Laces that are too short ruin a good boot. Laces that are too long trip you on the trail. Use the calculator below to get your exact length in seconds.
Shoelace Length Calculator
Choose your lacing style, enter your eyelet measurements, and get the lace size to buy.
Measure with the shoe laced tight on your foot
- Eyelet pairs: count the eyelets on one side of the shoe.
- Horizontal spacing: distance between the centres of a pair of eyelets, across the shoe. If it varies, use the average.
- Vertical spacing: distance between the centres of two eyelets on the same side. If it varies, use the average.
- End length: from the middle of the knot to the tip of the lace. Around 250 mm (10 in) is usually ideal. Use more for a bigger bow and less for a compact one.
No tape measure for the eyelets?
- Measure your old lace. If one fits well, measuring it end to end is the surest check. Factory laces are often longer than needed, so a shorter lace can give neater ends.
- Use string. Lace the shoe with string the way you want it, tie your usual bow, then untie it and measure the string.
This calculator covers shoes with eyelets in the four lacing styles listed. For lug or hook lacing and other styles, measure your original lace.
| Style | Exact | Buy size |
|---|
Over Under needs the same lace length as Criss Cross.
Treat this as a close estimate. Real length varies with eyelet size, lace thickness and stretch, and knot size. Some shoes also need longer or shorter laces than their eyelets suggest. If you still have a lace that fits well, measuring it is the easiest check.
What Length Shoelaces Do I Need?
A shoe with six eyelet pairs usually needs laces about 120 cm (47 in) long, but the exact size depends on your eyelet count, lacing style, and eyelet spacing. Change any of those and the answer changes. The calculator gives you two numbers. The exact length is the raw result of the math. The buy size is the smallest standard lace that is long enough. Laces are sold in set sizes, so the tool always rounds up. A calculated 115 cm becomes a 120 cm lace.
Three steps get you there:
- Count the eyelet pairs on one side of the shoe.
- Pick your lacing style.
- Enter your eyelet spacing and how much lace you want for the bow.
How the Shoelace Length Calculator Works
The calculator measures the path your lace travels, then adds the lace you need at each end for tying. It does the geometry so you don’t have to.
What You’ll Enter
- Eyelet pairs: count one side only. The tool accepts 2 to 15.
- Lacing style: Criss Cross, Over Under, Straight Bar, or Straight European.
- Horizontal spacing: the distance across the shoe, from the centre of one eyelet to its partner.
- Vertical spacing: the distance between two eyelets on the same side, centre to centre.
- End length: the lace from the middle of the knot to the tip. The default is 250 mm (about 10 in) per end.
What You’ll Get
You get the buy size, the exact length, the lacing path, the end allowance, and the result in inches. Switch between metric and imperial at any time. Spacing matters because two shoes with the same eyelet count can have very different layouts. A wide-set boot needs more lace than a narrow dress shoe. Counting eyelets alone misses that, which is why a chart can only be a rough guide.
The result is a close estimate. Lace thickness, stretch, and knot size all add small differences.
Pro-Tip: Measure your spacing with the shoe laced tight on your foot, and wear the socks you’ll actually use. Boots loosen over a day, and thick socks change how much lace the shoe takes up.
Shoelace Length Chart by Eyelet Pairs
This shoelace length chart gives the length for 3 to 10 eyelet pairs. It uses Criss Cross lacing, 50 mm horizontal spacing, 16 mm vertical spacing, and 250 mm at each end.
| Eyelet Pairs | Exact Length | Buy Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 81.5 cm (32.1 in) | 90 cm (35.4 in) |
| 4 | 92 cm (36.2 in) | 100 cm (39.4 in) |
| 5 | 102.5 cm (40.4 in) | 120 cm (47.2 in) |
| 6 | 113 cm (44.5 in) | 120 cm (47.2 in) |
| 7 | 123.5 cm (48.6 in) | 140 cm (55.1 in) |
| 8 | 134 cm (52.8 in) | 140 cm (55.1 in) |
| 9 | 144.5 cm (56.9 in) | 160 cm (63.0 in) |
| 10 | 155 cm (61.0 in) | 160 cm (63.0 in) |
Each extra eyelet pair adds roughly 10.5 cm (4 in) to the lace path. Your shoe may differ, so treat this table as a starting point. If your spacing is wider or narrower than the one used here, run the calculator for a precise answer.
Shoelace Length by Lacing Style
Lacing style changes how much lace you use, and it is the factor most length charts ignore. The same shoe can need very different laces depending on the pattern you choose.
- Criss Cross: the classic pattern. The lace crosses diagonally between every pair of eyelets.
- Over Under: crosses like Criss Cross, but alternates the lace passing over and under the eyelet row. It uses the same length.
- Straight Bar: straight bars run across the shoe, and the lace runs up the inside. It looks tidy and uses the least lace.
- Straight European: straight bars show on the outside, and hidden diagonals run underneath. It looks clean and uses the most lace.
Which Style Uses the Most Lace?
Straight European uses the most. Here is how the four compare on a 6-pair shoe, with default spacing and ends:
| Style | Exact Length | Buy Size |
|---|---|---|
| Criss Cross | 113 cm | 120 cm |
| Over Under | 113 cm | 120 cm |
| Straight Bar | 96 cm | 100 cm |
| Straight European | 115 cm | 120 cm |
Straight Bar saves about 17 cm over Criss Cross. That is enough to drop a full buy size. Choose Criss Cross or Over Under for everyday wear. Choose Straight Bar for a flat look or to relieve pressure on the top of your foot.
Pro-Tip: If you change your lacing style, recalculate. Moving from Criss Cross to Straight Bar can leave your old laces far too long.
Standard Shoe Lace Length by Shoe Type
Standard shoe lace length means the common retail sizes, not one universal length. Lace makers sell a limited set of sizes, and shoes fall into groups by eyelet count.
| Shoe Type | Typical Eyelet Pairs | Typical Buy Size |
|---|---|---|
| Dress shoes | 3 to 5 | 90 to 120 cm |
| Low-top sneakers | 5 to 6 | 120 cm |
| Running shoes | 6 to 7 | 120 to 140 cm |
| Hiking boots | 7 to 9 | 140 to 160 cm |
| Work boots and high-tops | 8 to 10 | 140 to 160 cm |
These ranges assume Criss Cross lacing. Your own shoe may differ, so count your pairs.
Hiking and Winter Boots
Boots ask more of a lace. They have more eyelets and often use speed hooks near the top. Many hikers also double-knot, which uses extra lace. If you tie with gloves on, you need longer ends, because short laces are hard to grip in the cold.
Start by increasing the end length setting in the calculator. Going from 250 mm to 300 mm per end adds 10 cm in total. That small change makes a big difference with cold fingers. Fit also matters before length does. If your boots rub, check your size with our Shoe Size Calculator first.
Pro-Tip: For boots, add 50 mm to each end if you double-knot or lace with gloves. It’s easier to trim extra lace than to fix a lace that’s too short on the trail.
How to Measure Shoelace Length
You can measure shoelace length three ways. The first is the most accurate.
- Measure Your Current Laces: If your laces already fit well, pull one out and measure it from tip to tip. This reflects your shoe, your lacing style, and your bow size. Lay the lace flat and don’t stretch it.
- Use String or Yarn: No original lace? Lace the shoe with string and tie the bow you like. Remove the string, straighten it, and measure it from end to end. Round up to the next standard size.
- Count Eyelet Pairs: Count the eyelets on one side of the shoe. Then use the chart above or the calculator. This is the fastest method but the least precise.
- Measuring Spacing for the Tool: For horizontal spacing, measure across the shoe from the centre of one eyelet to its partner. For vertical spacing, measure between two eyelets on the same side, also centre to centre. If the spacing varies, measure a few and use the average.
What If You’re Between Shoelace Sizes?
If your result falls between two sizes, choose by how you tie. Go up one size if you like a big bow or a double knot. Go down if you prefer a short, neat bow.
When in doubt, size up. A long lace can be trimmed. A short lace can’t be fixed. To trim, cut the lace at an angle and seal the cut end with a lighter flame for a second. This stops fraying on synthetic laces. Hold it at a safe distance and let it cool before you handle it.
Pro-Tip: Size up when you’re unsure. You can always shorten a lace, but you can never add length.
If standard sizes still don’t work, some makers offer custom-length shoelaces.
Shoelace Length FAQs
How long should shoelaces be for a 6-eyelet shoe?
About 120 cm (47 in) for most 6-pair shoes with Criss Cross lacing. Straight Bar lacing can drop this to 100 cm.
How do I know what size shoe laces to buy?
Count your eyelet pairs, pick a lacing style, and enter your spacing in the calculator. Buy the size it recommends.
Does lacing style change the length I need?
Yes. Straight Bar uses the least lace, and Straight European uses the most.
Can I use string to measure shoelaces?
Yes. Lace the shoe with string, tie your usual bow, then measure the string.
Do flat and round laces need different lengths?
Not by much, but thicker laces use slightly more length around each eyelet.
Final Word
Use the calculator for a precise answer, and use the chart for a quick check. If you still have a lace that fits well, measuring it beats everything else. This shoelace length guide gives you the numbers. Now go lace up.
Ethan Marlowe is an experienced hiker and outdoor gear specialist based in Colorado. With over 7 years of hands-on experience trekking through the Rockies, Pacific Northwest, and East Coast trails, he delivers practical advice, expert gear reviews, and survival insights. His goal is to help hikers of all levels make smarter decisions on and off the trail.
