Most people start with 15-20 mmHg compression socks, which are sold without a prescription; Cleveland Clinic says stockings rated 20 mmHg or higher require a prescription. Prices run about $12 to $15 a pair for store brands at Target, $28.50 to $54 for brands such as Vim & Vigr, and $91.95 for Sigvaris 20-30 mmHg medical socks. For flights over 3 hours, a systematic review found moderate-quality evidence that graduated stockings reduce blood clots.
- $12 to $14.99Store-brand compression socks (Target)
- $28.50 to $38Brand-name 15-20 mmHg socks
- $5430-40 mmHg firm socks
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On this page
Picks by need
We sorted picks by compression level and use, from the level most people can wear without a prescription upward, using published mmHg ratings and prices on October 30, 2026. We did not test any sock. Each button opens an Amazon search for that type.
- Everyday wear for women
15-20 mmHg knee-high socks[6][2]
$28.50 to $38 a pair at Vim & Vigr [6]; store brands from $12 at Target [8]
- Vim & Vigr calls 15-20 mmHg its lightest level, made for everyday wear [6]
- Under 20 mmHg is sold over the counter; Cleveland Clinic says to check with a provider first [2]
- Nurses and long shifts on your feet
15-20 mmHg graduated socks, several pairs[2][6]
$28.50 to $38 a pair [6]
- Cleveland Clinic lists people who stand for long periods among low-compression users [2]
- Wear them while awake and take them off to sleep [2]
- Replace socks when they become worn or stretched out [2]
- Flying over 3 hours
Graduated knee-high travel socks[5][4]
- A systematic review found moderate-quality evidence that graduated stockings reduce clots on flights over 3 hours [5]
- CDC says to talk to your doctor about compression stockings before a trip if you are at risk [4]
- Doctor-advised 20-30 mmHg
Medical-grade 20-30 mmHg socks[9][2][1]
Sigvaris women's calf socks: $91.95 [9]
- Cleveland Clinic says 20 mmHg or higher requires a prescription [2]
- Measure the leg first: Mayo Clinic Store sizes start just above the ankle bone [1]
Prices at a glance
- Store-brand compression socks (Target)$12 to $14.99
- Brand-name 15-20 mmHg socks$28.50 to $38
- 30-40 mmHg firm socks$54
- Medical 20-30 mmHg calf socks$91.95
Price table
| Item | Low | High | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Store-brand compression socks (Target)[8] | $12 | $14.99 | All In Motion, Hanes Mild Graduated Compression | |
| Brand-name 15-20 mmHg socks[6] | $28.50 | $38 | Vim & Vigr, sale and regular price | |
| 30-40 mmHg firm socks[7] | $54 | Vim & Vigr; usually worn under a doctor's supervision | ||
| Medical 20-30 mmHg calf socks[9] | $91.95 | Sigvaris, Mayo Clinic Store |
Prices are typical ranges from the maker and retailer pages listed below on the date shown. Prices change often; check the seller before you buy. How we get these prices
Compression levels in mmHg
Compression is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg), the same scale used for blood pressure.[1] Socks are graduated: tightest at the ankle and looser up the leg.
| Level | Cleveland Clinic class | Who it is for | Prescription |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8-15 or 15-20 mmHg | Low (under 20)[2] | Everyday wear, long sitting or standing, pregnancy (check with a provider)[2][6] | No[2] |
| 20-30 mmHg | Medium[2] | Often recommended after talking with a provider[10] | Yes, per Cleveland Clinic[2] |
| 30-40 mmHg | High (over 30)[2] | Usually worn under a doctor’s supervision[7] | Yes[2] |
Comrad notes that people with circulation problems, diabetes or neuropathy should talk with a provider before wearing any level.[10]
How to choose
- Pick the level first. 15-20 mmHg is the usual starting point without a prescription.[2][10]
- Measure, do not guess. Sizing starts with a mark just above the ankle bone and circumference measurements at set points up the leg.[1]
- Length. Knee-highs are the most common type of compression wear.[2]
- Fabric. Vim & Vigr sells 15-20 mmHg socks in both cotton and nylon.[6]
- Wear time. Put them on while awake and take them off to sleep.[2]
Compression socks for women
Women’s sizes are cut by shoe size and calf width. Target sells women’s store-brand compression socks for $12 to $14.99, and the Hanes pair is labeled mild graduated compression; most store packs do not print an mmHg number on the label, so check the package before you buy.[8] Brand-name 15-20 mmHg socks cost $28.50 to $38 a pair.[6]
Compression socks for nurses
Long shifts on your feet are a common reason to wear them; Cleveland Clinic lists people who sit or stand for long periods among low-compression users.[2] Buy enough pairs to rotate, and replace any pair that is worn or stretched out.[2]
Compression socks for flying
Sitting a long time without walking lets blood pool in the leg veins.[4] A systematic review of trials on flights longer than 3 hours found moderate-quality evidence that graduated compression stockings reduce blood clots.[5] The CDC also advises an aisle seat, walking every 2 to 3 hours, and asking your doctor about stockings or medicine before the trip; it does not recommend aspirin to prevent travel clots.[4]
When to see a doctor
Get checked before you buy 20 mmHg or higher.[2] The NHS lists throbbing pain and swelling in one leg, usually the calf or thigh, as signs of DVT, and says to call emergency services if those come with shortness of breath or chest pain.[3] People taking blood thinners for DVT should speak with their provider before starting compression.[2]
Frequently asked questions
Should I get 15-20 or 20-30 compression socks?
Start with 15-20 mmHg unless a clinician tells you otherwise. Cleveland Clinic says stockings rated 20 mmHg or higher require a prescription, and Comrad notes 20-30 mmHg is often recommended after talking with a provider. 30-40 mmHg is usually worn under a doctor's supervision.
Is it good to wear compression socks when flying?
For flights longer than 3 hours, a systematic review of clinical trials found moderate-quality evidence that graduated compression stockings reduce blood clots and leg swelling. The CDC also advises walking every 2 to 3 hours and talking to your doctor before the trip if you are at higher risk.
Is it okay to leave compression socks on overnight?
Usually not. Cleveland Clinic says people generally wear compression socks while awake and take them off when they sleep, unless a provider gives other instructions.
How long do compression socks last?
Cleveland Clinic says to replace socks when they become worn or stretched out; it gives no fixed timeframe. Rotating several pairs spreads the wear.
What type of compression socks do nurses need?
Most nurses use 15-20 mmHg graduated knee-highs, the lightest level sold for everyday wear without a prescription. Cleveland Clinic lists people who stand for long periods among those low-compression stockings may suit.
Does the brand of compression socks matter?
The mmHg rating, graduated design and fit matter more than the name. Check that the package states an mmHg range and measure your ankle and calf before choosing a size.
Related
Sources
- 1 Mayo Clinic Store. How to Measure for Compression Stockings. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 2 Cleveland Clinic. Compression Therapy: Types and Benefits. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 3 NHS. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 4 CDC Travelers' Health. Blood Clots During Travel. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 5 PubMed Central. Graduated compression stockings as a prophylactic measure in venous thromboembolism and edema triggered by air travel: a systematic review. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 6 Vim & Vigr. 15-20 mmHg Compression Socks. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 7 Vim & Vigr. 30-40 mmHg Compression Socks. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 8 Target. Women's compression socks: search results and prices. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 9 Mayo Clinic Store. Sigvaris Women's Black Opaque Calf Socks 20-30 mmHg. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.
- 10 Comrad. 15-20 vs 20-30 mmHg Compression Socks: What to Know. Accessed Oct 30, 2026.