How-to
How to measure your feet correctly
A simple at-home method to measure foot length and width — what you need, when to do it, and how to use the number.
Measure in the evening
Feet swell up to 5% over the course of the day. Always measure later in the day for a number that matches how your foot will sit in a shoe during normal wear.
What you need
A sheet of paper larger than your foot, a wall, a pencil, and a ruler or tape measure. Wear the sock thickness you plan to use with the shoe.
The method
Place the paper against a wall on a hard floor. Stand on it with your heel touching the wall. Mark the tip of your longest toe (not always the big toe). Repeat for the other foot — they're rarely identical.
Use the longer foot
Buy shoes that fit the longer foot. A snug shoe one half-size too small is the most common source of foot pain.
Frequently asked questions
- How much room should I leave at the toe?
- Roughly the width of a thumb — about 1 to 1.5 cm — between your longest toe and the front of the shoe.
Last updated June 17, 2026 · Reviewed by the SizeAtlas editorial team