Compression Sock Size Chart

How to use this chart

1. Pick the gender chart at the top. Most brands publish separate women's and men's charts because shoe-size mappings differ. Choose Unisex if you're shopping medical-grade brands like Sigvaris, Jobst, or Mediven that use only one chart.
2. Type your shoe size (US). For brands that size by shoe alone — Sockwell, OS1st — that's all you need. For brands that use calf circumference (VIM & VIGR, FIGS, Doc Miller) or ankle + calf (Sigvaris, Jobst, Mediven), add those measurements too.
3. Measure your calf at the widest point. Stand, place a soft tape measure around the meatiest part of your calf, snug but not compressed. For ankle, measure the narrowest point just above the ankle bone. The unit toggle on the calf input switches between inches and centimeters — most US brands use inches; FIGS and most European brands use cm.
4. Pick a use case in the "What level of compression do I need?" dropdown. The mmHg recommendation panel updates with the right compression level (15–20, 20–30, 30–40 mmHg) plus a one-line clinical rationale. The reference chart below highlights the matching zone.
5. Save or share the result. The "Copy share link" button copies a URL with your inputs encoded — paste it into a clinician's note, a fitter's intake form, or a text to a family member who's shopping for you.

Why this tool is different from other compression sock size charts

Most pages ranking for "compression sock size chart" are single-brand charts — VIM & VIGR's chart, Sockwell's chart, Sigvaris's chart, FIGS's chart. The first SERP for our keyword has eleven results and every one of them covers exactly one brand. If you're not sure yet which brand you're buying, you have to open eleven tabs.

• Cross-brand aggregation. This tool maps your measurements to eight popular compression sock brands at once — VIM & VIGR, Sigvaris, Sockwell, FIGS, Doc Miller, Jobst, Mediven, and OS1st. Most online charts show one. We show all of them, side by side, with each brand's compression-level range listed under the size.
• Use-case → mmHg recommendation. Shoppers ask two questions: "what size?" and "what compression level?" Brand pages answer the first, but most route the mmHg question through their own brand-locked quiz. This tool's dropdown gives a vendor-neutral mmHg recommendation grounded in AVLS, ACOG, NLN, and CDC/ASH guidance.
• Embeddable widget. Vein clinics, lymphedema support communities, podiatrist offices, varicose-vein practices, and patient-education blogs can host the cross-brand chart as an `<iframe>` with required attribution — no other compression sock chart on page 1 offers this.
• Reviewed by a named MD. The page-1 SERP for this keyword is e-commerce sellers and brand chart pages. None are written or reviewed by a licensed physician. Dr. Taylor reviews this tool annually for citation currency and clinical correctness.
• Wide-calf flagging. When your calf measurement exceeds 17 in (43 cm), brands with a wide-calf line surface their wide-fit variant automatically; brands without one flag "above standard chart range" so you don't waste an order. No other tool does this.

How compression levels (mmHg) work — and which one is right for you

Compression socks come in five graduated pressure levels measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The number quantifies how much squeeze the sock applies at the ankle, with pressure decreasing as it moves up the leg — that gradient is what helps blood return to the heart.

• 8–15 mmHg (Mild). Light support. Sold without prescription. Used for office or desk work, mild fatigue, low-risk travelers, and as a diabetic-friendly loose-fit option after peripheral arterial disease has been ruled out.
• 15–20 mmHg (Moderate). The most common over-the-counter level. Comfort baseline for everyday wear, long flights, nursing shifts, pregnancy with symptomatic edema, mild varicose veins, and athletic recovery. Most general-purpose recommendations live here.
• 20–30 mmHg (Firm). Medical-grade. Often prescribed for moderate varicose veins, post-sclerotherapy, DVT prevention in high-risk travelers and post-surgical patients, and early lymphedema. Sold over the counter but worth a clinician conversation.
• 30–40 mmHg (Extra Firm). Prescription level. Used for severe varicose veins, established lymphedema, and severe venous insufficiency. Professional fitting by a certified compression-garment fitter is strongly recommended — most vein clinics and medical-supply stores have one on staff.
• 40–50 mmHg (Severe). Prescription only. Reserved for severe chronic venous insufficiency or advanced lymphedema under clinician management. Always custom-fitted.

The mmHg level is independent of size. A small VIM & VIGR sock at 15–20 mmHg applies the same pressure as an extra-large at 15–20 mmHg — it's the level, not the size, that determines firmness. The size determines whether it fits your foot and calf without rolling, sliding, or constricting in the wrong place.

The diabetic exception. If you have diabetes, the order of operations is: rule out peripheral arterial disease (PAD) first, then consider compression. Tight compression on undiagnosed PAD can compromise circulation in already-compromised feet. The tool flags this automatically when you pick the diabetic use case. Loose-fit diabetic socks at 8–15 mmHg are generally safer until your clinician clears you for graduated medical-grade compression.

How to measure your calf and ankle correctly

Most fitting errors come from measuring at the wrong spot or with the wrong tape. The basics:

1. Measure first thing in the morning. Calves can swell 3–5% over a day on your feet. The sock's published range is built around morning baseline, so a measurement taken at 6 PM after a 12-hour shift will steer you to a size that's too loose by morning.
2. Stand up, weight even, foot flat. Compression socks fit to a standing leg; sitting compresses the calf and undercuts the measurement.
3. Calf at the widest point. Run a soft tape measure (not a steel construction tape) around the meatiest part of your calf — typically 6–8 inches below the back of your knee. Snug, but not pulled tight enough to compress the muscle.
4. Ankle at the narrowest point. Just above the ankle bone, where the leg starts to widen into the calf. Some brands (Sigvaris, Jobst, Mediven, FIGS) require both ankle and calf — the ankle measurement is what determines size on those medical-grade charts.
5. Re-measure every 6 months or after weight, pregnancy, or muscle changes. Calves change more than people expect.

Three real-world examples

Pregnancy with leg swelling at week 28

Maya, 32, is 28 weeks pregnant and noticing significant ankle swelling by mid-afternoon. Her women's shoe size is 8 and morning calf measures 14.5 inches. She picks Pregnancy (symptomatic edema) in the use-case dropdown. The tool returns 15–20 mmHg as the recommended level — ACOG-supported for symptomatic pregnancy edema. The brand grid shows VIM & VIGR M/L (calf 13–17 in), Sockwell M/L (shoe 8–11), Doc Miller Medium, and Sigvaris Medium when she adds her ankle measurement. She picks VIM & VIGR cotton because it's washable, takes the result link to her OB visit, and gets cleared. Two weeks later she upgrades to 20–30 mmHg under her OB's guidance for the third trimester.

Post-knee-replacement DVT prevention

Robert, 67, is being discharged five days after a total knee replacement. His vascular surgeon prescribes 20–30 mmHg knee-high compression for six weeks of DVT prophylaxis. He's a men's shoe size 11, calf 16.5 inches, ankle 9.5 inches. The tool's brand grid surfaces Sigvaris Medium (ankle 8.25–9.75 in, calf 13–16.5 in), Jobst Large (ankle 9–10 in, calf 14–17 in), Mediven IV (ankle 9–10 in, calf 14–18 in), and Doc Miller Large. He picks DVT prevention from the dropdown — confirmed at 20–30 mmHg. He chooses Jobst from a brand his pharmacy stocks, copies the share link to text his daughter who's picking up the order, and is fitted at the medical-supply counter.

ICU nurse working 12-hour shifts

Priya, 28, has aching legs and visible spider veins after 18 months of ICU shifts. Women's shoe 7, calf 13 inches. She picks Nursing / on-feet shift work — recommended 15–20 mmHg. The brand grid shows Sockwell S/M (shoe 4–7.5), VIM & VIGR S/M, FIGS S, Doc Miller Small. She wants something machine-washable that doesn't look medical, so she goes with Sockwell wool-blend in 15–20 mmHg. Three months in, the spider veins are stable and the end-of-shift ache is gone. She bookmarks the share link to send to a coworker who asks where she got them.

Frequently asked questions

What if I'm between sizes?

Most brands recommend sizing down if you're between sizes — compression socks should feel snug. But if you're at the upper end of a size's calf range and the sock feels uncomfortably tight at the top, it's the right size; the discomfort usually fades within a few days as your skin adjusts. If it doesn't fade or you develop numbness or color change, size up.

How do I know if I need a wide-calf size?

If your calf measures above 17 inches (43 cm) at the widest point, look for a brand with a dedicated wide-calf line — VIM & VIGR, Sockwell, Jobst, and Doc Miller all offer one. Standard sizes top out around 18 inches; pushing beyond that compresses the calf in ways that compromise the graduated pressure profile. The tool flags wide-calf options automatically. Our compression socks roundup highlights wide-calf-friendly picks.

Does compression level (mmHg) affect what size I order?

No — mmHg is the firmness, size is the fit. A small at 20–30 mmHg fits the same foot as a small at 15–20 mmHg, just with more squeeze. Pick the size from your measurements, then pick the level from your use case.

Can I wear compression socks if I have diabetes?

Mild compression (8–15 mmHg) or non-graduated diabetic socks are usually safe for diabetic patients without peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Anything firmer (15–20 mmHg or above) should wait until your clinician has confirmed adequate arterial circulation — ankle-brachial index is the standard screening test. Compression on undiagnosed PAD can worsen circulation in already-compromised feet. See our diabetic socks review for safe options.

Can I embed this size chart on my own site?

Yes — copy the embed snippet at the bottom of this page. The embedded version is a stripped-down variant designed for vein clinics, podiatrist offices, lymphedema support sites, varicose-vein practices, and patient-education blogs. Required attribution is built in. There is no fee, no signup, no analytics attached to the embed.

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Dr. Taylor's compression sock recommendations

Once you know your size and the right mmHg level, these three roundups cover the products Dr. Taylor recommends for the most common use cases:

• Best Compression Socks — top-rated graduated compression socks across 15–20, 20–30, and 30–40 mmHg, including wide-calf and zip-up options for travel, work, and clinical use.
• Best Diabetic Socks — loose-fit and mild-compression options for diabetic feet, including PAD-aware selections that avoid graduated medical-grade compression.
• Best Compression Gloves — hand and wrist compression for arthritis, lymphedema upper-extremity management, and post-surgical use; pairs with leg compression for full-body therapy.
• For the deeper question of when to choose socks vs sleeves, see compression socks vs. sleeves.

Sources & methodology

• VIM & VIGR — Sizing, Fabric & Compression Guide (fetched 2026-04-29).
• Sockwell — Compression Sock Sizes (fetched 2026-04-29).
• FIGS — Socks International Size Chart (fetched 2026-04-29).
• Shop Sigvaris — Compression Socks and Stockings Sizing Charts (fetched 2026-04-29).
• Doc Miller — Compression Socks Size Chart (fetched 2026-04-29).
• medi USA — mediven Comfort Sizing Chart (fetched 2026-04-29).
• OS1st — Compression Bracing Socks Size Chart (fetched 2026-04-29).
• Mayo Clinic Store — Sigvaris & Jobst sizing charts (fetched 2026-04-29).
• American Vein & Lymphatic Society — graduated compression therapy guidelines for varicose veins, post-procedure care, and venous insufficiency.
• National Lymphedema Network — compression therapy for early-stage and established lymphedema; certified-fitter requirement above 30 mmHg.
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — pregnancy lower-extremity edema and varicose-vein prophylaxis guidance.
• CDC + American Society of Hematology — graduated compression for travel-related VTE prevention.
• American Diabetes Association — peripheral arterial disease screening before graduated compression in diabetic patients.

This tool is reviewed annually for citation currency. Brand size charts are re-fetched every 12 months because manufacturers occasionally re-issue charts. About Dr. Taylor · Last reviewed April 29, 2026.

Embed this tool on your site

Free for vein clinics, podiatrist offices, lymphedema support communities, varicose-vein practices, patient-education sites, and personal blogs. Required attribution is included in the snippet. No fee, no account, no analytics.

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  Compression sock size chart by
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  &middot; Reviewed by Dr. David Taylor, MD, PhD
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