Work boot size chart: US men's, women's and EU

US men's, UK and EU size chart

The table below uses a commonly published conversion. Half sizes in EU vary between brands, so treat them as approximate. Some brands, especially European ones, also label boots only in EU sizes and use their own table.

US women's to US men's size chart

The common industry rule is that US women's equals US men's plus 1.5. Some brands use a difference of 1 or 2 sizes instead, so check the brand chart when switching between their men's and women's lines. Many women wear men's work boots because of the wider choice of safety features and heights, which makes this conversion one of the most useful.

See the best women's work boots →

Work boot width letters

Width is as important as length, and it is where many people go wrong. In men's sizing, D is the standard or medium width. In women's sizing, B is the standard width. Wider feet move up the letters.

• A women's B is roughly a men's narrow B.
• A men's D is roughly a women's D or E.
• Moving from women's to men's, subtract about 1.5 sizes and drop about two width letters. For example, a women's 9 D is roughly a men's 7.5 B.

Note.Width names are not consistent across brands. One brand's W may be an EE and another's an E. Check the brand chart. See the work boot width chart for more.

Why each brand's chart wins

Boots are built on a last, a foot-shaped form that sets the length, width, toe shape and instep height. Brands use different lasts, and even one brand uses several. That is why you can be a 10 D in one boot and a 10.5 in another. Heritage style boots in particular are often known for running large or small, and many brands publish guidance on how a specific model fits.

Safety toes add another variable. The cap shape and height differ between steel, alloy and composite toes and between brands, so a boot can be the right length but still crowd the toes. See are Red Wing boots true to size and are Thorogood boots true to size for two brands people ask about most.

How to measure your foot at home

A Brannock device at a shoe store gives length, arch length and width in one step and is worth using if you can. Then follow the fit check in how should work boots fit.

1. 1

   Measure in the evening, wearing your work socks.

2. 2

   Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall and weight on the foot.

3. 3

   Mark the tip of your longest toe and the widest points on each side of the forefoot.

4. 4

   Measure heel-to-toe length and the width across the forefoot.

5. 5

   Measure both feet and use the larger one.

6. 6

   Compare your length and width to the brand's own size chart, which usually lists foot length for each size.

Frequently asked questions

Do steel toe boots run small? Not by rule, but the cap does not stretch, so a boot that is snug at the toes stays that way. Many people wear their normal size; size up only if the cap presses your toes. See should you size up in work boots.

What is the difference between men's and women's work boot sizes? Usually about 1.5 sizes in length, and women's lasts are typically narrower in the heel. Check the brand chart.

What width is a W or wide work boot? Often E or EE in men's sizing, but it varies by brand.

Can I use my sneaker size for work boots? It is a starting point. Work boots are often sized differently from athletic shoes, so measure and check the brand chart.