Help! How Do I Know If I Have Wide Feet? (2024)

FAQs

Help! How Do I Know If I Have Wide Feet? ›

Wide feet have a broader forefoot and there may be a noticeable spreading of the toes. Get a Professional Measurement. For the most accurate determination, consider getting your feet measured professionally at a shoe store. They can provide precise measurements and advice on shoe sizes and widths.

To determine if you have wide or narrow feet, measure the widest part of your foot using a ruler or foot-measuring device. Refer to shoe charts provided by manufacturers, where width options include narrow, medium or standard, wide, and extra wide.

Some procedures may lessen the width of a person's foot. Foot-narrowing surgery, often dubbed the “Cinderella procedure,” has become trendy among women who want to fit into pointy, high-heeled shoes. Doctors can shorten toes by removing an entire knuckle of the toe and pinning the bones back together.

Depending on how much weight you lose, your shoes may feel looser. The structure of your foot has not shrunk, and the frames of your feet are still the same. However, the weight loss can result in the loss of fat in your feet and reduced inflammation.

Whether it's genetics, high-impact activities, going barefoot too often, or being obese, flat feet cause your feet to become wider. If you suspect you might have wide feet or if you have any other foot problems or issues mentioned above, don't hesitate to visit us at Foot & Ankle Specialists of Central PA. Dr.

E/2E/4E Widths

For men, a 2E is considered a Wide shoe, while a 4E or larger will be considered Extra Wide. For women, a 2E or larger is considered an Extra Wide shoe. Some shoes are available in sizes larger than 10E, which is more common for diabetic shoes.

Consider standard door sizes

Common widths for internal doors range from 520mm to 920mm, while external door widths often fall between 820mm to 920mm.

Podiatrists commonly recommend New Balance shoes for their patients, and it's no wonder why. This brand is well-known for its comfortable pairs that offer plenty of arch support and cushioning. New Balance also promotes foot health by catering to varying foot widths.

Look for Horizontal Straps

Choose shoes with horizontal, thicker straps, such as Mary Janes or T-Bar sandals, as they visually break up the foot and create an illusion of a narrower silhouette. However, be cautious with ankle straps, as they can make the feet appear wider and shorter.

How rare is it to have wide feet? ›

Considering the scale of width goes from wide (E) to ultra wide (EEEEEE), wide feet are far from uncommon. It's what leads us to develop wide feet that can be considered abnormal!

Do people's feet change as they get older? They don't change in size, necessarily. But feet may get wider, not longer, as we age. They change in their elasticity the same way other body parts do – tissue becomes less tight, causing the increased width and sagging of the arches.

That chance starts with good extra wide insoles to fit your extra wide shoes. Extra wide insoles will often have heel cups to align the bones of the feet properly, arch supports, cushioning for the ball of the feet and also extra cushioning for the entire foot.

The 8.5 means size 8 1/2. The 'regular' means medium (standard) width. So, an 8m is a size 8 (8.0) regular and an 8.5 is size 8 1/2. If there were an 8W, that would mean 'wide' and an 8N would mean 'narrow'.

D is medium width and wide shoes run from E to EEE. The average American male wears a size 10.5. At that size the difference between each width is about 1/4 of an inch. So, the difference between what is considered a narrow shoe (C) to a wide shoe (E) is roughly a half inch.