I get asked this more than almost anything else, usually by someone who’s just been told by a shop assistant that they “need a wide fit” and has absolutely no idea what that actually means. So let’s clear it up properly.
How Much Wider Is a Wide Fit Shoe, Really?
There isn’t one measurement that applies to every brand. Shoe width fittings aren’t completely standardised, so an E, EE or EEE from one manufacturer won’t necessarily fit exactly the same as the same width from another.
As a general rule, the higher or wider the fitting offered by a particular brand, the more room you should get across the foot. But I always check the manufacturer’s own width guide rather than relying on the letter alone.
If you want the full breakdown of the different width fittings you’re likely to come across, I’ve covered them in my Wide Shoe Widths Explained guide.
Who Actually Needs Wide Fit Shoes?
More people than you’d think, and not always for the reason you’d assume. Wide fit isn’t just for people born with broad feet. In my experience, it’s just as often needed by people whose feet have changed — through swelling, arthritis, bunions, weight changes, or simply age. Feet aren’t fixed for life. Mine certainly haven’t been.
Common signs you might need a wider fit:
- Your shoes leave red marks or indentations across the widest part of your foot
- You regularly buy a size up just for extra width, and your foot still slides around in the length
- Your toes overlap or feel squashed by the end of the day
- You’ve been told you have bunions, hammer toes, or swelling that changes throughout the day
If you’re not sure, it’s worth actually measuring rather than guessing — my how to measure foot width at home guide takes about five minutes and includes a calculator to help you work out your approximate width.
Does Wide Fit Mean a Different Shape, Not Just Wider?
Sometimes, yes, and this is where people get caught out. A wide fit shoe isn’t necessarily just a standard shoe made a little wider. Depending on the brand and model, it may be built on a different last (the mould a shoe is shaped around), giving more room through other parts of the foot as well as across the widest point. That’s why two shoes carrying the same width label can still feel surprisingly different.
For more on choosing the right wide fit shoes once you know your width, my Complete Wide Fit Shoes Guide goes into proper detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is wide fit the same as a bigger size?
No. Wide fit refers to the width across the ball of your foot, not the length. You can be a completely standard shoe size and still need a wider fit, or vice versa.
How do I know if I need wide fit shoes?
If your shoes regularly leave marks, your toes feel squashed, or you buy a bigger size purely for extra width, it’s worth measuring your foot properly rather than guessing.
What does EE or EEE mean in shoe sizing?
EE and EEE are width codes used by some shoe manufacturers, but they aren’t standardised across every brand. Within a particular brand, they usually identify wider fitting options, so it’s best to check that manufacturer’s own width guide rather than relying on the letters alone.
Are wide fit shoes just for people with naturally wide feet?
Not at all. Some people find they need more room in their shoes because of swelling, bunions, arthritis, or changes to their feet over time, rather than because they’ve always had naturally wide feet.
What does a size like “13 wide” mean?
It’s simply a shoe size (13) paired with a width fitting. The number tells you the shoe size, while “wide” or a width code alongside it tells you the fitting. You might see widths written as words, letters or combinations such as E, EE or 2E, depending on the brand, so always check the manufacturer’s own width guide.
About Sue Holland
Sue writes WiderFittingShoes.com from first-hand experience of finding footwear for wide and difficult-to-fit feet. After two hip replacements, two ankle replacements and years of dealing with arthritis, swelling and feet that don’t always behave the same from one day to the next, she shares the practical things she’s learned about shoe fit, width and comfort.