Nike Dunk Low
Size Guide:
Do They Run True?

The Dunk Low is one of the most ordered sneakers on the planet — and one of the most returned, purely because of sizing confusion. Here's everything you need to know before you order.

Quick size reference
Normal width foot
True to size — standard fit
Wide foot
Half size up — narrow toe box
SB Dunk specifically
Half size down — extra padding
Men's buying Women's
Add 1.5 sizes — standard conversion
Between sizes? Always go half a size up. The Dunk Low's toe box doesn't leave much room for doubt.

Do Nike Dunk Lows run true to size?

For most people with a normal-width foot, the Nike Dunk Low runs true to size. The last is fairly standard and the shoe doesn't have any unusual features that would dramatically affect the fit. If you're a UK 9 in most sneakers, you'll be a UK 9 in a Dunk Low.

The caveat is the toe box. The Dunk Low is narrower than it looks. It tapers noticeably toward the front — which catches a lot of buyers off guard, especially those used to the wider, more relaxed fit of an Air Force 1 or a New Balance.

"Normal foot width: true to size. Wide foot or between sizes: go half a size up. Used to wide toe boxes? Size up regardless."

Buying across gender sizing

Nike produces a lot of its most desirable Dunk Low colourways as women's exclusives — the Photon Dust, the Rose Whisper, the Cacao Wow. If you're a man who wants one of these, the general rule is that women's Nike sizing runs 1.5 sizes larger than men's.

So a men's US 10 equates to a women's US 11.5. In UK sizing, the gap is typically the same. Women's Dunk Lows are also cut slightly narrower than men's pairs — if you have a wider foot and you're buying a women's colourway, consider going up a full size.

Men's US → Women's US
US 7 → Women's US 8.5
US 8 → Women's US 9.5
US 9 → Women's US 10.5
US 10 → Women's US 11.5
US 11 → Women's US 12.5
Key sizing rules
Normal width: true to size
Wide foot: half size up
Between sizes: half size up
SB Dunk: half size down
Men's buying Women's: +1.5 sizes

SB Dunk vs Retro Dunk — not the same shoe

The Nike SB Dunk and the Nike Dunk Low Retro share a silhouette but are built differently. The SB was designed for skateboarding — it has extra padding around the collar, a more cushioned insole, and a slightly roomier construction overall.

The result is that SB Dunks tend to run larger than Retro Dunks. Most people who wear a true-to-size Retro Dunk will want to go half a size down on an SB. If you're a UK 9 in the Retro, start with a UK 8.5 in the SB.

The Dunk Low and wide feet

The Dunk Low's toe box is one of the narrower ones in Nike's lifestyle range — noticeably tighter than the Air Force 1 or the Air Max 90. If you have a wider foot, the standard advice is to go half a size up.

A full size up tends to make the shoe too long without meaningfully addressing the width, so stick to half a size unless your foot is significantly wider than average.

Quick reference table

Situation Recommendation Reason
Normal width foot True to size Standard fit
Wide foot Half size up Narrow toe box
Between sizes Half size up Safer choice
SB Dunk specifically Half size down Extra padding
Men's buying Women's Add 1.5 sizes Standard conversion
Sizing verdict
Size up or stay true?
Size up if you have…
A wider-than-average foot
Had problems with narrow toe boxes before
Thick socks you plan to wear with them
Stay true to size if you have…
A normal or narrow foot width
Experience with Nike lifestyle sizing
A preference for a snugger, cleaner fit
Still not sure? Reach out before you order — we'd rather help you get the right size than process a return.

Shop the Dunk Low collection

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