Sneaker Size Guide: Men's vs Women's vs Youth Sizes

November 11, 2026

Most of our sneakers are listed with two sizes, like US M 9 / W 10.5, and our kids' pairs use sizes like 5Y or US 2. Here's how to read them so you order the right pair the first time.

Men's vs women's sizes

Many Nike, Jordan and New Balance sneakers are made on a men's (unisex) size scale. For most of these brands, a women's size is about 1.5 sizes larger than the men's size:

Men's 7 = women's 8.5
Men's 8 = women's 9.5
Men's 9 = women's 10.5
Men's 10 = women's 11.5
Men's 11 = women's 12.5

That's why every unisex pair in our Men's Shoes and Women's Shoes lists both numbers. If you normally wear a women's 8.5, look for a men's 7.

Youth (Y) and grade school (GS) sizes

Sizes with a Y (for example 4Y, 5Y, 6Y) are big kids' or grade school sizes, usually for kids around 7 to 12 years old. Pairs marked GS (grade school) use this scale.

Youth sizes run on roughly the same numbers as men's sizes, so a 5Y fits about like a men's 5.
Because of that, a 5Y also fits about like a women's 6.5, and many adults with smaller feet wear youth sizes.

Little kids' sizes (US 1 to 3)

Kids' Vans in our Boys' Shoes and Girls' Shoes are listed as US 1, 1.5, 2 and up. These are little kids' sizes, typically for kids around 4 to 7. Velcro styles like the Old Skool Velcro make it easy for younger kids to get their shoes on and off on their own.

How to measure your foot

Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall.
Mark the tip of your longest toe, then measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
Measure both feet and use the longer one.
Compare your measurement to the brand's own size chart. Nike, New Balance, Vans and adidas each publish one, and they don't all fit the same.

Tip: leave a thumb's width (about 1 cm) of space in front of your toes, especially for running shoes and for kids who are still growing.

Limited sizes: read the title

A lot of our sneakers are one-of-a-kind pairs, so the size is right in the product title. If a pair shows Sold out, that size is gone. When a style comes in several sizes, pick yours from the size menu on the product page.