Checkerboard Lacing

Run one shoelace horizontally, then weave another color vertically and tuck in all ends. Forms an attractive two-color checker pattern.

Checkerboard Lacing Tutorial

Eight pairs of eyelets

Pairs

8

7

6

5

4

3

Flip

⇄

Lacing diagram Copyright (c) 2026 by Ian Fieggen

Step

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Lacing Technique

• Start with two pairs of different color shoelaces, preferably the wide, flat variety.

• With one color (orange in my diagram), begin with one end tucked into the bottom left of the shoe. Run the shoelace straight across on the outside, then straight up on the inside.

• Repeat running across on the outside and up on the inside, back and forth and up, until you reach the top of the shoe, where that end is also tucked in. This completes the first color (orange).

• With the second color (purple in my diagram), begin with one end tucked into the bottom left of the shoe. Run the shoelace straight up, weaving in and out of the other shoelace until you reach the top.

• Fold around the top shoelace and head back down, weaving in and out until you reach the bottom.

• Continue across the shoe, weaving up and down until you are out of room or out of shoelace, whichever comes first.

• Tuck the final loose end into the shoe. This can be at either the top or the bottom, depending on the number of vertical passes.

Features

Most popular!

Decorative look

Slip-on or off

Loose fit

“Lengthens” ends

Notes

• When completed, this lacing forms a sort of loose, springy weave that does not bind strongly. It's designed for wide-fronted sneakers that people usually wear loose with the laces either dragging or tucked in. Sort of like a trendy slip-on.

• For a slightly tighter fit, use wider or rougher laces to increase friction and thus retain more tension.

• For greater security, at the top of the shoe the ends can instead be tied together on the inside or anchored separately with simple stopper knots or using “Lace Anchors”.

• If the checkerboard weave is only done up to the second eyelets from the top – leaving the top row free – the ends (orange) can be adjusted so that a normal shoelace knot can be tied across the top two eyelets (see the 9th photo below).

• For a different look, use a single long shoelace of one color instead of two different shoelaces. After completing the horizontal sections, use the same shoelace to weave the vertical sections. The result is a single-color woven mat with checkerboard texture – but without the checkerboard colors (see the 6th photo below).

Checkerboard Lacing Gallery

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Checkerboard Lacing Video

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Shoelace Lengths for Checkerboard Lacing

Horizontal shoelace
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Lengthens” ends by
8 pairs	101 cm	40 in	+16.1 cm	+6.3 in
7 pairs	95 cm	37 in	+14.2 cm	+5.6 in
6 pairs	88 cm	35 in	+12.2 cm	+4.8 in
5 pairs	81 cm	32 in	+10.3 cm	+4.1 in
4 pairs	75 cm	29 in	+8.3 cm	+3.3 in
3 pairs	68 cm	27 in	+6.4 cm	+2.5 in
2 pairs	62 cm	24 in	+4.4 cm	+1.7 in

4 × Vertical passes
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Lengthens” ends by
8 pairs	97 cm	38 in	+18.2 cm	+7.2 in
7 pairs	90 cm	36 in	+16.3 cm	+6.4 in
6 pairs	84 cm	33 in	+14.4 cm	+5.7 in
5 pairs	77 cm	30 in	+12.6 cm	+5.0 in
4 pairs	70 cm	28 in	+10.7 cm	+4.2 in
3 pairs	63 cm	25 in	+8.8 cm	+3.5 in
2 pairs	57 cm	22 in	+6.9 cm	+2.7 in

6 × Vertical passes
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Lengthens” ends by
8 pairs	121 cm	48 in	+6.5 cm	+2.6 in
7 pairs	110 cm	44 in	+6.3 cm	+2.5 in
6 pairs	100 cm	40 in	+6.0 cm	+2.4 in
5 pairs	90 cm	36 in	+5.8 cm	+2.3 in
4 pairs	80 cm	32 in	+5.6 cm	+2.2 in
3 pairs	70 cm	28 in	+5.4 cm	+2.1 in
2 pairs	60 cm	24 in	+5.2 cm	+2.0 in

8 × Vertical passes
Pairs of eyelets	Approximate length needed		“Shortens” ends by
8 pairs	144 cm	57 in	−5.3 cm	−2.1 in
7 pairs	131 cm	51 in	−3.8 cm	−1.5 in
6 pairs	117 cm	46 in	−2.4 cm	−0.9 in
5 pairs	104 cm	41 in	−0.9 cm	−0.4 in
			“Lengthens” ends by
4 pairs	90 cm	36 in	+0.6 cm	+0.2 in
3 pairs	77 cm	30 in	+2.1 cm	+0.8 in
2 pairs	63 cm	25 in	+3.5 cm	+1.4 in

NOTE: These are approximate shoelace lengths for using this lacing on an average sized sneaker. For more accurate lengths, use the Shoelace Length Calculator.

Comparative Length

• MUCH shorter shoelaces needed than those for basic Criss Cross Lacing.

• If the original shoelaces are re-used, this method effectively lengthens the ends substantially.

The significant length difference is because this method has the ends tucked in, resulting in a lot of leftover length that would otherwise have been used to tie a bow.

More details about length comparisons.

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Checkerboard Lacing