How to Measure Your Foot at Home for the Right Sneaker Size

The most common cause of uncomfortable footwear isn’t the quality of the model but a mistake in sizing. The good news: to find your exact size, you don’t need a store or special equipment. A sheet of paper, a pencil, and a ruler are enough. Below is a proven method used by consultants when fitting footwear. It takes less than five minutes but saves you from the most frustrating situation — returning a pair that simply didn’t fit.

What you’ll need for the measurement

Prepare a sheet of A4 paper, a pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, and the socks you plan to wear with the sneakers. That last point matters: the thickness of the sock can change the result by half a size. If you’re choosing sneakers to wear with thick winter wool socks, measure in exactly those. For summer models, use thin socks or a thin liner.

• A sheet of A4 paper — placed under your foot; it’s best to tape it down so it doesn’t slide;
• A pencil — hold it strictly vertical, without tilting;
• A 30 cm ruler or a measuring tape — for an accurate length measurement;
• Socks — the same ones you’ll wear with the pair.

When to take the measurement

Your foot swells over the course of the day, so measure it in the evening rather than in the morning. This gives you the maximum size and avoids the situation where a new pair pinches by the end of the day. Take the measurement while standing: under your body weight, the foot lengthens and widens, and that is exactly the load it experiences while being worn. If you measure while sitting, you can underestimate the result by 3–5 mm.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow the sequence for an accurate result:

• Place the sheet on a hard floor flush against the wall (not on a carpet — it distorts the measurement);
• Stand with your heel to the wall so that your heel touches it and the sheet is under your foot;
• With the pencil held vertically, make a mark by your longest toe;
• Do the same for the other foot — they are often different;
• Measure the distance from the edge of the sheet (the wall) to the mark in centimeters;
• Additionally, measure the girth of your foot at its widest point — this will tell you whether you need a wider fit.

How to convert foot length into a size

Go by the larger of your feet and add 0.5–1 cm of allowance for toe room. Without this gap, your toes will press into the toe box, especially while walking, when the foot moves forward. Then check against the specific brand’s size chart — universal values don’t exist. Here are approximate matches of foot length to size:

• 24.5 cm — roughly EU 39 / US 6.5;
• 25.5 cm — roughly EU 40.5 / US 7.5;
• 26.5 cm — roughly EU 42 / US 8.5;
• 27.5 cm — roughly EU 43 / US 9.5;
• 28.5 cm — roughly EU 44.5 / US 10.5;
• 29.5 cm — roughly EU 45.5 / US 11.5.

What to do about the difference between your feet

Almost everyone has one foot slightly longer than the other — a difference of 3–6 mm is completely normal. Always choose your size for the larger foot, and adjust the fit of the smaller one as needed with an insole or tighter lacing. This is a universal rule that works for any footwear.

Why sizing “floats” between brands

Air Jordan, Nike, and other brands use different lasts, so the very same pair in EU 42 can fit differently. High-top silhouettes often call for a true-to-size fit, while low models with a narrow last call for half a size up. Some retro silhouettes have historically run “small,” and that is worth keeping in mind. So before buying, always check the model’s size chart. In the product cards in our catalog we provide fit recommendations, and for classic silhouettes we advise checking against the official Air Jordan chart.

Common measuring mistakes

• Measuring in the morning, when the foot hasn’t yet swelled;
• Measuring while sitting, without load;
• A tilted pencil that adds extra millimeters;
• Ignoring the wider foot when choosing a size;
• Rounding the length “by eye” instead of an exact figure.

Ready to find the perfect pair?

Now that you know your exact foot length, picking a size will take just a few minutes. Browse the current models in the sneakers section, and if you’re torn between two sizes — write to us via contacts, and we’ll help you choose exactly for your last and wearing habits.