How to Measure Your Feet for Handmade Shoes

Accurate foot measurements can help you select the most suitable shoe size and allow me to advise you if you are unsure about the fit of a particular design.

Please follow this guide carefully and measure both feet. Most people have some difference between their left and right foot, and even a few millimetres can be useful when assessing the most appropriate size.

Before you begin

For the most accurate results:

• Measure your feet later in the day, when they may be slightly fuller.

• Measure while standing, with your weight placed naturally on both feet.

• Measure both feet separately.

• Wear the type of tights, stockings or socks you intend to wear with the shoes.

• Use a hard, level floor rather than carpet.

• Ask someone to help you if possible.

• Record the actual measurements without adding extra space or rounding them up.

Please provide all measurements in centimetres. You can include inches as well if preferred, but centimetres allow for a more precise comparison.

What you will need

• Two sheets of paper large enough for your feet

• Low-tack tape

• A sharp pencil or fine pen

• A ruler or measuring tape

• The socks, tights or stockings you intend to wear

• Someone to help you, if possible

Check your measuring tape before starting

Not all measuring tapes are printed accurately. Some inexpensive, promotional, worn or stretched tapes can differ noticeably from one another, which may result in incorrect measurements and affect the finished fit of your shoes.

Before measuring:

• Compare your measuring tape against a reliable rigid ruler.

• Check several points—not just the first centimetre.

• Make sure the zero point begins in the correct position.

• Do not use a tape that is stretched, damaged, creased or has faded markings.

• Check that you are reading the centimetre scale rather than the inch scale.

• Use the same verified measuring tool for both feet and every measurement.

For heel-to-toe length and straight-line width, a rigid ruler is preferable once you have traced your foot. A flexible tape is only needed for measurements taken around the foot, such as the ball circumference.

If your tape does not match a reliable ruler exactly, please do not use it. Even a small discrepancy can affect made-to-measure sizing.

Quick check: Align your tape with a rigid ruler and confirm that the 10 cm and 20 cm marks match exactly before measuring your feet.

Method one: tracing your feet

Step 1: Prepare the paper

Place a sheet of paper on a hard, level floor and secure it with tape so it cannot move.

Position one short edge of the paper directly against a straight wall.

Step 2: Position your foot

Stand naturally on the paper with your heel gently touching the wall.

Keep your foot flat and place your weight evenly through it. Do not curl, stretch or press your toes into the floor.

The foot being measured must be supporting your weight. Measuring while sitting can produce a smaller and less accurate result.

Step 3: Trace around your foot

Ask someone to trace carefully around your entire foot.

The pencil must remain upright and as close to the foot as possible. Do not tilt the pencil inwards underneath the foot or outwards away from it, as this can alter the measurement.

If you are measuring without help, take particular care not to shift your weight or move the paper as you trace.

Step 4: Mark the longest points

Mark:

• The centre of the back of the heel

• The end of the longest toe

• The widest point on the inside of the foot

• The widest point on the outside of the foot

Your longest toe may not be your big toe, so always use whichever toe extends furthest.

Step 5: Measure the foot length

Measure in a straight line from the back of the heel to the end of the longest toe.

Record the measurement to the nearest millimetre. For example:

Left foot length: 24.3 cm

Do not add any additional allowance. I need the actual heel-to-toe measurement.

Step 6: Measure the foot width

Measure straight across the widest part of the traced foot, usually across the ball of the foot.

Record this measurement separately:

Left foot width: 9.2 cm

This should be a straight-line width measurement across the outline—not a measurement around the entire foot.

Step 7: Repeat with the other foot

Repeat every step using a fresh sheet of paper for your other foot.

Label the outlines clearly as LEFT and RIGHT before sending them.

Method two: measuring against a wall

If you only need to check your heel-to-toe length against the Shoe Size Guide, you can use this quicker method.

1. Secure a sheet of paper to a hard floor with one edge touching a straight wall.

2. Stand on the paper with your heel gently against the wall.

3. Keep your foot flat and your weight placed naturally through it.

4. Ask someone to mark the end of your longest toe.

5. Step away and measure from the wall edge of the paper to the toe mark.

6. Repeat with your other foot.

The tracing method is preferable when width information or made-to-measure advice is required.

Measuring the ball circumference

For certain made-to-measure designs, I may also request the circumference around the ball of your foot.

Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the widest part of the forefoot, passing over the big-toe joint and the corresponding joint on the opposite side.

The tape should sit against the foot without pulling tightly or leaving a gap. Measure while standing and record each foot separately.

Only provide this measurement when requested, as it is different from the straight-line width used in the standard measuring guide.

Checking your measurements

Before sending your measurements, repeat each one to make sure you receive the same result.

If the second measurement is noticeably different, reposition your foot and measure again. It is better to repeat the process than to average two inconsistent measurements.

Common measuring mistakes include:

• Measuring while sitting down

• Measuring only one foot

• Using a thick or blunt pencil

• Holding the pencil at an angle

• Measuring over carpet

• Allowing the paper to move

• Pulling a tape measure too tightly

• Adding extra growing or comfort room

• Rounding measurements up to the nearest centimetre

• Measuring an existing shoe instead of the foot

Unless I have specifically requested a shoe measurement, always send the measurements of your feet rather than the external length of a pair of shoes.

“Do not add extra allowance—I need your actual foot measurements.”

What information should I send?

If you would like sizing advice, please provide:

• Left foot heel-to-toe length

• Right foot heel-to-toe length

• Left foot width

• Right foot width

• Your usual UK shoe size

• The size and fit of a similar style you already wear

• The name or link of the shoe design you are considering

• Whether you normally wear a standard, narrow or wide fitting

• Any relevant fit concerns

Please also tell me if you have:

• Bunions or particularly prominent toe joints

• A high instep

• Very narrow heels

• One foot noticeably larger than the other

• Sensitive areas that require additional room

• Orthotic insoles you need to wear

• Any condition that materially affects how shoes fit

You do not need to provide private medical details. Only share information that is directly relevant to the required fit.

Standard-width and wide-fit shoes

Unless a product description states otherwise, shoes are made in a standard width fitting.

Selected wide-fit designs are available and will be identified in their product descriptions. A made-to-measure option does not automatically mean that every shoe construction can be made wider or altered in every area.

If you usually need wide-fit footwear, please contact me before ordering so I can confirm whether the design you are considering will be suitable.

Selecting your size

Compare the measurement of your longer foot with the heel-to-toe measurements in the Bridal Shoe Size Guide.

If your feet correspond to different sizes, normally select the size needed for the longer foot and contact me if the difference is significant.

If your measurement falls between two sizes, the larger size is generally the safer choice. A slightly roomy shoe can often be adjusted with an insole, heel grip or toe insert, whereas a shoe that is too short cannot easily be made longer.

The shape of the toe, heel height and construction can all affect how a shoe feels, so please also read the individual product description.

Made-to-measure shoes

Many of my base shoes are handmade and selected designs may be made using your individual foot measurements.

Made-to-measure shoes are made using the measurements and information you provide. They are not the same as an in-person orthopedic fitting, and remote measurements cannot guarantee a completely precise fit.

The accuracy of the finished fit depends upon the accuracy of the measurements supplied. Please check all figures carefully before submitting them.

Made-to-measure or individually altered shoes may be classed as personalised products and may not be eligible for return or exchange. Please read the product description and returns policy before ordering.

Trying on your finished shoes

When your shoes arrive:

• Try them indoors on a clean, carpeted surface.

• Wear the same hosiery you used when measuring.

• Try both shoes.

• Stand and walk carefully to assess the length, width and heel fit.

• Do not wear them outdoors while deciding whether the fit is suitable.

• Keep all packaging, labels and accessories until you are satisfied.

Feet can change over time, so take fresh measurements when placing a new order rather than relying on measurements submitted previously.

Need help?

If you are uncertain about your measurements or the suitability of a particular design, please contact me before ordering.

Send your completed measurements, usual UK size and a link to the shoes you are considering. Photographs of the labelled foot outlines can also be helpful, provided the complete outlines and ruler measurements are clearly visible.

I will be happy to offer guidance based on the information supplied, although final size selection remains the customer’s responsibility.