How they fitFit question
Do New Balance Run True to Size? Sizes and Width Letters
Do New Balance run true to size, and how do their widths work? The width letters on the 990v6 and 574, men's vs women's, and how to pick a size.
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Fit sheet
- Men's 990v6 widths
- D medium, 2E wide, 4E extra wide
- Zappos
- Women's 990v6 widths
- 2A narrow, B medium, D wide, 2E extra wide
- Zappos
- Men's 574 Core widths
- D medium, 2E wide, 4E extra wide
- Zappos
- Medium width
- D for men, B for women
- Zappos listings
From the makers' own size charts and the sources listed at the end of this page.
New Balance sizing starts with your measured length, and the bigger decision is width. Some New Balance classics come in more than one width: Zappos lists the men’s 990v6 and 574 Core in D, 2E and 4E, and the women’s 990v6 in 2A, B, D and 2E. Order your measured size, then choose the width letter.
That makes New Balance different from most lifestyle sneakers. If an Air Force 1 or a Chuck Taylor feels tight across the foot, the only fix is a longer size. With a New Balance sold in widths, you can keep the length and go wider.
Do New Balance run true to size?
Go by your measured size and the product page, not by brand reputation. Check the fit note on the exact model you are buying, then work through these steps:
- Measure both feet from heel to longest toe and use the longer one.
- Measure width across the widest part of the foot. Our foot measuring guide shows both.
- Find your length on the New Balance size chart.
- Pick the width letter that matches your width measurement.
If you already own a New Balance that fits, the size and width on its label are the best starting point for another pair of the same model.
How do New Balance widths work?
New Balance uses US width letters, and the letters shift between men’s and women’s shoes. Here is how the 990v6 and 574 Core are listed:
| Model | Narrow | Medium | Wide | Extra wide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990v6 (men’s) | Not listed | D | 2E | 4E |
| 990v6 (women’s) | 2A | B | D | 2E |
| 574 Core (men’s) | Not listed | D | 2E | 4E |
Zappos labels the women’s D as “Wide” and the men’s D as “Medium.” That single letter is easy to misread, especially when a woman buys a men’s or unisex pair.
Zappos also writes 2E as “EE.” Both mean the same width. For the full letter system, including narrower and wider steps, see our shoe width chart.
New Balance 990, 574, 550 and 9060
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990, 574, 550 and 9060: which come in wide?
The 990v6 and 574 Core are the two classics with clear width choices on their listings, as the table shows. Both go up to 4E for men.
For the 550 and 9060, check the width selector on the product page before you buy. If it shows one width only, that is the width you get, and a tight fit can only be fixed with a longer size. If your feet are broad, a model with a 2E or 4E option is the safer pick.
Buying secondhand? Resale listings often show only a size number. Ask the seller for the width letter on the label, because a D pair and a 2E pair can look the same in photos. A wide letter you did not ask for can feel loose; a medium you thought was wide can pinch.
Note
A wide letter widens the shoe without making it longer. That is why it is a better fix for a tight forefoot than a half size up, which also adds length at the toe.
Buying New Balance for wide feet
The 990v6 and 574 Core listings give a broad foot real choices. Choose your length first, then pick 2E (men’s) or D (women’s) for wide, or 4E (men’s) and 2E (women’s) for extra wide.
Our guide to wide shoes for men compares New Balance with other brands sold in 2E and 4E, and extra wide shoes covers the widest letters.
New Balance in 2E, 4E and wider
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Related fit guides
Hoka uses the same width letters on the Clifton and Bondi. For how classic court shoes compare, see do sneakers run big or small.
Frequently asked questions
Should I size up or down in New Balance?
Start from your measured length and check the product page for a fit note. On models sold in several widths, such as the 990v6 and 574 Core, a tight fit across the foot is a width question, so try a wider letter before a longer size.
What does 2E mean in New Balance?
On men's New Balance listings, 2E is wide: one step above D, which is medium. 4E is the extra wide step above that. Zappos writes 2E as EE on its width selector.
Is a women's D the same as a men's D in New Balance?
No. On the women's 990v6, D is labeled wide and B is medium. On the men's 990v6, D is medium. The letter means a different width depending on whether the shoe is sized for men or women.
Sources
Filed under How they fitStart with Do Sneakers Run Big or Small? How Popular Models Fit
