How to size (measure) you feet for shoe sizing charts

If you want to buy the right sized shoes for your feet you first need to measure them and then use tables to find your precise shoe size. This is a simple process, but one that few people ever bother to undertake.

If you intend to buy shoes that have a width as well as a length fitting, you will need to know both measurements before you can determine your correct fit. Here is how you do it.

1. You need a flat level surface on which to stand, two pieces of paper large enough to draw around each foot (or a larger single sheet), a pencil, a tape or ruler, and ideally a helper to draw around each foot.

2. Performing this process separately on each foot, stand on the sheet of paper bearing weight as you normally would (i.e. stood up straight with your weight evenly distributed across both feet). Then get your helper to draw accurately around the profile of your foot keeping the line as close as possible to the foot. Do not perform this task first thing in the morning as your feet expand as the day passes by. Mid afternoon is the best time.
3. Using the ruler or tape, accurately measure the length and width of the drawn impressions of the feet on the paper taking care to take the measurements at the longest and broadest points. This should be done in inches (imperial) and not in metric measurements. Do not be surprised if the dimensions for each foot are different, this is common.
4. Note down the pairs of measurements for each foot and then subtract each by either one eighth or one quarter of an inch to take account of the drawings overlap. These final dimensions are your foot sizes.
5. If both feet are the same size, or if the variance between the feet is minimal, the next step is to take the larger of the two foot measurements and look it up on a shoe size chart. You will find shoe size charts for the UK, USA etc here ***. You can then buy or order shoes using the accurate sizes that you have measured.
6. If there is a discrepancy of size between the feet that is equal to or greater than one half of a shoe size it is advisable to order shoes separately for each foot. This can be a problem with high street stores however there are many online stores that cater for this common requirement.

Finally, people's feet can change shape and size over time, so it can be a good idea to check your foot size every few years, particularly if you sense that your existing shoes may be feeling tight or starting to “nip” in a way that they previously did not.

Shoe size tables

Once you have a foot size in inches you can then use a "foot size to shoe size" conversion table to convert those dimensions into the appropriate shoe size for your region. These links will take you to conversion tables for ladies' sizes and men's sizes where you can determine your correct shoe size.

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