Free printable

Dance Shoe Sizing Quick Reference

The correction every front desk makes twenty times a season, on one page. Pin it by the shoe rack, put it in a welcome packet, or send it to a family before they order.

Studios and teachers are welcome to print it, photocopy it, put it in a welcome packet, or link to it. No signup and no email required. If it is useful, a link back from your studio site is the only thing we would ask.

Dance shoe sizing, at a glance

A dancer can be three different sizes in one bag. Order from the chart belonging to the brand you are buying, never from her street shoe size.

Three rules that prevent most wrong orders

Dance shoe sizes are not street shoe sizes, and the gap is different for every style. A dancer can be three different sizes in one bag.
Every brand runs on its own chart. A Capezio size and a Bloch size are not the same size, so order from the chart belonging to the brand you are buying.
Never buy a size up to grow into. A loose dance shoe slides, blunts the line the teacher is looking for, and teaches the foot to grip instead of stretch.

How each style runs

Style	How it runs against street size	Between sizes
Ballet slippers	Ballet slippers run 1 to 2 sizes smaller than street shoes. They are meant to fit like a glove with full sole contact.	Between two sizes, take the smaller one. A ballet slipper should be snug, not roomy.
Jazz shoes	Jazz shoes run about half a size to a full size smaller than street shoes, but the brand note on the exact model is the real rule.	Between two sizes, follow the brand's own recommendation for that model.
Tap shoes	Tap shoes for kids run half a size to a size smaller. Adult tap runs closer to street size or half a size up, because a little break-in volume is normal.	Between two sizes, take the larger one. Tap shoes break in and you do not want the toes jammed.
Character shoes	Character shoes sit closest to street size of any dance shoe, but the offset swings hard by brand, so read the costume sheet and the brand note together.	Between two sizes, follow the brand note for that model. Heel shoes are less forgiving when too big.
Dance sneakers	Dance sneakers run at street size or half a size smaller, except where the brand says otherwise on the product page.	Between two sizes, follow the brand note. A dance sneaker that is too big rolls on turns.
Pointe shoes	Pointe shoes are never ordered online for a first pair. A trained fitter sizes them to the individual foot, arch, and technique.	There is no rounding rule. A fitter makes this call in person.

Brands our studio requires:

Want the exact size to order in a specific brand? The free fit finder asks a few questions and returns the size for Capezio, Bloch, and So Danca across every style on this sheet.