How to Convert a Female Shoe Size to a Male Shoe Size

Popular tennis shoes often come in unisex sizes.

Shoe sizing varies by country and even by manufacturer, and some attractive shoes are only made for one gender or another. Men tend to have wider feet and therefore, men's shoes have wider soles. Women with wider feet or foot conditions may find men's shoes more comfortable because they have extra room. Most unisex shoe styles are sized according to men's sizes, so it's helpful to know your size in both women's and men's shoes.

Instructions

1. Measure your foot. You can have this done at a department store or shoe store. You can also average the sizes of the shoes you already own. Tennis shoes and high heels fit differently, so look at the size of similar shoes you own.

2. Subtract 1½ to two sizes from your size in women's shoes to determine your size in men's. If you wear an 8 in women's, try on a 6 in men's. Depending on the shoe, you may have to go up a half size. While shoe sizes effect the length more than the width, if you wear a wide width, try going up a half-size. For narrower feet, try a half-size smaller.

3. Try on both the left and right shoe.People's feet are rarely the same size. Walking around in one shoe that is too small is impossible to fix, but you can add inserts or wear thick socks to make a slightly-too-large shoe fit better. Remember that feet swell throughout the day, especially after prolonged standing. If the shoes are tight and it is early in the day, buy the next half size.

Tips & Warnings

• Higher-end athletic shoes come in varying widths, therefore if the length feels right but the shoe feels loose, ask the salesperson for a narrower width.

References

• Shoes.com: How To Convert Unisex and Men's Sizes