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Expert Advice

How to Measure Your Shoe Size

Jan 11, 2024

You may think you know your shoe size, but are you sure? Even if you've had your foot measured in the last few years, it's not guaranteed that your shoe size is the same today as it was then because, believe it or not, your foot size fluctuates depending on a number of factors.

Does one shoe fit tighter or feel less roomy than the other? Not all feet are sized equally! Even if your right shoe fits perfectly, your left foot might require a bigger size. Do you have bruised or cramped toes, foot cramps, or calluses? These are tell-tale signs that you're wearing the wrong-sized shoes.

So how do you know if your shoes are the perfect fit for your feet? You follow our tips and expert advice on how to properly measure your shoe size.

You'll Need: Socks / Two sheets of paper / Pencil or marker / Ruler

To Determine Foot Length To Determine Foot Width Tips to Find the Right Shoe Size and Fit

How to Find Your Shoe Size

Step 1: Place the paper on the floor against a wall. Put on your socks and stand straight with your heels against the wall.

Step 2: Trace the outline of your foot, holding the pencil as straight as possible as you go.

Step 3: Measure the longest length of your foot (from the longest toe to the back of the heel). Write down the measurement.

Step 4: Repeat with the other foot. Since your feet may be slightly asymmetrical, go with the larger size.

Tips to Find Your Best Fit

  • Measure your feet at the end of the day since the size may increase slightly after you've walked around.
  • Wear the type of socks you'd normally wear with the shoes you're looking at.
  • Properly sized shoes will leave a half-inch to one-inch space between your longest toe and the shoe's wall.
  • Blisters on the tops of the foot, bruised toes, calluses, and foot cramps may mean your shoes are too small, while the ball-of-the-foot blisters may mean you need a narrower shoe.
  • Your shoe size may change over time. Factors that influence a change include pregnancy, weight and age (yes, your feet actually flatten as you get older because tendons and ligaments lose elasticity).
  • When finding the best fit for kids' shoes, leave about a half-inch between the longest toe and end of the shoe.
  • Measure kids' feet every few months to ensure proper size.

Men's Grey New Balance Retro Runner

Men's Shoe Size Chart

Use the measurement from your largest foot to convert the inches to your shoe size.


Foot InchesU.S. Size
9 5/67
10 1/68
10 1/29
10 5/610
11 1/1611
11 1/212
11 5/613
12 1/614
12 1/215

Women's Nike Air Max 1

Women's Shoe Size Chart

Foot InchesU.S. Size
8 1/25
8 3/45.5
8 7/86
9 1/166.5
9 1/47
9 3/87.5
9 1/28
9 11/168.5
9 7/89
109.5
10 3/1610
10 5/1610.5
10 /1211

Grade school kids' AF1

Grade School Kids' Shoe Size Chart

Foot CentimetersU.S. Size
17.511
18.412
19.213
20.11
20.92
21.83
22.64
23.55
24.36
25.17

preschool kids' AF1

Preschool Kids' Shoe Size Chart

Foot CentimetersU.S. Size
14.67.5
158
15.48.5
15.89
16.39.5
16.710
17.110.5

The Lowdown on Sizing Sports Specific Shoes

Baseball, Softball and Soccer Cleats: When sizing cleats, remember leather shoes will stretch to a looser fit over time, so if you prefer a more consistent fit, choose a baseball soccer or softball cleat made with synthetic materials. No matter the material, be sure there is no more than a quarter-inch of space between the tip of your toe and the front of the toe box.


Running and Walking Shoes: Running and walking shoes should fit snuggly in the heel and midfoot areas, but your toes should be able to move freely with about half - to a full thumb's-width of space from your longest toe to the shoe's front wall.


Basketball Sneakers: Your toes should have plenty of room to spread our in your basketball shoe. Leave a thumbnail's-width of space between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe box, and ensure that your heel has some room to move, but not enough to slip.

All shoe brands are different so sizes will vary. Visit Hibbett | City Gear online or shop at your local Hibbett Sports to find the perfect fit.

Now that you know your correct foot measurements, shop our extensive inventory of boots, athletic shoes, sneakers, dress shoes and more from your favorite brands like Nike, Jordan, adidas, PUMA and Under Armour!

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