Before you start
- Two sheets of paper and a pen
- A ruler or tape measure
- The socks you usually wear
Method 1 Measure your feet at home
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Step 1: Choose the right time
Measure in the afternoon or evening. Feet swell during the day, and shoes that fit in the morning may feel tight later.
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Step 2: Trace your foot
Put a sheet of paper on a hard floor against a wall. Wearing your usual socks, stand with your heel against the wall and your weight on that foot. Trace around it holding the pen upright, or ask someone to help.
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Step 3: Measure the length
Measure from the back of the heel (the wall edge) to the tip of your longest toe, which isn’t always the big toe.
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Step 4: Measure the width
Measure across the widest part of the foot, usually the ball just behind the toes.
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Step 5: Measure both feet
Most people have one foot slightly larger. Always use the larger measurement.
Method 2 Choose your size
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Step 1: Use the brand’s chart
Compare your foot length in centimetres or millimetres with the brand’s size chart. Sizes differ between brands and between UK, US, EU and other systems, so the chart matters more than the number you usually buy.
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Step 2: Check the width
If your feet are wide or narrow, look for brands offering width fittings (such as narrow, standard, wide or extra wide).
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Step 3: Consider the shoe type
Running shoes are often bought a half size up to allow for swelling; boots may need room for thicker socks.
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Step 4: Read reviews
Customer reviews often say whether a style runs small, large or narrow.
Method 3 Check the fit when trying shoes on
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Step 1: Wear the right socks
Try shoes with the socks or tights you’ll wear with them.
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Step 2: Check toe space
Stand up. There should be about a thumb’s width (around 1 cm) between your longest toe and the end of the shoe, and you should be able to wiggle your toes.
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Step 3: Check the width
The widest part of your foot should sit at the widest part of the shoe without bulging over or feeling squeezed.
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Step 4: Check the heel
Your heel should stay put when you walk, with only slight lift.
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Step 5: Walk around
Walk on a hard floor for a few minutes. Shoes should feel comfortable straight away; don’t rely on them “stretching” a lot.
Method 4 Break in new shoes
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Step 1: Wear them at home
Wear new shoes indoors for short periods first.
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Step 2: Protect hot spots
Use plasters or blister patches on areas that rub, before a blister forms.
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Step 3: Stretch carefully
Leather shoes can be stretched slightly by a cobbler or with a shoe stretcher. Synthetic materials stretch very little.
Troubleshooting
My heel slips
Try lacing tighter at the top (a “heel lock” lacing), a heel grip insert, or a half size smaller.
My toes feel squashed
Choose a wider fit or a style with a rounder toe box, not just a bigger size.
My feet are two different sizes
Fit the larger foot, and use an insole or thicker sock on the smaller one.
Frequently asked questions
How much space should be at the front of a shoe?
About 1 cm, roughly a thumb’s width, between your longest toe and the end of the shoe.
Do feet change size?
Yes. Feet can lengthen and widen with age, weight changes and pregnancy, so re-measure every year or two.
How often should children’s feet be measured?
Every 2–3 months for young children, as their feet grow quickly.
Summary
Measure both feet in the afternoon by tracing them and measuring length and width, then use the larger foot and the brand’s own size chart. When trying shoes on, wear your usual socks, leave about 1 cm of toe space, check the width and heel, and walk around before buying.
