How to Measure Foot Width at Home (And Why Measuring Foot Width Isn’t as Simple as You Think)

When it comes to choosing comfortable trainers, many women are told to “measure their foot width” as if there’s a simple number that will solve everything. In theory, foot width is measured across the widest part of the forefoot, usually in centimetres. In practice, however, foot width is far more nuanced and often misunderstood.

That’s because there is no universal or standardised foot width chart across footwear brands, particularly when it comes to women’s shoes. One brand’s “wide” can be another’s “standard”, and many modern trainers aren’t produced to formal width fittings at all.

If you’re navigating comfort, fit and foot shape more broadly, you can explore our Ultimate Guide to Women’s Leather Trainers: Style, Comfort, Fit & Care, which breaks down how fit, materials and foot health work together. This article, in the meantime, focuses specifically on width.

How Foot Width Is Traditionally Measured

Traditionally, foot width is measured by taking a tape measure or ruler and measuring the widest part of the forefoot, which is usually across the ball of the foot, from the big toe joint to the little toe joint.

In some systems, this measurement is then compared to width charts (such as D, E, EE or EEE fittings), which historically were used in formal footwear and children’s shoes.

The problem?

• There is no consistent width chart used across brands

• Most modern trainers are not produced in formal width fittings

• Shape, volume, depth and material flexibility matter just as much as width

• A number doesn’t account for bunions, toe spread or swelling throughout the day

This means two women with the same forefoot measurement can have completely different experiences in the same shoe.

Why Foot Width Matters More Than You Think

Many women haven’t had their feet properly measured since their teens, or perhaps even before, which often leads to years of wearing shoes that are technically “the right size” but fundamentally the wrong shape.

As women, our feet naturally change over time due to:

• Pregnancy and post-pregnancy changes

• Hormonal shifts during perimenopause and menopause

• Daily swelling from walking, commuting or standing

• Weight distribution and muscle changes

• Conditions such as bunions or toe splay

Feet are three-dimensional. Length alone doesn’t tell the full story, and this is something I see first-hand in design.

When I was developing the Moorgate trainer, the final sample I received still felt too tight, not just across the forefoot, but also over the top of the foot. Length-wise it was correct, but the volume wasn’t quite right.

I therefore amended the last by adding just 2mm around the areas that felt restrictive, increasing the overall volume of the last and ultimately, shoe. That small adjustment completely changed how the trainer fit and felt on the foot. I also lengthened the laces to better accommodate wider feet and higher insteps.

It was a powerful reminder that comfort isn’t always about width in isolation, but about space, volume and how the foot moves and expands inside the shoe throughout the day.

Why We Don’t Rely on Width Numbers Alone

If you regularly experience forefoot pressure, rubbing or bunion discomfort, you may also find it helpful to read our dedicated guide to leather trainers for wide feet and bunions, which explains which design features genuinely reduce pressure and improve everyday comfort.

At Cocorose, we design trainers for real, everyday wear; walking, commuting, travelling, parenting and living. Through nearly two decades of designing and refining footwear, receiving first-hand customer feedback and wear testing, we’ve learned that comfort is rarely about a single measurement.

Instead, it’s influenced by:

• Toe shape and natural splay

• Forefoot depth and volume

• Softness and flexibility of materials

• How the foot expands during the day

• Where pressure builds, not just how wide the foot is

That’s why, for now, we recommend a more practical and meaningful way to assess whether you need a wider-fitting trainer.

How to Assess Whether You Need a Roomier-Fitting Trainer (Without Numbers)

This method focuses on visual comparison and real-life fit, not abstract measurements.

Step 1: Trace Your Foot

Stand barefoot on a piece of paper and trace around your foot while distributing your weight evenly. If possible, it would be better to ask someone to trace around your foot for you, as this would ensure proper distribution of your weight.

This shows your true footprint under load, which is how your foot actually sits inside a shoe.

Step 2: Compare the Outline to Your Shoes

Place your tracing over the sole of the trainers that you currently wear, turning the shoe upside down so you can clearly compare the shape. Ask yourself:

• Does your foot outline extend beyond the sole at the forefoot?

• Do your toes sit outside the shape of the shoe?

• Is the widest part of your foot pressing into the sidewalls?

If yes, this suggests a width or volume mismatch, even if the length feels correct.

Step 3: Observe How Your Shoes Feel Throughout the Day

These are some of the clearest signs that you need a roomier-fitting trainer:

• Forefoot feels tight but the length is right

• Shoes are comfortable in the morning but painful later

• Bunions or little toes rub consistently

• You size up for comfort and end up with heel slip

• Shoes feel restrictive rather than supportive

These signals matter far more than a number on a ruler.

Width Labels vs Real Fit: What Actually Matters

Some brands offer explicit wide-fit (D, E, EE) sizing. Others don’t, but that doesn’t mean their shoes won’t work.

What truly matters is:

• Toe box shape (rounded vs tapered)

• Toe box depth

• Leather softness and flexibility

• Minimal seams across pressure points

• Adjustability (laces or flexible uppers)

• Cushioned insoles to distribute pressure evenly

These elements are consistently recommended by podiatrists and comfort footwear specialists because they address how feet actually behave, and not just how wide they measure.

A well-designed leather trainer can often accommodate wide feet more comfortably than a rigid “wide-fit” shoe made from stiff materials.

We explore the importance of soft materials and pressure-free uppers in more detail in our article on Leather Trainers for Wide Feet & Bunions: The Ultimate Comfort & Fit Guide, where the principles of flexibility, space and thoughtful construction matter more than width labels.

Bunions, Toe Splay & Foot Width

If you have bunions, your foot width may vary significantly at the forefoot.

Bunions increase the width requirement not because the entire foot is wider, but because pressure is concentrated in one area. Shoes with narrow toe boxes or firm sidewalls tend to aggravate this, while deeper, softer designs help relieve friction.

If this applies to you, you may find it helpful to also read our guide on ballet flats for wide feet and bunions, where we explore supportive features in more detail.

How This Applies to Cocorose Hoxton Trainers

The Hoxton trainer is not designed to a formal width fitting such as D or EE. Instead, it is shaped to accommodate a broader range of feet through thoughtful proportions and materials.

Women often tell us Hoxton works well for them because of:

• A roomier toe box that allows toes to spread naturally

• Soft, pliable leather that adapts to bunions and sensitive areas

• Adjustable lacing for personalised fit

• Cushioned insoles that reduce pressure underfoot

• Minimal internal seams around the forefoot

This is why many customers with wide feet or bunions find Hoxton comfortable, even without a labelled “wide fit”.

Everyday Life & Foot Width Changes

Foot width can fluctuate day to day, especially for women juggling busy lives.

Commuting, parenting, travel and long days on your feet all contribute to swelling. This is why trainers that feel fine in the morning can feel uncomfortable by evening. Women in mid-life also suffer from hormonal swelling of feet, which we explore in our article Hormonal Swelling of Feet and Shoe Fit.

If this sounds familiar, choosing trainers that prioritise comfort from first wear can make a significant difference to how your feet feel at the end of the day.

The Takeaway: Fit Is About Function, Not Just Measurement

Measuring foot width in centimetres can be useful in certain clinical or bespoke contexts, but for most women choosing everyday leather trainers, it doesn’t tell the full story.

Understanding your foot shape, how your shoes behave throughout the day, and which design features support natural movement is far more powerful than relying on a number that varies from brand to brand.

If you want to explore fit, comfort, materials and foot health in more depth, our comprehensive pillar guide, The Ultimate Guide to Women’s Leather Trainers: Style, Comfort, Fit & Care, brings everything together, helping you make confident, informed footwear choices that truly support your feet.