Shoe size may vary based on age, weight, height, lifestyle, and history of foot injuries.
In the United States, the average shoe size for men is between a size 10 and 11.
Jeison Orlando Rodriguez Hernandez from Venezuela holds the record for the largest shoe size in the world. When he was 20 years old, Hernandez’s feet were approximately 16 inches long.
This translates to a size 26 shoe on the U.S. scale. This is significantly larger than the average man’s foot in the U.S., and is almost three times bigger than the average shoe size in Venezuela, which is a 9.5 on a U.S. scale.
The average shoe size for men around the world is relatively similar. Researchers estimate that the average shoe size for men worldwide is between a U.S. size 9 and 12.
Because different countries use different mechanisms to determine shoe sizes, it can be challenging to compare average shoe sizes by country. Many times, statisticians will convert shoe sizes from the country’s system to the U.S. or U.K. measuring systems.
For example, a men’s size 10 in the U.S. is a size 9 in the U.K. In Russia, Japan, and China, which all use the Mondopoint system, this shoe size is between 270 and 275-277. Below is a chart illustrating how closely related men’s sizes are by country. The average sizes included in the chart have been converted to U.S. sizes.
Country
Shoe Size
Canada
10
China
9
Germany
10.5
France
10
India
8
Ireland
10
Israel
10
Italy
9.5
Japan
9
Mexico
9
Russia
10
Spain
10
Switzerland
10
Turkey
10
U.K.
10
Your average shoe size may change throughout your lifetime. Age, lifestyle, injuries, and body composition can all impact the size of your foot and ultimately the size shoe you need. Here is a closer look at some factors that may affect your shoe size:
- Injuries: Experiencing a sprain or break in your foot can change the size of shoe you wear—sometimes permanently. While swelling may temporarily increase your shoe size, injuries can sometimes cause changes in your foot structure. Even changes in the way your foot moves after an injury can cause a once appropriately-sized shoe to be too small.
- Age: By age 50, most adults have walked thousands of miles on their feet. For this reason, your feet can flatten and grow wider, which may change the size of shoe you need. You are also more likely to develop conditions that can affect your foot health as you age, like gout, arthritis, and calluses. Each of these conditions can affect how your shoes fit and impact shoe size.
- Weight: Your shoe size is also influenced by your body size and weight. If you gain weight, your shoe size may increase. And, if you lose weight, your shoe size may decrease. Research has found that shoe size can decrease by an entire size after weight loss surgery.
- Height: Typically, taller men will also have a bigger foot or shoe size. This larger size helps support their weight and maintain their balance. Some researchers have found that measuring a child’s foot can help predict their future height.
- Lifestyle: If you tend to go barefoot a lot, you may notice a change in shoe size over time. A 2017 study found that people who regularly go barefoot may have wider feet. Walking barefoot means you spend a large part of the day without your arch supported, which can cause your foot to flatten out.
Wearing the wrong size shoe can affect your health and well-being. The wrong size can cause discomfort, disrupt your balance, and affect how well you move around. It can also cause foot problems if you habitually wear ill-fitting shoes.
Nearly 25% of people have at least one foot condition or concern, with older people more likely to experience an issue than younger people. Also, about 20% of men experience foot pain most of the time. This can have a significant impact on your quality of life.
You can prevent some of these issues by buying shoes that fit. Here are a few tips:
- Shop for shoes later in the day. Your feet swell by as much as 8% throughout the day, so this will ensure your shoes won’t be too tight.
- Make sure you have a 1/2 inch of space between your longest toe and the tip of the shoe.
- Avoid shoes that need to be stretched or require pads to keep your feet in place.
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