Nike Shoe Size Chart: Does Nike Run Big or Small? (2026 US Guide)
I get asked this question more than almost any other brand-specific sizing question, and the honest answer is: it depends which Nike shoe you’re talking about. People come into the store convinced Nike “runs small” because that’s the old reputation, order a size up online, and end up swimming in their Air Force 1s. Others stick with their normal size for a pair of Pegasus running shoes and their toes are jammed by mile three.
Nike isn’t one consistent fit. It’s a brand with a dozen different shoe families, each with its own toe box shape, upper material, and intended use — and that’s exactly why a single “Nike runs small” answer is wrong. Below is the actual breakdown: the real size chart, which models run big or small, and the conversion math Nike uses that trips up almost everyone.
- Air Force 1 → Runs large (size down)
- Dunks → True to size, but narrow (wide feet size up)
- Running shoes (Pegasus, Vomero) → Size up half a size
- Air Jordan 1 / Metcons → True to size
Nike Men’s Shoe Size Chart (US, UK, EU, CM)
| US Men’s | UK | EU | Foot Length (CM) | Foot Length (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24.1 cm | 9.5″ |
| 7 | 6 | 40 | 25.0 cm | 9.8″ |
| 8 | 7 | 41 | 26.0 cm | 10.2″ |
| 9 | 8 | 42.5 | 27.0 cm | 10.6″ |
| 10 | 9 | 44 | 28.0 cm | 11.0″ |
| 11 | 10 | 45 | 29.0 cm | 11.4″ |
| 12 | 11 | 46 | 30.0 cm | 11.8″ |
| 13 | 12 | 47.5 | 31.0 cm | 12.2″ |
Nike Women’s Shoe Size Chart (US, UK, EU, CM)
| US Women’s | UK | EU | Foot Length (CM) | Foot Length (IN) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2.5 | 35.5 | 21.6 cm | 8.5″ |
| 6 | 3.5 | 36.5 | 22.5 cm | 8.9″ |
| 7 | 4.5 | 38 | 23.5 cm | 9.3″ |
| 8 | 5.5 | 39 | 24.1 cm | 9.5″ |
| 9 | 6.5 | 40.5 | 25.0 cm | 9.8″ |
| 10 | 7.5 | 42 | 26.0 cm | 10.2″ |
| 11 | 8.5 | 43 | 27.0 cm | 10.6″ |
Always measure foot length in CM for the most accurate conversion — sizing labels can vary slightly between shoe categories even within Nike’s own range.
Men’s to Women’s Nike Sizing — The 1.5 Size Rule
This is where most people get tripped up, and it’s a genuinely different rule than what other brands use. Most athletic brands use a 1 full size offset between men’s and women’s sizing. Nike uses a 1.5 size offset.
Men’s US 7 = Women’s US 8.5 · Men’s US 9 = Women’s US 10.5 · Men’s US 10 = Women’s US 11.5
If you’re buying a unisex Nike release and trying to convert from a men’s size you already know, add 1.5 — not 1. This is one of the most common Nike sizing mistakes, especially on unisex sneaker drops where only men’s sizing is listed.
Model-by-Model Nike Fit Notes
Knowing the general Nike size chart only gets you halfway there. Fit varies meaningfully by shoe family. Here’s what two decades of fitting customers — combined with current lab testing data — actually shows:
The roomiest toe box in Nike’s lineup. Most wearers find these run about half a size large. If you’re between sizes, size down.
Accurate in length, but narrower than the Air Force 1. Standard feet: normal size. Wide feet: size up half a size.
Standard width, neither roomy nor tight. Most people buy their regular size. 90s retro releases can run slightly narrower.
Built for a secure performance fit and feet swell during runs. Size up half a size. Also available in Wide/XW.
Narrower and more snug than most lifestyle silhouettes. Average-to-wide feet should consider sizing up.
Minimalist, sock-like fit for natural movement. Intentionally snug — true to size for most, tight for wide feet.
Wide, stable toe box built for lifting and cross-training. True to size with more width room than most Nike models.
Did Nike Used to Run Small? (Yes — Here’s What Changed)
If you’ve heard people say “Nike always runs small,” that reputation isn’t entirely made up — it’s just outdated. Independent lab testing across 40+ shoe brands found that older Nike models genuinely ran narrower and smaller than the industry average.
Nike has widened the toe box on most of its core running and lifestyle silhouettes over recent product cycles. Current lab testing shows today’s Nike releases sit consistent with the broader athletic shoe industry average — not narrow or small like the old reputation suggests. When in doubt, check fit notes for the specific model rather than relying on the brand’s old reputation.
Nike Width Options — Which Models Come in Wide?
Unlike Brooks or New Balance, Nike doesn’t offer multiple widths across most of its lineup. Wide and Extra Wide options exist, but only on a specific handful of popular running models:
If you have wide feet and want a Nike running shoe, these six models are your best starting point. For lifestyle and basketball lines (Air Force 1, Dunk, Air Jordan), wide options are rare — sizing up half a size in standard width is usually the workaround.
How to Measure Your Foot for Nike Shoes (Nike’s Own Method)
This is the same method Nike’s own size guide recommends, and it’s the most reliable way to get an accurate size before ordering online:
- Tape a piece of paper to a hard, flat floor so it won’t slip.
- Stand on the paper with feet shoulder-width apart, weight evenly balanced, one foot at a time.
- Holding a pen straight down (not at an angle), have someone mark the tip of your longest toe and the back of your heel.
- Step off and measure the distance between the two marks with a ruler.
- Repeat for the other foot — most people have one foot slightly larger than the other.
- Use the larger foot’s measurement and match it to the CM column above for the most accurate result.
If your measurement lands exactly between two sizes, Nike’s own guidance is to size up rather than down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most current Nike models run true to size overall. Exceptions include the Air Force 1 (runs large) and most running shoes like the Pegasus (which benefit from sizing up half a size due to foot swelling during activity).
Yes, Nike women’s shoes generally run true to size when using the women’s-specific size chart. The confusion usually comes from converting a men’s size — remember Nike uses a 1.5 size offset between men’s and women’s, not the more common 1-size offset other brands use.
If a US 9 is your true-to-size measurement, stick with a 9 for true-to-size models like Air Jordan 1 or Metcons. Size up to 9.5 for running shoes like the Pegasus, and consider sizing down to 8.5 for Air Force 1s.
No. While both are athletic brands, Adidas tends to run slightly larger and roomier in the toe box compared to Nike’s snugger performance fits, particularly in running shoes. Always check foot length in CM rather than assuming your size carries over between brands.
Nike’s kids’ sizing follows its own scale separate from adult sizing, and it’s best to measure your child’s foot directly rather than relying on age alone. See our complete children’s shoe size chart for a full breakdown by age.
