Nike vs New Balance Shoe Size - Which Runs Smaller?

Nike runs about 1 US size small compared to New Balance. If you wear Nike in US 9, start by checking New Balance in US 8. Both brands use the same foot-length measurement; the difference is in the last shape, not the conversion formula.

Nike to New Balance size chart

Starting New Balance size to check when you wear Nike in each US men size.
US Men (Nike) Nike -> New Balance Foot length
7 6 246mm
8 7 254mm
9 8 262mm
10 9 271mm
11 10 279mm

Fit verdict

  • Nike: Runs small (55% of buyers)
  • New Balance: Runs large (50% of buyers)

Why the sizes differ

Nike runs about 1 US size small compared to New Balance, with roughly 8mm between the matched fit records.

Nike foot length is measured in millimetres, then mapped to US size. The New Balance starting size shifts by about 1 US size because of each brand fit bias, not a different conversion formula.