Ian's Shoelace Site - Shoelace Length Formulas

Shoelace Menu

Other Information

About This Site

Support This Site

Web Site Menu

Shoelace Length Formulas

All of the underlying mathematical formulas from the Shoelace Length Calculator are shown here both in mathematical notation and in generic notation (coloured GREEN) compatible with spreadsheet software (like Microsoft Excel).

Army Lacing (same as Bow Tie Lacing)
Method 1 (Verticals at bottom, Shorter):

(H+V×INT(P÷2)+√(H²+V²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+V*INT(P/2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

Method 2 (Diagonals at bottom, Longer):

(H+V×INT((P−1)÷2)+√(H²+V²)×INT(P÷2)+L)×2

(H+V*INT((P-1)/2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT(P/2)+L)*2

(For odd numbers of eyelet pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Bow-Tie Lacing (same as Army Lacing)
Method 1 (Verticals at bottom, Shorter):

(H+V×INT(P÷2)+√(H²+V²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+V*INT(P/2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

Method 2 (Diagonals at bottom, Longer):

(H+V×INT((P−1)÷2)+√(H²+V²)×INT(P÷2)+L)×2

(H+V*INT((P-1)/2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT(P/2)+L)*2

(For odd numbers of eyelet pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Checkerboard Lacing
Lace 1 (Horizontal):

H×P+V×(P−1)+L×2

H*P+V*(P-1)+L*2

(Note that End Lengths can be much shorter than other methods)

Lace 2 (Vertical):

V×1.05×(P−1)×(Vertical Passes)+L×2

V*1.05*(P-1)*(Vertical Passes)+L*2

(This approximates 5% longer verticals to allow for weaving)

Criss Cross Lacing
(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Display Shoe Lacing (same as Criss Cross Lacing)
(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Double Lacing
Lace 1 (Bottom, Longer):

(H+√(H²+(V×2)²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

Lace 2 (Second, Shorter):

(H+√(H²+(V×2)²)×INT((P−2)÷2)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*INT((P-2)/2)+L)*2

(For even numbers of eyelet pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Double Back Lacing
Method 1 (Verticals at bottom, Shorter):

(H+V+√(H²+(V×2)²)×(P−2)+L)×2

(H+V+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*(P-2)+L)*2

Method 2 (Diagonals at bottom, Longer):

(H+√(H²+V²)+√(H²+(V×2)²)×(P−2)+L)*2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*(P-2)+L)*2

Double Cross Lacing
Method 1 (Even number of eyelet pairs, Skip eyelets near ends, Shorter):

(H+L)×2+√(H²+V²)×(P−4)+√(H²+(V×3)²)×(P−2)

(H+L)*2+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-4)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9)*(P-2)

Method 2 (Even number of eyelet pairs, Use all eyelets, Longer):

(H+L)×2+√(H²+V²)×(P−2)+√(H²+(V×2)²)×4+√(H²+(V×3)²)×(P−4)

(H+L)*2+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*4+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9)*(P-4)

Method 3 (Odd number of eyelet pairs, Skip eyelets near one end):

(H+√(H²+(V×2)²)+L)×2+(√(H²+V²)+√(H²+(V×3)²))×(P−3)

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)+L)*2+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9))*(P-3)

Double Helix Lacing (same as Criss Cross Lacing)
(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Double Sided Lacing (each lace, same as Criss Cross Lacing)
(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Footbag Lacing
Method 1 (Basic):

(H+V×5+√(H²+V²)×(P−4)+L)×2

(H+V*5+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-4)+L)*2

Method 2 (Corkscrew):

(H+V×6+√(H²+V²)×(P−4)+L)×2

(H+V*6+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-4)+L)*2

(Method 2 approximates 50% longer on 2 x verticals wrapped around edges)

Method 3 (Extended):

(H+V×8+√(H²+V²)×(P−5)+L)×2

(H+V*8+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-5)+L)*2

Method 4 (Double extended):

(H+V×10+√(H²+V²)×(P−5)+L)×2

(H+V*10+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-5)+L)*2

Half & Half / Criss Cross Lacing
Method 1 (Bi-color shoelace): (same as Criss Cross Lacing)

(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Method 2 (Knotted halves): (each half-shoelace)

H×1.5+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L

H*1.5+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L

(These approximate a little extra length to allow for knots)

Method 3 (Separate halves): (each half-shoelace)

H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L

H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L

(These approximate a little extra length to allow for knots)

Half & Half / Straight (Bar) Lacing
Method 1 (Bi-color shoelace): (same as Straight Bar Lacing)

H×P+(V×(P−1)+L)×2

H*P+(V*(P-1)+L)*2

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Method 2 (Knotted halves):

Half-shoelace 1 (Bottom, Longer):

H×(P+2)÷2+V×P+L

H*(P+2)/2+V*P+L

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Half-shoelace 2 (Second, Shorter):

H×P÷2+V×(P−1)+L

H*P/2+V*(P-1)+L

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Method 3 (Separate halves):

Half-shoelace 1 (Bottom, Longer):

H×INT((P+2)÷2)+V×(P−0.5)+L

H*INT((P+2)/2)+V*(P-0.5)+L

Half-shoelace 2 (Second, Shorter):

H×INT((P+1)÷2)+V×(P−1.5)+L

H*INT((P+1)/2)+V*(P-1.5)+L

Hash Lacing
Method 1 (Even number of eyelet pairs, Skip eyelets near ends, Shorter):

(H+L)×2+V×(P−4)+√(H²+(V×3)²)×(P−2)

(H+L)*2+V*(P-4)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9)*(P-2)

Method 2 (Even number of eyelet pairs, Use all eyelets, Longer):

(H+L)×2+V×(P−2)+√(H²+(V×2)²)×4+√(H²+(V×3)²)×(P−4)

(H+L)*2+V*(P-2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*4+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9)*(P-4)

Method 3 (Odd number of eyelet pairs, Skip eyelets near one end):

(H+√(H²+(V×2)²)+L)×2+(V+√(H²+(V×3)²))×(P−3)

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)+L)*2+(V+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9))*(P-3)

Hexagram Lacing
(H×(P+4)÷5+L)×2+(V+SQRT(H²+(V×3)²))×(P−1)÷5×4

(H*(P+4)/5+L)*2+(V+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9))*(P-1)/5*4

(Only applicable when number of eyelet pairs P = 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, etc.)

Hidden Knot Lacing (same as Straight Bar Lacing)
H×P+(V×(P−1)+L)×2

H*P+(V*(P-1)+L)*2

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Hiking / Biking Lacing (same as Straight Bar Lacing)
H×P+(V×(P−1)+L)×2

H*P+(V*(P-1)+L)*2

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Knotted Lacing
(H+√(H²+V²)×1.03×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*1.03*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 3% longer diagonals to allow for knots)

Knotted Segment Lacing
(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−0.75)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-0.75)+L)*2

(This approximates 25% longer on two diagonals to allow for knot)

Ladder Lacing
Method 1 (No lock at top, Shorter):

((H+V)×(P−1)+L)×2

((H+V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Method 2 (With lock at top, Longer):

((H+V)×P−V+L)×2

((H+V)*P-V+L)*2

Lattice Lacing
Method 1 (Single verticals, Shorter):

(H+L)×2+(V×4+√(H²+(V×3)²)×6)×(P−1)÷5

(H+L)*2+(V*4+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9)*6)*(P-1)/5

Method 2 (Double verticals, Longer):

(H+L)×2+(V×8+√(H²+(V×3)²)×6)×(P−1)÷5

(H+L)*2+(V*8+SQRT(H*H+V*V*9)*6)*(P-1)/5

(Only applicable when number of eyelet pairs P = 6, 11, 16, 21, 26, etc.)

Lock Lacing
Method 1 (High lock, Shorter):

(H+V+√(H²+V²)×(P−2)+√(H²+(V÷2)²)+L)×2

(H+V+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-2)+SQRT(H*H+V*V/4)+L)*2

Method 2 (Low lock, Medium):

(H+V+√(H²+V²)×(P−3)+√(H²+(V×2)²)+√(H²+(V÷2)²)+L)×2

(H+V+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-3)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)+SQRT(H*H+V*V/4)+L)*2

Method 3 (Looped lock, Longer):

H×4.1+(√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

H*4.1+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 5% longer on two horizontals to allow for loops)

Loop Back Lacing
(H+√(H²+V²)×1.05×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*1.05*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 5% longer diagonals to allow for loop backs)

One Handed Lacing
H×P+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L×1.25

H*P+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L*1.25

(This approximates the tied off end at 1/4 the length of the loose end)

Over Under Lacing (same as Criss Cross Lacing)
(H+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Pentagram Lacing
H×3+V×(P−2)×4+(√(H²+(V×(P−3))²)+√((H÷2)²+(V×(P−2))²)+L)×2

H*3+V*(P-2)*4+(SQRT(H*H+V*(P-3)*V*(P-3))+SQRT(H*H/4+V*(P-2)*V*(P-2))+L)*2

Riding Boot Lacing (same as Shoe Shop Lacing)
H×P+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+√(H²+(V×(P−1))²)+L×2

H*P+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+SQRT(H*H+V*(P-1)*V*(P-1))+L*2

Roman Lacing
Shoes with 4, 10, 16, 22, etc. sets of eyelets:

Method 1 ("I" at bottom, Short):

(H×(P+2)+V×(P×5−8))÷3+(√(H²+V²)×(P−1)÷3+L)×2

(H*(P+2)+V*(P*5-8))/3+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)/3+L)*2

Method 2 ("X" at bottom, Long):

(H×(P+2)+V×(P×5−2))÷3+(√(H²+V²)×(P−1)÷3+L)×2

(H*(P+2)+V*(P*5-2))/3+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)/3+L)*2

Shoes with 8, 14, 20, 26, etc. sets of eyelets:

Method 1 ("I" at bottom, Short):

(H×(P+4)+V×(P×5−4))÷3+(√(H²+V²)×(P−2)÷3+L)×2

(H*(P+4)+V*(P*5-4))/3+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-2)/3+L)*2

Method 2 ("X" at bottom, Ends tied at side, Medium):

(H×(P−2)+V×(P×5−4))÷3+(√(H²+V²)×(P+1)÷3+L)×2

(H*(P-2)+V*(P*5-4))/3+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P+1)/3+L)*2

Method 3 ("X" at bottom, Ends tied across top, Long):

(H×(P+4)+V×(P×5−10))÷3+(√(H²+V²)×(P+1)÷3+L)×2

(H*(P+4)+V*(P*5-10))/3+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P+1)/3+L)*2

All other combinations:

(H×INT((P+5)÷6)+V×INT((P−1)×5÷6)+√(H²+V²)×INT((P+1)÷3)+L)×2

(H*INT((P+5)/6)+V*INT((P-1)*5/6)+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT((P+1)/3)+L)*2

Sawtooth Lacing
H×P+√(H²+(V×2)²)×(P−2)+(V+L)×2

H*P+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*(P-2)+(V+L)*2

Segmented Lacing
Lace 1 (Shorter segment):

(H+√(H²+V²)×INT((P−2)÷2)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT((P-2)/2)+L)*2

Lace 2 (Longer segment):

(H+√(H²+V²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

(For even numbers of eyelet pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Shoe Shop Lacing
Method 1 (Long diagonal, Longer): (same as Riding Boot Lacing)

H×P+√(H²+V²)×(P−1)+√(H²+(V×(P−1))²)+L×2

H*P+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-1)+SQRT(H*H+V*(P-1)*V*(P-1))+L*2

Method 2 (Long straight, Shorter):

(H+V)×P+√(H²+V²)×(P−2)+L×2

(H+V)*P+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*(P-2)+L*2

Spider Web Lacing
(H+(V+√(H²+(V×2)²))×(P−2)+L)×2

(H+(V+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4))*(P-2)+L)*2

Straight (Bar) Lacing
H×P+(V×(P−1)+L)×2

H*P+(V*(P-1)+L)*2

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Straight (Easy) Lacing (same as Straight Bar Lacing)
H×P+(V×(P−1)+L)×2

H*P+(V*(P-1)+L)*2

(Only applicable for even numbers of eyelet pairs)

Straight (European) Lacing
H×P+(√(H²+V²)+L)×2+√(H²+(V×2)²)×(P−2)

H*P+(SQRT(H*H+V*V)+L)*2+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*(P-2)

Train Track Lacing
((H+V)×(P−1)+L)×2

((H+V)*(P-1)+L)*2

Twistie Lacing
(H+√(H²+V²)×1.07×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+SQRT(H*H+V*V)*1.07*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 7% longer diagonals to allow for twists)

Zipper Lacing
H×(P+1)+√(H²+(V×2)²)×(P−1)+L×2

H*(P+1)+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*(P-1)+L*2

(This approximates diagonals at half the horizontal spacing)

Lug Bow Tie Lacing
Method 1 (Verticals at bottom, Shorter):

(H+V×INT(P÷2)+W×INT((P+1)÷2)+√(H²+(V−W)²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+V*INT(P/2)+W*INT((P+1)/2)+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

Method 2 (Diagonals at bottom, Longer):

(H+V×INT((P−1)÷2)+W×INT(P÷2+1)+√(H²+(V−W)²)×INT(P÷2)+L)×2

(H+V*INT((P-1)/2)+W*INT(P/2+1)+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*INT(P/2)+L)*2

(For odd numbers of lug pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Lug Criss Cross Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+(V−W)²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*(P-1)+L)*2

Lug Double Lacing
Lace 1 (Bottom, Longer):

(H+W×INT((P+1)÷2)+√(H²+(V×2−W)²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+W*INT((P+1)/2)+SQRT(H*H+(V*2-W)*(V*2-W))*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

Lace 2 (Second, Shorter):

(H+W×INT(P÷2)+√(H²+(V×2−W)²)×INT((P−2)÷2)+L)×2

(H+W*INT(P/2)+SQRT(H*H+(V*2-W)*(V*2-W))*INT((P-2)/2)+L)*2

(For even numbers of lug pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Lug Double Back Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+V²)+√(H²+(V×2−W)²)×(P−2)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+V*V)+SQRT(H*H+(V*2-W)*(V*2-W))*(P-2)+L)*2

Lug Hash Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+(V+W)²)×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+(V+W)*(V+W))*(P-1)+L)*2

Lug Hexagram Lacing
(H×(P+3)+W×(P×3+1))÷2+√(H²+(V×2)²)×(P−1)+L×2

(H*(P+3)+W*(P*3+1))/2+SQRT(H*H+V*V*4)*(P-1)+L*2

(Only applicable when number of lug pairs P = 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, etc.)

Lug Hiking / Biking Lacing
(H+V+W×(P−1)+√(H²+(V−W)²)×(P−2)+L)×2

(H+V+W*(P-1)+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*(P-2)+L)*2

Lug Infinity Lacing
(H+V×(P−1)+W×(P+1)+√(H²+W²)×P+L)×2

(H+V*(P-1)+W*(P+1)+SQRT(H*H+W*W)*P+L)*2

Lug Knotted Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+(V−W)²)×1.03×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*1.03*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 3% longer diagonals to allow for knots)

Lug Knotted Segment Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+(V−W)²)×(P−0.75)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*(P-0.75)+L)*2

(This approximates 25% longer on two diagonals to allow for knot)

Lug Ladder Lacing
Method 1 (No lock at top, Shorter):

(H+(V+W)×(P−1)+√(H²+W²)×(P−2)+L)×2

(H+(V+W)*(P-1)+SQRT(H*H+W*W)*(P-2)+L)*2

Method 2 (With lock at top, Longer):

(H+(V+W+√(H²+W²))×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+(V+W+SQRT(H*H+W*W))*(P-1)+L)*2

Lug Lattice Lacing
(H+W×P+(√(H²+(V+W)²)+√(H²+(V×2−W)²)×2)×INT((P−1)÷3)+L)×2

(H+W*P+(SQRT(H*H+(V+W)*(V+W))+SQRT(H*H+(V*2-W)*(V*2-W))*2)*INT((P-1)/3)+L)*2

Lug Loop Back Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+(V−W)²)×1.05×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*1.05*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 5% longer diagonals to allow for loop backs)

Lug Segmented Lacing
Lace 1 (Shorter segment):

(H+W×INT(P÷2)+√(H²+(V−W)²)×INT(P÷2−1)+L)×2

(H+W*INT(P/2)+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*INT(P/2-1)+L)*2

Lace 2 (Longer segment):

(H+W×INT((P+1)÷2)+√(H²+(V−W)²)×INT((P−1)÷2)+L)×2

(H+W*INT((P+1)/2)+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*INT((P-1)/2)+L)*2

(For even numbers of lug pairs, both formulas work out the same)

Lug Shoe Shop Lacing
(H+W×P+L)×2+√(H²+(V−W)²)×(P×2−3)+√(H²+(V×(P−1)−W)²)

(H+W*P+L)*2+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*(P*2-3)+SQRT(H*H+(V*(P-1)-W)*(V*(P-1)-W))

Lug Spider Web Lacing
(H+(V+√(H×H+(V+V+W)×(V+V+W))×(P−2)+W×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+(V+SQRT(H*H+(V+V+W)*(V+V+W))*(P-2)+W*(P-1)+L)*2

Lug Twistie Lacing
(H+W×P+√(H²+(V−W)²)×1.07×(P−1)+L)×2

(H+W*P+SQRT(H*H+(V-W)*(V-W))*1.07*(P-1)+L)*2

(This approximates 7% longer diagonals to allow for twists)

Lug Zipper Lacing
((H+√(H²+(V+W)²)×(P−1))×1.03+W×P+L)×2

((H+SQRT(H*H+(V+W)*(V+W))*(P-1))*1.03+W*P+L)*2

(This approximates 3% longer segments to allow for knots)

These formulas are theoretically accurate, but in practice they will be out a little depending on the accuracy of any approximations, the diameter of the eyelets, depth of the eyelets, variations in distances between eyelets, thickness of the laces, elasticity of the laces, how tightly they are laced, how complex a knot is used, the curvature of the top of your foot, even the thickness of your socks!

Top of Page