Shoelace Length Calculator
Enter your shoe's eyelet count, the spacing between eyelets, and how much lace you want left for tying. Pick your lacing style and the calculator works out the total length you need. Results update instantly in centimetres or inches. A practical "buy this size" recommendation rounds up to the nearest 5 mm standard lace length.
Formula
Worked example
A sneaker with 6 eyelet pairs, 38 mm width, 14 mm pitch and 250 mm free ends: diagonal = sqrt(38^2 + 14^2) = 40.5 mm. Core = 38 + 5 x 40.5 = 240.5 mm. Total = 240.5 + 2 x 250 = 740.5 mm (about 74 cm or 29 in). The nearest 5 mm standard size is 74 cm - so buy 75 cm laces to be safe.
How to measure your shoe before calculating
You need three measurements from your shoe. First, the horizontal spacing (H): lay the shoe flat and measure straight across from the centre of a left eyelet to the centre of the directly opposite right eyelet. For most sneakers this is between 30 mm and 50 mm. Second, the vertical spacing (V), also called pitch: measure between the centres of two adjacent eyelets on the same side. This is typically 12 mm to 20 mm on trainers and up to 25 mm on heavy boots. Third, count the eyelets on one side only - that gives you the number of pairs. If you have existing laces, you can simply measure them tip to tip while they are still in the shoe, which is the fastest method.
How the shoelace length formula works
The calculator uses the Pythagorean theorem to find the length of each diagonal segment that crosses from one side of the shoe to the other. For criss-cross lacing, each crossing travels diagonally across and up one row at the same time, so its length is the square root of (H squared plus V squared). With P pairs of eyelets there are P minus 1 such crossings. The base of the lace runs straight across the bottom row (one width, H). The lacing section total is therefore H plus (P minus 1) times the diagonal length. Finally, the free ends - the lace hanging past the last eyelets on each side - are added twice (once per side). Different patterns change the geometry: straight bar lacing has only horizontal runs alternating with short vertical hops, so it tends to use more total lace than criss-cross on the same shoe. Over-under lacing follows the same path as criss-cross but needs about 4 percent extra length because the lace is pulled slightly tighter at each weave.
Choosing the right lacing pattern
Criss-cross is the standard on most mass-produced shoes and works for all eyelet counts. It distributes tension evenly and is quick to learn. Over-under (also called European straight or army) alternates the lace over then under each bar, locking the lace in place at each crossing, which reduces slipping and is popular with runners. Straight bar lacing, sometimes called display or lydiard lacing, creates a clean horizontal look that is common on dress shoes and is how many shoes arrive from the store. The shoe-shop bar variant threads from the outside inward at the bottom for an even cleaner finish. Sawtooth lacing creates a decorative zigzag pattern on the tongue. Train track (army ladder) runs two parallel channels up both sides, useful for boots where you want to open them quickly from the top. Army alternate-straight runs each row straight across but from alternate sides, giving a neat parallel appearance with moderate tension.
Standard retail lace lengths and how to shop
Shoelaces are sold in standard lengths, most commonly 45 cm (18 in), 60 cm (24 in), 75 cm (30 in), 90 cm (36 in), 100 cm (45 in), 110 cm (45 in), 120 cm (47 in), 140 cm (55 in), and 160 cm (63 in). Always round up to the next standard length if your calculated result falls between sizes - it is far better to have a little extra lace than to find you cannot tie a proper knot. If you are replacing laces on a shoe you already own, measure the old lace tip to tip first. If the shoe is new or the original laces are lost, use this calculator with your shoe measurements and the criss-cross pattern as a starting point.
Standard shoelace lengths by eyelet pairs
| Eyelet pairs | Narrow shoe (25 mm width) | Medium shoe (38 mm width) | Wide shoe (50 mm width) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 45 cm (18 in) | 55 cm (22 in) | 65 cm (26 in) |
| 3 | 55 cm (22 in) | 70 cm (28 in) | 85 cm (33 in) |
| 4 | 65 cm (26 in) | 80 cm (31 in) | 100 cm (39 in) |
| 5 | 75 cm (30 in) | 90 cm (35 in) | 110 cm (43 in) |
| 6 | 80 cm (32 in) | 100 cm (39 in) | 125 cm (49 in) |
| 7 | 90 cm (35 in) | 110 cm (43 in) | 140 cm (55 in) |
| 8 | 95 cm (37 in) | 120 cm (47 in) | 155 cm (61 in) |
| 9 | 100 cm (39 in) | 130 cm (51 in) | 170 cm (67 in) |
| 10 | 110 cm (43 in) | 140 cm (55 in) | 185 cm (73 in) |
Approximate lengths for criss-cross lacing with medium (38 mm) eyelet width. Use the calculator above for exact measurements.
Frequently asked questions
How do I count eyelet pairs?
Count the holes on one side of the shoe only. If you count six holes on the left side, you have six pairs of eyelets. Do not count both sides and add them together. A standard adult sneaker typically has five to seven pairs.
What horizontal and vertical spacing should I use for a typical sneaker?
Most adult sneakers have a horizontal spacing (tongue width at the eyelets) of about 35 mm to 45 mm, with 38 mm being a common middle value. Vertical spacing between rows is usually 12 mm to 18 mm, with 14 mm to 16 mm typical for running shoes. If you want a precise result, spend 30 seconds with a ruler - the difference between 35 mm and 45 mm can change the calculated lace length by 5 cm to 10 cm.
How much lace should I leave for tying?
The default free-end allowance is 250 mm (about 10 inches) on each side, which is enough for a standard bow with moderate loops. If you prefer large loops or tie a double knot, increase this to 280 mm to 300 mm. For children's shoes with smaller hands, 200 mm to 220 mm is usually enough.
Why does the calculator recommend rounding up?
Shoelaces are sold in fixed standard lengths (45 cm, 60 cm, 75 cm and so on). The calculator rounds to the nearest 5 mm standard size. If your exact calculated length falls between two retail sizes, buying the longer one is safer because excess lace can be hidden in the bow, while laces that are too short will not reach a comfortable knot.
Does lacing style really affect how long the laces need to be?
Yes, significantly. On a six-eyelet-pair sneaker with typical dimensions, straight bar lacing can need 10 cm to 20 cm more than criss-cross. Train track lacing for boots can need considerably more because two parallel runs of lace travel the full height of the shoe. Always match the pattern you plan to use to the one selected in this calculator.
My calculated lace is 73 cm - what size should I buy?
Buy 75 cm laces. Retailers sell laces in increments of roughly 10 cm to 15 cm, so 75 cm is the next standard size up from your 73 cm calculation. The extra 2 cm will be invisible once the bow is tied.
Can I use this calculator for boots with hooks or D-rings instead of eyelets?
Yes. Enter the number of hook pairs as your eyelet count, measure the width between hooks as horizontal spacing, and the distance between consecutive hooks as vertical spacing. The lacing geometry is the same whether the shoe uses eyelets, D-rings, or hooks.