Dr. Martens Lace Length Guide
Too short and you can't tie them off; too long and they whip around your ankles. The right length comes down to one thing — how many pairs of eyelets your Docs have. Count them, find your boot, and order with confidence.
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Ø5 mm round polyester laces — pick your colour, then choose your length at checkout.
Lace length by Dr. Martens model
Recommended lengths for our 5 mm round laces on the most common Docs. Lace pattern and boot size shift the number slightly, so treat the range as your guide — and go a touch longer if you like a full bow or a heel lock at the top.
Docs use round laces, not flat — a 5 mm round lace matches the original diameter and threads cleanly through the eyelets. The 14- and 20-eyelet figures are a starting point; on very tall boots it's always worth measuring first.
Not listed? Measure in 30 seconds
If your style isn't in the chart, or you've lost the originals, this is the surest way to get it right.
Pull one out, lay it flat and measure tip to tip — including the plastic ends. Round to the nearest length we stock.
Count the holes up one side of the boot — that's your number of eyelet pairs — then read it straight off the chart above.
Lace the boot with a piece of string the way you actually wear it, mark the bow, pull it out and measure. That accounts for your exact style and foot.
The same round profile as the originals, so they sit and thread correctly.
Solid, two-tone, striped and spotted — keep it classic or change the look.
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Frequently asked questions
What length laces for Dr. Martens 1460 (8-eye)?
The classic 8-eyelet 1460 takes a 140–160 cm round lace. Go towards 160 cm if you like a fuller bow or lace the top eyelets tightly. Shop Dr. Martens laces.
What length laces for the 1461 shoe (3-eye)?
The 3-eyelet 1461 shoe needs a short 75–90 cm lace. Anything longer and you'll be wrapping the ends around to hide them.
Do Dr. Martens use round or flat laces?
Round. The original Docs lace is a 5 mm round lace, so a round replacement threads through the eyelets the same way and keeps the proper look. Browse our round laces to match or restyle.
Why are my new laces a different length to the originals?
Aftermarket laces are cut to common lengths rather than one exact factory size, and the length you want also depends on your foot and how you lace up. If in doubt, measure your old lace tip to tip and pick the closest — a touch longer is always easier to live with than too short.
What about the 2976 Chelsea boot?
The 2976 Chelsea is a pull-on boot with elastic side panels, so it has no laces at all. Lace lengths only apply to the eyelet styles — the 1461, 101, 1460, 1490 and the taller boots.
Find your length, pick your colour, and get a fresh set on the way — from $14.95.
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