Heel Height: How Flat Is Flat?

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Heel Height: How Flat Is Flat?

— by Angie

on January 28, 2014

I call shoes “flats” when the heels are no higher than one inch. So flats actually come in an assortment of heel heights (as shown below). Even the flattest heels are around a quarter of an inch high.

It is hard to make an exact cutoff point, but normally when a heel reaches 1.5 inches I call the shoes low heels, and not flats. Flatforms, which are essentially platformed heels sans the arch, are also heels and not flats.

I’d like to hear your thoughts. Where do you draw the line?

Footwear

52 comments · Add a comment

gryffin

Veteran

I generally find a low heel of 1.5 inches most comfortable. I have a couple of pairs of boots/booties with a 1″ heel. I find true flats (to me that’s <1" not as comfortable. I really like the low heeled bootie options that have been available in the last couple of years, esp Jeffrey Campbell, stylish but they don't kill those over 50 knees!!

January 28, 2014 at 2:32 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gryffin, do you consider 1.5 inch heels flats or low heels?

As far as heels go, I like a 1.5 inch heel best too. As far as flats go, I like half an inch to one inch.

January 28, 2014 at 2:36 pm

AviaMariah

Veteran

I think I consider anything lower than 2″ a flat.

January 28, 2014 at 2:40 pm

Debbie

Veteran

I have the same guidelines as you do Angie.

January 28, 2014 at 2:46 pm

Thistle

Veteran

I consider anything less than an inch “flats” and anything less than 2 inches low heels.

And in my little world, anything 2 inches or above are “high” heels so not something I even let myself look at.

January 28, 2014 at 2:53 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I consider flats 1 inch or less. And I usually look for that height for my everyday footwear. I consider 2 inches a heel although 1.5 inches would work too.

January 28, 2014 at 2:57 pm

unfrumped

Veteran

That’s a pretty good cutoff point, Angie, just for a reference.
I find I’m pretty sensitive to heel height and anything over an inch–maybe even less than that–changes my footstrike and walking pattern. My new KC Ciao oxfords are 1″ and of course a “full” heel that adds stability.

A distinction I make in some footwear is the sole vs the heel. For example, sneakers may have what is actually an unmeasurable heel or very low heel (flat), but have a thick sole that provides support and cushioning, compared to a ballet flat that is thin AND flat. So, there’s structure, and there’s heel. I leather-type casual and work shoes, I also prefer a half-inch or so heel –like the traditional loafer heel–rather than the minimalist heel.
I’ve strayed into more height to allow longer pant lengths, but I think I may “inch” my way back.

January 28, 2014 at 3:01 pm

Diana

Veteran

Well, you know I agree with your definition, Angie! A 1″ heel appears flat to the casual observer anyway, so I consider it a flat, especially after you take into account that the front of the shoe might have some sole thickness too. Anyway, I prefer a 0.5-1″ heel for my flats, as anything much lower is really bad for my feet.

January 28, 2014 at 3:07 pm

Diana

Veteran

PS – I think the shape of the heel also affects one’s perception of flat vs. heeled. So a little kitten heel that is curved and narrower at the bottom looks higher than a square block heel of exactly the same height.

January 28, 2014 at 3:09 pm

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I draw the line at my comfort level!

To be more precise — I cannot wear anything less than .75 inches, and that would be pretty uncomfortable. An inch would be better. These, to me, are flats.

And the first shoe you show? It’s an implement of torture.

Once it gets to 1.5 inches, I call that a “low heel” and that becomes more wearable. Somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 is my ideal. Up to 3 if very well balanced with a small inner platform. Those are heels.

Above 3 inches and they are instruments of torture again.

January 28, 2014 at 3:09 pm

gryffin

Veteran

Angie – I consider low heels 1-2″, flats are <1" I will wear up to a 3" heel for dress but I agree with Suz if it's over 3" true height (no platform) they are instruments of torture!

January 28, 2014 at 3:37 pm

flat means flat

I call anything above a .5″ difference between heel and toe *not* flat. I walk a lot, and hate carrying extra shoes. I like riding boots, oxfords, ballet flats, and flat booties. 1″ is definitely a heel. between .5 and 1 is ok if I’m not walking, but I usually am. I’ll wear 2″ for a job interview, taller for formal occasions, but they hurt like heck. I’d wear all the shoes in the pic. The top 2 look most comfortable.

January 28, 2014 at 3:53 pm

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

High five, Diana and Debbie. I am 100% with you.

Thanks for chiming back in, Gryffin. And another high five to you and Suz. If I can avoid 3 inch heels even as “sitting shoes” – I prefer to do that. I do like a half inch heel though – as a flat.

AviaMariah, that’s interesting. A 2 inch heel is bordering on a high heel for me.

January 28, 2014 at 3:54 pm

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Diana raises a really good point. Not only about our visual sense of heels but also, balance factors in. I low kitten heel (if poorly balanced) not only looks like more of a “heel” than a wider heel on a loftier, but it’s tougher to balance on. So feels like more heel. Interesting.

Although a good kitten heel is great to walk in (for me, at least). It’s all in the placement.

January 28, 2014 at 4:10 pm

Gracie

Veteran

I consider heels .5″ or less a flat. Above .5″ and up to 1.5″, a low heel, 1.5″ to 2.5″ a medium heel, and anything above 2.5″ a high (or super high) heel. My highest heels are 3″ and are definitely not walking shoes, but they look oh, so pretty!

January 28, 2014 at 4:13 pm

Shawna

I have the same guidelines you do and my preferred shoe is a low heel or the highest end of flat. I suppose something 1-2″ is what I like best. I have some flats and I have a few pairs that are 2.5″ but I don’t really feel comfortable in higher and ballet flats often don’t have enough support. I also feel I look best in a chunkier shoe since I have sturdy legs and ankles and I am tall.

January 28, 2014 at 4:17 pm

Jamie

Veteran

I draw the same lines as you do, but my feet are not terribly comfortable in something as flat as the yellow/white shoes pictured above. Those look to be around one quarter of an inch. In a flat, my feet are happier with a heel of 0.5″ to 1″.

January 28, 2014 at 5:45 pm

Liz

Active Member

Hooray – flat talk! Just thinking about this… I’m rekindling my on-again/off-again relationship with flats. My feet get fussier with time, and flats fit the bill for runaround shoes. Anything over 1.5 inches reads as a heel to me. And all of a sudden, I want nothing to do with shoes that are not totally comfy. Today I bought a pair of flats with no heel to speak of — ordinarily they wouldn’t tempt me, but these have loads of padding in the footbed — especially under the heel.

January 28, 2014 at 6:07 pm

MRL

Veteran

I consider shoes with a one inch heel (like my riding style boots) to be flats.
I find a slight (1/2 to 1 inch) heel very comfortable and easy for walking. I consider 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch heels to be medium height and anything higher as high heels. I love the look of 3 inch heels, but not the lack of comfort.

January 28, 2014 at 6:18 pm

merwoman

Veteran

Agreed Angie. Most of my footwear is less than 1″ in height – maximum heel height for me is 1.5″ (a low heel, but as low as I go)

January 28, 2014 at 6:27 pm

amiable

Veteran

I love flats more and more – perhaps just because I have yet to find anything over about 2 inches that I can wear at all. I rarely wear anything over an inch, and consider all my shoes in that range flats. So I suspect I agree with you on the definition of flats also.

January 28, 2014 at 6:34 pm

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Up to about an inch sounds right for flats. I feel like I am wearing heels in the 1.5- 2 inch territory and above that is not for a walking day. I would happily wear any of the shoes you posted, starting with the blue ones please!

January 28, 2014 at 6:56 pm

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I consider anything under 1.5″ a flat. I have a pair of oxfords with a 1.25″ heel and they work more as flats — on me at least. Since we’re talking about it, my favorite heel height is 1.75″ for a low heel, and 3″ for a high heel. I can do up to 3.75″ depending on the construction of the shoe, if it has good support, or a small platform, etc.

I wish shoe makers would read this and bring us more 1.5 to 3″ heels!

January 28, 2014 at 7:23 pm

Adelfa

Veteran

I don’t have any rules, but last summer I considered my Sam Edelman Trinas a flat though 6pm.com says the heels are 1.75″! It’s because of what Diana said. The heels were very wide and blocky and felt like a flat to me (and looked like one to me too). A 1.75″ heel shaped like a kitten heel would totally be a heel.

January 28, 2014 at 7:33 pm

Jewell

Veteran

Though I hadn’t given it much thought before now, my guidelines are pretty much the same as yours, Angie. Flats are any shoe with a heel height of an inch or less. I really like the Nine West flats you pictured above!

January 28, 2014 at 7:42 pm

WindyCity

Active Member

Anything under 1″ is a flat to me, however I do find a big comfort difference between a ballet slipper flat and the same shoe with a one inch heel. True flats are
not comfortable, especially in boots. When i hear the term flat i think of a certain look to a shoe more so than a heel height, but my cut off is 1″ or less.

January 28, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Joy

Veteran

For me, 1″ or less is a flat. 2″ and over is a heel. The in betweens depend on the shape of the heel. If it is wide and flat at 1.5″, I think of it as a flat. If it is a wedge or narrow and shaped, I think heels. This probably makes no sense.

January 28, 2014 at 8:37 pm

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

I agree with you, Angie. For me, the shape and thickness of the heel matters a lot, too, in regads of comfort. Kitten heels or narrow wedges can be unstable and challenging, but stacked heels on 2,5″ are just as comfortable as flats to me. Normally I can wear most shoes up to 3″ high.

January 28, 2014 at 9:48 pm

christieanne

Veteran

Totally agree with you Angie on heel heights. And wishing more companies made stylish 1 to 1.5 inch heels.

January 28, 2014 at 11:40 pm

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

I agree with the 1″ or less is flat rule. I take the sole thickness into consideration as well. So if a shoe has a 1.5″ heel and a .75″ thick sole in the front, it’s still a flat, just flat with a platform. Does that make sense?

January 28, 2014 at 11:47 pm

rute

Veteran

for me less 2″ or less are flats. I prefer 2″ heel, I find more confortable than no heel!

January 29, 2014 at 12:26 am

Diane G

I agree with your guidelines too. Anything over 1″ is considered low to high heels.

January 29, 2014 at 3:07 am

skylurker

Veteran

Ha, funny, I had not realized there was no objective measure, that heel measurement was based on how we feel.
So : 2” are “high heels” because I can’t walk with shoes that high.

January 29, 2014 at 4:03 am

skylurker

Veteran

oups, sorry, I used strange keys so the comment half disappeared…

I meant : up to 1,5” are “flats” because they feel comfy ; above 2” are “high heels” because I can’t walk in them.

January 29, 2014 at 4:10 am

Ceit

I think of flats as 1″ or below, and 1.5-2″ is low heel. 1.5″ is the max heel I feel comfortable wearing, but I can occasionally do 2″.

January 29, 2014 at 4:54 am

Alassë

Veteran

Good definition, Angie! It sounds like most of us are on the same page. Thistle, you’re not alone – may I join you? 2″ are high heels/unwearable for me. 1.5″ are heels, are 1″ or lower are flats.

January 29, 2014 at 6:22 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes, Alexandra. That makes sense.

January 29, 2014 at 7:26 am

AviaMariah

Veteran

To clarify I think I’d consider a 2″ a low heel but anything under a flat. For example my SE Petty’s are 1 & 1/2″ and I consider them flats. But this does make me realize that when I say I am most comfortable in flats, I’m actually talking low heels to some people.

January 29, 2014 at 7:44 am

Catnip

Veteran

I don’t wear shoes over 1.5″, with no exceptions. Anything higher is extremely painful due to arthritis in my left foot. Anything lower than 1″ is also painful. Nearly all my real shoes (not bedroom slippers) range between 1″ and 1.25″. This means I can wear all my pants with all my shoes, at least in theory.

To answer your question, I consider heels 1.25″ and lower as flats. Above that up to 1.5″ is a low heel.

January 29, 2014 at 7:51 am

Pat Chenell

Active Member

After measuring several pairs, I have to agree that under 1.75″ is flat, 2″ is a low heel and 3″ is a high heel. That said however I have shoes in all these heel heights that are comfortable, including one 3″ wedge comfy enough for all day. Anything else 3″ is reserved for special occasions (i.e. walking arm-in-arm with my husband for support) All of my everyday shoes boots are .5-2″ and have square heels. I find kitten heels unstable even though they are low. I cannot wear over 3″ except in a platform, which I find mitigates the arch effect.
All of my high heels were purchased before I developed my vestibular/balance disorder!

January 29, 2014 at 8:29 am

kkards

Veteran

i generaly think of a flat as below 1 inch, and anything else as a heel. for me anything above 2.5 inches is a high heel, and 3.5 is about as high as i go.
love all the flats that you have shown as examples!

January 29, 2014 at 9:19 am

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I am in agreement with Angie about flats, but as for what constitutes a ‘heel’, it also depends on the shoe, and the activity I am using it for. I wear a pretty good array of heel heights, and my flamenco and character shoes are around 2.5″ – which don’t feel high. They are comfortable for dance, when the weight generally isn’t on the heel too much – but that height is not as comfortable for long-distance walking. For walking, I generally do better with heels up to 1.5″, or higher than 3″, because the larger muscle groups in my thighs and core seem to do most of the work.

Now that I think about it, my hiking boots have pretty thick heels, probably close to 2″, but since the sole is uniformly thick from toe to heel, it really works as a flat.

January 29, 2014 at 10:09 am

Antje

Veteran

1 inch is about right for me. Anything above I’d call a “low heel”. 2-3 inches are “mid heel” for me and I love that height. Anything above 3 inches are “high heels” in my book and I don’t have any nor do I think I ever will own any.

January 29, 2014 at 10:13 am

In My Joi

(website)

Veteran

I tend to call anything under 2 inches a flat.

January 29, 2014 at 10:47 am

Narnia

Active Member

I think the type of heel also matters. All of these have a very square sensible heel. As the heel becomes more stiletto, the shoe moves in a “kitten heel” direction.

January 29, 2014 at 11:03 am

MsMary

Veteran

I consider anything less than an inch to be “flats.” I need at least half an inch unless we’re talking about casual summer sandals. And my normal work shoes are about 3 inches.

January 29, 2014 at 11:11 am

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I’ve always thought of flats as “completely flat”, so a heel no higher than 1/2 inch, I guess. But many websites do list anything up to 1 inch as “flats” so I have gotten used to that now:-) I still tend to call anything over 1 inch a low heel.

January 29, 2014 at 11:58 am

Marillen

Active Member

Pretty much same as Angie. 1″ Kitten heels are the exception, I would not call them flats. *shrug*

January 29, 2014 at 12:44 pm

Jill

(website)

I either wear heels that are 3+ inches, or I wear flat-flats (no heel whatsoever). Nothing in between (excepting two pairs of 2.5 inch heels which were both gifts). The very phrase, “low heels” makes me cringe personally because I just feel like they’re dowdy (for me).

January 29, 2014 at 9:31 pm

cheryl

Veteran

I need to measure the heel of my cowboy boots because anything higher than that is too high for me. I’m guess them to be between 1 and 2 inches.

February 1, 2014 at 8:54 pm

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

This is awesome! I’m late to the party, but I remember being frustrated by sales people and my mother and other furrowing their brows when I tried to describe “flats with just a _little_ heel”. Even that tiny quarter or half inch can make such a difference!

July 25, 2017 at 8:57 am

Pouty

Any shoe with a heel between perfectly flat up to 1”, which my fav ballet flats have.

April 5, 2024 at 3:46 am

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