Are you wondering what D means in shoe size? Well, you did well searching for it, as knowing what it means is super important. How? Well, knowing about the D letter will help you choose the right shoes.
Here’s a short answer:
But how can you know the “D” shoes are for you? Well, for this you should know lots of things, which we are explaining in this guide.
So, continue reading!
What Does D Mean In Shoe Size?
Shoe sizes involve two main dimensions: length and width. People usually know about the length (the numerical part of the size) and often overlook the width. However, if you want your shoes to fit correctly, you should also know all about the width.
Manufacturers use letters like “D” to indicate the width of a shoe.
D Size For Men’s Shoes
For men's shoes, “D” represents a medium width, which is the standard or most common width for men's footwear. For example, when you see a shoe size labeled “10D,” it means the shoe is size 10 in length and medium (D) in width.
So, if you're a guy shopping for shoes and you don't have particularly narrow or wide feet, “D” width is likely your go-to size.
D Size For Women’s Shoes
In women's footwear, “D” means the shoe is wide. So, if you're a woman with wider feet, you should look for shoes marked with “D.”
Note that the usual standard width for women's shoes is “B” (which is “D” in Men’s).
You may have also seen many other letters on the shoes. If you want to purchase the right shoe pair, it’s crucial you also know about them. Keep reading.
What Are the Differences Between A, B, C, D, E, and EE Widths?
Now, you know what the letter D means on the shoes. When shopping, you will also see many other letters. It’s important to know what they mean and how they are different from the letter “D” shoes.
Here’s a table explaining it:
|
Width Label |
Description |
|
A |
The narrowest width, suitable for very slim feet. |
|
B |
Slightly narrow, standard for women's shoes, narrower for men. |
|
C |
Narrower than medium but not as narrow as B. |
|
D |
Medium width for men, wide for women. |
|
E |
Wider than medium, more spacious. |
|
EE |
One of the widest options, very roomy. |
Now, the details.
A Width: The Narrowest Option
If you see the letter “A'” on the shoes, it means they are the narrowest. Such shoes are not common, but you can still find them online. They are perfect for those with particularly slim feet.
If regular shoes often feel too roomy for you, you can consider buying an “A” width shoe pair.
B and C Widths
In men’s footwear, “B” and “C” widths are considered narrow. Note that the “C” width is a little roomier than the B.
In women’s footwear, the “B” width is not narrow. In fact, it’s standard.
D Width: The Gold Standard for Men
“D” width is the most common, especially in men's shoes. It's considered a medium width (which means Standard). That’s why you will see lots of shoes with the label D.
In women's shoes, “D” is wider than the standard, which means they have extra room.
E and EE Widths
“E” and “EE” shoes are for those who have unusually large feet. “E” is broader than medium, and “EE” is even wider. You can also try these shoes if you find regular sizes too restrictive.
But the question is, “How can you accurately measure your foot width?” Well, we’re answering it for you.
How Can You Accurately Measure Your Foot Width at Home?
Many people don’t know whether they should buy “D” shoes or any other. It’s because they have no idea about the foot width, which is why many of them end up with either too-tight or too-narrow sneakers.
Well, worry not. Here’s how you can accurately measure your foot width at home.
First, Gather the Things You'll Need
First things first, let's get everything you need together. Here’s what you will need:
- A piece of paper that's bigger than your foot
- A pen or pencil
- A ruler or a measuring tape
- Some tape to hold the paper down.
After this, choose a spot. Make sure you're measuring your foot on a flat surface. In our experience, a kitchen or living room floor works great.
Take Steps To Measure Your Foot
- Place the Paper on the Floor: Lay your paper on a hard, flat surface. If it's sliding around, use some tape to keep it still.
- Stand for the Best Measurement: Your feet spread out a bit when you stand, so make sure you're standing relaxed. If you usually wear socks with your shoes, then we suggest putting them on here.
- Trace Your Foot: Stand on the paper and trace around your foot with a pen or pencil. A pencil works best as you can erase easily if you make a mistake.
- Measure the Length and Width: Now, take your ruler or measuring tape and measure the longest part of your foot (from your longest toe to your heel). Write this number down. Then, measure the widest part of your foot, which is usually right across the ball of your foot. Write this down too.
- Repeat for Your Other Foot: Do this whole process for your other foot too. It's always better to have all the information.
- Find Your Size on a Chart: Now, you have your foot measurements. You can now look up your size on a shoe size chart.
For women:
|
Shoe Size |
(A) |
(B) |
(C/D) |
|
5 |
2.8″ |
3.2″ |
3.55″ |
|
6 |
2.95″ |
3.3″ |
3.7″ |
|
7 |
3.5″ |
3.45″ |
3.8″ |
|
8 |
3.2″ |
3.5″ |
3.95″ |
|
9 |
3.3″ |
3.7″ |
4.05″ |
|
10 |
3.45″ |
3.8″ |
4.2″ |
|
11 |
3.55″ |
3.95″ |
4.3″ |
|
12 |
3.7″ |
4.05″ |
4.45″ |
For men:
|
Shoe Size |
(C/B) |
(D) |
(E) |
|
5 |
3.2″ |
3.4″ |
3.6″ |
|
6 |
3.3″ |
3.5″ |
3.7″ |
|
7 |
3.4″ |
3.6″ |
3.8″ |
|
8 |
3.5″ |
3.8″ |
3.9″ |
|
9 |
3.6″ |
3.9″ |
4.1″ |
|
10 |
3.8″ |
3.8″ |
4.2″ |
|
11 |
3.9″ |
4.1″ |
4.3″ |
|
12 |
4.0″ |
4.3″ |
4.4″ |
But remember that every shoe is different. We’ve noted that different brands or even different styles from the same brand can fit differently. Therefore, we suggest trying on shoes before you buy them to make sure they feel comfortable.
Moreover, here are some extra tips for the best measurement:
- Do it in the Afternoon: Your feet can swell a bit during the day, so measuring them in the afternoon or evening can give you the most accurate size.
- Consider Your Usual Footwear: If you normally wear thick socks or special insoles, make sure you have those on when measuring.
- Use the Largest Measurement: If one foot is bigger than the other, it’s better to use the measurements from the larger foot.
After knowing your foot measurements, the next thing to do is shopping. We’ve found that some brands offer better D-brand shoes than others. Let’s have a look.
What Are Some Recommended Brands for 'D' Width Shoes?
You now know that “D” is the standard medium width for men and a little wider for women. But note that poor-quality shoes can still cause discomfort (even if you wear the right size).
Don’t worry; after months of research, we can now safely say that these brands are the best when it comes to “D” shoes:
New Balance
New Balance is renowned for its comfortable and supportive athletic shoes. They offer a wide range of “D” width options in both men's and women's sizes. In our opinion, their shoes are ideal for those who lead an active lifestyle.
Nike
Nike is another go-to brand for athletic and casual shoes. Like New Balance, they also have a variety of styles available in “D” width. We think Nike D shoes are a great choice for you if you’re looking to buy sporty or casual-looking sneakers.
Clarks
Clarks is well-known for producing durable and stylish shoes. People prefer wearing them with casual outfits. Fortunately, they also offer a good selection of “D” width sizes, which focuses on comfort.
A lot of people think that Clarks shoes are not easy to clean. Well, that’s not true. In another guide, we’ve explained how you can clean Clarks easily.
Brooks
Brooks should be your first choice if you’re looking for running shoes. They offer various models in “D” width, which you can wear for jogging, running, or any outdoor activity.
Allen Edmonds
For those seeking high-end dress shoes, we recommend Allen Edmonds. Their D shoes are already popular and people love their craftsmanship and classic styles.
That’s all!
Conclusion
All in all, D in the shoe industry means width. In men’s footwear, the letter D means the shoe width is standard or medium. But in women’s footwear, it means the shoes are a little wider than usual/common.
You should measure your feet accurately to know whether the D width is correct for you or not.
If it is, choose brands like Nike, Clarks, etc., as they offer the best shoes!
