Women’s shoe widths are one of the most misunderstood areas of footwear sizing. Most women have only ever bought B width — the standard — without knowing it. Many who feel their shoes are too tight actually need a D or E width, not a larger size. And women with narrow feet often size down unnecessarily when an AA width would solve the problem.

This chart covers every women’s shoe width from AAA (extra narrow) through 3E (extra wide), for US sizes 4 through 13, with measurements in both inches and centimeters.

Women’s Shoe Width Chart — All Widths

Measurements are in inches at the ball of foot. Each width increment adds approximately 1/8 inch (3mm).

★ B width is the standard/medium width for women. If a shoe has no width marking, it is B width.

Women’s Shoe Width Chart — Centimeters

Key widths in centimeters for international shoppers or metric measurement.

Women’s Shoe Width Codes Explained

Women’s widths use more narrow options than men’s — starting at AAA — because women’s feet are proportionally narrower on average. Here is every code you’ll see when shopping:

How Women’s Foot Width Changes Over Time

Pregnancy

During pregnancy the body releases relaxin, a hormone that loosens ligaments throughout the body — including those in the feet. This allows the foot to spread and flatten, often increasing foot width by a half width or more. This change is frequently permanent. Many women find after their first pregnancy that they need a wider shoe for the rest of their lives.

Aging

After age 40, the fat pad under the foot gradually thins and arch ligaments loosen, causing the foot to spread. It’s common for women to gain a full width category over a decade. A woman who wore AA narrow in her 30s may find B standard comfortable in her 50s and D wide by her 70s. Re-measuring every few years is worthwhile.

Weight Changes

Significant weight gain increases pressure on the feet, accelerating natural spreading. Even modest weight gain of 20–30 pounds can push feet into a wider width category. Conversely, significant weight loss may allow feet to narrow slightly, though ligament changes from prior stretching are often irreversible.

Guide for Women with Narrow Feet

Women with AA or AAA width feet face a real shopping challenge. Standard B-width shoes feel sloppy and heels slip constantly. Look for shoes with laces, ankle straps, T-bars, or buckles — any closure that lets you cinch the shoe to your actual foot width. Brands with the best narrow women’s selection include Naturalizer (AA in many styles), New Balance (2A in athletic), and Rockport. Adding a thin insole to a standard-width shoe can also reduce excess volume for mildly narrow feet — see our Insoles & Fit guide.

Guide for Women with Wide Feet

Women with D, E, or 2E width feet have more options today than ever. The brands that consistently offer wide women’s options:

How to Measure Your Foot Width

Signs Your Shoes Are the Wrong Width

Too narrow:

Bunions forming or worsening. Calluses on the outer edge of the little toe. Toenails bruising or becoming ingrown. A visible bulge of foot flesh over the shoe edge. Blisters in the same spots every time. Toes overlapping or being pushed together. Ball of foot aching after an hour of wear.

Too wide:

Heel slipping with every step. Foot sliding forward causing toes to hit the front. Blisters on the back of the heel. Having to tie laces extremely tight just to feel secure. The shoe feeling floppy on uneven surfaces.

Need wider, not longer:

If your shoes fit in length but feel tight across the ball of your foot or toes, the answer is a wider width — not a larger size. Sizing up in length moves the shoe’s wide point forward without giving you more room where you actually need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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