What Does D Mean in Shoe Size?

The letter D in shoe sizing denotes the width of the shoe. Concerning men's shoes, D refers to a medium or normal width, which means this size fits the majority of men. D size indicates a wide width in woman shoes and that beyond the standard width of a woman for footwear. 

In the post, we will walk you through the importance of the width of shoes, history, measurement of feet and size chart in order to choose the suitable size.

Understanding Shoe Sizing

Size refers to the extent of the heel to toe and tends to be a permanent numerical system though width is the width of the shoe as measured versus the ball of your foot and will generally be expressed in letters, such as B for normal, and D for wide.

Systems of fitting shoes are different among regions and countries. The US and Canada have been using the number as the unit of length and letters used as the unit of width, whereas, length employs the same system of numbers with the UK but has different numeration. The length is measured using the Paris point scale as used in the EU; the so-called width letters are not usually used.

The width is important, because the pain, pinching and blistering and foot complications would happen because of the narrow shoes, furthermore, the excessively wide shoes can be overcome and slippery, and they cannot support the foot. Feet need appropriate width in order to become as fit and healthy as possible.

Decoding “D” in Shoe Size

The letter D in shoewear size tends to be used as a representation of the width along the shoe and not length. Width letters were standardized with the use of width letters in the late 19th and early 20th century.

The use addressed the need for better-fitting shoes as mass production grew and the width sizing system was formalized especially in the US with devices like the Brannock Device, invented by Charles F. Brannock in 1925.

The standard width scale (narrowest to widest), goes from very narrow (AAA, AA, A) to medium (B, C, D) to wide and extra-wide (E, EE, EEE). The width letters are used to design shoe lasts in shoe manufacturing to give it appropriate fit in terms of widths and manufacturers commonly alter the width and volume according to the width letters so as to accommodate different girths in terms of foot size.

For Men: What Does “D” Mean?

In the men sizes, the letter D specifies an average shoe size in width that is in most occasions the common shoe width. Such a width fits men with normal feet neither too narrow nor too wide and does not feel tight so that it pinches the feet or loose so it is too tight.

For Women: What Does “D” Mean?

The D in the shoe sizes to women is a wider size compared with the part which is marked B. Women with wider feet or exposed to pressures usually need the D width to relieve pain like blisters and pressure points. Wearing poorly fitting narrow shoes can cause foot soreness and even inability to stand steadily, so D-width shoes will provide an extra fit and support to those whose foot configuration is a broader one.

Shoe Width Size Chart

The chart below is a shoe width size chart giving the usual width letters, and the corresponding letters, both male and female.

The common shoe width used in men's footwear is termed as D that fits most men having standard feet size. The narrower letters under D (A, B) have narrower widths to be worked on thinner feet and have the wider letters (E, EE) for wider footfall to be worked on.

In the case of women's shoes, the standard width is denoted as B. D and E represent increasingly broad fitting to women who have wide feet.

In case you have measured your foot width, take up the lettered width of the shoe which corresponds to your foot width, but if you do not know your foot width correctly, follow the standard one. When you find you cannot get the shoe on easily on the sides, take the next available width; when they come on too loose, take the narrower width.

Why Shoe Width and the “D” Size Matter?

The width of the shoes including the D size is important since it has a direct impact on comfort, stability and health of the feet. The adequate width can reduce the pressure and lower the instances of friction, pains, blisters and bunions due to the tight and small shoes, and wider shoes are unstable, result in sliding of the foot and involve risk of injury.

Orthopedists and podiatrists also stress proper width of the shoes in avoiding chronic foot issues and locomotion.

How to Determine Your Correct Shoe Width

1. Materials: Find a sheet of paper, pen or pencil and a ruler or any tape measure and wear socks that you will wear with the shoes.
2. Trace your foot: Press foot up on the paper and use the pen trace an outline of your foot by rotating the pen at 90 degrees to the paper.
3. Measure width: You can measure across the widest parts with the ruler or the tape the width of the foot.
4. Get the other foot measured: Feet are slightly different so measure both feet and take the bigger measurement to fit.
5. Check your sizes: Checking your width against the size chart letter width on your online shoes-seller.

A Brannock is more accurate in terms of measuring length and width, professional fitting services with this tool are offered by many stores. Noteworthy, feet can become broader in middle and old age as well as other diseases including swollen feet or arthritis as people age.

Tips for Getting the Right Fit

Where possible, go and wear shoes in a store. Athletes are encouraged to wear those that fit well and have the right arch and heel support. Such medical conditions as swelling, arthritis might require wider or extra-deep pairs of shoes, so in the process of purchasing, enquire staffs about the width options, shop refund policies and whether the shoes suit your foot shape.

FAQ

Is “D” width the same across all brands?

No, the D width is not actually the same because of different production standards. Some brands run narrow or wide even on the nominal width letter and there is also no internationally agreed inch or millimetre for the D width can be compared. Such factors as country of manufacturing or type of design of brand can influence fit, thus consulting the individual brand size charts and trying the shoes on to ensure the most suitable fit.

What to do if you’re between widths?

In case you are between sizes, wear both sizes (e.g. D and E) to see which is the one that fits you. Think about wearing insoles or thicker socks to tighten up. Brands that provide half-width are to be sought, and bear in mind that fit is also determined by the shape and cushioning of the shoe, hence comfort differs with different brands and styles.

Is shoe width sizing consistent in children’s shoes?

Sizing of shoes in width is not as consistent in kids shoes as they are in adults. Children have less choices on the width. Medium, wide and extra-wide, letters usually abbreviated as M or B, W or D, and EW or 2E are common widths used with kids, although not all brands maintain them. Properly fit can achieve natural development for growing feet and thus avoiding the development of discomfort or deformities. Assessment and measurement should be done using tools such as the Brannock device and through professional measurement of the children so as to ensure an accurate fit of the shoe.