My actual size is 8.5W; "wide" is needed for a bunion, but more so for the swelling. When that size is unavailable, size 9 usually works. Not with these shoes. The toe box is too small, and I would have tolerated that pain for a few hours, but I cannot tolerate the noise they make! I only walked from one room to another in my home, and the sound was worse than a "squeak-squeak". I do not want to attract that type of attention, so, as badly as I need blue shoes this week, these are being returned.