How to measure your feet

Short version: stand on paper in the evening, trace both feet, measure heel to longest toe in centimetres, and convert the longer foot. That one number beats any size printed in an old shoe.

What you need

A sheet of paper larger than your foot (tape two together if needed)
A pen or thin marker
A ruler or tape measure
The socks you will wear with the shoes
A hard, flat floor and a wall

Steps

Measure in the afternoon or evening. Feet swell during the day; a morning measurement can read half a size small.
Tape the paper to the floor against a wall, and stand on it with your heel lightly touching the wall, full weight on the foot.
Trace around the foot holding the pen vertical — angling it in or out changes the outline.
Mark heel and longest toe (not always the big toe), then measure the straight-line distance in centimetres.
Repeat with the other foot. Most people have one foot larger; always size for the longer one.
Convert: find your cm in the converter — e.g. 28 cm = men's US 10 / UK 9.5 / EU 44; 25 cm = women's US 8 / UK 6 / EU 38.5.

Between sizes? For running and sports shoes, most people prefer the larger size (feet swell under load). For leather dress shoes, the smaller size often breaks in better. Brand charts remain the final word.

Frequently asked questions

Should I add extra room to the measurement?

The charts already assume normal wearing room. For kids, add at most 1 cm of growing room; more makes them trip.

Does width matter?

Yes — length charts say nothing about width. If shoes pinch the sides but the length is right, look for a wide fitting (e.g. New Balance 2E/4E) rather than a longer size.

How often should I re-measure?

Adults: every couple of years, and after pregnancy or big weight changes. Kids: every 2–3 months.