Men's New Balance running widths run B Narrow, D Standard, 2E Wide, 4E X-Wide, and 6E XX-Wide. Women's running widths run 2A Narrow, B Standard, D Wide, and 2E X-Wide. These codes control room across the ball of the foot, not shoe length.
Standard fit is D for men and B for women, so the same letter fits differently by gender. Shoppers moving between men's and women's shoes need to convert the code rather than reuse it. The right starting point is the larger foot matched to that exact model's chart.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- What do the width letters mean?
- How should you measure before you order?
- Why doesn't every shoe offer every width?
- Should you go wider or narrower?
What do the width letters mean?
The Sneakerjagers sizing guide lists five stepped men's options from B through 6E Sneakerjagers sizing guide. That range gives narrow-footed runners a true narrow choice and very wide-footed runners two extra-wide steps. Women's options run 2A, B, D, and 2E on the same source chart. Fleet Feet Tulsa identifies D as the men's default and B as the women's default Fleet Feet Tulsa New Balance guide.
A women's B therefore matches a men's D in role, not in measurement. Cross-gender shoppers should translate standard to standard and wide to wide. Kids' shoes use a simpler scheme than adult letter codes. Sneakerjagers lists M for Standard and W for Wide in kids' sizes. Parents should look for M or W rather than hunting for D or 2E.
How should you measure before you order?
The Outsons size and width guide recommends tracing each foot and measuring both length and width Outsons size and width guide. Paper tracing captures heel-to-toe length and across-ball width in a running stance.
Socks worn for running make the numbers more useful. Charts can differ by product, so use the chart tied to the shoe under review. Recheck both feet when changing models, seasons, or sock thickness.
- Trace each foot on paper while standing.
- Measure heel-to-toe length and across-ball width.
- Use the larger foot for size selection.
- Match those numbers to that product's New Balance chart.
Why doesn't every shoe offer every width?
Width availability is model-specific rather than universal across the line. The Run & Become wide-feet guide notes the men's 1080 offers Wide 2E and Extra-Wide 4E while the women's 1080 offers Wide D Run & Become wide-feet guide. Not every narrow-to-wide option exists in each shoe.
That limit matters when a runner falls in love with one model. A 4E men's fit in one franchise may have no direct match in another. Check the width menu on the exact model and gender before setting expectations.
Should you go wider or narrower?
Tightness over the midfoot points toward a wider size, according to the Run & Become wide-feet guide. Heel slipping points the other way, toward a narrower fit. Test both signals on a run-length walk, not seated only.
Wide fittings also add depth and volume beyond side-to-side room. That extra space can help runners managing bunions or hammertoes. Choose the narrowest width that still clears the midfoot without heel lift.