Shoe Widths
Shoe Sizes · 7 specs
Direct Answer
Shoe width classifications standardize forefoot ball joint circumference and sole width relative to shoe length. Measured using the Brannock Device, widths span from 4A/AAAA (Super Slim) to 6E (Maximum Wide), with each letter step representing a 3/16-inch (4.76 mm) increase in ball circumference.
Source: The Brannock Device Company / SATRA Technical Standards · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Governing Standards | The Brannock Device / SATRA TM / ASTM F2413 |
| Standard Medium Width (Men) | D (Medium / Standard fit for North American men) |
| Standard Medium Width (Women) | B (Medium / Standard fit for North American women) |
| Circumference Step Increment | 3/16 inch (0.1875" / 4.76 mm) per letter width step for a given length |
| Narrow Width Scale | 4A (AAAA) | 3A (AAA) | 2A (AA) | A | B | C |
| Wide Width Scale | E | 2E (EE / Wide) | 3E (EEE) | 4E (EEEE / Extra Wide) | 6E (Maximum) |
| Proportional Width Rule | A Size 12B has the same physical width as a Size 10D and a Size 8EE |
Standard Shoe Width Comparison Table
| Width Code | Designation | Men's Width (Size 9) | Women's Width (Size 7) | Ball Girth Offset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4A / AAAA | Super Slim / Extra Narrow | 3.31" (84 mm) | 2.94" (75 mm) | -9/16" (-14.3 mm) |
| 2A / AA | Slim / Narrow | 3.50" (89 mm) | 3.13" (79 mm) | -3/8" (-9.5 mm) |
| B | Narrow (Men) / Medium (Women) | 3.69" (94 mm) | 3.31" (84 mm) | -3/16" (-4.8 mm) |
| D | Medium (Men) / Wide (Women) | 3.88" (98 mm) | 3.50" (89 mm) | Baseline (0") |
| EE / 2E | Wide | 4.06" (103 mm) | 3.69" (94 mm) | +3/16" (+4.8 mm) |
| 4E / EEEE | Extra Wide | 4.25" (108 mm) | 3.88" (98 mm) | +3/8" (+9.5 mm) |
| 6E / EEEEEE | Maximum Wide | 4.44" (113 mm) | 4.06" (103 mm) | +9/16" (+14.3 mm) |
How Width Interacts with Shoe Length
Because human feet naturally widen as they grow longer, letter widths are relative to length, not fixed constants. A shoe's physical width expands by approximately 1/12 inch (2.12 mm) with each full length size step:
- A Size 12 B (Narrow) has approximately the same physical forefoot width as a Size 10 D (Medium) and a Size 8 EE (Wide).
- For women, B is standard medium, 2A is narrow, and D is wide.