Do Dance Shoes Run Small? A Dance Shoe Size Guide
Some dance shoes run small and some do not. It depends on the brand, so the safest way to choose is to measure your foot length and use that brand's chart, not the size of your street shoes. On our size chart, if your foot falls between two sizes, choose the larger one.
In this guide:
- Do dance shoes run small?
- How to measure your foot
- Picking a size on our chart
- How dance shoes should fit
- Sandals vs boots
- If the shoe feels loose
- Wide or narrow feet
- FAQ
Do dance shoes run small?
There is no single answer, because dance shoe brands size their shoes differently. Some tell you to order a half size to a full size down, others say their shoes fit like your street shoes. That is why advice online seems to contradict itself. Measure your foot and compare it with the chart of the brand you are buying.
| What brands say | Source |
|---|---|
| Order Latin ballroom shoes a half to a full size down | Dance Fever [1] |
| It is common to size down from street shoes | Ballroom Connection [2] |
| Often true to your street shoe size | Adore [3] |
| Some stay the same, some go down a half size, some go up for width | TTdancewear [4] |
Our shoes are sized by foot length in centimeters. We do not ask you to size down from your measurement.
How to measure your foot
Measure your foot length at home with a sheet of paper, a pen and a ruler, and do it at the end of the day while standing, when your feet are at their largest. Measure both feet and use the longer one.
- Put a sheet of paper on the floor, against a wall.
- Stand on it with your heel touching the wall and your weight on both feet.
- Ask someone to mark the tip of your longest toe.
- Measure from the wall to the mark in centimeters, then repeat with the other foot.
Which size to pick on our chart
Find your foot length on our chart and choose that US size. Our chart runs from US 5 for a 22 cm foot to US 11 for a 28 cm foot, with a half size for every 0.5 cm in between. If your foot falls between two sizes, choose the larger one, so your toes are not pushed past the sole.
| Your foot | Choose |
|---|---|
| 23 cm | US 6 |
| 23.2 cm | US 6.5 (between sizes, so go up) |
| 23.5 cm | US 6.5 |
| Right foot 24 cm, left foot 24.3 cm | US 7.5 (use the longer foot) |
The full chart, with EU and UK sizes, is on our size chart page.
How should dance shoes fit?
Dance shoes should feel snug and secure, without pressing hard on any one spot. Your heel should stay in the heel cup when you rise onto the ball of your foot, and your toes should stay behind the front edge of the sole. A shoe that feels roomy like a sneaker is usually too loose for turns.
Do these checks at home on a clean floor, before you wear the shoes to class:
- Rise onto the ball of your foot three times. The heel should not lift out.
- Look down. Your toes should not hang over the front of the sole.
- Do one slow turn. The shoe should turn with your foot, not after it.
- Stand for a few minutes. Any sharp pressure point means the size or the straps need a change.
Sandals vs boots: does the fit change?
You choose the same size for our Latin sandals and our boots, because both use the same foot length chart. What changes is how you adjust the fit. Sandals are set with the straps and the ankle buckle. Boots are set with the laces, and many have a zipper so you can leave the laces tied.
| Style | How you adjust it |
|---|---|
| Latin sandals | Ankle buckle and straps |
| Ankle boots | Front laces, many with a back zipper |
| Thigh-high boots | Laces along the shaft; also measure your thigh |
For thigh-high boots, foot size is only half of it. Our guide on how to keep thigh high boots up while dancing explains how to measure your leg.
Should you size down if the shoe feels loose?
Not straight away. Tighten the straps or laces first, then repeat the fit checks above. A loose feeling often comes from laces that are tied too softly near the toes or the ankle. If your toes still slide past the sole after that, the size is too long and an exchange makes sense.
Our guide on how to break in dance heels and boots covers the first few wears.
What if you have wide or narrow feet?
Our chart is based on foot length, and we do not list a width for each style. The straps and laces let you adjust the fit across the top of the foot, which helps with some width differences. If you have very wide or very narrow feet, send us your foot length and width before you order.
Email service@queenaliashoes.com with both measurements and the style you like.
Two styles to start with
Both come with a suede sole for the dance floor or a street sole. Check your size on the chart first, then pick it on the product page. See all Latin dance shoes or dance boots.
FAQ
Should dance shoes be tight?
Snug, not tight. They should hold your heel and the ball of your foot without sharp pressure or numb toes.
Should I size down in dance shoes?
Only if that brand's chart tells you to. For Queenalia, choose by foot length and do not size down.
What if I am between two sizes?
Choose the larger size on our chart, then adjust the fit with the straps or laces.
Is my dance shoe size the same as my street shoe size?
Not always, because brands size differently. Measure your foot instead of guessing from your sneakers.
Do dance shoes stretch?
Some materials give a little with wear, others do not. Choose the size that fits on day one.
Do I need a different size for boots and sandals?
No. Both use the same foot length chart. Thigh-high boots also need a leg measurement.
Sources
- Dance Fever. Frequently Asked Questions. dancefevers.com
- Ballroom Connection. Fitting My Dance Shoes. ballroom-connection.com
- Adore Dance Shoes. What Size Dance Shoes Do I Need? adoredanceshoes.com
- TTdancewear. How Should Dance Shoes Fit? Sizing Guide. ttdancewear.com
