How to Find Your Shoe Size

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May 8, 2020References

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!

Part 1 of 2:
Measure your Foot at Home

  1. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 1
    1
    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]
  2. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 2
    2
    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.
  3. 3
    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.[2]
  4. 4
    Mark the length and width of your foot on the paper. Use your marker to draw straight line touching each side of the outline.[3]
  5. 5
    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.[4]
  6. 6
    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.
  7. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 7
    7
    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.[5]
  8. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 8
    8
    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.[6]
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Part 2 of 2:
Interpreting the Results

  1. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 9
    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)
  2. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 10
    2
    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)
  3. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 11
    3
    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).[7]
  4. Image titled Find Your Shoe Size Step 12
    4
    Consult the manufacturer or shoe store if you have extreme measurements.
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Mens Shoe Width in Inches/mm
SizeAAABCDEEEEEE
62.8/712.9/743.1/793.3/843.5/893.7/943.9/994.1/104
6½2.8/713.0/763.2/813.4/863.6/913.8/973.9/994.1/104
72.9/743.1/793.3/843.4/863.6/913.8/974.0/1024.2/107
7½2.9/743.1/793.3/843.5/893.7/943.9/994.1/1044.3/109
83.0/763.2/813.4/863.6/913.8/973.9/994.1/1044.3/109
8½3.1/793.3/843.4/863.6/913.8/974.0/1024.2/1074.4/112
93.1/793.3/843.5/893.7/943.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.4/112
9½3.2/813.4/863.6/913.8/973.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.5/114
103.3/843.4/863.6/913.8/974.0/1024.2/1074.4/1124.6/117
10½3.3/843.5/893.7/943.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.4/1124.6/117
113.4/863.6/913.8/973.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.5/1144.7/119
11½3.4/863.6/913.8/974.0/1024.2/1074.4/1124.6/1174.8/122
123.5/893.7/943.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.4/1124.6/1174.8/122
12½3.6/913.8/973.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.5/1144.7/1194.9/124
133.6/913.8/974.0/1024.2/1074.4/1124.6/1174.8/1224.9/124
13½3.7/943.9/994.1/1044.3/1094.4/1124.6/1174.8/1225.0/127

Community Q&A

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Add New Question
  • 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.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 20Helpful 42
  • Question
    I see a chart for mens' shoe width but not for womens'. Where is the one for women?
    Community Answer
    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.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 28Helpful 70
  • Question
    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.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 19Helpful 33
  • Question
    How can I determine my exact shoe size when buying shoes from the internet?
    Community Answer
    Most websites that sell shoes will have a sizing chart that you can refer to. If the website does not have a sizing chart, then you can order a size that is similar to the size you are currently wearing. If the shoe arrives and it does not fit, see if you can return it; most online shops have a flexible return policy.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 26Helpful 39
  • Question
    Why don't the women's shoes go up to a size 11, and wider?
    Community Answer
    The reason is because it's so uncommon that it just doesn't make sense to a shoe store to keep that size in stock. Most of the time, they need to be specially ordered online from a manufacturer directly or from an online shoe store that carries your size.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 15Helpful 20
  • Question
    When I take a ruler and measure my foot it's a 9 1/2 but my shoe size is 7 to 7.5. What is causing such a big difference in shoe sizing?
    Community Answer
    It could be the differences in different shoe manufacturers' standards. Also, a shoe with a wide rounded toe will allow your foot to slide deeper into the shoe because of the full rounded toe. A pad for the ball of the foot can be placed under the insole to prevent your foot from sliding deep into the shoe--a shoe salesman did this for me once when fitting me for a pair of shoes.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 11Helpful 10
  • Question
    Does playing tennis require a larger size?
    Community Answer
    No, many play tennis with the exact same trainers they wear every day, so you'll be fine.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 22Helpful 30
  • Question
    Should I purchase a trainer a half a size larger than my normal size?
    Blondtraillite
    Top Answerer
    It depends on the purpose for which you will be wearing the shoes. The average sports-player needs less of a different size than supports (stiffer versus softer structures in differing areas) for their particular sport, to avoid injury. Those who are especially active or train for long periods (such as marathon runners), to a degree by which the shoe must accommodate swelling, do need to purchase larger shoes. However, if you are that serious about sport, you should be professionally fitted by shops that sell shoes for your sport, e.g. a hiking store for outdoorsmen or a sports store. They not only have better advice than the general guideline but a size replacement policy.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 5Helpful 9
  • Question
    Why does my foot slide forward in my shoe?
    Community Answer
    Your shoe is likely too big. Try to get a foam or gel heel insert. It goes on the inside of your shoe, right on the heel part.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 22Helpful 25
  • Question
    Will it affect my shoe size if my second toe is longer than my big toe?
    Community Answer
    Most shoes do not have this problem but if your second toe touches the front of your shoe and the others don't, your best bet is probably to just get the shoe in the next size.
    Thanks!
    YesNo
    Not Helpful 24Helpful 29
Show more answers
Unanswered Questions
  • Why don't most women's shoes come in size 10.5? It almost always goes from 10 to 11.
    Answer
  • What is the width for a shoe size 15 with a 4 7/16" width?
    Answer
  • What will be the correct shoe size for a foot measuring 24.9 centimeters in length and 9.6 centimeters in width?
    Answer
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.liveabout.com/how-to-measure-your-feet-2987812
      2. ↑ https://www.phc-online.com/v/vspfiles/html/foot_chart_popup.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/how-to-find-shoe-size/slide4
      4. ↑ http://www.sedl.org/afterschool/lessonplans/index.cgi?show_record=87
      5. ↑ http://trendsurvivor.com/are-you-wearing-the-wrong-shoe-size/
      6. ↑ https://www.shoesizingcharts.com/
      7. ↑ https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/shoe-width-guide

      About This Article

      wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 32 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 2,108,469 times.
      244 votes - 72%
      Co-authors: 32
      Updated: May 8, 2020
      Views: 2,108,469
      Categories: Shoe Sizes
      Article SummaryX

      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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