Editor’s Note: This post has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy on May 2022 and reflects up-to-date information on how to measure your foot shoe size.
Are you one of the many women who went through the frustrating experience of ordering shoes online, just to find out that they don’t fit your feet correctly? To find your correct shoe size you need to know your exact foot length, your correct foot width, as well as your instep height.
I have noticed through the years that most women tend to wear shoes that are too short or too narrow for their feet.
Getting the correct shoe size is extremely important if you want to keep your feet and legs healthy. I have helped hundreds of women figure out their actual foot size.
Several online measuring tools claim to provide you with your correct foot size. I feel like these apps fail to retrieve the correct foot size as they don’t take into account the instep height. Women who have high insteps need to look for deeper shoes to prevent the top part of their feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes.
I came up with the most effective way to help women figure out their exact foot size from home and all you will need is a measuring tape or a ruler.
How to Measure Your Foot Size – FREE and in 2 Simple Steps!
1️⃣ Take note of your foot length: Make sure that you are standing straight, and then place a measuring tape or ruler below your heels. Make a note of your foot measurement in centimeters or inches.
⚠️ Always measure both feet and measure to your longest toe which doesn’t necessarily have to be the big toe, it can be the second or even the third toe.
2️⃣ Take 2 pictures of your feet: I will need 2 images of your feet to determine whether you have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. These images will also help me determine whether you have a high instep or not. Below you can find samples of the angles the images should be taken:
These images will also help me determine whether you have flat feet or a regular arch.
3️⃣ Optional: This third step is optional. If you are experiencing foot or leg pain I suggest that you include an additional image that will help me determine if you have rolled ankles or not.
Where Should You Email Your Foot Images and Measurements?
Once you have your foot measurements and the 2 images of your feet email me that information to:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
I suggest that you tell me if you are located in the United States or overseas in case you need specific shoe recommendations. I will respond with your exact foot measurements and exact foot shape in less than 24 hours.
What Happens Next? – This is How I Retrieve Your Exact Foot Shape
At the shoe store that I work for we have been using the Brannock device (the standard foot measuring tool) to measure children’s, women’s, and men’s feet for over 30 years. I will input the measurements that you sent me in the Brannock device to retrieve your exact foot length.
You can buy this device if you want to but I understand that not all women can afford to invest $65 in a foot measuring device, so I am offering this service for free. Even women who have bought this device told me that they had a hard time using it.
Stop Wasting Time and Money by Constantly Having to Return your Shoes
If you are buying your shoes online without knowing your actual foot size, you will end up losing a lot of time and money.
Women should check their foot size at least once a year, because foot size can vary due to age, weight, or foot issues such as calluses.
Knowing your exact foot size is only the first step when trying to find your correct shoe size. I mention this because your foot size won’t automatically translate into your exact shoe size, since there is no universal standard for shoe sizing.
Shoes can run short, long, narrow, or wide, and depending on how they run you will need to adjust the final size that you get for your feet.
As a recommendation, you should always wear half a size longer of the size that you measured in the standard foot measuring tool (Brannock Device) to prevent your toes from rubbing against the side or the front of the shoes.
Bear in mind that if you measure a foot size 6 and the shoes fit “short”, then you will need to choose the shoe size 7 to allow enough wiggle room (a whole size longer instead of half a size longer). On the other hand, if the shoes fit “long” then you will need to pick the same shoe size instead of going half a size longer (since the shoes already fit long).
I have fitted most women shoe styles before and I am familiar with how their shoe styles are cut (short, long, narrow, wide), so please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime you have doubts or questions about a particular shoe style:
comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Do You Also Need to Retrieve Your Child’s Foot Size?
Do you happen to need your kids’ feet measured but don’t have a local shoe store where you can take them? I actually created an article where I describe the simplest, yet most effective way to measure your kids’ foot size from home and you can find it here:
How to Measure Your Kids Foot – 2 Simple Steps to Determine Foot Length and Foot Width
I am looking forward to helping you find your exact foot size!
This is a very informative article and answered a lot of questions I’ve had for years. I’m still confused how finding the heel to ball of the foot will effect the shoe size. I have really short toes and after an unsuccessful foot surgery, now need extra wide shoes. I’How will knowing this measurement help me find the right size? Or do I just need to get the Brannock and it’ll be self-explanatory? I’ve been in so much foot and really appreciate your help.
Hello Nancy,
The Brannock Device comes with detailed instructions on how to use it, and it is the most effective foot measuring tool. Do you have a good fitting shoe store in your area that might be able to help you find your exact foot size?
If you need extra wide shoes, there is a key feature that your shoes must provide in addition to come labeled as extra wide. The shoes must be deep, since this feature will allow your feet to fit deeply inside the shoes, and prevent the top part of your feet from rubbing against the top part of the shoes. You can find a selection of the best extra wide and deep shoes in another article I wrote called:
The Best Extra Wide Width Shoes for Women – Deep, Supportive, Flexible, and with a Round Toe-Box!
I hope this helps.
Hi
Your article is very interesting.
I realised recently that I have knock knees. I have always had them, however I didn’t know that it was a condition. Can I correct them by wearing the appropriate shoes?
I am 21 years old and my knock knees are really bothering me, not just because of the way I walk (which looks weird) but also because of the knee pain sometimes.
I read a lot about exercises that one could do to correct them but couldn’t find a lot of positive reviews on that.
Hello Martina.
You can try correcting them by wearing the appropriate shoes, and if you don’t see an improvement after 3 months of wearing them you can try inserting an orthotic for extra support. I need to know what type of shoes you are wearing now, and if you provide me with your correct shoe size (length and width), I will be able to send you specific shoe recommendations. Feel free to email me a picture of the shoes that you are wearing at: comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Hi Juan. Thank you for offering this service for free. I just emailed you my measurements and the 2 images to determine my instep height. I always struggle to find shoes that fit and I have a feeling it might be from having a high instep. I am looking forward to your response!
Hi Sophie,
I wanted to confirm that I received your email. I will get back to you with your foot measurements shortly.
I found you in Google when looking how to find my correct foot size. I have been having pain on the top part of my feet which I didn’t know it’s called the instep. If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have known it was my instep causing my foot pain . Do you have an article that recommends shoes for high instep?
Hello,
Take a look at this article: The Best Shoes for Women with High Instep
I hope this helps.
Hi. I received my measurements and my foot size was very different from what I was expecting as I always thought I had wide feet but never actually knew had extra wide feet with a high instep. This is so helpful as now I will be looking for shoes in extra wide and not regular wide. Thank you for this free service I am sure a lot of women will find it helpful.
Hi Sean,
I am happy to hear that. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any other questions.
Help. I measured back of heel to tip of toe = 27 cm. Most of my shoes are an 11, but i feel that is a bit long now (getting old and shrinking, i guess). I have a narrow heel and bunions. I need dress shoes and sandals, walking shoes and hiking shoes and sandals – in short, i live in Israel. what can you recommend? I will be in DC for a week, so i can order to there.
Hello Chana,
Your foot shape and size can change over time, and some of the factors that contribute to this change are pregnancy, aging and weight gain or loss. 27 centimeters translate to a shoe size 11. I don’t think that you should get shoes that are smaller than a shoe size 11, unless the shoes fit really long. The final shoe size that you should wear depends on whether the shoes fit long or sort.
Have you already taken a look at these resources I created:
Shoes for Women with Bunions and Narrow Feet — Extra Depth and a Narrow Heel Counter are the 2 Key Features!
Best Hiking Shoes for Women with Bunions – Supportive, Deep, and with a Round Toe-Box!
Comfortable Sandals for Women with Bunions – Extra Deep and with Rounder Toe-Boxes!
What current shoes are you wearing?
Feel free to reach out to me at: comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Thanks. I am currently wearing brooks adrenaline, because i have knee pain and lower back pain, presumably connected to both flatfoot and scoliosis (lower spine). I can occasionally get away with my Trotters dress shoes (Sugar) and my Naot sandals, but Naot stopped making size 11, so i bought the pairs left in the store a few summers ago and am wearing them to death.
Thanks
Chana
Hello Chana,
I suggest that you apply this shoe lacing technique for your sneakers/everyday pair of shoes:
How to Lace Shoes for Narrow Feet — The Most Effective Way to Prevent Your Heels from Slipping Off the Shoes!
That shoe lacing technique will secure your feet and allow you to get the full benefits that the Brook Adrenaline has to offer.
thanks. I read that yesterday and tried it immediately. What a difference!! Thank you.
I am happy to hear that!
Hi,
Thank you for this valuable information. I have another issue besides having narrow feet. I also have low volume feet. Often, the tops of shoes don’t even touch the tops of my feet. Only one foot has a bunion, but also has an extreme bunionette.
Hello Michele,
Sounds like it’s challenging to find shoes that fit as the shoes need to be on the narrower side to accommodate your foot shape but the shoes need to have rounded toe-boxes at the same time to prevent putting pressure on your bunions. Do you need help finding sneakers or any other type of shoe?
OMG…help with Morton’s neuroma! Primary pain is 2 nd toe and pain often radiates to 3rd and 4th and top of foot. Podiatrist gave a packaged orthotic (not custom). Horrible! Bought shorter OTC orthotic and some better, also put metatarsal pad at front of shoe. Always have women Acsics but newest pair are a size larger. W/ orthotic heel slides up and down. Recommended to buy New Balance, uncertain. Size 7 shoes and tennis 7.5 and a sic guy bumped to 8. I am miserable! Thanks in advance!
Hello Sugar,
o you know if you have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet? It will also be helpful to take a look at an image of the orthotic to get a better idea of how much space it will take inside of the shoes.
As far as your heels sliding up and down concerns, I suggest that you use this specific shoe lacing technique: How to Tie Shoes for Women Who Wear Orthotics — It Takes 3 Easy and Simple Steps!
It’s better to buy shoes that are deeper and wider instead of going longer. Not all New Balance shoes provide the same levels of depth, some are a lot deeper than others. You can send me an image of the orthotic to this email: comfortablewomenshoes@gmail.com
Hi, you are unique in the fact that you use your time and effort to provide assistance to all who ask! Thank you for this! You are appreciated.
Do you by chance have any articles that has detailed list of popular brands/designers casual and dress usually fit short or long etc.,? i.e., Steve Madden, Naturalizer, Dansko and so on?
Thank you!
Hello Anita,
I am happy to help.
I have fitted shoes from Naturalizer and Dansko and they tend to fit “true to size”. However, it depends on each specific style. When I recommend a specific shoe in my articles I usually explain how much room there should be between the end of the big toe and the end of the shoe.
Unfortunately, I don’t have one specific article that describes how each shoe brand fits and the reason is that certain styles among each shoe brand fit different than others.
Also, when measuring for width, what is the scale/criteria that determines narrow, medium, wide and extra wide width?
Thank you
Hello Anita,
If you are using the Brannock Device (standard foot measuring tool), there is a side bar that you adjust to retrieve your foot width. I can tell whether a woman has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet by looking at an image of their feet.
Hi Juan. Thank you for offering this service for free. I just emailed you my wife’s measurements that is 26 cm or 10 inch. she has got 6 toes in right foot and five toes in left foot. please suggest some walking shoes for her which are comfortable, light and with soft cushioning. I have send you pic where you can see marks where when she walks with chappals on it hurts her, hope you have understood her issue . Awaiting for your kind help.
Hello Rushabh,
I respond to emails in the order that they are received.
I can confirm that I have received your email and will respond shortly.