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Get accurate measurements at home and find shoes that fit perfectly every time
Finding shoes that fit perfectly starts with accurate measurements. Whether you're shopping online or in-store, knowing your exact foot dimensions ensures comfort, prevents injuries, and helps you avoid the hassle of returns.
How to measure your foot size in 5 steps:
The rest of this guide covers width, ball of foot circumference, common mistakes, and fitting shoes over braces and orthotics.
Proper fitting shoes do more than just feel comfortable-they protect your health and wellbeing
Studies show that over 70% of people wear shoes that don't fit properly. This can lead to bunions, corns, calluses, and long-term foot problems that affect your mobility and quality of life.
Properly fitted shoes reduce risk of blisters, plantar fasciitis, and joint pain by providing appropriate support.
Accurate measurements ensure your shoes feel great all day long, even during extended wear.
Knowing your exact size reduces returns and helps you buy the right shoes the first time.
Three key measurements that determine your perfect fit
Distance from heel to longest toe. Primary measurement for shoe size in centimeters and inches.
Circumference at ball of foot, instep (arch), and ankle. Determines narrow/wide sizing needs.
Arch type, foot conditions, swelling patterns, activity level, and time of day variations.
Timing matters more than you think
Measure your feet after you've been active for several hours. Feet naturally swell throughout the day, reaching their largest size in the late afternoon or evening. Measuring at this time ensures your shoes won't feel tight during normal daily activities.
Always use the larger measurement when ordering shoes
Use the socks you'll typically wear with the shoes
Feet swell during the day - measure when they're largest
Avoid carpet - measure on hard, flat flooring
Your weight spreads your foot to its true size
Check your size every 6-12 months as feet change
Consider any medical conditions that cause foot swelling
Step-by-step instructions for accurate measurements
Materials: A blank piece of paper (larger than your foot), a pen or pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, and a hard flat surface against a wall.
Place the paper on a hard, flat surface against a wall. Avoid carpet or soft surfaces as they can affect accuracy. Make sure the paper is completely flat with one edge flush against the wall.
Stand with your heel against the wall and your foot flat on the paper. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet as if you're standing normally. Wear the type of socks you'll typically wear with shoes.
Hold the pen or pencil vertically (perpendicular to the paper) and mark a line at the tip of your longest toe. Keep the pen straight up and down - tilting it will give you an inaccurate measurement.
Pro tip: For most people, the longest toe is the big toe, but some people have a longer second toe.
Use your ruler to measure from the edge of the paper (where your heel was against the wall) to the mark you made at your longest toe. Record this measurement in both centimeters and inches.
Important: Repeat this process for your other foot and use the larger measurement when determining shoe size.
Trace your foot first (steps 1 to 3 above), then use one of these
A US letter sheet is exactly 11 inches (27.9 cm) long and 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) wide. Put your heel on one short edge: if your toe mark lands near the far edge, your foot is about 11 inches. Fold a second sheet in half for 5.5 inches and in half again for 2.75 inches to measure the gap. A credit card (3.37 inches, 8.6 cm) or a dollar bill (6.14 inches, 15.6 cm) works the same way.
Check the size printed inside the tongue or on the insole of a pair that fits well, ideally a sneaker or a casual shoe rather than a dress shoe. If the insole comes out, trace it next to your foot tracing: the insole should be about 3/8 to 1/2 inch (1 to 1.3 cm) longer than your foot.
Stand on the foot and wrap a strip of paper or a piece of string around the widest part of your forefoot. Mark where the ends meet, lay it flat and measure it with the paper or card method above. That is your ball of foot circumference. If your feet swell, or you wear an AFO or brace, measure in the evening with the brace on.
Getting the width right is crucial for comfort
A fabric measuring tape (like those used for sewing) works best for measuring circumference. In a pinch, you can use a string and then measure it against a ruler.
While standing, wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your forefoot (typically across the ball of your foot where your toes meet your foot). The tape should be snug but not tight.
This measurement helps determine: Whether you need narrow, standard, wide, or extra-wide sizing.
Measure around the highest point of your arch, typically where your foot bends when you take a step. This measurement is especially important for shoes with laces or straps.
This measurement helps determine: How much room you need for adjustability and whether you need extra depth.
Measure around the narrowest part of your ankle, just above where your foot meets your leg. This is particularly important for boots and high-top shoes.
This measurement helps determine: Whether ankle support will be comfortable or restrictive.
Don't let these errors throw off your measurements
Your feet are smallest when you first wake up. Always measure in the afternoon or evening for accurate sizing.
Holding the pen at an angle instead of perpendicular adds length to your measurement, resulting in shoes that are too big.
Soft surfaces compress under your weight and give inaccurate readings. Always use a hard, flat surface.
Your feet spread and lengthen when bearing your full weight. Always measure while standing.
Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Always measure both and use the larger measurement.
Thick socks take up space. Measure with the type of socks you'll typically wear with the shoes.
Your comfort is subjective-here's how to factor in your preferences
While accurate measurements give you a solid foundation, personal comfort preferences vary. Some people prefer a snug fit while others like more room. Consider how you'll use the shoes and what feels best for your feet.
Additional measurements for specialized needs
If you use orthotics, AFO/SMO braces, or have conditions like diabetes, bunions, or edema, you'll need to consider additional measurements beyond standard length and width.
For those with limited mobility, measure how wide the shoe opening needs to be for easy entry. Extra-wide openings or full-access designs may be necessary.
If you use custom orthotics or insoles, you'll need extra depth shoes. Measure the thickness of your orthotic at its highest point.
For swelling or fluctuating foot size, note how much your feet change throughout the day. Look for shoes with multiple adjustment points.
All our shoes are designed with extra depth, wide toe boxes, and adjustable closures to accommodate orthotics, swelling, and individual needs. Our measurement guide helps ensure you get the perfect fit for your specific requirements.
Expert guidance for those tricky in-between measurements
If your measurements fall between two sizes, the right choice depends on several factors:
It's generally better to have shoes that are slightly too large (which can be adjusted with insoles or thicker socks) than too small (which can cause pain, blisters, and long-term foot problems).
Quick answers to the questions we hear most
It is the distance around the widest part of your forefoot, where your toes join the foot (the metatarsal heads). Shoe makers use it to set width: two feet with the same length can need different widths because their ball of foot circumference differs.
Stand with your weight on the foot, wrap a soft tape measure around the widest part of the forefoot, keep it snug but not tight, and read the number where the tape overlaps. No soft tape? Use a strip of paper or string, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler.
Both. Length sets your size number and circumference sets the width. If a shoe fits in length but pinches across the toes, you need a wider fit, not a longer shoe.
Stand on a sheet of paper, trace around your foot with a pen held upright, then measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe with a ruler, or against a standard sheet of letter paper (11 inches long). Compare the length with a size chart.
Yes. If you wear an AFO, SMO or custom orthotic, measure with it on, because that is the foot the shoe has to fit. See our guide to shoes that fit over AFOs and SMOs.
Now that you know your exact measurements, explore our collection of adaptive footwear designed for comfort, style, and proper fit.
Our team is here to help you find the perfect fit. We offer personalized sizing consultations and can answer any questions about our adaptive footwear.
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