How to Find Your Shoe Size at Home

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Take the guesswork out and find the perfect fitting shoes

Co-authored by Victor Adrian

Last Updated: April 19, 2024 Fact Checked

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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!

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Measure your Foot at Home

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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]
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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.

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You can wear the socks you are planning to wear with the shoes you would like to buy, but don't wear shoes.
Use your marker to draw straight line touching each side of the outline.^{[2]
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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]
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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.
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.
Men and women use different sizes, as do different countries.^{[4]
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Interpreting the Results

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1
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)
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]
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**Mens Shoe Width in Inches/mm**
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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Question

What if my length and width give me different shoe sizes?

Community Answer

Then 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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Question

I see a chart for mens' shoe width but not for womens'. Where is the one for women?

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The 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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Is it okay if my thumb touches in front or shall I go for the next size up?

Community Answer

Yes its okay. After some days they become loose. If its uncomfortable or paining, then only choose the next size.

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Always try your shoes on first if you can.

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Helpful 8 Not Helpful 0
Every brand of shoe fits each size slightly different, so be prepared to go up or down a size.

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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.

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