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Take the guesswork out and find the perfect fitting shoes
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At one time or another we've all tried to wear shoes that were too small or too big for us. It's no fun, and you risk potential injury. Knowing your exact shoe size is essential to buying shoes . Finding your shoe size before you shop saves you time in the store and helps you avoid buying a pair that doesn't fit having to return them. Just follow the steps below to find out your shoe size!
How to Measure Foot Size
Trace an outline of your foot on a piece of paper with or without socks. Draw a rectangular box touching each side of the outline. Measure the top of your big toe to the bottom and the width of your big toe to the pinky. Refer to a shoe sizing chart to find the perfect match!
Steps
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Tape a piece of paper down to the floor. You are going to trace an outline of your foot to measure, so avoid doing this on carpet or any other surface that will be difficult to write on. [1] X Research source
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Place your foot firmly on top of the piece of paper. Your leg should be bent slightly and your shin should be in front of your ankle. Try to put your foot perpendicular to any lines on your paper. You can stand, sit on a chair or crouch down.Advertisement
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Draw the outline of your foot all the way around. You can wear the socks you are planning to wear with the shoes you would like to buy, but don't wear shoes. -
Mark the length and width of your foot on the paper. Use your marker to draw straight line touching each side of the outline. [2] X Research source
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Measure the length of your foot. Use a tape measure or ruler to measure from the top to bottom. Write this number down. This number will largely determine your shoe size. [3] X Research source
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Measure the width of your foot. Measure between the lines on the left and right sides and write the number down. Many shoes come in different widths , so this number will determine which version to buy.
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Subtract 3/16ths of an inch from each number. This is to accommodate the small space between the line made by the pencil and your actual foot.
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Use your length and width measurements to find your shoe size on a sizing chart. Men and women use different sizes , as do different countries. [4] X Research source
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For women , find your length measurement on the chart of US women's sizes below.
- 4 = 8 3/16" or 20.8 centimeter (8.2 in) in length
- 4.5 = 8 5/16" or 21.3 centimeter (8.4 in)
- 5 = 8 11/16" or 21.6 centimeter (8.5 in)
- 5.5 = 8 13/16" or 22.2 centimeter (8.7 in)
- 6 = 9" or 22.5 centimeter (8.9 in)
- 6.5 = 9 3/16" or 23 centimeter (9.1 in)
- 7= 9 5/16" or 23.5 centimeter (9.3 in)
- 7.5 = 9 1/2" or 23.8 centimeter (9.4 in)
- 8 = 9 11/16" or 24.1 centimeter (9.5 in)
- 8.5 = 9 13/16" or 24.6 centimeter (9.7 in)
- 9 = 10" or 25.1 centimeter (9.9 in)
- 9.5 = 10 3/16" or 25.4 centimeter (10.0 in)
- 10 = 10 5/16" or 25.9 centimeter (10.2 in)
- 10.5 = 10 1/2" or 26.2 centimeter (10.3 in)
- 11 = 10 11/16" or 26.7 centimeter (10.5 in)
- 11.5 = 10 13/16" or 27.1 centimeter (10.7 in)
- 12 = 11" or 27.6 centimeter (10.9 in)
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For men , find your length measurement on the chart of US men's sizes below.
- 6 = 9 1/4" or 23.8 centimeter (9.4 in) in length
- 6.5 = 9 1/2" or 24.1 centimeter (9.5 in)
- 7 = 9 5/8" or 24.4 centimeter (9.6 in)
- 7.5 = 9 3/4" or 24.8 centimeter (9.8 in)
- 8 = 9 15/16" or 25.4 centimeter (10.0 in)
- 8.5 = 10 1/8" or 25.7 centimeter (10.1 in)
- 9= 10 1/4" or 26 centimeter (10.2 in)
- 9.5 = 10 7/16" or 26.7 centimeter (10.5 in)
- 10 = 10 9/16" or 27 centimeter (10.6 in)
- 10.5 = 10 3/4" or 27.3 centimeter (10.7 in)
- 11 = 10 15/16" or 27.9 centimeter (11.0 in)
- 11.5 = 11 1/8" or 28.3 centimeter (11.1 in)
- 12 = 11 1/4" or 28.6 centimeter (11.3 in)
- 13 = 11 9/16" or 29.4 centimeter (11.6 in)
- 14 = 11 7/8" or 30.2 centimeter (11.9 in)
- 15 = 12 3/16" or 31 centimeter (12.2 in)
- 16 = 12 1/2" or 31.8 centimeter (12.5 in)
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Consider your width. Many shoes will also have a width size, ranging through AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEEE. B is average for women, D is average for men. A and below are narrow, E and up are wide and extra-wide (See chart below). [5] X Research source
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Consult the manufacturer or shoe store if you have extreme measurements.
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| Size | AA | A | B | C | D | E | EE | EEE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
6
|
2.8/71 | 2.9/74 | 3.1/79 | 3.3/84 | 3.5/89 | 3.7/94 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 |
|
6½
|
2.8/71 | 3.0/76 | 3.2/81 | 3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 |
|
7
|
2.9/74 | 3.1/79 | 3.3/84 | 3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 4.0/102 | 4.2/107 |
|
7½
|
2.9/74 | 3.1/79 | 3.3/84 | 3.5/89 | 3.7/94 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 |
|
8
|
3.0/76 | 3.2/81 | 3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 |
|
8½
|
3.1/79 | 3.3/84 | 3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 4.0/102 | 4.2/107 | 4.4/112 |
|
9
|
3.1/79 | 3.3/84 | 3.5/89 | 3.7/94 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.4/112 |
|
9½
|
3.2/81 | 3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.5/114 |
|
10
|
3.3/84 | 3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 4.0/102 | 4.2/107 | 4.4/112 | 4.6/117 |
|
10½
|
3.3/84 | 3.5/89 | 3.7/94 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.4/112 | 4.6/117 |
|
11
|
3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.5/114 | 4.7/119 |
|
11½
|
3.4/86 | 3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 4.0/102 | 4.2/107 | 4.4/112 | 4.6/117 | 4.8/122 |
|
12
|
3.5/89 | 3.7/94 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.4/112 | 4.6/117 | 4.8/122 |
|
12½
|
3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.5/114 | 4.7/119 | 4.9/124 |
|
13
|
3.6/91 | 3.8/97 | 4.0/102 | 4.2/107 | 4.4/112 | 4.6/117 | 4.8/122 | 4.9/124 |
|
13½
|
3.7/94 | 3.9/99 | 4.1/104 | 4.3/109 | 4.4/112 | 4.6/117 | 4.8/122 | 5.0/127 |
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhat if my length and width give me different shoe sizes?Community AnswerThen you may have a narrower or wider than average foot (size D width) and may need to special order online if you can't find a store near you that carries shoes to your specification.
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QuestionI see a chart for mens' shoe width but not for womens'. Where is the one for women?Community AnswerThe article explains that a women's average width is a B and a women's narrow is an A or below, while the men's average is a D. Even though the chart they are using is titled "Men's Shoe Width...", it is actually the same chart for men and for women -- the article just didn't make that clear.
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QuestionIs it okay if my thumb touches in front or shall I go for the next size up?Community AnswerYes its okay. After some days they become loose. If its uncomfortable or paining, then only choose the next size.
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Tips
- Always try your shoes on first if you can.Thanks
- Every brand of shoe fits each size slightly different, so be prepared to go up or down a size.Thanks
- You should measure your feet for shoes at the end of the day because your foot size can fluctuate. That's correct especially if you work on your feet all day long. Your measurement of your feet is going to be different.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- You may not need to subtract 3/16 of an inch since socks, especially thick ones, will compensate for it.
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About This Article
Article Summary
X
To find your shoe size, start by placing a piece of paper on the floor and tracing the outline of your bare foot onto it. Then, use a ruler to draw a rectangle around the outline that touches the furthest point on each side of your foot. Finally, measure the length and width of the rectangle to get your shoe size. Keep in mind that most shoe sizes are based on the length of your foot, although some will also include the width. If you want to learn the standard shoe sizes associated with the length of your foot, keep reading the article!
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,662,345 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "It allows the user to measure for herself, rather than take your word for it, e.g., that X" = size Y shoe, as some online shoe vendors do and having a Q&A is very helpful as well!" ..." more
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"It allows the user to measure for herself, rather than take your word for it, e.g., that X" = size Y shoe, as some online shoe vendors do and having a Q&A is very helpful as well!"
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"Trying to figure out what size and width my shoe size is because of genetic issues with both feet. The photos and explanations made taking the measurements very easy."
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"The photo illustrations were highly accurate so that almost anyone would be able to follow the instructions."
"Great advice and information, especially when ordering footwear online. Very helpful. Thank you!"
"I'm having someone buy me stuff for my wedding and need to know my shoe size. This helps."
