Last Updated on September 25, 2026
Quick answer: Wide-feet questions. If standard shoes pinch across the ball of your foot, leave red marks along the sides or force you to size up just for extra room, you may need a wide or extra-wide size. Men’s wide shoes are commonly labelled 2E and women’s wide shoes D, but brand fit varies. For measuring instructions and width charts, use our wide-feet measurement guide. If you are unsure whether the issue is width or just toe-box shape, see wide shoes vs. wide toe box.
Wide Feet FAQ
Common signs include pressure across the ball of the foot, red marks along the sides, forefoot bulging over the edge of the sole and needing a longer size just to get enough room. Measuring foot width gives you a better answer than guessing from comfort alone.
Stand with full weight on a sheet of paper, trace the foot and measure across the widest part of the forefoot. Measure both feet later in the day and use the wider measurement. Compare the result with a width chart for your shoe size. See our full measuring guide and width charts.
D is commonly standard width for men, 2E is wide, 4E is extra wide and 6E is an even wider option offered by a smaller number of brands and models. Exact fit still varies by brand.
B is commonly standard width for women, D is wide and 2E is extra wide. Some brands also use labels such as W or WW instead of letter-width codes.
Usually not as the first fix. A longer shoe can cause heel slip without solving the forefoot shape. Try the same length in a wider size or a roomier toe-box model first.
No. A wide shoe increases overall width or volume, while a wide toe box describes the shape at the front of the shoe. Some people need one without the other. See our wide shoes vs. wide toe-box guide.
New Balance and Propet are among the brands that offer some models beyond standard wide sizing, while Brooks, Hoka, Asics and others offer selected wide and extra-wide options. Availability varies by model and gender.
For current recommendations, compare our best wide walking shoes, best wide work shoes, best wide toe-box shoes and best 4E, 5E and 6E shoes for very wide feet. If you want help choosing a specific model, use the Free Shoe Finder.
For a current example at the very-wide end of the spectrum, the Orthofeet Edgewater Stretch is available up to 6E in black and combines that width with a stretch upper and extra depth.
