Sock sizes explained, how to get it right

Short answer: Socks are sold in ranges such as 36 to 40 or 41 to 45. If your foot is at the top of a range, you should usually choose the next one up, so the sock is not stretched all the time.

Why ranges and not single sizes

Knitted socks stretch, which is why one range covers several shoe sizes. It keeps the selection simple, and it is how almost all bamboo socks are sold. It also means the fit is slightly different at the bottom and the top of each range.

Start from your shoe size

The easiest way to choose is to look at the shoe size you wear most often. If you have different sizes in different brands, go by the one you wear most in everyday life. It gives a better starting point than guessing from the length of your foot.

If you are on the border

If your shoe size is the top of a range, the sock is stretched constantly and loses its shape faster. Choose the next range up when you browse socks for men and women. A little extra room is better than constant stretch.

Too big is also a problem

A sock that is too big folds at the heel, and the fold wears through. It can also slide down into the shoe and bunch under the foot. So although it is tempting to size up to be safe, only do it when you are right at the top of a range.

The heel belongs on the heel

The best sign of the right size is that the heel of the sock sits exactly on your heel. If it sits above the heel, the sock is too small. If it sits under the foot, it is too big. The check takes two seconds the first time you put on a new pair.

Wide feet and a high instep

If you have wide feet or a high instep, the foot takes up more room than the length alone suggests. In a knitted sock the width counts the same as the length. That is why it can make sense to choose the larger range, even if your shoe size is in the middle.

The cuff must fit too

Size is not only about the foot. The cuff should stay up without squeezing or leaving marks on the leg. If the cuff digs in, it is often a sign that the sock is too small. This applies to long styles as well as ankle socks from socks for women.

Washing and size

Socks can shrink slightly in the wash, especially at high temperatures. Wash at 40 degrees and let them air dry, and they will keep the size you chose. The tumble dryer can make them shrink and loosen the cuff at the same time.

One size for the whole drawer

Once you have found the size that fits, stick with it. It makes it easier to pair socks after washing, and you avoid a pair that is too small or too big slipping in among the others. It also gives you a more even fit every day.

If you are unsure

If you are still unsure, try one pair before you buy many. Wear it for a whole day in your usual shoes and notice whether the heel sits correctly and the cuff stays up. Then you know which range to choose next time.

Frequently asked questions

What if my feet are wide

Then choose the upper range. Width counts the same as length in a knitted sock, and a sock that is stretched all the time loses its shape faster.

Do socks shrink in the wash

Only a little at 40 degrees. Wash hotter and they can shrink noticeably, and the tumble dryer pulls them in further. Air drying keeps the size best.

Do men's sizes fit women

Yes, the ranges overlap. Go by shoe size rather than whether the style is called women's or men's, and you will get the right fit whichever style you choose.