How to Measure Your Feet at Home

Learning how to measure your feet at home is a simple way to get a better starting point when shopping for shoes online. While shoe sizing can vary between brands and styles, an accurate foot measurement can help you determine your approximate shoe size and make it easier to compare sizing guides.

You don't need special equipment to measure your feet. With a piece of paper, a pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, and the socks you normally wear with your shoes, you can measure your feet at home in just a few minutes.

For the most accurate results, measure both feet and use the measurements from your larger foot when choosing a shoe size.

What You'll Need to Measure Your Feet

Before you begin, gather the following:

• A piece of paper larger than your foot
• A pencil or pen
• A ruler or measuring tape
• The socks you normally plan to wear with the shoes
• A flat, hard surface

A wall can also be helpful when measuring foot length.

When Should You Measure Your Feet?

Your feet can change slightly in size throughout the day. They may become somewhat larger after you've been standing or walking for several hours.

For that reason, measuring your feet later in the day can give you a more useful measurement for everyday footwear.

If you're measuring for shoes that you'll wear with socks, wear those socks while taking your measurements.

How to Measure Your Feet at Home: Step by Step

Step 1: Place a Piece of Paper on the Floor

Place a piece of paper on a hard, flat surface.

Avoid measuring on carpet if possible. A firm surface makes it easier to stand naturally and get a more consistent measurement.

Position the paper so that your entire foot can fit on it without hanging over the edges.

Step 2: Stand Naturally on the Paper

Stand on the paper with your full weight distributed normally across your foot.

Don't sit down while tracing your foot. Standing places your foot under the same type of load it experiences while wearing shoes.

Keep your leg and foot pointing naturally forward rather than deliberately stretching or curling your toes.

Step 3: Trace Around Your Foot

Using a pencil, carefully trace around the outline of your foot.

Keep the pencil as vertical as possible while tracing rather than holding it at a significant angle. This can help prevent the outline from becoming larger or smaller than your actual foot.

If possible, have someone else trace your foot while you stand. This can make it easier to keep your foot in a natural position.

Step 4: Measure the Length of Your Foot

Use a ruler or measuring tape to measure from the very back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe.

Remember that your longest toe may not be your big toe. For some people, the second toe extends farther than the big toe.

Record the measurement in inches or centimeters.

Try to measure as accurately as possible rather than rounding significantly.

Step 5: Measure the Width of Your Foot

Next, measure across the widest part of your foot.

This is generally around the ball of your foot, where the foot is widest from side to side.

Record this measurement as well.

Foot width can be especially useful when you're deciding whether you may need a standard, wide, or other width option.

Step 6: Measure Your Other Foot

Repeat the process with your other foot.

It's normal for your feet to be slightly different sizes. Don't be concerned if one foot measures a little longer or wider than the other.

When choosing a shoe size, use the measurements from your larger foot.

How to Determine Your Shoe Size From Your Measurements

Once you've measured your feet, you can compare your measurements with the manufacturer's sizing chart for the shoe you're considering.

This is important because shoe sizing isn't completely standardized between brands.

A particular numerical size may fit differently depending on the brand, shoe style, construction, and shape of the shoe.

For that reason, don't rely exclusively on a generic shoe-size chart. Whenever possible, use the sizing guide provided for the specific brand or style you're purchasing.

Why You Should Measure Both Feet

It's common for one foot to be slightly larger than the other.

If you only measure one foot, you may end up selecting a shoe size that fits the smaller foot while creating pressure on the larger one.

Measuring both feet gives you a more complete picture of your foot size.

When there is a difference, choose a shoe based on the larger foot and use the shoe's closure system, laces, straps, or an appropriate insole to help fine-tune the fit if necessary.

How Accurate Is Measuring Your Feet at Home?

Measuring your feet at home can provide a useful approximation of your foot length and width, but it isn't a substitute for evaluating how an individual shoe actually fits.

Several factors can affect the final fit, including:

• The shape of the shoe
• The construction of the shoe
• The material used
• The shape of the toe box
• The amount of cushioning
• The shoe's internal volume
• The brand's sizing system

Two shoes with identical stated measurements can still feel different because they may be built around different shapes.

Use your foot measurements as a starting point, then check the manufacturer's sizing information and evaluate the actual fit of the shoe.

Should You Measure Your Feet With Socks?

If you normally wear socks with the shoes you're purchasing, measure your feet while wearing those socks.

This is particularly useful when shopping for sneakers, walking shoes, work shoes, boots, and other footwear that you'll normally wear with socks.

For sandals or other footwear that you typically wear without socks, measuring barefoot may make more sense.

The goal is to recreate the conditions in which you'll actually wear the shoes.

Common Mistakes When Measuring Your Feet

A few simple mistakes can make your measurements less useful.

Measuring While Sitting

When you sit, your foot isn't bearing your full body weight. This can change the shape and length of your foot slightly.

Whenever possible, measure while standing naturally.

Measuring Only One Foot

Your feet may not be identical. Always measure both feet and use the larger measurement when determining your starting shoe size.

Using a Soft or Uneven Surface

Measuring on a carpeted or uneven surface can make it more difficult to maintain a consistent position.

A hard, flat surface is preferable.

Holding the Pencil at an Angle

When tracing your foot, try to keep the pencil vertical. Holding it at an angle can change the outline and affect your measurements.

Assuming Your Measurement Guarantees a Particular Size

Foot measurements are a useful starting point, but they don't guarantee that a particular size will fit every shoe.

Always check the applicable brand or style sizing information before ordering.

What If Your Foot Is Between Shoe Sizes?

If your measurement falls between two sizes, don't automatically assume that you should choose the larger size.

Consider the construction and fit of the specific shoe.

A shoe with a more structured upper, a narrow toe box, or less internal volume may fit differently than a similarly sized shoe with a roomier design.

This is where the manufacturer's sizing information and individual shoe specifications become especially useful.

If you're unsure, our Shoe Fitting Guide provides additional information about evaluating length, width, toe-box room, and heel fit.

How to Measure Your Feet for Online Shoe Shopping

Measuring your feet can be particularly helpful when purchasing shoes online because you don't have the opportunity to try the shoes on before ordering.

Before placing an order:

• Measure both feet.
• Record your length and width measurements.
• Use the larger foot as your reference.
• Check the specific brand's sizing guide.
• Read the product's fit information when available.
• Consider what socks you'll wear with the shoes.
• Review the return policy before purchasing.

Taking these steps won't eliminate every fit issue, but it can give you a much better starting point.

Quick Foot Measurement Checklist

Here's the process at a glance:

• 1. Gather your supplies: Paper, pencil, ruler or measuring tape, and your normal socks if applicable.
• 2. Find a hard, flat surface: Avoid measuring on soft or uneven flooring.
• 3. Stand naturally: Put your full weight on the foot you're measuring.
• 4. Trace your foot: Keep the pencil as vertical as possible.
• 5. Measure length: Measure from the back of your heel to your longest toe.
• 6. Measure width: Measure across the widest part of your foot.
• 7. Repeat: Measure your other foot.
• 8. Use the larger measurement: Base your starting size on your larger foot.
• 9. Check the sizing guide: Compare your measurements with the manufacturer's information.
• 10. Check the fit: Use your measurements as a starting point, then evaluate how the actual shoe fits.

Find the Right Size at Shoe Lodge

Knowing your foot measurements is one of the best ways to get started when shopping for footwear online, but remember that the number on the box is only part of the equation.

Different brands and styles can fit differently, which is why Shoe Lodge provides sizing information and fit guidance to help you make a more informed choice.

Once you've measured your feet, visit our Shoe Fitting Guide to learn how a properly fitting shoe should feel.

You can also browse our selection of footwear and use the applicable brand sizing information to find a starting size for your next pair.

Measure your feet, check the sizing guide, and then focus on how the shoe actually fits.