How to Measure Your Foot — Step-by-Step Guide

What You Need

Gather these items before you start:

1. A blank sheet of paper larger than your foot (tape two sheets together if needed)
2. A pen or pencil
3. A ruler or tape measure (in cm or inches)
4. A hard, flat floor surface

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps for the most accurate measurement:

1. Place the paper on a hard floor against a wall.
2. Stand on the paper with your heel touching the wall. Wear the type of socks you normally wear with shoes.
3. Keep your weight evenly distributed on both feet.
4. Use the pen to mark the tip of your longest toe. Hold the pen straight up and down.
5. Step off the paper and measure from the edge (wall) to the mark in centimeters.
6. Repeat with your other foot — most people have one foot slightly larger.
7. Use the larger measurement to find your shoe size.

Measuring Foot Width

To measure width, wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your foot (usually the ball of the foot, just behind the toes). Note the measurement in centimeters. Compare this to width charts to determine if you need narrow, standard, or wide shoes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

These errors can lead to inaccurate measurements:

1. Measuring while sitting — always stand to put full weight on your foot.
2. Measuring in the morning — feet swell during the day, so measure in the afternoon or evening.
3. Using a soft or carpeted surface — this can distort the outline.
4. Forgetting to wear socks — measure with the socks you plan to wear.
5. Only measuring one foot — always measure both and use the larger size.

Converting Your Measurement

Once you have your foot length in centimeters, use our CM to US or CM to EU conversion charts to find your shoe size in any system. Add about 0.5-1 cm to your foot length for comfortable toe room when selecting your size.