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Work boot width chart: D, EE, EEE and 4E

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Short answer

In men's work boots, D is medium or regular, E or EE is wide, EEE is extra wide and 4E (EEEE) is extra-extra wide, with some brands offering 6E. In women's boots, B is medium, C or D is wide, and E or EE is extra wide. Width naming and the actual fit vary by brand and last, so use these letters as a starting point and check the brand's own chart.

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Work boot listings throw around letters like D, 2E, EE, W and 4E, and they do not always mean the same thing from brand to brand. This page is for anyone whose boots pinch at the sides or slop around, and for anyone ordering online. We lay out the common men's and women's width letters in a chart, explain how to tell what width you need, show how women can size into men's boots, and point you to the converter tool for quick lookups.

Men's work boot width chart

These are the width letters most US work boot brands use for men. The letters stack: each extra E is one step wider.

Many brands list wide as W in the title and EE in the size table, which is why you may see the same boot described as Wide and 2E. Always check the size table on the listing.

  • B

    Also written
    Name
    Narrow

  • D

    Also written
    M, R
    Name
    Medium or regular

  • E

    Also written
    Name
    Wide (some brands)

  • EE

    Also written
    2E, W
    Name
    Wide

  • EEE

    Also written
    3E, XW
    Name
    Extra wide

  • EEEE

    Also written
    4E
    Name
    Extra-extra wide

  • 6E

    Also written
    Name
    Offered by a few brands
Men's widths as commonly published

Women's work boot width chart

Women's widths use the same letter system shifted down. A women's medium is B, not D.

A women's B is roughly comparable to a men's narrow, and a men's D is roughly a women's D or E. See the best women's work boots for boots built on women's lasts.

  • AA

    Name
    Narrow

  • B

    Name
    Medium

  • C or D

    Name
    Wide

  • E or EE

    Name
    Extra wide
Women's widths as commonly published

How to tell which width you need

Width is not just about the size of your foot. It depends on the shape of the boot's last, the toe cap and how much volume your foot has at the instep.

Sizing up in length to get more width usually puts the flex point in the wrong place and leaves too much space at the toe. See should you size up in work boots.

Top view of a foot inside a boot: toe room ahead of the longest toe, toes clear of the cap edge, widest point of the foot at the widest point of the boot123Side view of a boot showing that the heel should lift only slightly when walking4
  1. 1Toe room: about a thumb width ahead of the longest toe
  2. 2Toes clear the cap edge: no pressure when you stand or crouch
  3. 3Widest point at the ball: the ball of the foot sits where the boot is widest
  4. 4Minimal heel lift: a little lift is normal in new stiff boots
Check fit standing up, late in the day, with your work socks on.
  1. 1

    Stand on a sheet of paper in the socks you work in and trace your foot, or use a Brannock device at a store.

  2. 2

    Note where your foot is widest, usually across the ball.

  3. 3

    Try a boot in your usual length. If the sides press on the ball of the foot or the little toe rubs the edge of the toe cap, go up one width, not up in length.

  4. 4

    If your heel slips but the forefoot is tight, the boot may be the right length and too narrow up front.

  5. 5

    Recheck at the end of the day, when feet are larger.

Safety toes and width

Width matters more in a safety toe boot because the toe cap does not stretch. Leather can give a little along the sides, but the cap stays the same shape. If your toes feel squeezed at the cap edge, a wider width or a boot with a roomier toe shape is the fix. Composite caps are thicker, and some brands use asymmetric or wider caps for more room.

Read steel toe boots hurting toes and how to stretch steel toe boots for what you can and cannot change.

See boots for wide feet →

Converting women's widths to men's boots

Many women wear men's work boots because of model selection. The common rule is to subtract about 1.5 sizes in length and go down about two width letters. For example, a women's 9 D is roughly a men's 7.5 B. A women's 9 B would be roughly a men's 7.5 narrow, which few work boots offer.

Brands differ, and some use a 1 or 2 size difference instead. The boot size and width converter does the arithmetic and reminds you to check the brand chart.

Note.Treat any conversion as a starting point. Try boots on with work socks and check the return policy before you buy online.

Where to find wide work boots

Many major brands, including Thorogood, Red Wing, Danner, Keen Utility and Carolina, offer popular styles in EE or wide, and some offer EEE. 4E and 6E are less common and often limited to specific models. Listings that include the width in the title, such as 10.5 EE or 11 2E, make it easier to confirm.

Our guide to the best work boots for wide feet focuses on models offered in wider widths. For specific brands, see are Thorogood boots true to size and are Red Wing boots true to size.

Frequently asked questions

Is 2E the same as EE? Yes. 2E and EE are two ways of writing the same width. Likewise 3E is EEE and 4E is EEEE.

Is W the same as EE? For many work boot brands, W in the title means EE. Check the brand's size table to confirm.

What width is a regular work boot? For men, D. For women, B. If a listing shows only a size number, it is usually the regular width.

Can a boot be stretched one width? Leather can be stretched a little, but the toe cap cannot. If a safety toe pinches at the sides, get a wider width.

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