How to Measure Your Feet Correctly

Equipment and timing

Use paper larger than your feet, a hard floor, a pencil and an accurate ruler. Nike recommends measuring late in the day with the socks you intend to wear. Foot swelling varies; a fixed percentage is not a reliable personal allowance.

Measure heel to longest toe

Stand on the paper as the brand instructs, mark the back of the heel and longest toe, and measure their separation. Repeat for the other foot. Record both and use the larger relevant measurement. Keep the pencil upright and avoid measuring at an angle.

Width and circumference are different

Width is the straight-line distance across the widest part of the foot. Girth is a tape measurement around the ball. Record the dimension the chart requests; do not substitute one for the other.

Use the right column

Match measured length to the manufacturer’s foot-length chart. Nike notes that CM on the box differs from foot length. Do not add a universal amount of toe room to a chart that already accounts for fitting space. Check the shoes on both feet.