How to Measure Kids' Feet for School Shoes
Published: 06/08/2026 | By: Rhiannon Young
Everyone knows that kids’ feet have a habit of growing fast. Like, really fast. Before you know it, they’ve shot up and the school shoes that fitted perfectly last term are now end-of-toe-touchers. A simple at-home measure can take all the guesswork out of buying. Thankfully, you don’t need fancy equipment to measure your kids’ feet at home. In this guide, we’ll show you how to measure kids’ feet for school shoes, check toe room and width, and figure out when it’s time to size up – whether you’re getting ready for a new school year or re-checking their fit mid-year.
Quick disclaimer: this is general fit guidance, not medical advice. If your child has pain or concerns about their shoes or feet, then speak to a qualified professional. Now, let’s get measuring.
Why You Should Measure Before You Buy School Shoes
Kids' feet grow through the year
Even their favourite pair of school shoes can feel perfect one minute and suddenly seem snug the next. A quick measure every now and then will give you a better idea of the size and shape of shoe they need.
Age charts are only a starting point
Sometimes, age isn’t as telling as you might think. It can definitely give you a good steer, but children of the same age can still have different-sized feet. Instead of relying on age-based guides alone, we’d suggest measuring both feet to work out what size you need to buy. Just remember to check the size chart for the shoes you’re buying, as sizing can vary between brands.
How to Measure Kids' Feet at Home
What you need
Remember those little foot-measuring gadgets from the shoe shop? You don’t need one of those to measure your child’s feet at home. Grab a piece of paper, a ruler and a pencil, and keep their school socks handy. It’s also a good idea to measure their feet in the afternoon, when they may be a little bigger than they are first thing.
Step-by-step
-
Stand them up: Place down some paper and have your child stand on it, with their heel flat and their weight evenly spread across both feet.
-
Trace their foot: Mark the back of the heel and the end of the longest toe, or even trace around the foot. If tracing, keep the pencil upright rather than angled underneath the foot.
-
Measure the length: Use your ruler or tape measure to measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe, before repeating for the other foot.
-
Check the size chart: The shoes you’re buying will have a size chart, so compare your measurements against it. Sizing can vary between brands, so always use the product’s own chart where one is provided.
Measure both feet
It’s very normal for one foot to be bigger or smaller than the other, so remember to measure both. There’s not much point in measuring one and calling it a day. Use the larger foot when choosing a shoe size.
It's worth repeating the process later in the year, too – especially after the school holidays or around mid-year, when their feet may have changed again.
Toe Room and Width — The Fit Checks That Matter
How much toe room for school shoes?
Though you want the shoes to fit well, you still need to allow some space for their feet to grow without going too big. You don’t want their toes rubbing against their new shoes, so aim for a little room between your child’s longest toe and the end of the shoe. As a rough guide, use the width of your thumb.
Width and wide fit
Once you’ve nailed down the length, it’s time to think about the width. Try different shapes and widths to find a pair that suits their feet. The last thing you want is for the shoes to rub, feel tight or make for an uncomfy day.
Trying on tips
If the shoe fits, right? As mentioned previously, keep their socks on when trying on school shoes and get them to do a little practice walk to see how they fit. Make sure their toes can move comfortably and their heels aren’t slipping in and out of the shoe. They should feel secure without being too tight.
When to Size Up for the New Term
Buying before September
Whether it’s just before their first week back or during the summer holidays to feel extra prepared, you need to leave some growing room if you’re buying school shoes ahead of the fresh term. That doesn’t mean buying several sizes up, but be sure to measure your child’s feet and check the shoe size guide to find the right fit.
School shoes vs trainers fit
Some schools have different rules around trainers and school shoes, so remember to check before making any hasty purchases. School shoes and trainers can have different shapes, so don’t assume the same size will fit exactly the same way. Measuring their feet is still the best place to start, then check the size guide for the shoes you’re buying.
Shop School Footwear Next
All measured and ready to browse? Whether you’re buying school shoes for boys or girls or simply checking out the wider range, there are plenty of options to choose from…
Boys' school shoes
From classic styles for everyday school days to pairs with a little more personality, take a look at our range of boys’ school shoes, designed to keep up with busy feet.
Girls' school shoes
On the hunt for something sturdy, smart and practical enough for a full school day? Browse our selection of girls’ school shoes for a pair that does it all.
Measured and Ready to Shop
And that’s that. Hopefully, you now know that measuring your child’s feet doesn’t have to be an ordeal. It’s all about sticking to these four simple steps:
- Measure both feet: Use a piece of paper, pencil and ruler, and go with the larger foot.
- Check the fit: Leave a little toe room and make sure the shoes aren’t too tight around the width.
- Refer back to the size guide: Use your child’s measurements against the size guide for the shoes you’re buying.
- Double check: Keep an eye on how their school shoes fit throughout the year and re-measure if they start feeling tight or uncomfortable.
Sound simple? Thought so. Their next pair is waiting!
For more handy back-to-school tips, you can also check out our back to school checklist.
