Your heel slips even though the length is right.
- The upper wrinkles or gapes at the sides.
If shoes are only slightly loose, insoles and heel grips can help; see how to make shoes smaller.
Width versus length: do not size up for width
Going up half a size adds only a little width, and it moves the flex point and arch support away from where your foot needs them. The shoe then creases in the wrong place and your heel may slip. If the length is right but the shoe is tight across the forefoot, look for the same size in a wider width instead. Slightly tight leather shoes can also be eased; see how to stretch shoes.
Width sizing outside the US
- UK: widths commonly run E, F, G and H, with F or G as the standard fitting depending on the brand.
- Europe: most shoes come in one standard width; some brands add their own wide fittings.
- Children’s shoes: often use the same letter system, or M, W and XW.
Always check the brand’s own chart, because these systems do not convert exactly.
Frequently asked questions
Is D a wide width?
For women, yes. For men, D is the standard medium width.
What is the difference between D and 2E?
In men’s sizing, 2E is one step wider than D, adding roughly 5 mm across the forefoot. 4E is wider again.
What does M mean in shoe size?
M usually means medium width. On some labels it means men’s sizing, so check the context.
Can a woman wear a men’s D width?
Yes. Men’s D is close to a women’s wide. Convert the length by subtracting about 1.5 from the women’s size.
