Shoes are very important for a woman – for obvious reasons like walking, but as a style statement too. And when it comes to shoes, the size is significant as shoes need to fit well for comfort and style. Of course, most people already know their own size, but if you are buying a surprise pair of shoes for a friend, then the averages we are going to discuss below should help you find the right size. We also have a guide on the average shoe size for a man.
What is the Average Shoe Size for a Woman?
Worldwide, the average shoe size for adult women is US 7 to 8. Average shoe size is the size most common among women, as it is the most bought and the best stock size in stores world wide. However, averages shoe size tends to vary with height, so this statistic has as much to do with shoe sizes as it does with height.
What is the Average Shoe Size for Women in the US?
In US the average shoe size for women lies between 8.5 and 9. In the 1970s, the average shoe size for American women use to be 7.5 but it has increased in the past few decades.
In The United States, the women shoe sizes start from size 2 and can go up to 17. The size is not restricted to just the length of the feet, width is an important consideration. Women shoes are usually narrower than men’s shoes categorized as narrow (AA), average (B), wide (C/D) and extra wide (E) with B being the preferred standard by shoe manufacturers.
What is the Average Shoe Size for Women in Europe?
In Europe shoe sizing is unisex, meaning it does not differentiate in sizes for men and women. If you wear a shoe size 38, you could be equally comfortable in men shoes of the same size as in a woman’s shoe.
The European standard sizes start at 32 (corresponding to US 2) and goes up to 46 (equivalent to US 13.5). The average shoe size for women is 39.
You can easily convert the sizes between US and EU by adding 30 to your US size to get your EU size or subtract the same vice versa. Usually, many shoe manufacturers provide US and EU sizes on the shoe, but some don’t, and this little trick is to help you in those cases.
Why Are Feet Getting Bigger?
The shoe size has changed considerably in the past few decades or has it? The shoe manufacturers have not changed the sizes of the shoe, but rather our bodies are responsible. Confused? Let me explain.
In the past few decades, the average women and men shoe sizes have changed. The previous shoe size 6 is now the new 4 for women. Our feet have grown bigger, increasing by an average of two sizes in the past four decades. And these stats are provided by research studies conducted in previous years.
The increase is a substantial one in such a short period of time and it not due to evolutional effects. There are two major reasons weight and nutrition.
Obesity, especially in women, has been on the rise around the world. As our bodies get bigger, our feet also grow big to compensate for the additional pressure. The issue is aggravated as women try to squeeze their relatively larger feet in the same size shoes. I can understand the lure of wearing your favorite and expensive shoes, but it leads to even bigger feet.
Nutrition is the other key reason for bigger feet. We are basically bigger from our childhood due to better nutrition. Healthy diet stimulates growth hormones, which results in additional height. An average eleven-year-old girl was 3 feet tall in 1960s but now is 4 feet. And of course, with the height increase come bigger feet.
What Is the Average Shoe Size for a 5’1” Tall Woman?
The correlation between height and shoe size is an established one. Taller women tend to have larger feet as they need a larger base for balance and vice versa. Height is not the only factor that your average shoe size may depend on; there is a genetic and heredity variance or natural preference for slightly tighter or looser shoes.
If your height is 5 feet 1 inch, the average shoe size will be around 7, an inch on and off and your average shoe size range will be 6.5 to 8. This can give you the basic idea on which sizes to try on first to figure out your size.
What Is the Average Shoe Size for a 5’5” Tall Woman?
If you are a 5 feet 5inch tall woman, don’t worry I have an average size of shoe for you, to help you get started on figuring out that perfect fit. For women around this height, the usual average shoe size can lie between 7 to 8.5. I would recommend that you start at 8 and see if a smaller or bigger size will fit better.
What Is the Average Shoe Size for a 6’ Tall Woman?
Lastly, if you are one of those tall women at 6 feet, the average shoe size for you would be 10-10.5. If you are taller, the sizes will also increase correspondingly.
However, the average shoe sizes for women that we have discussed are just estimates. You can have smaller or bigger feet for someone of your height so you will have to consider that when buying that special present.
Does Pregnancy Affect Shoe Size for Women?
This is an important question for most women as when and if they do get pregnant, does that mean farewell to those chic shoes. Pregnancy, in most cases, does increase your shoe size.
During pregnancy, your body produces hormones that loosen the joints and ligaments which causes bones to separate a bit causing your feet to grow. Additionally, the additional weights exert pressure on your feet arches causing them to flatten.
I have had a few pregnant friends that all had to buy a few pairs of new shoes during pregnancy as the normal size didn’t fit them anymore. And this is truer for first-time mothers. So, you may need to put your favorite shoes aside and get some new ones.