Heels Size Calculator

How to calculate heels size

Heels sizing starts with foot length, not with the size you wore last time. Measure both feet in the evening, in the hosiery you will wear, and use the longer foot. Trace each foot on paper, measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe, and measure across the ball for width. The calculator compares that length with broad general ranges and returns the US women's size whose range contains it.

Width and arch then shape the final choice, because a foot that is wide or has a high arch can feel tight in the size its length points to. The calculator asks for width and arch height so its guidance changes with your answers, and it asks for heel height and heel type so the comfort guidance changes too. A starting size is only useful when it comes with that context.

Do not choose heels size from foot length alone

Foot length alone misses the parts of a heel that fail first. Width decides whether the ball of the foot feels pinched, arch height decides whether a high heel will strain the arch, and toe shape decides whether the toes have room to lie flat. If your width points to a wider fit than your length suggests, look for a wide width version before you size up the whole shoe.

Heel height matters just as much. A higher heel pushes the foot forward, which makes a tight toe box feel tighter and a loose heel cup feel looser. The calculator uses heel height for that comfort guidance, and it compares your arch with the height you chose, so a high arch with a high heel gets a different note from a medium arch with a low heel.

General heels size chart

The chart below gives broad general women's heel sizes from US 5 to US 12, with foot length in inches and UK and EU equivalents. Treat these as starting ranges, not as brand sizes. Always check the brand chart for the heels you are buying.

If your foot length falls below US 5 or above US 12, the chart cannot give you a precise starting size. In that case, use the nearest end of the chart as a rough guide and rely on the brand chart and the stated insole length instead.

How width and arch change the choice

A foot under the average width is narrow, a foot near the average is regular, and a foot over the average is wide, as a rough guide. A narrow foot suits a narrow width or an ankle strap, a wide foot needs a wide width or a round toe, and a regular foot should fit a standard width. When the width is wrong, the ball feels pinched or the heel slips, even when the length is right.

Arch height changes the heel height you can wear comfortably. A low arch can roll inward as the heel rises, so a wedge or a block heel with a cushioned insole helps. A high arch is already raised, so a very high heel stretches it further and causes strain. A medium arch is the most flexible, and most heel types feel comfortable with it.

How heel height changes the choice

Heel height changes where your weight lands. A kitten heel keeps the foot close to its natural position, a low heel adds a small lift, a mid heel shifts weight clearly onto the ball, and a high heel puts most of the weight on the ball and stretches the arch. Comfort falls as height rises, so match the height to the time you will be on your feet.

A platform under the front of the shoe reduces the effective heel height, which is why a platform heel can feel easier than a plain heel of the same height. Subtract the platform height from the heel height to estimate how steep the shoe will feel, and compare that number with the heights you already find comfortable.

How heel type changes comfort

Heel type changes stability as much as height does. A stiletto has a narrow base and gives the least support, a block heel has a wide base and is the most stable, a wedge supports the whole foot on one surface, and a kitten heel is short enough to feel easy all day. At the same height, a block heel or a wedge will feel steadier than a stiletto.

Choose the heel type for the ground and the day as well as the outfit. A stiletto suits a short seated event, a block heel or a wedge suits a long day or uneven ground, and a kitten heel suits a full day of standing and walking. The right type can make a taller heel feel comfortable.

Signs heels are too small

• The toes curl, overlap or press hard against the front of the shoe.
• The ball of the foot feels pinched at the sides or burns after a short walk.
• The heel cup digs in and leaves a red mark or a blister.
• The arch aches within minutes of putting the heels on.

Signs heels are too large

• The heel lifts clear of the shoe with each step.
• The foot slides forward and the toes jam into the front.
• The heel cup feels loose and the shoe flops as you walk.
• The toes have too much space and the foot moves inside the shoe.

How to choose heels size online

Shopping online removes the fitting room, so measurements matter even more. Take fresh foot length and width measurements, use the calculator for a starting size, then open the brand chart and compare your numbers with the full row for that brand, not just the size letter. If the brand also lists insole length, compare that too, especially if you are choosing a pointed toe or a high heel.

Read the heel height, heel type and toe shape on the product page as well as the chart. A brand that describes a style as a pointed stiletto has already built a narrow front and a tall heel into its sizes, so sizing down on top of that can leave you with heels that pinch at the toes and slip at the heel.

Common heels sizing mistakes

• Choosing by your usual size letter without checking the brand chart.
• Measuring in the morning and then wearing the heels all evening.
• Using foot length alone and ignoring width, arch and toe shape.
• Sizing up to fix a tight toe box, which adds length at the heel too.
• Copying a flat shoe size to a pointed high heel without checking the fit.