How to Measure for Your Correct Shoe Size

If the shoe fits, wear it! Measure both feet because many people have one foot a bit larger than the other, then you will choose the larger size. Also, take your measurements in the evening if your feet tend to swell, for a more comfortable shoe fit. Take your measurements on a flat tile or wood floor and make sure your feet are flat, no curled toes. Do not wear shoes! You can wear the kind of socks you will be wearing with your shoes though. Here are the steps to find your correct shoe size.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• your feet
• socks
• blank paper larger than both feet
• pen or pencil
• notepaper
• sticky tape
• ruler or tape measure
• tile or wood floor
• person if you want help

1. Collect your supplies. A large piece of paper bigger than both your feet, sticky masking tape or scotch tape, a ruler, pen or pencil, and notepaper to mark your measurement numbers down.

2. 
    
   Measure for your shoe size

   Place the large piece of paper on the floor and smooth it out so it is flat.

3. Tape the corners of your large piece of paper securely to the floor so it won't move around when you stand on it.

4. Take off your shoes. You can leave on the socks you will be wearing with your new shoes.

5. Have your small piece of note paper, pen or pencil within easy reach.

6. Stand in the middle of the large piece of paper with a few inches of space between both your feet. Make sure your feet are placed firmly on the floor. Don't wiggle or curl your toes.

7. Take your pen or pencil and trace the outline of one foot onto the paper you are standing on. Make sure your pen or pencil is straight up and down and firmly against your foot as you trace your outline. (Sometimes it is easier to have another person do the tracing for you, but it can be done by yourself.)

8. Repeat the above step with your other foot.

9. Now you will remove the taped paper from the floor and put it flat down on a table or place where you can take your ruler to get the exact numbers.

10. For your length, place your ruler at the bottom to the top of one of the traced outlines. (Base of heel to tips of toes.)

11. Draw a straight line from top to bottom of the outline. Mark this length measurement on your notepad paper.

12. Then draw a straight line going side to side at the widest part of the outline. Mark this width measurement down on your notepad paper.

13. Repeat steps 9 to 11 for your other foot traced outline.

14. You will want to use the largest length measurement for your shoe size.

15. You can find a size chart online at many shoe store websites. Then convert the measurement to your shoe size. Charts are available for men, women and children's sizes. For example, Heel to toe Length for women: 9.25" = size 7. Zappos has a conversion chart.
    http://www.zappos.com/measure.zhtml

16. If you have a printer, you can print a foot measure template to help you determine your shoe size. This page has links for men, women and children. Follow the directions listed 1/4 of the way down from top of page. What's My Shoe Size? http://www.footyboots4kids.com/football%20boots/ShoeSizes-A.ink

Tips & Warnings

• Children will need to be re-measured during growth spurts.
• If tracing isn't possible, you can place heel and toe marks for your length on the large piece of paper you are standing on. Place marks on either side of the widest part of your foot. Then measure the distance with your ruler between the marks for length and width.
• Shoes (like clothing) are made differently depending on style and brand. Your measurements should be used as a general guideline for your correct size shoe.

[lildutchgirl56]

on 6/7/2009 What a great tool for determining your shoe size at home without going to the store and standing on one of those metal measuring devices. Thanks!

[jpwriter]

on 2/14/2009 My feet seem to be growing and shrinking. I definitely have one foot bigger than the other. Darn shoes.

[cherold598]

on 1/24/2009 I love those red shoes!! Great article.

[LisaBud]

on 1/23/2009 I've always been hesitant to try buying shoes online because the fit can vary so much, but maybe if I can use this technique to measure my foot, I'll feel more confident about it. Thanks!

[deepthinkin]

on 12/13/2008 It used to be that if you wore a size 7, you wore a size 7 no matter who made the shoe! That was back in the dark ages when there were government standard sizes. I guess I'm dating myself here! Thanks for your tips!