How to measure your child's feet at home

Measuring at home can help you choose a shoe size, but the measurements alone cannot guarantee that a particular style will fit. You need paper, a ruler, a pencil and a calm child. Always use the results alongside the manufacturer's information and a fitting.

Why and how often to measure your child's feet

Check the size regularly, before buying a new pair and whenever shoes cause pressure, rubbing or a change in comfort. As a rough schedule, Dorset NHS recommends checking every 4–6 weeks from birth to age 3, every 6–8 weeks from ages 3 to 4, and every 12 weeks from age 4 onwards. Growth rates vary between children; do not wait until the next scheduled check if the shoes no longer fit.

The paper-against-the-wall method in five steps

This method is for a child who can already stand safely. Do not make a child stand before they are ready; ask a trained shoe fitter to use a measuring device suitable for their age. Have the socks your child will wear with the shoes ready.

1. Set up the surface. Place the paper on a hard, level floor with its edge right against a straight wall. Make sure it cannot slide.
2. Help your child stand calmly. The heel of the foot being measured should gently touch the wall, with the foot on the paper. Your child should stand naturally with their weight evenly distributed between both feet, rather than putting all their weight on one foot. Their toes should be relaxed.
3. Mark the longest toe. Hold the pencil upright and mark the furthest point of that toe. It may not be the big toe; do not press the toes into a curled position.
4. Measure the length. Use the ruler to measure from the edge of the paper against the wall to the mark. Write down the result in millimetres or centimetres, including the unit.
5. Repeat on both sides. Measure the other foot in the same way, then repeat the measurements to check them. Choose the length to suit the longer foot, but make sure the style fits both feet.

You can find further tips in the ANTAL general measuring guide. Its recommendation of a 5–10 mm allowance applies to adults, so do not automatically apply it to children's shoes. Compare your measurement with the size chart for the particular style: check whether it gives foot length or the inside length of the shoe, and whether an allowance is already included.

You can plan to measure later in the day, when your child is calm. If they move around or curl their toes, take a break and check the result again.

Toe allowance: follow the guidance for the particular shoe

Toe allowance is the empty space in front of the toes. The right amount is not the same for every child or every type of shoe.

• Indoor shoes and slippers: check both the room for the toes and how securely the heel stays in place when walking.
• Everyday shoes and trainers: try them with the usual socks and assess the shape of the whole shoe.
• Sports shoes: follow the guidance for the activity and the manufacturer's recommendations; extra room alone does not improve stability.
• Winter shoes: allow for the socks your child will actually wear, without squeezing the instep or toes.

Do not add an allowance a second time if the size chart already includes it in the recommended size. If the information is unclear, ask the retailer rather than guessing a universal number of centimetres.

Width, instep and toe-box shape

Length is not enough. Consider the width at the widest part of the foot, the volume around the instep and the space for the toes. If you measure the width from a foot tracing, keep the pencil upright and only compare the result with the same type of measurement from the manufacturer. Adjustable fastenings should hold the foot securely without pressure.

How to check the fit

Try both shoes with suitable socks and any prescribed device your child uses. Let your child walk comfortably on a safe floor. Look for pressure on the toes or instep, the heel slipping out or signs of discomfort; stop the fitting if it hurts.

When choosing children's indoor shoes, also consider the setting's rules. Our articles on indoor shoes for nursery and indoor shoes for school can help.

Common measuring mistakes

• Measuring just one foot or relying only on the size marked in the old shoes.
• Letting your child stand unsteadily, curl their toes or move the paper.
• Confusing foot length with the inside length of the shoe and adding the allowance twice.
• Using socks of a different thickness from those your child will wear with that pair.

Parents' frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a shoe is too small?
Pressure, rubbing or toes hitting the front are reasons to check the size and shape. However, reluctance to walk or pain may have causes other than footwear.

Can a shoe be too big?
Yes. If the foot slides, the heel slips out or your child seems unsteady in the shoes, check the measurements and fastenings. Do not buy a much larger pair simply to grow into.

Do I need a measuring template?
Paper and a ruler are enough for an approximate foot-length measurement at home. If you use a printed template, follow its instructions and print it at the correct scale. Get a professional measurement if you are unsure of the result or your child cannot stand safely yet.

How often should I measure a school-age child's feet?
Regularly, and whenever comfort changes or before choosing a new style. As feet grow, consider how the shoes hold the foot and how much room they currently provide, rather than just the date of the last measurement.

Sources: Dorset NHS – measuring and choosing children's shoes; Clarks – how to measure children's feet; Clarks – paper, pencil and checking measurements.