There are many times where we wear shoes that are too big or too small for us. This is unpleasant and has the potential to cause injury. Knowing your shoe size is an important thing to know before you buy shoes. Follow the steps below to find out your shoe size!
Step
Part 1 of 2: Measuring Feet at Home
Step 1. Tape a piece of paper on the floor
You will be drawing the outline of your foot to measure, so avoid doing this on a carpet or other surface that makes it difficult for you to draw.
Step 2. Put your feet on the paper
Your legs should be bent slightly. Try to place your feet perpendicular to all the lines on the paper. You can stand, sit, or squat.
Step 3. You can draw the outline of your foot
You can wear socks that you will wear with the shoes you will buy, but don't wear shoes.
Step 4. Mark the length and width of your feet on the paper
Use a marker or pen to draw straight lines that touch each side of the outline of your foot.
Step 5. Measure your foot length
Use a ruler to measure from top to bottom. Write down this number because it will determine your shoe size.
Step 6. Measure the width of your feet
Measure the distance between the right and left lines and write down the number. Many shoes have different widths, this number will determine which shoes you will buy.
Step 7. Subtract approximately 3/16 inch from each number
This is to accommodate the small gap between the line you drew with the pencil and your foot.
Step 8. Use the length and width measurements above to determine your shoe size based on the table
Men's and women's shoe sizes are different. Even in some countries, shoe sizes can be different.
Part 2 of 2: Interpreting the Results
Step 1. For women, find your foot length in the United States women's sizing chart below
- 4 = 8 3/16" or 20.8 cm
- 4.5 = 8 5/16" or 21.3 cm
- 5 = 8 11/16" or 21.6 cm
- 5.5 = 8 13/16" or 22.2 cm
- 6 = 9" or 22.5 cm
- 6.5 = 9 3/16" or 23 cm
- 7= 9 5/16" or 23.5 cm
- 7.5 = 9 1/2" or 23.8 cm
- 8 = 9 11/16" or 24.1 cm
- 8.5 = 9 13/16" or 24.6 cm
- 9 = 10" or 25.1 cm
- 9.5 = 10 3/16" or 25.4 cm
- 10 = 10 5/16" or 25.9 cm
- 10.5 = 10 1/2" or 26.2 cm
- 11 = 10 11/16" or 26.7 cm
- 11.5 = 10 13/16" or 27.1 cm
- 12 = 11" or 27.6 cm
Step 2. For men, find your foot length in the United States men's sizing chart below
- 6 = 9 1/4" or 23.8 cm
- 6.5 = 9 1/2" or 24.1 cm
- 7 = 9 5/8" or 24.4 cm
- 7.5 = 9 3/4" or 24.8 cm
- 8 = 9 15/16" or 25.4 cm
- 8.5 = 10 1/8" or 25.7 cm
- 9= 10 1/4" or 26 cm
- 9.5 = 10 7/16" or 26.7 cm
- 10 = 10 9/16" or 27 cm
- 10.5 = 10 3/4" or 27.3 cm
- 11 = 10 15/16" or 27.9 cm
- 11.5 = 11 1/8" or 28.3 cm
- 12 = 11 1/4" or 28.6 cm
- 13 = 11 9/16" or 29.4 cm
- 14 = 11 7/8" or 30.2 cm
- 15 = 12 3/16" or 31 cm
- 16 = 12 1/2" or 31.8 cm
Step 3. Consider the width of your shoe
Many shoes will come in wide sizes as well, ranging from AA, A, B, C, D, E, EE, and EEEE. B is the average size for women, D is the average size for men. A and below are small sizes, E and after are extra wide sizes (see table below).
Step 4. Consult the manufacturer or shoe store if you have an extreme size
| Size | A A | 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 |
Tips
- Always try on your shoes before you buy if possible.
- Each brand may have a different size. Be prepared to increase or decrease your size.
