International Shoe Width Chart
The complete guide to shoe width systems used around the world — US, UK, European, Japanese, and Australian width codes compared side by side, with conversion tables and brand-specific guidance for international shoppers.
Shoe width systems vary significantly around the world. A UK “E” is not the same as a US “E.” A European shoe with no width marking follows different default assumptions than an unmarked American shoe. Japanese width codes use an entirely different letter system. And many international brands simply use “narrow,” “regular,” and “wide” without any letter code at all.
If you’re shopping internationally — buying European shoes online, ordering from a Japanese brand, or trying to figure out whether your UK width converts to your US width — this guide gives you the conversion tables and context you need.
Width codes are only useful if you know your foot measurement first. If you haven’t measured your foot width yet, start with our How to Measure Foot Width guide. Your actual measurement in inches or centimeters is the one number that converts reliably across all systems.
Width Systems by Country — Overview
Before diving into conversion tables, it helps to understand the fundamental differences between each country’s approach to shoe width. They are not all just different labels for the same thing — they measure width differently and have different default assumptions.
| Country / Region | System Used | Standard Width Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Letter-number (A–6E) | D (men) / B (women) | Most detailed width system — up to 6E available |
| United Kingdom | Letter (B–H) | E (men) / D (women) | Different letter scale — UK E ≠ US E |
| Europe (Continental) | Word-based or no marking | Normal / Standard | Less standardized — many brands use schmal/normal/weit |
| Germany | Number (e.g. G, H, K) | G (standard) | German DIN system used by Birkenstock, some comfort brands |
| Japan | Letter (A–F, 2E–4E) | E or 2E | JIS system — E is standard for men, differs from US E |
| Australia | Follows UK or US | Varies by brand | AU brands typically follow UK width system |
| Italy / France | Schmal / Normal / Weit | Normal | Fashion brands rarely mark width — standard only |
US to UK Width Conversion
The UK uses a letter system from B through H, but the letters do not align with US letters. UK E is the standard men’s width — equivalent to US D. UK D is the standard women’s width — equivalent to US B. The chart below gives you the full conversion.
Men’s Width Conversion — US to UK
| US Width Code | US Description | UK Width Code | UK Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Narrow | C | Narrow |
| C | Semi-Narrow | D | Semi-Narrow |
| D | Medium ★ | E | Standard ★ |
| E | Wide | F | Wide |
| 2E / EE | Extra Wide | G | Extra Wide |
| 3E / EEE | XX-Wide | H | XX-Wide |
Women’s Width Conversion — US to UK
| US Width Code | US Description | UK Width Code | UK Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA | Extra Narrow | B | Narrow |
| A | Narrow | C | Semi-Narrow |
| B | Medium ★ | D | Standard ★ |
| C | Semi-Wide | E | Semi-Wide |
| D | Wide | F | Wide |
| E / 2E | Extra Wide | G | Extra Wide |
This is the most common international width mistake. UK E is the standard men’s medium — equivalent to US D. US E is wide. If you wear US D and buy a UK shoe marked E, you are buying the correct standard width. If you wear US E (wide) and buy a UK shoe marked E, you are buying a shoe that is one full width narrower than you need — you want UK F.
Japanese Width System (JIS)
Japan uses the JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) shoe sizing system, which measures width differently from both US and UK systems. Japanese widths are measured as the circumference around the ball of the foot in centimeters, and assigned letter-number codes accordingly.
Japanese Width Codes — Men’s
| JIS Code | Ball Circumference (cm) | US Equivalent (approx) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 23.0–23.4 cm | B (Narrow) | Narrow for Japanese sizing |
| E | 23.5–23.9 cm | D (Medium) | Standard for Japanese market |
| EE / 2E | 24.0–24.4 cm | E (Wide) | Common in Japanese athletic shoes |
| EEE / 3E | 24.5–24.9 cm | 2E (Extra Wide) | Wide option |
| EEEE / 4E | 25.0–25.4 cm | 3E–4E (XX-Wide) | Extra wide |
| F | 25.5–25.9 cm | 4E+ (XXX-Wide) | Very wide — specialty only |
Japanese Width Codes — Women’s
| JIS Code | Ball Circumference (cm) | US Equivalent (approx) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 19.5–19.9 cm | AA (Narrow) | Narrow |
| C | 20.0–20.4 cm | A (Slim) | Slim |
| D | 20.5–20.9 cm | B (Medium) | Standard |
| E | 21.0–21.4 cm | B–C (Medium-Wide) | Common standard in Japan |
| EE / 2E | 21.5–21.9 cm | D (Wide) | Wide |
| EEE / 3E | 22.0–22.4 cm | E (Extra Wide) | Extra wide |
Japanese shoes — particularly from brands like Asics, Mizuno, and Onitsuka Tiger — are often built on a JIS E or 2E last as their standard, because Japanese consumers tend to prefer more volume in their shoes. When these shoes are sold in the US market, they may be labeled as US D width but still feel wider than expected because the JIS standard they were built to is broader than the US D standard. This is why ASICS running shoes often feel roomier than their US width designation suggests.
German Width System (DIN)
Germany uses the DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung) standard, which assigns widths using letters starting at E for narrow through K for very wide. The most commonly encountered German width codes are from brands like Birkenstock, Ara, Gabor, and Rohde.
| German DIN Code | Description | US Men’s Equivalent | US Women’s Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| E | Narrow / Schmal | B | AA |
| F | Semi-Narrow | C | A |
| G | Normal / Standard ★ | D | B |
| H | Wide / Weit | E | D |
| K | Extra Wide | 2E | E–2E |
Birkenstock specifically:
Birkenstock uses a simplified two-option system in most markets — Regular and Narrow (or Schmal and Normal in German). Birkenstock “Regular” corresponds to approximately US D/E width. Birkenstock “Narrow” corresponds to approximately US B/C. For wide feet, note that Birkenstock Regular may still feel snug — their sandal straps are adjustable, which compensates for this in open styles.
European Sizing — General Notes
Continental European shoe brands (French, Italian, Spanish) generally do not use a standardized width coding system. Most European fashion footwear is made in a single standard width with no width designation. When European brands do offer width variations, they typically use plain language: étroit/narrow, normal/regular, and large/wide in French; stretto/normal/largo in Italian.
The practical implication for international shoppers is that European shoes default to a narrower fit than American shoes — because European feet average slightly narrower than American feet. If you have wide feet and are buying European shoes online, be aware that even the “wide” option from a European brand may run narrower than a US wide designation. When possible, compare the brand’s published width measurements in millimeters to your own foot measurement in centimeters rather than relying on the width label alone.
Australian Width System
Australia does not have its own independent shoe width standard. Australian shoe brands and retailers generally follow one of two systems depending on the brand’s origin:
Brands with UK heritage (Clarks Australia, R.M. Williams, Blundstone) use the UK width letter system — UK B through H, with UK E as the men’s standard. Brands with US heritage or modern athletic brands follow the US system. When buying Australian shoes, check which system the specific brand uses — it is usually stated on their size guide page.
Conversion by Measurement — The Most Reliable Method
Width code conversions between systems are approximate because each country’s system uses slightly different measurement methodologies. The most reliable approach for international shoe shopping is to work from your actual foot measurement in centimeters rather than trying to convert between codes.
| Your Foot Width (cm) at ball of foot | US Men’s Width | US Women’s Width | UK Width | German DIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 8.0 cm | B (Narrow) | AA (X-Narrow) | C (men) / B (women) | E–F |
| 8.0–8.5 cm | B–C | AA–A | D (men) / B–C (women) | F–G |
| 8.5–9.0 cm | D (Medium) | B (Medium) | E (men) / D (women) | G |
| 9.0–9.5 cm | E (Wide) | C–D (Wide) | F (men) / E (women) | H |
| 9.5–10.0 cm | 2E (X-Wide) | D–E (Wide) | G (men) / F (women) | K |
| Over 10.0 cm | 3E–4E | 2E–3E | H+ | K+ |
Note: These ranges are approximate for size 9–10 (US men’s) / size 7–8 (US women’s). Exact measurements vary by shoe size — use our Men’s or Women’s width charts for precise measurements by size.
International Brand Width Guide
| Brand | Country | Width System Used | Fit Notes for US Buyers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarks | UK | UK (B–H) | UK E = US D (men’s standard). Wide US feet need UK F or G. |
| Birkenstock | Germany | Regular / Narrow | Regular ≈ US D–E. Narrow ≈ US B–C. Adjustable straps help. |
| Ecco | Denmark | No standard — naturally narrow | Runs narrow. Good for US B–C men / AA–A women without special ordering. |
| ASICS | Japan | JIS (D–4E) / US for US market | US market uses US width codes. JIS versions run wider than US label suggests. |
| Mizuno | Japan | JIS (D–4E) / US for US market | Naturally narrow last suits slim feet. AA women’s available in select styles. |
| Geox | Italy | No width designation | Standard only. Runs narrow — suitable for US B–C men / AA women. |
| Gabor | Germany | German DIN (E–K) | G = standard. H = wide. Women’s specialist brand. |
| Ara | Germany | German DIN (F–K) | Good wide range for women. K ≈ US 2E. Available through specialty retailers. |
| R.M. Williams | Australia | UK system | Follows UK E = standard. Chelsea boot specialist — narrow heel by design. |
| Blundstone | Australia | Single width | Standard only. Elastic side panels accommodate some width variation. |
Find Your Width in Any System
Your foot measurement in centimeters is the one number that works across every sizing system. Measure once and convert to any width code in the world.
How to Measure → US Width Codes →Frequently Asked Questions
No — UK and US shoe width codes use different letter scales. The most important difference: UK E is the standard men’s medium, while US E is wide. If you’re buying UK shoes and wear US D (medium), you want UK E. If you wear US E (wide), you want UK F. For women: UK D is the standard women’s width, while US B is the standard. Always check the brand’s specific size guide when buying across systems, as individual brands sometimes deviate from the standard conventions.
European shoes tend to be built on narrower lasts than American shoes because European feet average slightly narrower than American feet — a real measured population difference, not a stereotype. Additionally, European fashion footwear traditionally prioritizes a slim silhouette. When a European shoe is labeled “standard” or has no width marking, that standard is narrower than a US standard D or B. Wide-footed Americans frequently find even labeled “wide” European shoes feel snug compared to US equivalents.
In the Japanese JIS system, E is the standard men’s width — roughly equivalent to US D (medium). Japanese shoes sold in Japan labeled E are standard width. However, many Japanese running brands (ASICS, Mizuno) sell in the US using US width designations rather than JIS codes, so US-market ASICS shoes labeled D are using the US D definition. If you’re buying shoes directly from Japan or from a Japanese retailer, use the JIS conversion table above to find your equivalent.
The most reliable method is to use your foot measurement in centimeters rather than trying to convert between code systems. Measure your foot width at the ball of the foot, note the measurement in centimeters, and compare to the brand’s published width measurement chart if available. If the brand doesn’t publish measurements, use the conversion table on this page as a starting point. Most European brands publish their widths in millimeters on their size guides — your cm measurement converts directly to mm by multiplying by 10.
Birkenstock “Regular” width runs approximately US D–E, so it is on the wider side of standard. Many people with average to wide feet find Birkenstock Regular fits well. Birkenstock “Narrow” runs approximately US B–C. Birkenstock’s adjustable straps also mean that moderate width variation is accommodated by strap adjustment rather than width selection alone — particularly in open sandal styles. For closed-toe Birkenstock styles, width selection matters more because there are no straps to adjust.