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foot measurement

Nike Shoe Sizes Explained: How to Find the Right Fit

Measure both feet, use the longer measurement with the chart for your shoe’s category, and check the style’s Size Guide. Nike recommends sizing up between chart sizes.

By TheFinanceBase Team 3 min read
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For the most reliable Nike shoe fit, measure both feet while standing, use the longer measurement with the size chart for the shoe’s sizing category, and check the Size Guide on that exact product page. If your measurement falls between listed sizes, Nike recommends sizing up. The CM value on a shoe label is not necessarily the same as your measured foot length in centimeters.

How do Nike shoes run?

There is no single fit that applies to every Nike shoe. Design and intended activity can change how the same size feels, so Nike recommends checking the style-specific Size Guide on the product page and assessing the shoe for its intended movement. For example, Nike says soccer cleats are designed to fit true to size but may feel different from a lifestyle shoe such as an Air Force 1 because they serve a different purpose.

Use the product page’s guide as the final reference rather than assuming a size that works in one Nike model will feel identical in another. Nike organizes size charts by category, including men’s, women’s and kids’ footwear, and links the relevant guide from product pages. Live charts and available sizes may vary by market and style.

How to measure your feet for Nike shoes

You can measure at home with paper and a pen; a flexible measuring tape is optional if you want help recording the distance. Measure both feet because they may not be the same length, and use the longer result when consulting the chart.

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  1. Place a sheet of paper on a hard floor with one edge against a wall.
  2. Stand on the paper with your heel lightly against the wall and your weight balanced.
  3. Mark the paper at the end of your longest toe.
  4. Measure from the paper edge at the wall to the mark.
  5. Repeat for the other foot and use the longer measurement.

How to use a Nike size chart

Choose the chart that matches the sizing category shown for the shoe, then match your measured foot length to the chart. Nike’s charts distinguish measured foot length from the CM size printed on a shoe box or label; do not assume those figures are interchangeable. Check the Size Guide on the exact shoe’s product page, since its guidance is specific to that style and category.

Nike’s US men’s chart includes corresponding women’s and kids’ rows, and the women’s chart includes a men’s row. Those chart rows can help with conversions, but they do not replace the product listing or a market-specific chart. Follow the sizing displayed for the shoe you are buying.

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Should you size up in Nike shoes?

Yes, if your foot measurement falls between the sizes listed on the relevant chart, Nike recommends choosing the larger size. Its men’s and women’s charts state, “If the measurement is between sizes, we recommend sizing up.” Nike’s kids’ chart also explicitly advises sizing up between sizes.

What if you need a wider fit?

Nike’s men’s and women’s charts describe wide shoes as having about 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) more toe-box girth than regular-width shoes, and extra-wide shoes as having about 1.27 cm (1/2 inch) more girth than regular-width shoes. These are chart descriptions, not a guarantee that every model will feel the same; check which widths are offered for the specific shoe.

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How to check whether a Nike shoe fits

Try the shoe while mimicking the movement it is designed for. Nike identifies toe-box pinching, heel or ankle irritation, an arch that does not sit in the right place, and heel slippage as signs that the fit may be wrong.

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  • Toe box: Notice whether your toes feel pinched during movement.
  • Heel and ankle: Check for irritation or slipping at the heel.
  • Arch: Pay attention to whether the arch support aligns comfortably with your foot.
  • Activity: Walk, run or move in the way the shoe is intended to be used; a comfortable fit at rest may feel different in motion.

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