Dance shoe sizing has remained a mystery to many dancewear purchasers, but here we will unravel the mystery and explain how dance shoes are sized.

Before we delve into how dance shoes are sized, it is essential that we explain American shoe sizing in general. In general, there are three (3) different American shoe sizing scales: children‘s, women’s and men’s sizing scales.

When a dance shoe manufacturer puts a shoe into production, they typically select either a children’s scale or a women’s scale from which to work. All of the shoes are then produced using that size scale. For example, a basic beginner full sole ballet slipper would typically be sold most heavily to children, so the manufacturer may elect to produce that shoe on a children’s scale. That would mean that children would wear the same as their street shoe size, but women would need to convert the sizing and purchase one and a half (1.5) sizes smaller than their normal street shoe size. Men would order the same as their regular street shoe size.

Conversely, if a shoe that is expected to be most widely used by women is produced on a women’s scale, children would need to purchase one and a half (1.5) sizes larger than their normal street shoe size. Men would need to order one and a half (1.5) sizes larger than their normal street shoe, as well. This seems like it would be fairly straight forward, but nothing is that simple. Although a manufacturer may intend for a shoe to be perfectly matched to one of the three sizing scales, sometimes real life manufacturing doesn’t make it so, and the sizing may be off by a half size or more.

The most important thing to remember when purchasing dance shoes is that every shoe is sized differently. Even shoes made by the same manufacturer may not be sized the same. The best thing you can do when purchasing dance shoes is look at the manufacturer’s size chart for the shoe you are considering. Never purchase a different style shoes solely based on what size you wore in another style shoe. If you are purchasing the same style shoes by the same manufacturer, still consult the size chart. Manufacturing processes may have changed for that shoe, and the sizing may be slightly different than the last time you purchased the shoe. Consult the size chart every time.