How to Measure Shoe Width (and Foot Size) at Home

I've spent about ten years writing about shoes and helping readers with fit problems. The most common problem isn't length. It's width. Plenty of people buy the size on the label and still end up with sore, squeezed feet.

Shoe width is the distance across the widest part of your foot, which is the ball area. You need it along with your length to pick a shoe that fits. This guide shows you how to measure your feet for shoes at home with paper, a pen, and a ruler. It works for adult men's and women's shoes.

The short version

1. Stand on a sheet of paper and trace both feet.

2. Measure from the back of your heel to your longest toe. That's your length.

3. Measure straight across the widest part of the ball of your foot. That's your width.

4. Use the numbers from your larger foot and match them to a size chart.

Why width matters as much as length

Harvard Health tells shoppers to check width as well as length, and says that going up half a size without going wider may not fix a tight ball of the foot. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) says shoes that don't fit can cause blisters, corns, neuromas, and bunions.

Your size can also change over time. Feet often grow larger and wider with age, so Harvard Health suggests getting measured every time you buy new shoes. The APMA adds that size can change from brand to brand, and for many women during pregnancy.

What you need before you start

· Two sheets of paper, or a piece of cardboard

· A pen or pencil

· A ruler or tape measure

· Tape, to hold the paper still

· The socks you plan to wear with the shoes

· A helper, if you can get one

The best time and setup

Harvard Health backs the afternoon timing. The APMA says to wait until later in the day and to stand while you're measured.

How to measure your feet for shoe size and width: step by step

Step 1: Set up the paper. Tape a sheet to a hard floor. If you want to use the wall method, place one short edge against a wall. In that method, your heel touches the wall and you measure from the wall edge to a mark at your longest toe.

Step 2: Stand up straight. Put one foot on the paper with your weight evenly spread. Sitting is a backup only. Standing gives a more accurate outline.

Step 3: Trace your foot. Hold the pen straight up and down, keep it snug against your foot, and don't tilt it under your foot. A helper makes this much easier.

Step 4: Measure your length. Mark the back of your heel and the tip of your longest toe. Your longest toe may be your big toe, but it may not be. Measure between the two marks. This number helps you find your size in the brand's chart.

Step 5: Measure your width. Find the widest part of the tracing, across the ball of your foot. Mark each side and measure straight across. Standing naturally and measuring across the ball at its widest point gives the most accurate result.

Step 6: Repeat with the other foot. Use a fresh sheet or trace beside the first one.

Step 7: Write down your numbers. If one foot is larger than the other, Harvard Health says to buy the size that fits the larger foot. That's common, so don't worry if your feet don't match.

I prefer tracing over standing on a ruler. When you look down at a ruler, it's hard to see exactly where your toe ends. One home test found that tracing gave a clearer reading than standing on a ruler.

Match your numbers to a shoe size and width

For length, use the size chart from the brand you plan to buy. Sizes vary between manufacturers, so one brand's size 9 may not fit like another's.

For width, compare your measurement to the tables below. All numbers are in inches.

Women's widths

Men's widths

Here's how to read them. Say you wear a women's size 8, and the ball of your foot measures 3 15/16 inches. That matches a D, which is a wide width for women. If your number falls between two widths, I usually suggest trying the wider one first and checking the fit.

The letters also mean different things for men and women.

Shoemakers usually print the width only when it's outside the standard range, which is B for women and D for men. Not every brand uses these exact letters, and actual widths can differ from brand to brand, so check the brand's own chart before you order.

How to measure feet for shoes at a store

Many shoe stores have a Brannock device. It's a well-known tool that measures both foot length and foot width. Harvard Health suggests having both feet measured. Ask the fitter to give you your width, not only your length. Then compare it with your home numbers. If they match, you can trust them.

Check the fit before you commit

Measuring gets you close. Trying the shoe on tells you the rest.

Harvard Health also says not to count on a shoe being broken in later. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) says to go by comfort and not by the size number alone. A shoe one size up can be the right choice if it feels better.

Signs your shoe width is wrong

Too narrow

· The sides of your forefoot bulge, or your foot spills past the edge of the sole.

· The ball of your foot feels compressed.

· Your toes feel pushed together.

Too wide

· Your foot slides around inside the shoe, and the rubbing can cause sores and blisters.

· Your heel lifts as you walk.

If your length is right but the ball of your foot feels crowded, you need a wider width, not a longer size.

When to talk to a foot doctor

I write about shoes. I'm not a doctor. If your feet still hurt after you've fixed the size and width, or you notice swelling, numbness, or a growing bump on your big toe, see a podiatrist.

Quick answers

Should I use inches or centimeters?
Write down both. Length is often measured in centimeters because many size conversion charts use them. The width charts above use inches.

Can I measure sitting down?
Yes, if you have to. Keep your foot flat and firmly planted on the paper. Standing is still better.

Do I need to measure if I already know I have wide feet?
Yes. Even people who know they have wide feet may find they need an EE width, which is wider than they expected.