Shoelace Length Calculator

Shoelace Length Calculator. Enter your shoe's eyelet pairs, horizontal spacing, vertical spacing, and preferred lacing pattern to calculate the exact shoelace length you need. Choose from popular patterns like criss-cross, straight bar, or sawtooth, and add your desired tip length for a complete result in both centimeters and inches. Also try the calculate Jeans Size.

Results

Recommended Shoelace Length

Length in Inches

Lacing Section Length

Total Tip Length (Both Ends)

Nearest Standard Size

How do I measure the horizontal and vertical spacing on my shoe?

Horizontal spacing is the distance between the left and right columns of eyelets — measure straight across. Vertical spacing is the gap between two consecutive eyelets going up the shoe along one side. A ruler or tape measure laid flat against the shoe works well for both. See also our use the Ring Size Converter.

How long of shoelaces do I need for criss-cross lacing?

For basic criss-cross lacing, the lace travels diagonally between eyelet pairs. The length depends on your eyelet count, horizontal spacing, and vertical spacing. A typical sneaker with 6 eyelet pairs, 45 mm horizontal spacing, and 10 mm vertical spacing needs roughly 110–120 cm of lace.

What is the easiest way to count eyelet pairs?

Count the number of eyelets (holes) on one side of your shoe only — that number equals your eyelet pairs. For example, if you see 6 holes on the left side, you have 6 pairs. Do not count both sides together.

How much extra lace should I leave for tying a bow?

Most people need 100–150 mm (10–15 cm) per free end to tie a comfortable bow knot. If you prefer a bigger bow or use a double knot, go for 150 mm per end. The calculator lets you set this as your Tip Length. You might also find our Cross-Stitch Calculator useful.

Does the lacing pattern really affect how long my shoelaces need to be?

Yes, significantly. Patterns like straight bar lacing use fewer crossings and require shorter laces, while criss-cross helix or over-under patterns add extra length with each pass. Choosing the wrong length for a pattern can leave you with laces that are too short to tie or far too long.

What are standard shoelace lengths I can buy?

Common retail shoelace lengths are 45 cm, 60 cm, 75 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, 114 cm, 120 cm, 137 cm, and 150 cm. The calculator rounds your result up to the nearest standard size so you know exactly what to buy.

Can I use this calculator for boots with lug lacing?

This calculator is optimized for standard eyelet shoes. Boots with lug-style fasteners have a different geometry — the lug width adds extra length per row. For standard boots with eyelets, the calculator works well; for lug-style boots, add roughly 2–4 mm per lug pair to the horizontal spacing.

What if I can't find the exact length in stores?

Always round up to the next available standard size. A slightly longer lace is much easier to manage than one that's too short. You can always double-knot or use a fancier knot to take up extra length.