New Balance stands apart in the sneaker world by offering multiple width options, making them the go-to brand for those with wider feet. This comprehensive guide explains New Balance's unique sizing system and helps you find your perfect fit in UK sizes.
What You'll Learn
Understanding New Balance Width Options
What truly sets New Balance apart is their width sizing system. While most brands offer only standard width (which can be problematic for wider feet), New Balance provides multiple options:
| Width Code | Men's Description | Women's Description | Width Measurement |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | Narrow | Standard | Narrow |
| D | Standard | Wide | Medium |
| 2E | Wide | Extra Wide | Wide |
| 4E | Extra Wide | - | Extra Wide |
Note: Not all models are available in all width options. Limited editions and lifestyle models often come in D width only.
General New Balance Sizing Overview
Beyond width options, different New Balance models have their own sizing characteristics. Here's a quick reference guide:
| New Balance Model | Sizing Tendency | Width Profile | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 990 (all versions) | True to size | Medium to wide | TTS in your width |
| 550 | Runs large | Medium to wide | -0.5 UK size |
| 327 | True to size | Narrow to medium | TTS or +0.5 for wide feet |
| 574 | True to size | Medium | TTS in your width |
| 2002R | True to size | Medium | TTS for most feet |
| 1080 | True to size | Medium | TTS in your width |
| Made in UK 991/920 | Runs slightly small | Medium | +0.5 UK size |
TTS = True to Size (your regular UK size)
New Balance 990 Series Sizing Guide
The 990 series (including v3, v4, v5, and v6) is New Balance's premium Made in USA line and one of their most popular models:
Fit profile:
True to size with excellent support and structure
Width options:
Available in multiple widths (D, 2E, 4E)
Materials:
Premium suede and mesh with minimal break-in period
Version differences:
Consistent sizing across v3, v4, v5, and v6
True to size in your appropriate width. For wide feet, choose 2E rather than sizing up in standard width.
New Balance 550 Sizing Guide
The 550 is a retro basketball silhouette that has become one of New Balance's most popular lifestyle models:
Fit profile:
Runs large compared to other New Balance models
Width options:
Generally only available in D width
Materials:
Leather upper with minimal stretch
Toe box:
Roomier than many basketball-inspired sneakers
Go down 0.5 UK size from your standard size. The 550 runs larger than most New Balance models.
Made in UK vs. Made in USA Sizing Differences
New Balance produces premium models in both UK and US factories, with subtle differences in sizing and fit:
Made in UK Models
- Tend to run slightly smaller than their US counterparts
- Include 991, 920, 1500, and select others
- Often have fewer width options
- Slightly different last shapes between factories
For Made in UK models, consider going up 0.5 UK size from your standard New Balance size.
How to Determine Your New Balance Width
Finding your correct width is as important as finding your correct length in New Balance sneakers. Here's how to determine your ideal width:
Measure your foot width:
Place your foot on a piece of paper and trace around it. Measure the widest part of your foot in millimeters.
Compare to the width chart:
For a UK size 9 men's foot, standard D width is approximately 100-104mm, 2E is 105-109mm, and 4E is 110mm+.
Consider your comfort preference:
Some people prefer a snugger fit, while others prefer more room.
If you're borderline:
If you're between widths, try both and see which feels better.
If you've worn other brands exclusively, you might not know your true width needs. Many people with wider feet have been compensating by buying longer shoes. With New Balance, you can get your true length in a wider width for a much better fit.
UK to US New Balance Size Conversion
When shopping for New Balance internationally or reading US-based reviews, use this conversion chart to find your size:
| UK Size | US Men's Size | EU Size | Foot Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK 3.5 | US 4 | EU 36 | 22cm |
| UK 4 | US 4.5 | EU 37 | 22.5cm |
| UK 4.5 | US 5 | EU 37.5 | 23cm |
| UK 5 | US 5.5 | EU 38 | 23.5cm |
| UK 5.5 | US 6 | EU 38.5 | 24cm |
| UK 6 | US 6.5 | EU 39.5 | 24.5cm |
| UK 6.5 | US 7 | EU 40 | 25cm |
| UK 7 | US 7.5 | EU 40.5 | 25.5cm |
| UK 7.5 | US 8 | EU 41.5 | 26cm |
| UK 8 | US 8.5 | EU 42 | 26.5cm |
| UK 8.5 | US 9 | EU 42.5 | 27cm |
| UK 9 | US 9.5 | EU 43 | 27.5cm |
| UK 9.5 | US 10 | EU 44 | 28cm |
| UK 10 | US 10.5 | EU 44.5 | 28.5cm |
| UK 10.5 | US 11 | EU 45 | 29cm |
| UK 11 | US 11.5 | EU 45.5 | 29.5cm |
| UK 11.5 | US 12 | EU 46.5 | 30cm |
| UK 12 | US 12.5 | EU 47 | 30.5cm |
| UK 12.5 | US 13 | EU 47.5 | 31cm |
| UK 13.5 | US 14 | EU 49 | 32cm |
| UK 14.5 | US 15 | EU 50 | 33cm |
| UK 15.5 | US 16 | EU 51 | 34cm |
| UK 16.5 | US 17 | EU 52 | 35cm |
| UK 17.5 | US 18 | EU 53 | 36cm |
| UK 18.5 | US 19 | EU 54 | 37cm |
| UK 19.5 | US 20 | EU 55 | 38cm |
Women's New Balance Size Conversion
Women's New Balance sizing follows a different conversion pattern. Use this chart for accurate women's sizing:
| UK Size | US Women's Size | EU Size | Foot Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK 2 | US 4 | EU 34 | 21cm |
| UK 2.5 | US 4.5 | EU 34.5 | 21.5cm |
| UK 3 | US 5 | EU 35 | 22cm |
| UK 3.5 | US 5.5 | EU 36 | 22.5cm |
| UK 4 | US 6 | EU 36.5 | 23cm |
| UK 4.5 | US 6.5 | EU 37 | 23.5cm |
| UK 5 | US 7 | EU 37.5 | 24cm |
| UK 5.5 | US 7.5 | EU 38 | 24.5cm |
| UK 6 | US 8 | EU 39 | 25cm |
| UK 6.5 | US 8.5 | EU 40 | 25.5cm |
| UK 7 | US 9 | EU 40.5 | 26cm |
| UK 7.5 | US 9.5 | EU 41 | 26.5cm |
| UK 8 | US 10 | EU 41.5 | 27cm |
| UK 8.5 | US 10.5 | EU 42.5 | 27.5cm |
| UK 9 | US 11 | EU 43 | 28cm |
| UK 9.5 | US 11.5 | EU 43.5 | 28.5cm |
| UK 10 | US 12 | EU 44 | 29cm |
| UK 10.5 | US 12.5 | EU 45 | 29.5cm |
| UK 11 | US 13 | EU 45.5 | 30cm |
| UK 11.5 | US 13.5 | EU 46 | 30.5cm |
| UK 12 | US 14 | EU 46.5 | 31cm |
| UK 13 | US 15 | EU 48 | 32cm |
Kids' New Balance Size Conversion
Toddlers and Babies (0-4 years)
| UK Kids | US Kids | EU Kids | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 15 | 8cm |
| 0.5 | 1 | 16 | 8.5cm |
| 1 | 1.5 | 16.5 | 9cm |
| 1.5 | 2 | 17 | 9.5cm |
| 2 | 2.5 | 18 | 10cm |
| 2.5 | 3 | 18.5 | 10.5cm |
| 3 | 3.5 | 19 | 11cm |
| 3.5 | 4 | 20 | 11.5cm |
| 4 | 4.5 | 20.5 | 12cm |
| 4.5 | 5 | 21 | 12.5cm |
| 5 | 5.5 | 21.5 | 13cm |
| 5.5 | 6 | 22.5 | 13.5cm |
| 6 | 6.5 | 23 | 14cm |
| 6.5 | 7 | 23.5 | 14.5cm |
| 7 | 7.5 | 24 | 15cm |
| 7.5 | 8 | 25 | 15.5cm |
| 8 | 8.5 | 25.5 | 16cm |
| 8.5 | 9 | 26 | 16.5cm |
| 9 | 9.5 | 26.5 | 17cm |
| 9.5 | 10 | 27.5 | 17.5cm |
Little Kids (4-8 years) & Big Kids (8-12 years)
| UK Kids | US Kids | EU Kids | Length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10.5 | 28 | 16.5cm |
| 10.5 | 11 | 28.5 | 17cm |
| 11 | 11.5 | 29 | 17.5cm |
| 11.5 | 12 | 30 | 18cm |
| 12 | 12.5 | 30.5 | 18.5cm |
| 12.5 | 13 | 31 | 19cm |
| 13 | 13.5 | 32 | 19.5cm |
| 13.5 | 1 | 32.5 | 20cm |
| 1 | 1.5 | 33 | 20.5cm |
| 1.5 | 2 | 33.5 | 21cm |
| 2 | 2.5 | 34.5 | 21.5cm |
| 2.5 | 3 | 35 | 22cm |
| 3 | 3.5 | 35.5 | 21.5cm |
| 3.5 | 4 | 36 | 22cm |
| 4 | 4.5 | 37 | 22.5cm |
| 4.5 | 5 | 37.5 | 23cm |
| 5 | 5.5 | 38 | 23.5cm |
| 5.5 | 6 | 38.5 | 24cm |
| 6 | 6.5 | 39 | 24.5cm |
| 6.5 | 7 | 40 | 25cm |
Understanding New Balance Width Options
New Balance offers various width options to ensure a comfortable fit for all foot types. Here's a breakdown of the width codes:
| Width Code | Men's Description | Women's Description | Width Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | X-Narrow | X-Narrow | Extra Narrow |
| B | Narrow | Standard | Narrow/Standard |
| D | Standard | Wide | Standard/Wide |
| 2E | Wide | X-Wide | Wide |
| 4E | X-Wide | XX-Wide | Extra Wide |
| 6E | XX-Wide | - | Extra Extra Wide |