How does New Balance fit compared to Nike?

You wear a size 42 in Nike, you add a pair of New Balance to your cart, and the question arises: should you stick with your usual size or go up?

We sell both brands and we see the returns coming through. To settle this, we superimposed the two official size charts, recorded on September 6, 2026. The result shifts the focus away from length.

Key takeaways in 30 seconds

·       From 38.5 to 47, the Nike and New Balance charts list the same foot length. Stick to your usual size.

·       New Balance does not manufacture size 41 or 46 in their men's grid. These Nike sizes become 41.5 and 46.5.

·       The difference in fit comes from volume rather than length. New Balance is built wider and higher over the top of the foot.

·       New Balance offers different widths, from B to 6E for men. Nike does not offer this option on its lifestyle sneakers.

·       Both brands advise the same thing if you are between sizes: choose the larger size.

·       Below 38, the two charts diverge significantly. Measure your foot.

·       A measurement in centimeters is more reliable than a brand-to-brand conversion.

What the two official charts say

Foot length in centimeters is the only comparable data between two brands. The table below aligns the two men's charts according to this measurement.

Foot length	Nike size	New Balance size	Difference
22 cm	35.5 EU (22.5 cm)	36 EU	mismatched charts
23 cm	36 EU	37.5 EU	one and a half sizes
23.5 cm	36.5 EU	38 EU	one and a half sizes
24 cm	38.5 EU	38.5 EU	none
24.5 cm	39 EU	39.5 EU	half a size
25 cm	40 EU	40 EU	none
25.5 cm	40.5 EU	40.5 EU	none
26 cm	41 EU	41.5 EU	half a size
26.5 cm	42 EU	42 EU	none
27 cm	42.5 EU	42.5 EU	none
27.5 cm	43 EU	43 EU	none
28 cm	44 EU	44 EU	none
28.5 cm	44.5 EU	44.5 EU	none
29 cm	45 EU	45 EU	none

29.5 cm

45.5 EU

45.5 EU

none

30 cm

46 EU

46.5 EU

half size

30.5 cm

47 EU

47 EU

none

 

Across the entire core range, which covers the vast majority of adult feet, both brands aim for the same length for the same size.

A 42 Nike and a 42 New Balance are built for a 26.5 cm foot. There is no conversion needed, and guides that recommend going up half a size are missing the point.

The exception is below a size 38. A 36 Nike targets 23 cm, while a 36 New Balance targets 22 cm. For these smaller sizes, measuring is essential.

Sizes that New Balance does not manufacture

This is the trap that leads people to believe there is a general discrepancy. The European New Balance grid skips 41 and 46 for men.

Anyone who wears a 41 in Nike sizes will not find a 41 on a New Balance spec sheet, and opting for a 42 by reflex ends up being half a size too big. The correct size is 41.5, which targets the same length.

Where the real difference in comfort lies

If the length is identical, why do so many people find that the two brands don't fit the same way? Because a size only describes one dimension, and a foot has three.

New Balance comes from running and orthopedic footwear. In their sneakers, the interior volume is more generous, the forefoot is rounder, and the instep is less compressed.

Nike comes from basketball and indoor sports. Its uppers hold the foot more snugly on low-top leather silhouettes, which include most of Nike's best-selling and trendiest models.

A wide foot will generally be comfortable in New Balance at their usual size, whereas the same length in Nike might sometimes require half a size of leeway. The reverse is also true. A narrow foot might feel loose in New Balance and feel better secured in Nike.

Widths, the option Nike does not offer

New Balance offers part of its catalog in different widths for the same size. Not all are available on every model, and lifestyle silhouettes almost always release in standard width.

Code	Men's width	Women's width
2A	not offered	narrow
B	narrow	standard
D	standard	wide
2E	wide	extra wide
4E	extra wide	not offered
6E	extra extra wide	not offered

 

Nike does not publish an equivalent for its everyday shoes. A model exists in only one width, and the only adjustment lever remains the size. This is why it is so often said that you should go up half a size for certain Nike shoes, when it is actually a width problem being addressed through length.

Model by model, what we observe

Size charts provide the theory; fittings provide the rest.

Model	Observed fit	Our advice
New Balance 530	True to size, spacious forefoot	Usual size, including for wide feet
New Balance 574	True to size, classic volume	Usual size
New Balance 327	True to size, narrow heel	Usual size
New Balance 740	Enveloping over the midfoot	Usual size, watch out for high insteps
New Balance 9060	Significant volume, thick sole	Usual size, half a size down if the heel slips
New Balance 2002R	Generous, soft suede	Usual size
Nike Air Force 1	Long in length, tight on top	Half a size down for narrow feet
Nike Dunk Low	True to size, narrow forefoot	Half size up for wide feet
Nike Air Max 1	True to size	Take your usual size
Nike Air Max 95	True to size, snug upper	Take your usual size
Nike Cortez	Narrow, thin sole	Half size up for wide feet
Nike P-6000	True to size	Take your usual size

 

We detail each case in our dedicated guides, notably the one on how New Balance 530s fit.

Measuring your foot, the method that settles the question

Both brands publish their size charts in centimeters, so a measurement taken at home is enough to find the right size without trying them on. It takes 5 minutes.

1.       Tape a piece of paper to the floor against a wall.

2.       Stand with your heel against the wall, weight on both feet.

3.       Mark the end of your longest toe using a pencil held vertically.

4.       Measure the distance between the wall and the mark in centimeters.

5.       Repeat for the other foot and always use the larger of the two.

6.       Measure at the end of the day when your feet are slightly swollen, then look up the value on the brand's size chart.

If your measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger one. This is the official recommendation from both brands. A shoe that is slightly too big can be adjusted with the laces; a shoe that is too small cannot be fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do New Balance shoes run small or large?

Neither in terms of length. The official size chart provides the same equivalence as Nike for all sizes from 38.5 to 47. The interior volume is simply more generous.

I am a size 42 in Nike, what New Balance size should I choose?

A 42, which corresponds to 26.5 cm for both brands. If you have narrow feet and you already have extra room in your Nikes, a 41.5 will be a better fit.

Why doesn't New Balance offer a size 41?

Their European size chart goes from 40.5 to 41.5. The New Balance 41.5 is intended for 26 cm, exactly like the Nike 41. Take the 41.5 and not the 42.

How do New Balance sizes compare to Adidas?

The logic is the same; the stated length is similar, and the difference lies in the width. Adidas indoor soccer-inspired silhouettes are narrower in the forefoot, so a wide foot will be more comfortable in a New Balance shoe of the same size.

What is my New Balance size in centimeters?

A 40 corresponds to 25 cm, 42 to 26.5 cm, 44 to 28 cm, and 45 to 29 cm in the men's size chart.

Should I take a size up in New Balance?

No, unless your measurement falls between two sizes or you wear thick socks. Going up a size as a precaution will lead to a shoe that slips at the heel.

Does the men's to women's conversion change anything?

The European size remains the same; only the US label changes. A 40 EU remains a 40 EU regardless of the chart displayed.

New Balance or Nike for sports use?

For running performance, compare specific running models rather than lifestyle silhouettes. The latest New Balance running shoes are available in multiple widths, which is their most concrete advantage.

Does the fit change from one model to another within the same brand?

Yes, even more so than between brands. A Dunk Low and an Air Force 1 do not fit the same way depending on the foot, just like a 530 and a 9060.

What should I do if the pair does not fit upon delivery?

Try them on indoors with the socks you plan to wear. A pair that has not been worn outside is still exchangeable, so it is best to check the fit as soon as you open them.

Measure both feet this evening and note the value in your phone. You will then know how New Balance fits compared to Nike, and to other brands, for your next purchase. Our New Balance and our Nike shoes are in stock, and our team is available to answer size questions before you order.