How to Measure Your Foot: A Step-by-Step Sizing Guide
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Unsure what size feet you have? Or perhaps you need to measure your kids' feet before the school year starts? Accurate foot measurement is essential for comfort and health, so it’s something you need to get right.
You might only have a rough idea of yourself or your child’s shoe size, which is why measuring your feet at home or using our in-store feet measurement service is advised.
At Clarks, we are committed to producing footwear that fits each customer perfectly. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide on how to measure your feet and shared our top tips on how to do so accurately.
Why Measuring Your Foot Matters
Wearing the right-sized shoes is so important – particularly for kids with growing feet. Shoes that are too big can cause blisters due to friction, while shoes that are too small can lead to toenail damage and other discomforts
This is why accurate foot measurement is essential. To measure your feet from the comfort of your own home, all you will need is a:
Ruler or tape measure
Paper
Pen or pencil
Socks (if you’ll be wearing them with the shoes)
That’s it! You’re now ready to get started.
Step-by-Step Guide to Measuring Your Foot
From the width of your feet to the size of your foot’s arch, there are plenty of different measurements that you can take. But the great news is that when measuring to find your shoe size, all you really need to know are the basics.
As long as you know the length of your feet, you’ll be well on your way to finding your shoe size, and ultimately your perfect-fitting pair of shoes. Whether you’re measuring your own feet or your little one’s feet, follow these simple tips below:
Prepare your materials: Start by getting everything ready. Make sure you have a pen, a piece of paper, and a ruler or tape measure. You will also need to be wearing socks.
Trace your foot: Place the paper on a hard, flat floor and stand with your heel touching a wall. Using your pencil, trace the entire outline of your foot onto the paper.
Measure foot length Using a tape measure or ruler, measure from the back of the heel to the tip of your longest toe on the tracing.
Measure foot width: Measure across the widest part of the foot on the tracing.
Repeat for both feet: Make sure you measure both feet, as they may differ in size.
Record the results: Record your measurements, then consult our fit guide to determine your size.
All done. Follow this simple process, and you’ll be one step closer to ordering your dream pair of shoes.
Tips for Accurate Feet Measurement
The more accurate you are, the better your shoes will fit. Here are our top tips for measuring your feet properly:
Measure at the end of the day: Measure later in the day when feet are at their largest.
Stand while measuring: Make sure you’re standing firmly and comfortably, so you can trace your feet accurately. Keep the pencil vertical.
Wear socks: Wear a pair of socks for measuring if you’ll be wearing them with your shoes.
Use the larger foot: Always remember to measure both feet. If one foot is larger than the other, base your shoe size on the bigger foot.
Understanding Your Measurements
Now you've measured your feet, it’s time to find out what your shoe size is. Use Clarks’ handy shoe size charts to identify your size by simply finding your foot length on the table (in the right-hand column) and moving your finger left to find your US shoe size.
To make things as easy as possible, we have separate charts for men, women, and kids, so you can find the perfect pair of shoes in no time.
As you can see from the charts, there are also various foot width sizes. Once you’ve measured your foot width, you can determine whether you need a standard fit (D for women and G for men) or whether you’ll require a wider fit.
Check out our wide feet guide for more information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While measuring your feet isn’t difficult, some mistakes can still affect whether your shoes fit perfectly. Here are some common errors to avoid:
Don’t forget to measure both feet. Many people have one foot slightly larger than the other.
Don’t measure your feet in the morning. Your feet swell as the day goes on, so you should aim to record your foot measurements in the late afternoon or evening.
Don’t focus only on length. Remember, you also need to measure foot width; otherwise, you could buy shoes that are either too narrow or too wide.
Find out how to tell if your shoes are the right size here.
Feet Measurement: FAQs
Q: How often should I measure my feet?
A: This completely depends on the individual, but most adults should measure their feet every year to check for any changes. Especially if you notice your size shoes are no longer comfortable. Age, weight, and health conditions can all impact foot size.
Kids should be getting their feet measured a lot more regularly. We recommend measuring your child's feet every six weeks.
Q: What if my feet are two different sizes?
A: This is a lot more common than people think. In these instances, you should always choose shoes that fit the larger foot. This is because it’s easier to adjust the smaller side with insoles or by wearing thicker socks.
Q: How do I measure for wide/narrow shoes?
A: Always measure the widest part of your foot and compare it to a width chart. If your measurement exceeds or falls short of the standard width, choose the more suitable option.
Q: How do I measure my feet for sneakers?
A: You should measure as usual, following the step-by-step process in this guide. Most people allow a little extra room at the toe for movement and activity, especially when wearing walking or running sneakers.
Q: How do I measure my feet for boots?
A: Measuring your feet for boots is the same as measuring for sneakers. Make sure you’re wearing the socks you plan on wearing with your boots, which may be a little thicker than normal pairs. With boots, you may find that it takes a little longer to break them in.
You can read about how to break in shoes here.
Conclusion
Now that you are equipped with your foot measurements and the knowledge of your exact shoe size, it’s time to find your perfect pair of shoes.
From sandals and school shoes to loafers and wedges, all crafted from the highest-quality materials, we have a style for every preference and occasion.
Shop our range of men’s, women’s, and kids’ shoes, so you can buy sneakers and boots that fit like a glove.