What Size Shoelaces Do I Need? Length Chart by Eyelet Count

Eyelets are the small holes on either side of the tongue where the lace threads through. To find your eyelet pair count, look at just one side of the shoe and count the holes from bottom to top. That number is your eyelet pair count.

Here is a general guide for standard width shoes using criss cross lacing:

These ranges work for most everyday shoes. If your shoes are wider than average or you prefer a bigger bow, lean toward the higher end of each range.

If you do not feel like counting eyelets, here is a shortcut based on shoe type. These are the most common sizes for each category.

Low top sneakers like Converse Chuck Taylors, Vans Old Skools, or Nike Air Force 1 Lows usually have 5 to 7 eyelet pairs and need laces around 36 to 54 inches. The most common replacement size for these shoes is 45 inches.

Running and athletic shoes from brands like Nike, Brooks, and New Balance typically have 6 to 7 pairs and do well with 45 to 54 inch laces. Many running shoes ship with oval or flat laces, so pay attention to the lace shape as well as the length.

High top sneakers and basketball shoes usually have 7 to 9 pairs and need 54 to 63 inches. Shoes like the Air Jordan 1 or Converse high tops fall in this range.

Dress shoes tend to have fewer eyelets, typically 3 to 5 pairs. Round waxed laces in 27 to 36 inches cover most dress shoe styles.

Work boots and hiking boots are the outliers. A 6 inch boot with 6 to 7 pairs usually needs 54 to 63 inch laces, while an 8 inch boot with 8 to 10 pairs may require 63 to 72 inches. Taller boots with hooks near the top can push beyond 72 inches.

Measure your old laces. This is the most reliable method. Pull the lace out of the shoe, lay it flat on a table, and measure from tip to tip. That measurement is your replacement size. Keep in mind that worn laces stretch slightly over time, so the original length was probably about half an inch shorter than what you measure today.

Use a piece of string. If your old laces are gone, thread a piece of string or yarn through the shoe the way a lace would go. Lace it up, tie a bow that looks right, and then pull the string out and measure it. This gives you a custom fit measurement.

Use a shoelace length calculator. Enter your eyelet count, the spacing between eyelets, your shoe width, and your lacing style. The calculator will tell you the exact length you need and recommend the nearest standard store size. This is especially helpful for boots or shoes with unusual proportions.

Two shoes can have the same number of eyelets but require very different lace lengths if one is wider than the other. Each time the lace crosses from one side to the other, it travels a diagonal path. On a wide shoe that diagonal is longer, and the extra distance adds up across every crossing.

For example, a standard width shoe with 6 eyelet pairs might need a 45 inch lace, while the same shoe in a wide or extra wide fit could need 50 to 54 inches. If you wear wide sizes, bump up to the next standard lace length above what the eyelet chart suggests.

The most common lacing pattern is criss cross, where the lace zigzags from one side to the other. This uses the most lace because every crossing is a diagonal. It is also the most secure and evenly distributes pressure across the top of the foot.

Straight bar lacing runs the lace horizontally across the shoe in parallel lines, hiding the vertical segments underneath. This style looks cleaner and uses a few inches less lace than criss cross. It is popular on dress shoes and some sneaker customizations.

If you use a looser lacing style or skip eyelets for a more relaxed look, you will need less lace. Conversely, if you double back through eyelets for a lock lacing technique (common for running), add a couple of extra inches.

Flat laces sit wider in the eyelet and take up slightly more length than round laces on the same shoe. The difference is small, usually about 2 inches, but it can push you into the next standard size. If you are switching from round to flat laces (or vice versa), keep this in mind.

Oval laces split the difference. They have a slightly rounded profile but lay flatter than fully round laces. Most athletic shoes ship with oval laces, and replacements in the same shape and length will be a direct swap.

If you are stuck between two standard sizes, always go longer. Laces that are a few inches too long can be tucked inside the shoe, tied with a double knot, or wrapped once around the ankle on boots. Laces that are too short are a constant frustration: the bow falls apart, the lace pulls out of the top eyelets, and you end up making another trip to the store.

The standard sizes available in most stores are 27, 30, 36, 40, 45, 54, 63, and 72 inches. Some specialty shops and online retailers also carry 84 and 96 inch laces for tall boots.

Here is a trick for when you are already at the store and forgot to measure. Take the packaged laces and hold one end at the bottom eyelet of your shoe. Run the package up alongside the shoe to the top eyelet, then back down to the bottom on the other side. If the length feels like it covers that path roughly one and a half to two times over, it is in the right range. This is not precise, but it can save you from buying a size that is way off.

Better yet, snap a photo of your shoe before you leave the house. Count the eyelets from the photo while you are standing in the lace aisle, then use the shoelace length calculator on your phone to get the right size.