how to measure your foot for shoe size

 

How to measure your foot for shoe size

Measuring your feet for a new pair of shoes can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. All you need is a measuring tape and pen. 

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The first step is to measure your foot length from the heel to the tip of your big toe, which may require assistance if you have difficulty bending over or cannot reach. 

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Remember not to measure your feet while they are standing on tiptoes or while they are completely flat on the floor. The second measurement you will need is just below the ball of one's foot (where one's toes meet), without any pressure being applied.

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If you are purchasing children's shoes, it is important to measure their foot length. The same measurement under different shoe styles will indicate a different size. 

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This is because shoes are made using different last shapes, which also changes the fit of a shoe. These last shapes are the mold on which shoes are built. 

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Every brand and style of shoe has a different last shape. For example, men’s dress oxfords have a slightly smaller heel from side to side than loafers or wingtips, 

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but a larger one from front to back. A measurement taken for one type of last will not work for another style or brand of shoe and therefore does not accurately represent your correct size.

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Once you have your foot measurement, use the measuring tape to record it on the side of the paper tape. You may have a special notebook for a similar purpose. If you wish, you may write down the length of your foot in any units you wish to measure it in. 

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It is recommended that feet be measured in inches (such as inches from heel to tip of big toe), but feel free to measure your feet in any way that makes sense for you. 

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For example, if your weight is 150 lb and you want to be sure that you are getting proper fitting shoes, then don’t bother with size numbers and just write 150 on the paper tape when measuring your foot. This is a great way to start a personalized sizing system for your own shoes.

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In addition to the length of your foot, you will also need to know the width. This measurement can be taken several places on your foot depending on how flat you feel the tape should be placed and how accurate you would like to be in determining width.

Some references suggest measuring from either side of your foot, the width which is most comfortable for you. It is important that you measure a place on your foot that does not have an abnormal bulge or turn out of the side of your foot in any way, 

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because this will lead to an inaccurate reading of width measurements. To determine whether or not you have a normal width, remove your shoe and stand on one foot. The correct width reading should only be taken if the foot is in a neutral position and both sides of the same foot are being measured at the same time.

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Once you have your width measurement, record it on the paper tape either in whole numbers (such as 1/2) or fractions (such as 5/8). Repeat this procedure for each foot that you are measuring. 

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Once you have completed measuring both feet and recording their lengths and widths on the paper tape, you will be able to easily determine any given size for yourself.

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