Forget shoe-size woes! Forget bunions and body aches from ill-fitting kicks. It’s time to conquer shoe sizing once and for all!
Wearing the wrong size shoes isn’t just a minor annoyance. It can lead to bunions, foot deformity, and even back and hip pain. Scary, right? But fear not! This guide unveils the secrets to accurate foot measurement and finding your perfect shoe fit, regardless of brand inconsistencies.
No more size chart roulette! We’ll ditch the confusion and equip you with a step-by-step process for measuring your feet, both in inches and using men’s and women’s sizing. Get ready to step into a world of comfortable, supportive shoes that actually make your feet happy!
HOW TO MEASURE YOUR FEET
While some brands may not readily provide size charts, resorting to strongly worded letters or public complaints is rarely productive. Instead, a universally acclaimed method—employed by both brands and stylists alike—is the simple technique of foot measurement.
It’s crucial to remember that proper fit extends beyond mere length; foot width plays a crucial role in achieving optimal comfort. Unfortunately, not all brands explicitly indicate width using standardized letters like “N” or “W.” Nevertheless, acknowledging the importance of both dimensions unlocks the door to true shoe bliss.
Fortunately, with readily available school supplies like a ruler, paper, and pencil, determining both length and width is a straightforward process. By investing a few minutes in accurate measurement, you empower yourself to make informed footwear choices that prioritize comfort and well-being, leaving frustration and ill-fitting shoes behind.
This revision maintains the key points while removing informal language and replacing it with more professional alternatives. It also emphasizes the positive outcome of accurate measurement, making the process feel more appealing.
GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES
- A sheet of paper. White paper works best, but any flat surface will do.
- A pencil or pen.
- A ruler or measuring tape.
STEP ONTO THE SCENE
- Trace your foot: Place your bare foot flat on the paper, heel against the wall. With your pencil held upright, carefully trace the outline of your entire foot. Repeat for the other foot.
- Measure the length: Locate the two farthest points on your tracing: the tip of your longest toe (usually the big toe) and the back of your heel. Use your ruler or tape to measure the distance between these points. This is your foot length.
- Measure the width: Find the widest point across your tracing, perpendicular to your foot length. This is your foot width.
INTERPRETING YOUR RESULTS
- Consult a size chart: Most brands provide size charts based on either length or length and width. Compare your measurements to the chart to find your corresponding shoe size in men’s, women’s, or youth sizing.
- Consider additional factors: While size charts are a good starting point, remember that foot shape and personal preferences can come into play. If you have wider feet or prefer a looser fit, consider sizing up. Conversely, if you have narrow feet or like a snug fit, sizing down might be a better option.
BONUS TIPS
- Measure your feet later in the day, as they tend to swell slightly throughout the day.
- Wear socks if you typically wear them with the type of shoes you’re buying.
- If one foot is slightly larger than the other, size your shoes based on the larger foot.
- When trying on shoes, pay attention to how they feel overall, not just the length. There should be no pinching, rubbing, or excessive wiggle room.
INCHES TO WOMEN’S SHOE SIZE CONVERSION CHART
| Inches | Centimeters | U.S. & Canada | Europe | UK |
| 8-3/16 | 20.8 | 4 | 35 | 2 |
| 8-3/8 | 21.3 | 4.5 | 35 | 2.5 |
| 8-1/2 | 21.6 | 5 | 35–36 | 3 |
| 8-3/4 | 22.2 | 5.5 | 36 | 3.5 |
| 8-7/8 | 22.5 | 6 | 36–37 | 4 |
| 9-1/16 | 23 | 6.5 | 37 | 4.5 |
| 9-1/4 | 23.5 | 7 | 37–38 | 5 |
| 9-3/8 | 23.8 | 7.5 | 38 | 5.5 |
| 9-1/2 | 24.1 | 8 | 38–39 | 6 |
| 9-11/16 | 24.6 | 8.5 | 39 | 6.5 |
| 9-7/8 | 25.1 | 9 | 39-40 | 7 |
| 10 | 25.4 | 9.5 | 40 | 7.5 |
| 10-3/16 | 25.9 | 10 | 40–41 | 8 |
| 10-5/16 | 26.2 | 10.5 | 41 | 8.5 |
| 10-1/2 | 26.7 | 11 | 41–42 | 9 |
| 10-11/16 | 27.1 | 11.5 | 42 | 9.5 |
| 10-7/8 | 27.6 | 12 | 42–43 | 10 |
WOMEN’S SHOE WIDTH CHART
| U.S. Shoe Size | Narrow (AA) | Average (B or M) | Wide (D) | Extra-Wide (EE) |
| 5 | 2-13/16″ | 3-3/16″ | 3-9/16″ | 3-15/16″ |
| 5.5 | 2-14/16″ | 3-1/4″ | 3-10/16″ | 4″ |
| 6 | 2-15/16″ | 3-5/16″ | 3-11/16″ | 4-1/16″ |
| 6.5 | 3″ | 3-3/16″ | 3-3/4″ | 4-2/16″ |
| 7 | 3-1/16″ | 3-7/16″ | 3-13/16″ | 4-3/16″ |
| 7.5 | 3-2/16″ | 3-1/2″ | 3-14/16″ | 4-1/4″ |
| 8 | 3-3/16″ | 3-9/16″ | 3-15/16″ | 4-5/16″ |
| 8.5 | 3-1/4″ | 3-10/16″ | 4″ | 4-3/16″ |
| 9 | 3-5/16″ | 3-11/16″ | 4-1/16″ | 4-7/16″ |
| 9.5 | 3-3/16″ | 3-3/4″ | 4-2/16″ | 4.5 |
| 10 | 3-7/16″ | 3-13/16″ | 4-3/16″ | 4-9/16″ |
| 10.5 | 3-1/2″ | 3-14/16″ | 4-1/4″ | 4-10/16″ |
| 11 | 3-9/16″ | 3-15/16″ | 4-5/16″ | 4-11/16″ |
| 11.5 | 3-10/16″ | 4″ | 4-3/16″ | 4-3/4″ |
| 12 | 3-11/16″ | 4-1/16″ | 4-7/16″ | 4-13/16″ |
| 12.5 | 3-3/4″ | 4-2/16″ | 4.5 | 4-14/16″ |
| 13 | 3-13/16″ | 4-3/16″ | 4-9/16″ | 4-15/16″ |
| 13.5 | 3-14/16″ | 4-1/4″ | 4-10/16″ | 5″ |
| 14 | 3-15/16″ | 4-5/16″ | 4-11/16″ | 5-1/16″ |
UNDERSTANDING NON-STANDARD SIZING
While most brands stick to a standard width alphabet (N, M, W, etc.), some adventurous shoemakers venture into non-standard territory. These codes, often a mix of numbers and letters like “11EE,” might seem daunting, but they simply represent widths that fall outside the regular lineup. Think of “EE” as an extra-wide friend of “W,” and “11EE” as that friend who brought an even bigger appetite to the picnic. It’s all about finding the width that snuggles your foot just right, not too loose, not too tight. So, keep both length and width in mind when deciphering these codes, and remember, a little help from a shoe expert or a professional foot measurement can be your map through the width wilderness.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Now, let’s put our measuring skills to the test! Imagine you measure your foot length at 9-1/2 inches, corresponding to a US women’s size 8 in most brands. Next, you measure the width at 3-15/16 inches, indicating a wider “D” width. So, your ideal shoe size for this particular brand would be 8D!
INCHES TO MEN’S SHOE SIZE CONVERSION CHART
| Inches | U.S. Men’s Shoe Size |
| 9 5/16 | 6 |
| 9 1/2 | 6.5 |
| 9 11/16 | 7 |
| 9 13/16 | 7.5 |
| 10 | 8 |
| 10 3/16 | 8.5 |
| 10 5/16 | 9 |
| 10 1/2 | 9.5 |
| 10 11/16 | 10 |
| 10 13/16 | 10.5 |
| 11 | 11 |
| 11 3/16 | 11.5 |
| 11 5/16 | 12 |
| 11 1/2 | 12.5 |
| 11 11/16 | 13 |
| 11 13/16 | 13.5 |
| 12 | 14 |
| 12 3/16 | 14.5 |
| 12 5/16 | 15 |
MEN’S SHOE WIDTH CHART
| US Shoe Size | Narrow (B) | Medium (D) | Wide (EE) | X-Wide (4E) | XX-Wide (6E) |
| 6 | 3 5/16″ | 3 1/2″ | 3 11/16″ | 3 7/8″ | 4 1/16″ |
| 6.5 | 3 3/8″ | 3 9/16″ | 3 3/4″ | 3 15/16″ | 4 1/8″ |
| 7 | 3 7/16″ | 3 5/8″ | 3 13/16″ | 4″ | 4 3/16″ |
| 7.5 | 3 1/2″ | 3 11/16″ | 3 7/8″ | 4 1/16″ | 4 1/4″ |
| 8 | 3 9/16″ | 3 3/4″ | 3 15/16″ | 4 1/8″ | 4 5/16″ |
| 8.5 | 3 5/8″ | 3 13/16″ | 4″ | 4 3/16″ | 4 3/8″ |
| 9 | 3 11/16″ | 3 7/8″ | 4 1/16″ | 4 1/4″ | 4 7/16″ |
| 9.5 | 3 3/4″ | 3 15/16″ | 4 1/8″ | 4 5/16″ | 4 1/2″ |
| 10 | 3 13/16″ | 4″ | 4 3/16″ | 4 3/8″ | 4 9/16″ |
| 10.5 | 3 7/8″ | 4 1/16″ | 4 1/4″ | 4 7/16″ | 4 5/8″ |
| 11 | 3 15/16″ | 4 1/8″ | 4 5/16″ | 4 1/2″ | 4 11/16″ |
| 11.5 | 4″ | 4 3/16″ | 4 3/8″ | 4 9/16″ | 4 3/4″ |
| 12 | 4 1/16″ | 4 1/4″ | 4 7/16″ | 4 5/8″ | 4 13/16″ |
| 12.5 | 4 1/8″ | 4 5/16″ | 4 1/2″ | 4 11/16″ | 4 7/8″ |
| 13 | 4 3/16″ | 4 3/8″ | 4 9/16″ | 4 3/4″ | 4 15/16″ |
| 13.5 | 4 1/4″ | 4 7/16″ | 4 5/8″ | 4 13/16″ | 5″ |
| 14 | 4 5/16″ | 4 1/2″ | 4 11/16″ | 4 7/8″ | 5 1/16″ |
| 14.5 | 4 3/8″ | 4 9/16″ | 4 3/4″ | 4 15/16″ | 5 1/8″ |
| 15 | 4 7/16″ | 4 5/8″ | 4 13/16″ | 5″ | 5 3/16″ |
TRYING IT OUT
Let’s imagine you’ve meticulously measured your feet, revealing a length of 10.5 inches and a width of 4 inches. Armed with these numbers, it’s time to decipher the shoe-size code!
First, consult a men’s size conversion chart. Your impressive 10.5 inches translate to a size 9.5 in most men’s footwear. Excellent!
But the journey doesn’t end there. Remember your 4-inch width? Locate your size (9.5) on a shoe width chart and trace your finger across the corresponding row. Look for the measurement closest to your 4-inch width – you’ll likely find it at 3 15/16 inches under the “Medium (D)” column.
This means your ideal shoe size is… 9.5D! In some cases, “Medium” is considered the standard and simply denoted as 9.5. Now, you’re equipped with the precise knowledge to confidently navigate the shoe aisles, ensuring a perfect fit for your perfectly measured feet!
NOTHING BEATS A FITTING
While our handy measuring guide and size charts are trusty companions, especially for online shopping, there’s no substitute for slipping on a pair in person – if possible! Why? Because, just like friends, shoes come in all sorts of personalities. A chunky boot, a sleek loafer, a sky-high heel – each has its own fit and feel that materials like leather or synthetic fabrics can further tweak.
So don’t be shy! Give them a test run. Walk, strut, even do a little happy dance in those shoes. And to get the ultimate picture of fit, wear the socks you’d normally pair with them. Bonus tip: since feet tend to puff up as the day wears on, shoe shopping in the afternoon is ideal. Same goes for if you’re feeling puffy from heat, travel, or that extra slice of cake (no judgment!).
FINAL TAKEAWAY
Understanding how to measure your shoe size is essential for ensuring comfort, support, and overall foot health. The process may seem simple, but its impact on your well-being cannot be overstated. By following the recommended steps and considering factors such as foot width and arch length, individuals can confidently select footwear that not only fits properly but also promotes a healthy and comfortable walking experience.
Shoe sizes may vary across brands and styles, emphasizing the importance of measuring your feet regularly and consulting size charts provided by manufacturers. Additionally, seeking professional assistance, such as visiting a shoe store and getting measured by trained staff, can further enhance the accuracy of your measurements.
