Shoe Size by Foot Length in Inches and Centimeters

Last Updated on September 14, 2026

Choosing the right shoe size starts with measuring your foot from the back of your heel to the tip of your longest toe. But there is an important catch: there is no single foot-length conversion used by every shoe brand.

The US shoe size charts below give you a practical starting point for matching your foot length in inches or centimeters to an approximate men’s or women’s size. After you find your likely size, check the manufacturer’s own size chart before ordering. Fit can vary by brand, model, toe box shape and shoe type.

Enter your heel-to-toe measurement to get an approximate US shoe size. This calculator is a starting point, not a substitute for the size chart supplied by the shoe manufacturer.

Once you know your approximate size, you can also use our Shoe Model Recommendation Calculator to narrow down shoes based on fit, gait and how you plan to use them.

About these measurements: US shoe sizing is not perfectly standardized between manufacturers. The reference measurements above use published heel-to-toe foot-length relationships as a practical guide. Nike, New Balance, Asics and other brands may map a measured foot to slightly different sizes. Nike also notes that the CM/JP size printed on its shoe boxes is not the same measurement as actual foot length. Always check the size chart for the shoe you are buying.

How to Measure Your Foot for Shoe Size

You do not need professional equipment to get a useful measurement at home. You need a sheet of paper, a pencil and a ruler or tape measure.

1. Place the paper on a hard floor with one edge against a wall.
2. Stand on the paper with your heel lightly against the wall.
3. Keep your weight evenly distributed so your foot spreads naturally.
4. Mark the end of your longest toe. Your longest toe is not always your big toe.
5. Measure straight from the wall to the toe mark.
6. Repeat the process with your other foot.
7. Use the longer measurement when comparing your feet with a size chart.

Measure while standing rather than sitting. Your foot lengthens and spreads when it carries your body weight. Measuring later in the day can also be useful because feet may become slightly larger after hours of walking, standing, exercise or heat.

If you plan to wear the shoes with thick socks, orthotics or replacement insoles, take those into account when checking the final fit.

Foot Length Is Not the Same as Shoe Length

The number in a foot-length chart describes your foot, not the full inside length of the shoe.

A shoe needs additional space in front of your toes. Your toes should not touch the end of the shoe when you stand or walk. Running shoes in particular need enough room for the foot to lengthen and widen during movement.

This is also why measuring the outside of a shoe is not a reliable way to determine what foot size it will fit. Midsole thickness, heel construction, toe shape and upper design all affect the external dimensions.

Why Foot Length Alone Does Not Always Predict Your Best Size

Heel-to-toe length is the easiest measurement to take at home, but professional shoe fitting can consider another measurement called heel-to-ball length, sometimes called arch length.

The Brannock Device Company recommends comparing heel-to-toe length with heel-to-ball length. This matters because two feet can have the same overall length but place the ball of the foot in different positions.

A shoe is designed to flex near the ball of your foot. If that part of your foot does not line up well with the flex point of the shoe, the listed size can look correct on paper but still feel wrong when you walk.

You do not need to measure heel-to-ball length to shop online, but it helps explain why a size chart should be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee.

Don’t Forget Shoe Width

Length is only half of the fit equation. A shoe can be the correct length and still feel uncomfortable if it is too narrow, too wide or the wrong shape for your foot.

Standard US width labels commonly use letters such as B, D, 2E and 4E. The same letter can mean something different in men’s and women’s footwear.

These terms are not universal. The Brannock Device Company specifically notes that descriptions such as narrow, regular, wide and extra wide are not standardized between footwear manufacturers. New Balance, for example, publishes its own detailed shoe size and width guide.

A wide shoe is also not necessarily the same thing as a shoe with a wide toe box. Width sizing can change the volume of several parts of the shoe, while a roomy toe box describes the shape and space around the toes.

How to Measure Foot Width at Home

Stand on a sheet of paper and trace around your foot. Measure across the widest part of the forefoot, usually around the ball of the foot.

Measure both feet and pay attention to the wider one. As with length, take the measurement while standing and preferably later in the day.

Home width measurements are useful for identifying whether your foot is relatively narrow or wide, but do not try to convert a single width measurement directly into B, D or 2E across every brand. Width categories change with shoe size and manufacturer.

Do You Need a Bigger Size or a Wider Shoe?

If your longest toe reaches the front of the shoe, the shoe is probably too short. Try the next half size.

If the shoe has enough length but feels tight across the ball of your foot or squeezes the sides of your toes, try a wider width before automatically buying a longer shoe.

Sizing up simply to get more width can create a different problem. The heel may begin slipping and the foot can slide forward because the shoe is longer than you need.

People with bunions, hammertoes, swelling or a naturally broad forefoot may benefit from a wider size or a shoe with a more accommodating toe box. You can also see our guide to the best running shoes for wide feet.

Why Shoe Size Changes Between Brands

A US size 9 is not guaranteed to fit identically in every shoe. Manufacturers build footwear around forms called lasts. The last determines characteristics such as overall shape, heel width, forefoot width, toe box shape and internal volume.

Materials matter too. A soft engineered mesh upper can feel more forgiving than a rigid leather or synthetic upper even when the two shoes carry the same size label.

For the most accurate result, use this page to estimate your size and then compare it with the official chart for the brand you plan to buy:

• Nike men’s footwear size chart
• Nike women’s footwear size chart
• New Balance size and width guide
• Asics size and fit guide

Men’s and Women’s US Shoe Size Conversion

Men’s and women’s US shoe sizes use different numbering. A common starting point is a difference of about 1.5 sizes. For example, a women’s US 9 is often similar in length to a men’s US 7.5.

That does not mean the shoes fit identically. Men’s shoes are commonly built around a wider standard width than women’s shoes. A men’s standard width is often D, while a women’s standard width is commonly B.

If you are switching between men’s and women’s shoes, compare both the length and width rather than relying only on the 1.5-size conversion.

Final Shoe Fit Check

Once you have the shoes, try on both of them and walk around indoors before deciding whether the fit is right.

Your heel should feel secure rather than lifting excessively. The midfoot should feel comfortably held without painful pressure, and your toes should have enough room to move without hitting the front or being squeezed together.

Check the fit while standing and walking, not just while sitting. If the shoe immediately feels painfully tight, do not assume it will stretch enough to solve the problem.

For walking shoes, running shoes and footwear worn for long periods, test the fit with the socks and any insoles or orthotics you normally use.

More Shoe Fit Resources

• Free Shoe Model Recommendation Calculator
• Best Walking Shoes
• Best Running Shoes
• Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet
• Guide to Bunions and Footwear

FAQs About Shoe Size and Foot Length