Converse Sizing Guide: How Much Should You Size Down?
Converse is one of the most consistently mis-sized sneakers on the market. Almost everyone who buys a pair for the first time orders the wrong size. The core issue is that Converse uses unisex sizing on a men's scale, and the classic canvas construction is simply built with more room than modern sneakers. The result is that a Converse labelled "US 10" fits more like a men's 11 in most other brands.
Here's exactly how much to size down — broken down by gender and model.
Men's Sizing in Converse
Go 1 full size down from your normal shoe size. If you're a US men's 10 in Nike, Adidas or New Balance, order a Converse 9. This is the most reliable starting point for men with average-width feet.
If you have narrow feet, going down 1.5 sizes may feel more secure. If you have wide feet, sizing down only half a size (or even staying at your normal size) might work better — the wide toe box in the Chuck Taylor can actually accommodate wider feet reasonably well at a smaller size.
Women's Sizing in Converse
Go 1.5 to 2 full sizes down from your normal women's size. This is where the confusion compounds. Because Converse uses a men's/unisex scale, you have to account both for the gender offset (women's sizes run 1.5 larger than men's for the same foot) and for the fact that Converse runs large. The net result is that most women end up going about 2 sizes down.
A women's US 8 in most brands is typically a Converse 6 or 6.5. A women's US 9 is typically a Converse 7 or 7.5. If you're unsure, err toward the smaller option — a thick sock can fill a slightly large Converse, but a tight one just causes blisters.
Why Do Converse Run So Big?
The Chuck Taylor All Star has been made to essentially the same pattern since 1949. The original design was a basketball shoe, built with extra room for thick athletic socks and the kind of movement that basketball requires. The toe box is wide, the canvas stretches with wear and the construction has generous proportions that made sense on a basketball court in the 1950s but feel oversized next to modern footwear lasts.
Converse has never significantly updated the sizing to account for how modern buyers measure their feet, which means every generation of new buyers has to learn the sizing trick from scratch. It's one of the more persistent quirks in footwear.
Chuck Taylor vs Chuck 70: Is There a Difference?
Yes, slightly. The Chuck 70 — the premium version of the original — is made on a slightly different last and generally fits about half a size more true to standard sizing than the original Chuck Taylor. Some people find they need to size down only 0.5 in the Chuck 70, versus a full size in the classic Chuck.
The construction differences (thicker foxing tape, more substantial canvas, cup sole) also mean the Chuck 70 feels more structured and supportive from the start, without the same amount of stretch. If you've been put off Converse by how sloppy the classic can feel, the Chuck 70 is worth trying at a slightly closer-to-normal size.
Converse One Star and Pro Leather
The One Star has a suede upper and a slightly more contemporary last. It still runs large, but less dramatically so — most people size down half a size to a full size, rather than a full to 1.5 sizes. If you're normally a US 10, try a 9.5 in the One Star first.
The Pro Leather is another model with a more structured build. Similar to the One Star, the fit is a bit more contained than the classic Chuck — half a size down is often sufficient, though a full size is the safe bet if you're ordering online without trying first.
Low Top vs High Top: Does the Style Affect Sizing?
The silhouette doesn't change the length of the shoe, but high tops have more ankle support and feel more contained. Some people find that the high-top version of the Chuck Taylor feels slightly more secure, which reduces the "swimming in the shoe" sensation at the same size. That said, the length is the same between high and low versions — the sizing-down rule applies equally to both.
Use our Converse size guide to find your exact size in EU, UK and CM — or convert from any sizing system. The chart covers men's, women's and kids' sizing.
View Converse size guide →Converse Kids' Sizing
Converse kids' sizes are listed in standard US kids' sizing (which runs as C sizes for younger kids and Y sizes for big kids). For kids, the same general principle applies — Converse runs large relative to other brands. If your child is a US 3Y in Nike, they may be more comfortable in a Converse 2.5Y or even a 2Y.
Given how fast children's feet grow, some parents deliberately size up in most brands to buy extra time. With Converse, this strategy risks the shoe being so large it causes tripping. Buying closer to the actual size is the safer approach with kids.
Quick Reference: Converse Size Down Guide
- Men: Size down 1 full size from your normal shoe size
- Women: Size down 1.5 to 2 full sizes from your normal women's size
- Chuck 70: Can size down slightly less — half a size to 1 full size
- One Star / Pro Leather: Half size to 1 full size down
- Wide feet: Stay at your normal size or go down only half
- Narrow feet: Size down 1.5 from your men's size
Disclaimer: Converse sizing can vary slightly between colourways and production runs. The above is a general guide — trying on before buying is always recommended where possible.