Do Converse Run Big? Converse Sizing Guide with Size Chart

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by  William Barton | Last Updated: 
converse sizing guide

I ordered a pair of Chuck Taylor All Star Classics and when they showed up at my door, I realized they were way too big. 

There’s nothing worse than waiting on a new pair of sneakers, only to find out they fit terribly and you have to return them. 

Converse are notoriously tricky to get the right size. 

That’s why I’ve laid out everything you need to know before buying a pair of Chuck 70s, All Stars, or any other Converse shoe so you can get the perfect fit the first time. 

No returns. Sound good? 

How do Converse Fit? 

Converse All Star crisp white on concrete
Rocking my Converse All Star Classics (in my correct size!)

Here’s the simplest answer: Converse has two major lines of shoes. There’s the Chuck Taylor line. And there’s the Star line. 

So anything that has the name Chuck in it goes in the Chuck Taylor line: that’s the All Star Classic, the Chuck 70, and the dozens of collaboration and custom sneakers you can find with Converse. 

Converse Chuck '70 High

The Chuck 70 is a boosted version of the iconic high-top All Star Classics (read our review): the canvas is thicker, the midsole is a bit higher so there’s more cushion, and the ankle patch is sewn on (instead of just printed).

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Those sneakers all run big. That means you should size a half size smaller than you would normally get with most other sneaker and dress shoe brands

So if the most common size shoe you have in your closet is a size 10, you should get the size 9.5 in your Converse. This is true for Chuck Taylor All Star Classic, Chuck 70s, and any other Converse that has the word “Chuck” in it. 

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic

The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic is just that: a classic! It’s stylish, solid, and comfortable, and pretty iconic. I love my pair, and I wear them often. The quality is good, considering the price, but the main reason to get these sneakers is for the style.

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Where it gets confusing is the Star line. 

This is the One Star Pro, Fastbreak, and Star Player. Those all fit true to size (i.e. if you’re a size 10 normally, you’d still get the size 10 here). 

The only outlier is the Chuck 70 AT-CX, which looks like a weird space boot. That also fits true to size (unlike all other Chuck 70s).  

Converse Chuck 70 AT-CX
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I have a full size chart below, but keep scrolling if you want more details on the fit of specific lines like the All Star Classic and Chuck 70

Converse Size Chart

Converse Size Chart Men

The size chart here shows you how the length of your foot translates to the size shoe you should get. 

I still think the best method of finding your Converse sizing is by noting your most common shoe size and ordering a half-size smaller. But the size chart should add another point of reference for you if you’re really unsure. 

Converse Size Chart for Women

converse size chart women

Ladies can measure the length of their feet to find their correct Converse size. And if you’re used to shopping for EU or UK sizing, you can convert those sizes to US using the chart above, too. 

Converse All Star Classic Sizing

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classics run a half-size larger than most sneaker and dress shoe brands. 

I’m a size 10.5 on the Brannock device (that metal contraption you see in shoe stores). That means for most sneaker brands, I get a 10.5 and they fit perfectly. 

But for my Converse All Star Classic, I got the size 10 and the fit is spot-on. 

What’s the most common shoe size you have in your closet? Order a half-size smaller than that. 

So if you’re normally a size 10 in Nike, Adidas, or Vans, then a size 9.5 in Chuck Taylor All Star Classics will be the best fit for you. 

All Star Classics also come in wide sizes as well, which is helpful if you have wide feet (E or EE on the Brannock device). 

If you’re not sure whether you have wide feet or not, you probably don’t. You would’ve noticed by now. 

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic

The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic is just that: a classic! It’s stylish, solid, and comfortable, and pretty iconic. I love my pair, and I wear them often. The quality is good, considering the price, but the main reason to get these sneakers is for the style.

Check Price Read Our Review
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

How do Converse Comme des Garçons fit?

Converse Comme des Garcons is a collaboration in the All Star Classic line, so they fit just like All Star Classics would. 

They run a half-size large, so you should order a half size smaller than the most common shoe size in your closet. 

This is also true for the Comme des Garcons in the Chuck 70 line (and in fact, Chuck 70s fit the same as All Star Classics, with a few minor caveats).  

Converse Comme des Garcons
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Converse Chuck 70 Sizing

Converse All Star on stairs

Converse Chuck 70 sneakers also run a half-size large. 

So if the most common shoe size you have in your closet (whether it’s Nike, Adidas, Vans) is a size 9, you should get the size 8.5 with your Chuck 70. 

There are a few important notes about how the Chuck 70 fits compared to the All Star Classic, however. 

The Chuck 70 has a removable insole, so it’s definitely the better option of the two if you like to use your own orthotic insert. You’d have to alter your sizing completely with the All Star Classic to use an orthotic, because the insole is glued in place. 

So if you’re using an orthotic, or even think you may want to in the future, then I recommend getting the Chuck 70 and ordering a half-size smaller than your most common shoe size. 

author william barton wearing Converse All Star

Another important note is that the Chuck 70 doesn’t come in wide widths (E or EE on the Brannock). 

So if you have wide feet, stick with the All Star Classic line, which offers most sizes also in wide widths. 

One final note on the Chuck 70: the toe box is more narrow compared to the All Star Classic. If your toes splay out wider than the rest of your foot, you may want to stick with the wider, flatter All Star Classic

This is pretty uncommon—most people’s toes are slightly more narrow than the rest of their foot. But there are the few that have splayed toes, which can make finding the right fit difficult.

Converse Chuck '70 High

The Chuck 70 is a boosted version of the iconic high-top All Star Classics (read our review): the canvas is thicker, the midsole is a bit higher so there’s more cushion, and the ankle patch is sewn on (instead of just printed).

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Converse One Star Sizing

Converse One Star, and the rest of the Star line including the One Star Pro, Fastbreak, and Star Player all fit true to size. 

You don’t have to do any mental math or sorcery to find the correct shoe size with this line: just look in your closet to see what the most common shoe size you own is and get that. 

Converse Men's One Star Pro
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So if you’re normally a size 11, get a size 11 with your One Star Pros, Fastbreaks, and Star Players

If you only own Chuck Taylors, then get a half size larger than that. 

How do Converse Fit Compared to Vans?

Vans run true to size, and most Converse run a half-size large. 

So if you have a pair of Vans Old Skools or Slip Ons in size 9, your new Chuck 70s or All Star Classics should be a size 8.5. 

Whatever your Vans size is, get your Converse a half-size smaller. 

Vans Old Skool
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Vans fit similarly to how most US sneaker and shoe brands size their products. It’s pretty easy to find the right size for Vans. 

But a lot of people walk around with floppy Converse because they think the sizing is the same. Most Converse run large. 

It gets confusing though because Converse’s Star line are true to size (the One Star Pro and Star Player). 

The most common Converse, though (Chuck 70, All Star Classic) run big. 

Vans Slip On Shoes
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Converse Sizing Calculator

If you’re still not sure what size you should get for your Converse, just punch in your most common shoe size, the model of Converse you’re looking at, and your gender, and my calculator will show you what size Converse you should get.  

You’re Good to Go

You know everything you need to know to get your new Converse. Pick your size with confidence.

You and I just met, but I can say with 90% confidence that if you just find the most common shoe size in your closet and get a half size smaller than that—you’ll get the perfect fit for your Converse. 

Don’t make the same mistake I did and get a size too large. I hate returns. 

But lucky for you, you won’t have to return your new shoes. You’re going to get the right size the first time. 

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Classic

The Chuck Taylor All Star Classic is just that: a classic! It’s stylish, solid, and comfortable, and pretty iconic. I love my pair, and I wear them often. The quality is good, considering the price, but the main reason to get these sneakers is for the style.

Check Price Read Our Review
If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

FAQs

Is Converse true to size?

No, Converse run a half-size large. That means you should order a half-size smaller than you normally would for your sneakers and dress shoes. If you’re normally a size 10, order a size 9.5 in Converse.

Should Converse be tight or loose?

When you get the correct size for Converse, they fit securely on your feet, but shouldn’t feel tight or loose. If your feet start to tingle, then they’re too tight. If you’re getting blisters on your heels, they’re likely too loose.

Do Converse feel tight at first?

Your Converse should never give you that tingly feeling in your feet. But if they’re a little snug at first, that’s not a problem. The canvas upper will stretch a little as they break in, and you should end up with a comfortable fit afterward.

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