Is B width the same for men and women?

The actual width in millimeters is the same. But B is medium for women (default) and narrow for men. A women's 8.5B fits the same width as a men's 7B — both are 94mm at the ball.

Should I buy B if I have narrow feet?

B is the narrow option for men. For women with narrow feet, B is your standard size — though women's narrow widths exist (A, AA, 2A) for very slim feet. If your B-width women's shoes feel loose at the ball, look at narrow widths.

How much narrower is B than D?

About 6mm narrower at the ball of the foot. B is roughly 94mm at women's 8.5; D is 100mm at the same length. Each width letter step changes by ~3mm.

← All articles

Sizing decoded May 26, 2026 3 min read

What Does B Width Mean in Women's Shoes?

Q: What does B width mean in women's shoes?

B is the standard medium width for women's shoes — about 94mm at the ball of the foot for a US women's 8.5. It's the default; if you don't see a width letter on a women's shoe, it's almost always B.

Q: Do all women's shoes come in B?

Yes — B is the women's standard. If a women's shoe lists no width, it's B. Wide widths (D, E, EE) require seeking out specific brand lines (SAS, Vionic, Munro, athletic-comfort).

B = women's standard medium width. ~94mm at the ball of the foot. The default; almost every women's shoe with no width letter is B.

The Headline

B is women's medium

B is the women's default width — 94mm at the ball of US women's 8.5. If a women's shoe lists no width, it's B.

B Width by Gender

Gender	B = ?	Equivalent
Women's	Standard medium (default)	Most off-the-rack women's shoes
Men's	Narrow	Men's medium = D

B Width in Millimeters

Women's size	B width (mm)
6	87mm
7	90mm
8	92mm
8.5	94mm
9	96mm
10	99mm
11	102mm

Narrower Than B (Women's)

A: Narrow. ~91mm at women's 8.5.

2A / AA: Extra narrow. ~88mm.

3A / AAA: Very narrow. ~85mm. Specialty only.

4A: Ultra narrow. Specialty.

FAQs

What does B width mean in women's shoes?

Standard medium. ~94mm at women's 8.5.

Same for men and women?

Same width in mm; B is narrow for men, medium for women.

Buy B if I have narrow feet?

B is medium for women; look at A/AA for narrow.

How much narrower than D?

~6mm at ball of foot.

Do all women's shoes come in B?

Yes — it's the default. Wide widths require specialty.

Find Your Width

For more on shoe widths see D width decoded; EE/2E/4E; how to measure foot; women's shoe chart.

Selling women's shoes on Shopify?

Tailor Size Guide shows width-letter availability on every listing.

Install the Shopify app Read the docs