Boneyard Tools

How to measure your shoe size at home

A simple paper and ruler method to measure foot length, plus how to turn that number into a US, UK or EU size that actually fits.

Open the Shoe Size Converter →

Why the number on the box lies

A shoe labelled US 9 from one brand can feel like a US 8.5 or a US 9.5 from another, because there is no single legal standard behind the number. Each system, US, UK, EU and centimetre, was built for a different market and rounds foot length in its own way. That is why a converter gives you a starting point rather than a promise. The one measurement that never shifts is the actual length of your foot, so that is where sizing should begin.

The paper and ruler method

Late in the day, when your feet are at their largest, stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe, which is not always the big toe, then measure the distance from the wall to that mark in centimetres. Do this for both feet, since they are rarely identical, and use the larger of the two. Add roughly half a centimetre of wiggle room for walking shoes and a little more for running.

Turning length into a size

Once you have a centimetre figure, choose CM (foot length) as the system you know in the converter and read off the US, UK and EU equivalents. If your measurement falls between two listed lengths, size up to the next value rather than squeezing into the smaller one, because a shoe that is too short cannot be fixed with lacing. Keep in mind that the CM column reflects foot length, so a brand that quotes insole length will run slightly longer.

When a chart still gets it wrong

Athletic lasts, boots and dress shoes are built on different shapes, so the same brand can size differently across its own ranges. Read recent buyer reviews for phrases like runs small or roomy toe box, and favour retailers with free returns for a first order. If a brand publishes a Brannock or centimetre guide, trust that over a bare regional number every time. The goal is a thumb's width of space ahead of your longest toe with the heel held firmly in place.

Frequently asked questions

Should I measure both feet?

Yes. Most people have one foot slightly longer, so measure both and buy for the larger one. Fitting the smaller foot guarantees the larger will be cramped.

What time of day is best to measure?

Late afternoon or evening. Feet swell over the day and during exercise, so an early morning measurement can leave you a half size too small by nightfall.

How much extra room should a running shoe have?

Aim for about a thumb's width, roughly one to one and a half centimetres, between your longest toe and the front of the shoe to allow for foot swelling on longer runs.