Finding the right fit is a nightmare. Honestly, it’s one of those things that should be universal but feels more like a cryptic puzzle designed by footwear brands to keep us all guessing. If you’re hunting for a men’s size 5.5 in women’s, you aren’t just looking for a number. You’re looking for a comfortable fit that doesn't pinch your toes or leave you sliding around like you're wearing skis.
Here is the quick answer: A men's 5.5 is usually a women's 7. It's a 1.5-size difference.
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But wait. That isn't the whole story. If it were that easy, shoe returns wouldn't be at an all-time high. Brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance all play by slightly different rules, and if you just grab a women's 7 off the shelf without checking the "last"—that’s the mold the shoe is built on—you’re probably going to be disappointed. Men’s feet and women’s feet aren't just different in length. They’re shaped differently. Men's shoes are typically a "D" width. Women's? They are a "B."
So, when you convert a men’s size 5.5 in women’s, you’re often moving from a medium width to a wide width without even realizing it.
Why the 1.5 rule is just a starting point
Most people think the 1.5-size gap is some sort of law. It isn't. It’s more like a suggestion.
In the United States, the standard conversion for most athletic brands is indeed 1.5 sizes. If you go to a Foot Locker or browse Zappos, that’s the math they’ll give you. However, European sizing (EU) is a much more reliable metric because it is based on the actual length of the foot in centimeters, rather than an arbitrary number. A men’s 5.5 usually sits around a 38 in EU sizing. In many women's lines, a 38 is a 7 or 7.5.
See the problem?
If you are a guy with a smaller foot looking for a specific colorway only available in women's—or a woman looking to snag a "Big Kid" or men's release—you have to account for the heel cup. Women's shoes are generally built with a narrower heel. If you have a wider heel and try to squeeze into that women's 7, you’re going to get blisters. It’s basically physics. The volume of the shoe matters just as much as the length from your heel to your big toe.
The Width Factor (D vs. B)
Standard width for men is D.
Standard width for women is B.
This is where the men’s size 5.5 in women’s conversion gets tricky. If you’re a man wearing a 5.5, you’re used to a D-width shoe. If you buy a standard women’s 7, it’s going to feel tight on the sides. You might actually need to look for a women's 7 "Wide" (which is a D width in women's sizing) to get the same feel. Conversely, if you are a woman with a narrow foot buying a men's 5.5, you might feel like your foot is swimming in the midfoot area.
Real-world brand variations that will save your feet
Let's look at the heavy hitters. You can't treat a Converse Chuck Taylor the same way you treat a Nike Pegasus.
Nike and Jordan Brand
Nike is pretty consistent with the 1.5 rule. Their size charts explicitly state that a men's 5.5 is a women's 7. However, sneakerheads know that Jordans—especially the 1s and 4s—can run a bit narrow. If you're swapping between genders here, keep that D-to-B width shift in mind. Many "unisex" releases from Nike actually use the men’s D-width mold, even if they list women's sizes on the box.
Adidas
Adidas is the outlier. They often use a 1-size difference rather than 1.5. If you look at their official charts, a men's 5.5 might be listed closer to a women's 6.5. This throws a lot of people off. If you’re buying Sambas or Gazelles, always check the UK sizing on the tongue of a shoe you already own. UK sizing is generally the same for both men and women, which makes it a "cheat code" for getting the right fit.
Converse and Vans
These brands are mostly unisex now. The box will usually have both sizes printed right on it. A Men’s 5.5 Chuck Taylor is almost always a Women’s 7.5. Why the jump to 7.5? Because Converse runs notoriously long. Most people size down a half-step in Chucks anyway.
New Balance
New Balance is the king of widths. They actually offer different widths in their women’s line (2A, B, D, 2E). If you’re a guy buying a 5.5 in a New Balance 990, and you’re looking for the women's equivalent, you specifically want the Women’s 7 in a "D" width.
The "Big Kids" (GS) Loophole
Here’s something most people don't talk about: the 5.5Y.
If you are looking for a men’s size 5.5 in women’s, you should actually be looking at Grade School (GS) sizing too. A 5.5 in "Big Kids" or "Youth" is effectively the same length as a men's 5.5. The difference? Price.
GS shoes are often $40 to $60 cheaper than adult versions.
There's a catch, obviously. There's always a catch. GS shoes are often made with slightly lower-quality materials or less "tech" in the sole. For example, a "Bred" Jordan 4 in a GS 5.5 might not have the same Air unit pressure as the adult 5.5. But for casual wear? It’s a massive money-saver. A 5.5Y is a women’s 7. They are identical in length.
Anatomy of the fit: It’s not just about length
Think about your arch. Women's shoes often have an arch support that is positioned slightly differently because, statistically, women have higher arches than men. If you’re a man wearing a women's size 7, you might feel the "bump" of the arch support hitting your foot in the wrong spot. This is why long-distance runners are very careful about cross-shopping gendered shoes.
For a lifestyle sneaker? Probably not a big deal.
For a marathon? It’s a recipe for plantar fasciitis.
Also, look at the "Q-angle." This is the angle at which the femur meets the tibia. Because women generally have wider hips, their Q-angle is different, which affects how they strike the ground. Women’s running shoes are sometimes designed to compensate for this "over-pronation." If you don't need that correction, wearing a women's shoe might actually force your foot into an unnatural gait.
How to measure your foot at home (The right way)
Stop guessing. Seriously. Grab a piece of paper, a pencil, and a ruler.
- Put the paper on a hard floor (not carpet) against a wall.
- Stand on the paper with your heel against the wall.
- Mark the tip of your longest toe.
- Measure the distance in centimeters or millimeters.
Once you have that measurement, ignore the "5.5" or "7" for a second. Go to the brand’s website and look at their "CM" or "JP" (Japan) sizing. That is the actual length of the shoe's interior. If your foot is 24cm long, you need a shoe that is roughly 24.5cm to allow for "toe wiggle" and sock thickness.
In most brands, 24cm is a men’s 5.5 and a women's 7.
Common misconceptions about small men's sizes
"Men’s shoes are more durable."
Kinda. Not really. In the past, there was a grain of truth here, but modern manufacturing uses the same synthetic leathers and meshes for both lines. The only real difference is the width and the colorways.
"I can just stretch them."
Don't do this. If you buy a women's 7 and it’s too narrow for your 5.5 foot, you’re going to blow out the side of the shoe. The stitching isn't designed to hold that kind of lateral pressure. If it's too tight in the store, it's too tight. Period.
Actionable steps for your next purchase
Ready to pull the trigger? Don't just click "buy" yet. Follow this checklist to ensure that men’s size 5.5 in women’s actually works for you.
- Check the UK Size: Look at a pair of shoes you already own and love. Find the UK size on the tag. Use that number when buying the other gender's shoe. It is almost always the same.
- Account for Socks: If you're buying winter boots or thick athletic socks, that 1.5-size jump might need to be a 2-size jump. A women's 7.5 might be safer.
- Read the Reviews for "True to Size" (TTS): Sites like StockX or GOAT often have user feedback on whether a shoe runs small. If a women's shoe "runs small," and you're a men's 5.5, you definitely need a 7.5 or even an 8.
- Look for Unisex Labels: Brands like Chuck Taylor or Dr. Martens often use "Unisex" sizing which simplifies everything. A UK 5 is a Men's 5.5 and a Women's 6.5 or 7 depending on the brand's specific curve.
- Consider the GS Version: If you want to save money, search for the "5.5Y" version of the shoe. It’s the same size as the men's 5.5 and fits like a women's 7.
Buying shoes across gender lines is a great way to find unique styles or save a bit of cash, especially in that 5.5 to 7 range. Just remember that width is the silent killer of a good fit. If you have a wide foot, the 1.5-size conversion might be your enemy. When in doubt, measure in centimeters, trust the EU sizing, and always check the return policy before you head to the checkout.