How to Find Your Correct Shoe Size Online (and Avoid Returns)

Buying shoes online means committing without trying them on — which is why fit is the number-one reason shoes get returned. The fix is simple: measure your feet properly once, learn to read a size chart, and you'll pick the right size the first time. Here's how to find your correct shoe size online and stop the return cycle.

Measure your feet at home (5 minutes)

1. Do it in the evening. Feet swell during the day — measuring at night gives you your true, larger size.
2. Trace, don't guess. Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel to a wall and trace around each foot, or mark the longest toe and the heel.
3. Measure length from heel to longest toe in centimetres.
4. Measure width across the widest part of the foot.
5. Measure both feet — most people have one slightly larger. Always size to the bigger foot.

Read the size chart — not your "usual" size

Shoe sizing is wildly inconsistent between brands and countries. A "size 8" in one brand can fit like a 7.5 in another, and US, UK and EU numbers all differ. Never assume — always match your measured length in cm to the specific brand's chart on the product page. That single habit prevents most bad fits.

Account for width and shape

• Wide or narrow feet: look for brands offering width options (D, E, EE, or "wide fit").
• High arches or bunions: favour rounder toe boxes and stretchier uppers.
• Half sizes: if you're between sizes, size up for closed shoes and boots; a thicker insole or sock fills a little extra room.

Let reviews do the trying-on for you

Before you buy, scan reviews for the words "runs small," "runs large," or "true to size." Real customers flag fit quirks the size chart can't. If a shoe consistently "runs small," size up half a size.

Compare shoes across brands

Timing the purchase

Found the pair and your size but not the price? Tap the bell and set a price alert — we'll email you when it drops, so you're not choosing between the right fit and the right price. Shoes and boots often dip in October and January. And once you've nailed a brand that fits, note it — it's the fastest shortcut for next time. Pair the right fit with the right style using our white sneaker styling guide.

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure my shoe size at home?

Trace each foot on paper in the evening, measure heel-to-longest-toe in centimetres, and match that length to the brand's size chart. Always size to your larger foot.

Why do the same size shoes fit differently?

Brands use different lasts (foot moulds) and sizing standards, and US/UK/EU numbers differ. That's why measuring in cm and reading each chart beats trusting the number.

Should I size up or down if I'm between sizes?

For closed shoes and boots, size up — a thicker insole or sock adjusts a loose fit, but you can't stretch a shoe that's too short.