How to Measure Your Toddler's Foot

One of the biggest challenges when buying shoes online is getting the size right. The good news? Measuring your child's feet at home is quick and easy.

We recommend measuring your child's feet every 2 months during the first few years, as growing feet can change surprisingly quickly.

Here are three easy methods:

1. The Standing Trace Method

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You'll need:

A sheet of paper

A pencil

A ruler or tape measure 

How to do it:

Place the paper against a wall.

Stand your child on the paper with their heel gently touching the wall.

Make sure they're standing evenly on both feet.

Trace around each foot.

Measure from the back of the heel to the longest toe.

Measure both feet and use the larger measurement.

Add 10–12 mm growing room before comparing with our sizing chart.

Why we love it

Highly accurate

Accounts for natural foot expansion under body weight

 

2. Heel Against the Wall Method ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

You'll need:

A wall

A ruler or tape measure

A book

How to do it:

Stand your child with their heel touching the wall.

Place a book gently against their longest toe.

Mark the position.

Measure from the wall to the mark.

Repeat on both feet.

Use the longest measurement and add 10–12 mm.

Why it works

Faster than full tracing 

Great for wriggly toddler

Very accurate when done standing

 

 

3. The Tape Measure Method (Quick & Easy)

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If your little one won't stand still, measuring the foot while they're sitting or lying down is a great alternative.

You'll need:

A flexible tape measure (or a piece of string and a ruler)

How to do it:

Have your child sit comfortably with their foot relaxed.

Place the tape measure on the underside of the foot.

Measure from the very back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe (remember, this isn't always the big toe!).

Measure both feet, as one foot is often slightly larger than the other.

Use the longer measurement, then add 10–12 mm of growing room before comparing it to our sizing chart.

Why it works

Quick and easy for wriggly toddlers.

Doesn't require your child to stand still.

 

 

Keep in mind

Because the foot isn't bearing weight, it won't spread and lengthen quite as much as it does when standing. For this reason, the Standing Trace Method remains the most accurate way to measure your child's feet, but this method provides an estimate when standing simply isn't an option.

Our Top Tips

✔ Measure both feet

✔ Measure while your child is standing.

✔ Allow 10–12 mm of extra space for healthy growth and natural toe movement.

✔ Re-measure every few months. Toddler feet grow incredibly quickly.