Why does measuring my feet at home matter before buying shoes online or in-store?

We measure at home because small differences in length or width affect comfort, walking gait and shoe life; accurate home measurements help us choose the right size across brands and reduce returns.

When is the best time of day and what socks should I wear when measuring?

We suggest measuring in the late afternoon or after a long walk when feet have slightly swollen, and wear the socks you plan to use with the shoes (thicker sport socks for trainers, thinner socks for formal shoes).

What exact steps should I follow to measure my foot length and width reliably?

Place a sheet of paper on a hard, flat surface with your heel lightly against a wall, stand with full weight on the foot, trace the outline holding the pen upright, measure from the heel mark to the longest toe for length, and measure across the widest part of the tracing for width.

How do I use my measurements to pick the right size across different brands?

Match your longest-foot length to a brand’s insole/mm chart where available, and allow 5-10 mm of extra space for socks and wiggle room (8-10 mm for active shoes); if between sizes or width is tight, consider the next size up or a wide fit.

How should I measure and allow room for growing children’s feet?

Measure children both sitting and standing, keep 10-12 mm growth room for toddlers and about 12-16 mm for older children depending on growth, and recheck measurements every 8-12 weeks or before school and sports seasons.

How to measure feet for shoes - a clear step-by-step method

Learn a practical, reliable method to measure foot length and width at home. Steps for adults and kids, fitting tips, and South Africa-friendly examples.

Published:July 10, 2026

Updated:August 18, 2026

5 min read

Photo by Nishant Aneja on Pexels

Measure standing

Record measurements with weight on the foot and the socks you’ll wear.

Why measuring matters

Good fit starts with accurate measurements. We see customers return shoes because length or width was off by a little - and those little differences matter for comfort, walking gait and shoe life. Measuring at home gives you confidence when you shop online or in-store, and helps match your foot to the right size across brands.

What you'll need

Piece of paper larger than your foot
Pen or pencil
Ruler or tape measure with millimetres or centimetres
A chair and a hard, flat countertop or floor

Timing and small checks

Measure in the late afternoon or after a long walk - feet slightly swell during the day. Measure wearing the socks you plan to wear with the shoes (for trainers, wear your thicker sport socks; for formal shoes, thinner dress socks). If one foot is larger, always build decisions around the larger foot.

Step-by-step: measure length and width

Follow these exact steps for a reliable measurement you can use across brands.

1. Prepare the surface

Place the paper on a hard, flat surface near a wall or countertop. We avoid soft surfaces like carpet because they change the outline.

2. Stand naturally on the paper

Stand with your heel lightly touching the wall or countertop edge and your full weight on the foot you’re measuring. Keep the other foot slightly forward. The heel-to-wall position gives a consistent anchor point.

3. Trace the outline

Have someone trace your foot, or bend slightly and trace carefully. Hold the pen upright and close to the foot so the outline isn’t enlarged. Mark the longest toe and the back of the heel.

4. Measure length

Using the ruler, measure from the back-of-heel mark to the longest-toe mark in millimetres or centimetres. Record both feet; use the longer measurement for sizing decisions.

5. Measure width

Find the widest part of the traced foot (usually around the ball area). Measure the distance across that widest point and note the value. Width varies by brand, so use this as a reference when size charts include width or “D/EE” style notes.

If a brand provides a size chart in mm, match your longest-foot length to the chart. When they provide only UK/EU/US sizes, use the brand’s conversion table or try the nearest size up if you are between sizes.

Quick tip: write measurements on the paper with the date. Feet change slowly over time - keep a record so you don’t re-measure every month.

When you’re ready to shop for everyday sneakers, start your search from our Sneakers category for a broad selection across sizes and styles.

Shoes and specific articles like Everyday Reebok sneakers for ladies - fit, comfort and style tips can help you match measurements to the right silhouette.

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Interpreting measurements: fit, width and insole length

Length is the primary guide, but width and foot shape decide comfort. Brands often list inside (insole) length - compare your measured foot length to the insole length and leave 5-10 mm (about a thumb’s width) of space for wiggle and socks. For active shoes or running trainers, lean towards 8-10 mm extra to allow forward foot movement during activity.

Narrow, regular, wide - practical checks

If your measured width is noticeably wider than a shoe’s last, look for styles labelled “wide” or try a half-size up. Leather shoes usually stretch a little; synthetics do not. For wider feet, platforms with flexible uppers, or lace-up trainers, are easier to fit than stiff dress shoes.

Measuring children and growing feet

Measure children sitting and standing. For toddlers, keep 10-12 mm of growth room; for older kids, 12-16 mm depending on age and growth spurts. Check measurements every 8-12 weeks for fast-growing children and before school terms or sports seasons.

Practical examples and local context

Example: if your measured foot length is 255 mm, compare that to the brand’s chart. Some brands list 255 mm as a UK 7, others as EU 41. If you prefer a small margin for socks and afternoon swelling, choose the size whose insole is about 262-265 mm. In South Africa, preferences vary by activity: for braai-days and long walks we favour stable trainers with an extra 8-10 mm; for formal work shoes we accept 5-7 mm if the upper is leather and will give slightly.

Try-on checklist

Stand and walk in the shoes - feel for any pinching across the ball of the foot.
Check there’s about a thumb’s width at the toe when standing.
Walk up and down on a hard floor; test any insoles for cushioning where you need it.
If buying online, review returns and exchange options before you order.

When to size up or down

Size up when you need extra room for thicker socks, orthotics or if the shoe is narrow by design. Consider staying true-to-size when the shoe has adjustable lacing and a stretch upper. For slip-on styles, allow a touch more length to prevent the heel from slipping out.

Final steps: turning measurements into confident purchases

Keep a short sizing note for each brand you buy from (brand, size, measured insole length). Over time we use those notes to choose the right size faster and avoid returns. If you want everyday, versatile styles, start from our Sneakers pages and filter by width or fit where available.

Sneakers are forgiving for first-time online shoppers; try laced versions for the easiest fit adjustments.

We’ve kept this method simple because good measurements are practical - not perfect. Measure, note, and use those numbers when you shop with us to make choices that feel right for your day-to-day life.

Sources

NHS - How to measure your feet
Australian Podiatry Association - Foot health guidance
ISO - Sizing and measurement standards overview

Last updated: August 18, 2026

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How to measure feet for shoes - a clear step-by-step method

Measure standing

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Record both feet

Allow space

Why measuring matters

What you'll need

Timing and small checks

Step-by-step: measure length and width

1. Prepare the surface

2. Stand naturally on the paper

3. Trace the outline

4. Measure length

5. Measure width

Interpreting measurements: fit, width and insole length

Narrow, regular, wide - practical checks

Measuring children and growing feet

Practical examples and local context

Try-on checklist

When to size up or down

Final steps: turning measurements into confident purchases

Sources

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Ukhona

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"Micayla"

Sabelo

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Tshepiso

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Dimane

Seth

Neil

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Fatima

Nicolette

Ronel

Inge

Valerie

Adri

Chadley

Makhosonke

Mabel

Simo

Sharon

Nobuhle

Angelique Davis

Thabile

Arlene

Kgomotso

Kgosi

Steven

Kago

Reitumetse

Anina

Azwihangwisi

Marlene

Nkensane

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