New Balance Shoe Sizing Guide: Do They Run Small?
New Balance runs slightly large — about half a size more than Nike or Adidas at the same label — so many buyers take half a size down from their usual US size. The bigger story is width: New Balance offers the widest range in mainstream footwear, from narrow B all the way to 6E, which is why it is the default recommendation for wide feet.
Across our data New Balance runs large: 4% of wearers report it runs small, 44% true to size and 52% large.
New Balance sizing philosophy
New Balance has built its identity around width rather than length. While most brands ship a single standard (D) width, New Balance grades the same shoe across multiple widths — narrow, standard, wide and extra-wide — which is a genuine manufacturing commitment few competitors match. For a wide-footed buyer that is transformative: the fix is a wider shoe, not a longer one.
On length, New Balance lasts run a little roomier than Nike or Adidas, which is the source of the "runs large" reputation. The gap is not constant — it widens with size, so a half-size-down rule that works at US 8 can become closer to a full size at US 12. The numerical line (NB ≈ half a size larger than Nike) is a useful default, not a precise constant.
How New Balance models differ
There is no single "New Balance size" — different lines are graded on different lasts. Here is how the key models compare:
- 990 / 992 / 993 (Made in USA)
- The flagship dad-shoe line. True to size or half a size down, and available in multiple widths — the reason these are a wide-foot staple.
- 327 / 574 lifestyle
- Slightly roomier and more forgiving; most people go true to size, though some size down half for a snugger look.
- Fresh Foam / FuelCell running
- True to size for length but built more snugly than the lifestyle line — read each model, since the running lasts vary.
Practical sizing advice
If you normally wear US 9, start by checking New Balance in US 8.5 — and if your feet are wide, choose a 2E or 4E width before changing the length.
If your feet are wide
This is the brand for wide feet. New Balance offers up to 6E (extra-extra-wide) on many models — the broadest width range in mainstream footwear. Always solve a width problem with a wider grade (2E, 4E, 6E) rather than sizing up, which only adds length you do not need.
If you wear US 9, start by checking New Balance in US 8.5
This table starts from the US size you wear in a true-to-size brand, converts it to a foot length, and applies New Balance's measured fit so you can see the first size to check — plus the UK, EU and CM equivalents.
| You normally wear (US) | Foot length | Check New Balance (US) | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US 7 | 246mm | US 6.5 | 6 | 37 | 24.5 |
| US 8 | 254mm | US 7.5 | 7 | 38 | 25.5 |
| US 9 | 262mm | US 8.5 | 8 | 39 | 26 |
| US 10 | 271mm | US 9.5 | 9 | 41 | 27 |
| US 11 | 279mm | US 10.5 | 10 | 42 | 28 |
| US 12 | 288mm | US 11.5 | 11 | 43 | 29 |
EU sizes are always rounded to a whole size — there is no exact half-size equivalent. The recommended New Balance size applies this brand's average fit; individual models still vary, so check the model notes above.
Full New Balance size conversion
For the complete New Balance size chart with US, UK, EU and CM by foot length, the reported-fit distribution and our sources, visit the New Balance brand hub.
New Balance size guide & converter →
New Balance offers wider widths (2E, 4E) — see the brand hub for the full width breakdown.