At first glance, the New Balance 740 looks almost identical to the 530, and I get why a lot of people assume they fit the same, too.
But once you actually put them on foot, the story starts to change a little. So if you’re here wondering about New Balance 740 sizing, or you’re stuck comparing New Balance 740 vs New Balance 530, you’re definitely not overthinking it.
New Balance has been on a serious run lately, bringing back Y2K-era runners and turning them into everyday lifestyle sneakers.
That formula has worked really well for them, and the 740 feels like the next step in that playbook. It pulls from the archive, keeps that early-2000s running look, but tweaks the shape and structure just enough to feel modern on foot.
I spent time actually wearing these, comparing sizes, and paying attention to how they stack up against familiar models like the 530.
Below, I’ll break down exactly how the New Balance 740 fits, whether it runs big or small, and how close it really is to the 530 once sizing enters the conversation.
New Balance 740 Sizing
Now, do the New Balance 740 run big, small, or true to size?
For reference, I’m a true size 9 with slightly wider feet, and I grabbed these in both a size 9 and a size 8.5 to really dial things in.
How the New Balance 740 Fits on Foot
Starting with my true size 9, the fit immediately felt right. The toe box had enough room for my slightly wide feet, and I didn’t feel any pressure points up front.
Length-wise, I had about a thumb’s width of space between my longest toe and the front of the shoe, which is exactly what I look for in a comfortable everyday sneaker.
Nothing felt cramped, nothing felt sloppy, and overall, the shoe just sat naturally on my foot.
When I tried the size 8.5, things changed pretty quickly. While the length technically still worked, my toes started brushing against the stitching around the silver overlay near the front of the shoe.
It wasn’t painful, but it was irritating enough that I knew I wouldn’t want to wear them all day. That’s why, for me, true to size ended up being the safer and more comfortable option.
Now, if you have a narrow foot and you love that really snug, one-to-one fit, I can see how going half a size down might work. But if your feet are even slightly wide, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Related: I’ve also covered how the New Balance 574 fit, which is helpful if you’re comparing classic lifestyle models.
Width, Toe Box, and Overall Shape
The shoe is on the narrower side overall, and unfortunately, it doesn’t come in wide sizing like some other New Balance models do.
That doesn’t mean wide-footers can’t wear it, but it does mean you need to be more careful with sizing.
The toe box itself has enough room width-wise, but it feels shallower than expected. What’s interesting is that the toe box height measures about 1 and 1/8 inches, which is the same as the New Balance 530.
On paper, that should feel identical, but on foot, the 740 feels noticeably more narrow and restrictive.
That contrast was surprising, and it’s something you’ll notice if you’re sensitive to toe box depth.
Because of that, if you have wider feet, I’d honestly lean toward going half a size up rather than forcing a snug fit. The shoe works better with a bit of breathing room than it does when it’s compressed.
Related: For another Y2K runner comparison, check out my New Balance 327 sizing breakdown and how that model fits on foot.
Heel Feel and Lacing Style
One thing I really liked about the New Balance 740 is how flexible it is around the heel. There’s enough movement back there that you can lace them tight or loose depending on your style.
Personally, I’m more of a snug-lace person. I like my shoes tight enough to feel secure but loose enough that I can slip them on and off without re-lacing every time.
The 740 handled that perfectly without causing heel slip or pressure.
Related: If you’re into chunkier silhouettes, I go deep into New Balance 9060 sizing, including whether they feel big, small, or true to size.
Sizing Compared to Other Models
To give you a better frame of reference, I wear a size 9 or true to size in models like the New Balance Abzorb 2010, 1906R, 860 V2, 2002R, and made in UK pairs such as the 1500 and 991.
On the flip side, I usually go half a size down to an 8.5 in models like the 992, 993, 550, and most of the 990 series. The New Balance 740 definitely aligns more with the made in Asia sizing than the made in USA stuff.
Concepts x New Balance 740 Sizing
I also tried the Concepts x New Balance 740, and the fit was consistent with the regular version.
I went with my true size 9 again, and they felt very comfortable. Just like the standard 740, if you have narrow feet and want a very snug, precise fit, half a size down could work.
But for most people, sticking with your true size is going to be the move here.
The collab fits the same as the general release.
New Balance 740 Size Chart
Men
| US Men | US Women | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 36 | 22 |
| 4.5 | 6 | 4 | 37 | 22.5 |
| 5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23 |
| 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 23.5 |
| 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 |
| 6.5 | 8 | 6 | 39.5 | 24.5 |
| 7 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 25 |
| 7.5 | 9 | 7 | 40.5 | 25.5 |
| 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 41.5 | 26 |
| 8.5 | 10 | 8 | 42 | 26.5 |
| 9 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27 |
| 9.5 | 11 | 9 | 43 | 27.5 |
| 10 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 44 | 28 |
| 10.5 | 12 | 10 | 44.5 | 28.5 |
| 11 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 29 |
| 11.5 | 13 | 11 | 45.5 | 29.5 |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 46.5 | 30 |
| 12.5 | 14 | 12 | 47 | 30.5 |
| 13 | 15 | 12.5 | 47.5 | 31 |
| 14 | 13.5 | 49 | 32 | |
| 15 | 14.5 | 50 | 33 | |
| 16 | 15.5 | 51 | 34 | |
| 17 | 16.5 | 52 | 35 | |
| 18 | 17.5 | 53 | 36 | |
| 19 | 18.5 | 54 | 37 | |
| 20 | 19.5 | 55 | 38 |
Women
| US Women | US Men | UK | EU | CM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2.5 | 2 | 34 | 21 |
| 4.5 | 3 | 2.5 | 34.5 | 21.5 |
| 5 | 3.5 | 3 | 35 | 22 |
| 5.5 | 4 | 3.5 | 36 | 22.5 |
| 6 | 4.5 | 4 | 36.5 | 23 |
| 6.5 | 5 | 4.5 | 37 | 23.5 |
| 7 | 5.5 | 5 | 37.5 | 24 |
| 7.5 | 6 | 5.5 | 38 | 24.5 |
| 8 | 6.5 | 6 | 39 | 25 |
| 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 | 40 | 25.5 |
| 9 | 7.5 | 7 | 40.5 | 26 |
| 9.5 | 8 | 7.5 | 41 | 26.5 |
| 10 | 8.5 | 8 | 41.5 | 27 |
| 10.5 | 9 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27.5 |
| 11 | 9.5 | 9 | 43 | 28 |
| 11.5 | 10 | 9.5 | 43.5 | 28.5 |
| 12 | 10.5 | 10 | 44 | 29 |
| 12.5 | 11 | 10.5 | 45 | 29.5 |
| 13 | 11.5 | 11 | 45.5 | 30 |
| 13.5 | 12 | 11.5 | 46 | 30.5 |
| 14 | 12.5 | 12 | 46.5 | 31 |
| 15 | 13 | 13 | 48 | 32 |
New Balance 740 Width Chart
| Code | Men | Women's |
|---|---|---|
| 4A | — | X-Narrow |
| 2A | X-Narrow | Narrow |
| B | Narrow | Standard |
| D | Standard | Wide |
| 2E | Wide | X-Wide |
| 4E | X-Wide | XX-Wide |
| 6E | XX-Wide | — |
How the New Balance 740 Fits Compared to Asics and Nike
If you’re coming from Asics or Nike and trying to figure out your New Balance 740 sizing, the good news is that the transition is pretty straightforward.
In my experience, the 740 fits very similarly to the Asics GT 2160 and the Asics Gel-NYC, both of which I also wear true to size.
Length-wise and overall balance, they line up closely, especially if you’re used to that modern-retro runner feel Asics has been doing lately.
On the Nike side, the fit reminds me a lot of the Nike Foamposite and the Nike Vomero in terms of sizing choice.
The overall length feels comparable, and while the shapes are different, the sizing decision stays the same.
Related: If you’re still unsure about length, I break it down in my New Balance 1000 sizing guide, especially around whether they run big or small.
How to Measure Your Feet for the New Balance 740
The best option: try them on in person
If you can, nothing beats trying the 740 on in-store.
Bring the socks you actually plan on wearing with them and walk around for a few minutes. Pay attention to toe box height, not just length.
The 740 can feel a little more narrow and slightly shallower up front, so this step matters more than usual.
Get measured by a fitting professional
If you’re already in a New Balance store, ask to get measured.
A proper fitting will tell you your length, width, and whether one foot is slightly bigger than the other, which happens way more often than people think. If you’re between sizes, always size for the bigger foot.
Using a Brannock device
The Brannock device is still one of the most reliable tools out there.
- Stand up straight with your weight evenly distributed.
- Make sure your heel is all the way back
- Check both the length and the width measurements
Don’t skip the width part, especially with the 740, since it doesn’t come in wide sizing.
Measuring at home with paper and a pen
If you’re ordering online, this works surprisingly well:
- Place a sheet of paper against a wall
- Stand on it with your heel lightly touching the wall
- Mark the tip of your longest toe
- Measure the distance in centimeters or inches
- Repeat for both feet and use the larger measurement
- Compare that number to New Balance’s size chart and start from there.
Small details that actually matter
- Measure your feet at the end of the day when they’re slightly swollen
- Wear the same type of socks you’ll wear with the 740
- Measure both feet, even if you’re sure they’re the same size
- If you’re between sizes and don’t like tight toe boxes, sizing up is usually safer with the 740
Final Thoughts
Here’s the honest way I’d sum up the New Balance 740 sizing experience.
Long story short, the New Balance 740 runs true to size for most people.
If you have normal or slightly wide feet, I’d stick with your true size.
If your feet are narrow and you love a tight, locked-in feel, you could experiment with going half a size down.
And if you have wide feet, going half a size up is the safer play, especially given how narrow the shoe feels through the midfoot and toe box depth.
As always, sizing is personal. My foot isn’t your foot. But based on real wear and side-by-side testing, true to size is where the New Balance 740 makes the most sense.
If you’ve already tried the 740, I want to hear from you.
Did you stick true to size, or did you go half a size down? Did they feel similar to the 530 for you, or totally different on foot?