Sneaker Sizing Guide 2026: How Every Brand Fits Differently

Every Brand Lies About Sizing and It's Costing You Money

You know your shoe size. Or you think you do. Then you order a pair of Nike Dunks in your usual size and they're a full size too small. You buy Converse and they're clown shoes. You try New Balance and they fit perfectly but look enormous.

Here's the dirty secret of the sneaker industry: there is no universal shoe size. A US 10 in Nike is not the same as a US 10 in Adidas, which is not the same as a US 10 in New Balance. Every brand uses its own last (the foot-shaped mold shoes are built around), its own internal measurements, and its own relationship with reality.

This guide covers every major sneaker brand and tells you exactly how to convert between them. Bookmark it. You'll use it every time you buy shoes online.

How to Actually Measure Your Feet

Before we get into brand-specific sizing, let's establish your actual foot measurements. Your "shoe size" is a rough approximation. Your foot measurements are facts.

Length

1. Stand on a piece of paper with your heel against a wall
2. Mark the tip of your longest toe
3. Measure the distance in centimeters
4. Do both feet — most people have one foot slightly larger than the other
5. Use the larger foot as your baseline

Width

1. Stand on paper and trace around your foot
2. Measure the widest point across your forefoot
3. Compare to width charts (available on most brand websites)

Most sneakers come in standard D width (medium) for men and B width (medium) for women. If your feet are wider or narrower than average, this matters enormously for certain brands.

Brand-by-Brand Sizing Guide

Nike

The verdict: Runs 0.5 size small across most models.

Nike is the brand that trips up the most people. Their sizing is consistently snug, particularly in length. If you're a true US 10, you'll usually want a 10.5 in Nike.

Model-specific notes:

• Air Force 1: Runs a FULL size large. Go down one from your Nike size (not your true size). If you wear 10.5 in most Nikes, try a 10 in AF1s.
• Dunk Low/High: True to Nike size (which means 0.5 up from your true size). Narrow toe box.
• Air Max 1/90/95: True to Nike size. Width is average.
• Air Max 97: Runs narrow. Go up 0.5 if you have wider feet.
• Air Jordan 1: True to Nike size. Leather will stretch slightly with wear.
• Air Jordan 4: Runs slightly large. Some people go true to size rather than 0.5 up.
• Nike SB Dunk: Slightly roomier than regular Dunks due to the padded collar.
• Cortez: True to Nike size. The Cortez comeback models fit consistently with older versions.

Width: Nike generally runs narrow to medium. Wide-foot people should always go up 0.5 or look for wide options where available.

Adidas

The verdict: Runs true to size for most models.

Adidas sizing is generally more consistent with actual foot measurements than Nike. Your true size usually works, though certain models deviate.

Model-specific notes:

• Samba: Runs 0.5 size large. Go down 0.5 from your true size. This catches a lot of people off guard, especially if they're used to sizing up for Nike and then apply that habit to Adidas. See our Samba colorway ranking for which versions to buy.
• Stan Smith: True to size. Slightly narrow.
• Superstar: Runs 0.5 large due to the shell toe. Go down 0.5.
• Ultraboost: True to size. The Primeknit upper accommodates slight size variations.
• Forum: Runs true to size. Wider than most Adidas models.
• Gazelle: True to size. Suede may feel slightly snug initially but stretches.
• Yeezy 350 V2: Runs 0.5 small. Go up 0.5 from your true size.
• Yeezy Slides: Run extremely small. Go up a full size minimum.

Width: Adidas generally runs medium. Primeknit models are more accommodating for wider feet.

New Balance

The verdict: Runs true to size with a wider fit than Nike and Adidas.

New Balance is the gold standard for people with wider feet. Even their standard D width is more generous than the standard width at most competitors.

Model-specific notes:

• 574: True to size. Generous width.
• 550: True to size. Slightly narrow for New Balance. Still wider than Nike.
• 990 series (990v5, 990v6): True to size. Famously comfortable out of the box.
• 2002R: True to size. Standard New Balance width.
• 1906R: True to size. One of the widest models in the lineup.
• 327: Runs slightly large. Some people go down 0.5.
• 530: True to size. Narrower than most NB models.

Width: New Balance offers the widest range of width options (from B/Narrow to 4E/Extra Wide). If you have wide feet and have been forcing them into Nikes, New Balance in a wide width will change your life.

Converse

The verdict: Runs a FULL SIZE large. Always size down.

Converse sizing is the most misleading in the industry. Whatever your true size is, go down at least one full size for Converse. This applies to both the standard Chuck Taylor and the Chuck 70.

Model-specific notes:

• Chuck Taylor All Star: Size down 1 to 1.5 from your true size.
• Chuck 70: Size down 1 from your true size. Slightly more accurate than standard Chucks.
• One Star: Size down 0.5 to 1 from your true size.

Width: Converse runs narrow. Wide-foot people should only size down 0.5 rather than the full 1, accepting a slightly longer shoe for more width.

Vans

The verdict: Runs true to slightly large.

Vans sizing is reasonably consistent but tends to have a bit more room than expected, particularly in width.

Model-specific notes:

• Old Skool: True to size. Slightly wide.
• Sk8-Hi: True to size. The higher cut can feel snugger around the ankle.
• Authentic: True to size to slightly large. Go down 0.5 if between sizes.
• Era: True to size. More cushioning than the Authentic makes it feel slightly snugger.
• Slip-On: Go down 0.5 from true size. They stretch significantly with wear.

Check out our best Vans guide for specific model recommendations.

Width: Vans generally run medium to wide. Accommodating for most foot types.

ASICS

The verdict: Runs true to size with a narrow-to-medium fit.

ASICS sizing is accurate but the fit profile tends toward narrow, particularly in the forefoot.

Model-specific notes:

• Gel-1130: True to size. Medium width.
• Gel-Kayano 14: True to size. Slightly narrow.
• Gel-NYC: True to size. Roomier than most ASICS models.
• Gel-Lyte III: True to size. The split tongue design affects how the shoe hugs your foot.

Width: ASICS runs narrow to medium. Wide-foot people should go up 0.5 or seek wide-width options.

Reebok

The verdict: Runs true to size.

Reebok sizing is straightforward and generally accurate to your actual foot measurements.

Model-specific notes:

• Club C 85: True to size. Medium width.
• Classic Leather: True to size. Slightly narrow initially, breaks in quickly.
• Question Mid: True to size. Roomier basketball fit.

Width: Reebok runs medium. Consistent across most models.

Puma

The verdict: Runs true to slightly large.

Puma tends to have a slightly generous fit compared to Nike, similar to Adidas.

Model-specific notes:

• Suede Classic: True to size. Medium width.
• RS-X: True to size. Chunky design gives a roomier fit.
• Speedcat: Runs slim. Go up 0.5 if between sizes.
• Palermo: True to size. Comfortable width.

Width: Puma runs medium. Generally accommodating.

Jordan Brand (Beyond AJ1)

While part of Nike, Jordan Brand models have their own sizing quirks:

• Jordan 1: 0.5 up from true size (standard Nike sizing)
• Jordan 3: True to size. Roomier than Jordan 1.
• Jordan 4: True to size to 0.5 up. Varies by colorway and release year.
• Jordan 5: True to size. Wider fit.
• Jordan 11: True to size. Narrow toe box can be an issue.
• Jordan 12: 0.5 up from true size.
• Jordan 13: True to size. One of the roomiest Jordans.

Quick-Reference Conversion Chart

If your true size is US 10 (EU 44, UK 9, 28cm), here's what you should order in each brand:

| Brand | Order Size | Notes | |-------|-----------|-------| | Nike (most) | US 10.5 | Runs small | | Nike AF1 | US 9.5-10 | Runs large | | Adidas (most) | US 10 | True to size | | Adidas Samba | US 9.5 | Runs large | | New Balance | US 10 | True to size, wider | | Converse | US 9 | Runs very large | | Vans | US 10 | True to size | | ASICS | US 10 | True to size, narrow | | Reebok | US 10 | True to size | | Puma | US 10 | True to size |

Tips for Buying Sneakers Online

Know Your Return Policy

Always buy from retailers with free return shipping. Zappos, Amazon, Nike.com, and most major retailers offer this. It removes the risk from ordering the wrong size. Check sneaker deals on Amazon where Prime makes returns painless.

Order Two Sizes

When trying a brand for the first time, order your expected size and one half-size in either direction. Return the one that doesn't fit. This costs nothing with free returns and saves you weeks of exchange shipping.

Read Reviews for Specific Models

Even within a brand, sizing varies by model. Always read the sizing section of reviews before ordering. "Runs small" or "runs large" comments in the first few reviews will tell you what you need to know faster than any guide.

Time of Day Matters

Your feet swell throughout the day. If you're measuring at home, do it in the evening when your feet are at their largest. This ensures your shoes will be comfortable during those long days — like when you're at a music festival standing for twelve hours.

Socks Matter

Try shoes on with the socks you'll actually wear them with. Thin dress socks vs. thick athletic socks can be the difference between a perfect fit and a shoe that's too tight or too loose.

When to Size Up vs. Size Down

Size up when:

• You have wide feet
• You'll be wearing thick socks
• You'll be on your feet for extended periods (feet swell)
• You're between sizes
• The model is known to run small

Size down when:

• You have narrow feet
• You'll be wearing thin or no-show socks
• The model is known to run large
• You want a snugger, more locked-in fit

Stay true to size when:

• The brand is known for accurate sizing
• You have average-width feet
• You're wearing standard-thickness socks

The Bottom Line

Stop guessing. Stop assuming all brands fit the same. Stop ordering your Nike size in every brand and being surprised when half your shoes don't fit.

Know your actual foot measurements, learn the brand-specific adjustments, and buy from places with good return policies. Your feet will thank you, your wallet will thank you, and you'll spend less time dealing with returns and exchanges.

If you're building a rotation with multiple brands, check our spring sneaker rotation guide and our best sneakers under $100 for picks that are worth getting properly fitted.