Using a Brannock Device: How to Read the Measurements

What the Brannock device measures

A Brannock device, the metal foot-measuring tool found in most shoe stores, records three independent numbers for each foot. The heel-to-toe scale runs along the footbed from the heel cup to the toe cap. The arch scale, also called the arch length scale, sits below it and measures the distance from the heel to the ball of the foot, which is the widest joint area. The width scale crosses the footbed at the ball and uses a sliding bar to measure the widest part of your foot.

Each scale serves a different purpose. The heel-to-toe reading is what most people call shoe size. The arch reading tells you which size feels comfortable through the midfoot and instep. The width reading determines whether you need a narrow, regular, wide, or extra-wide fit. Podiatric associations, including the American Podiatric Medical Association, stress that a proper fit accounts for all three, not just the length. An improper fit can contribute to foot pain and skin problems over time.

Always measure while standing, because your feet lengthen and spread slightly under your full body weight. If you measure sitting, the readings will be smaller than your true standing size, and shoes bought from those readings can end up tight when you stand and walk.

For more on foot shape, see shoe width explained.

Reading the heel-to-toe scale

The heel-to-toe scale runs along the inner edge of the footbed, closest to your arch side when you stand on it. Place your heel firmly in the heel cup and look at the number aligned with the tip of your longest toe. The longest toe is not always the big toe; for many people it is the second toe, so look at whichever toe extends the farthest.

The scale gives a size in whole and half increments, such as 8, 8.5, or 9. Read the number at the very tip of the longest toe. If the tip falls between two marks, choose the larger full or half size as a starting point, because a shoe that is slightly long is easier to adjust with insoles or socks than one that is too short.

The heel-to-toe measurement alone does not tell you everything. Two feet with the same heel-to-toe length can have very different arch lengths, so one person might feel comfortable in a shoe that another person finds too tight through the instep. That is why the arch scale matters.

Apply this reading to dress shoes with our best oxfords and dress shoes guide.

Reading the arch scale

The arch scale measures the distance from your heel to the ball of your foot, where the foot bends with each step. To read it, keep your heel in the heel cup and look at the number aligned with the ball-of-foot joint, the widest part of your foot just before the toes.

The arch reading can differ from the heel-to-toe reading by a full size or more. When the arch reading is smaller than the heel-to-toe reading, you have a relatively long forefoot for the length of your foot. When it is larger, you have a relatively short forefoot. Both cases affect how a shoe fits through the instep and the toe box.

If the arch reading is larger than the heel-to-toe reading, you may feel pressure across the top of your foot in shoes sized only by heel-to-toe length. If it is smaller, you may have extra room in the toe box but feel the shoe is too long overall. For shoes with structured arch support, such as many work boots and walking shoes, the arch reading becomes the more relevant number.

Consider how to choose shoe for high arches for more.

Reading the width scale

The width scale is a sliding bar that you adjust until it lightly touches the widest part of your foot, at the ball. The bar moves across a row of letters, commonly from A at the narrow end to E or wider at the other end, depending on the device model. Each letter corresponds to a width measurement, not a shoe size, which is why two people with the same shoe length can need different widths.

To read it, place the bar over the ball of your foot and slide it in until it just makes contact. It should not press into the flesh, but it should not float above it either. The letter aligned with the center of the bar is your width. Some devices have a second set of markings for children or for gender-based sizing, so check that you are reading the correct scale.

The width reading is often the most ignored part of the measurement, but it is the most common reason a shoe feels wrong. A shoe that is too narrow can cause bunions, calluses, or pinching, while a shoe that is too wide can cause blisters from friction as your foot slides. See our wide or extra wide shoes guide and narrow shoes guide.

How to get an accurate measurement

For the most reliable result, follow a few simple steps. Measure both feet, because it is common for one foot to be a half size or a full size larger than the other. Most people who wear the same size on both feet are actually compromising one foot for the other. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, through its OrthoInfo patient education site, emphasizes that shoes that fit properly are essential for foot health and that many foot problems come from wearing shoes that are too small or too narrow.

Stand naturally with your weight evenly distributed. Do not lean forward or back, and do not curl your toes. Wear the type of socks you plan to wear with the shoes you are buying: thin dress socks for dress shoes, thicker wool socks for work boots or winter boots. Measure at the end of the day, because feet swell throughout the day, and the size at the end of the day is the largest size you will need.

Take the measurement twice, once for each foot, and repeat each reading to confirm it is consistent. If the two readings differ, use the larger one for both length and width. Your shoes should fit the larger foot, and you can use an insole or thicker sock for the smaller foot if needed.

From Brannock readings to shoe size

The Brannock device gives you a size reading, but shoe size is not a universal constant. Different brands, styles, and materials all fit differently. A shoe made of stiff leather will not stretch as much as a soft woven or knit upper, and a pointed toe box will fit differently from a rounded one, even at the same labeled size. Use your Brannock readings as your baseline, then adjust for the specifics of the shoe you are considering.

For closed-toe shoes such as oxfords, boots, or loafers, you want about a thumb's width of space between your longest toe and the end of the toe box. For open-toe sandals, you want your toes to not overhang the edge of the footbed, and for slide sandals, the arch should sit where the shoe is meant to support it. The heel-to-toe reading is a good baseline, but the arch and width readings are just as important for styles that have little adjustment, such as clogs or mules.

If you are buying online, check the brand size chart against your Brannock readings. Many brands list a recommended foot length for each size, and you can compare your measured foot length to that chart. For work shoes, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health notes that proper footwear fit is important for safety and to prevent foot injuries, so it is worth taking the extra time to verify size before ordering.

See shoe size conversion if you shop internationally.

Common mistakes people make

Measuring only one foot: this is the most common mistake and the most consequential. One foot is virtually always larger, and using the smaller reading leads to shoes that are too tight on the larger foot.

Measuring while sitting: the foot expands under weight, so a seated measurement gives a smaller number. Always stand.

Measuring in the morning: even if you stand, your feet are less swollen in the morning than at the end of the day.

Ignoring the width reading: many people focus on the length scale and never move the width bar. Width is a separate measurement and is essential for finding a comfortable shoe.

Rounding down: if your toe falls between two marks, choose the larger size. A slightly longer shoe is easier to adjust than a shorter one.

Assuming all shoes of the same size fit alike: materials, last shape, and construction all change the fit. A pointed toe dress shoe fits differently from a rounded toe sneaker even at the same size. Learn more in shoe last explained.

Not accounting for socks: the sock you plan to wear changes the effective size of your foot. Thick socks can easily require a half size larger shoe.

• Measure both feet and use the larger reading
• Stand, wear your intended socks, and measure in the afternoon
• Use the width reading, not just the length
• Verify each size against the brand's own size chart

How the readings apply to different shoe styles

Different shoe categories change how you apply your Brannock measurements. Athletic shoes and sneakers generally follow the Brannock reading closely because they are designed to accommodate a neutral foot shape. Dress shoes and oxfords, which are more structured, may run slightly narrower, so the width reading matters more. Boots, especially work boots, often build in extra room for thicker socks, but the arch reading is critical because a boot that is too short in the arch will put pressure on the instep.

Sandals and slides are more variable. Some brands size them by heel-to-toe length, but others expect the arch of the shoe to sit under the arch of your foot, no matter the overall length. For clogs and mules, the arch reading is the main number because the foot is not held by a heel counter. See our best sandals and best clogs guides for fit guidance per style.

For dress shoes, the width reading is essential, because many dress shoes are available in multiple widths and a narrow or wide fit can make or break comfort. See our best men's dress shoes guide and best women's shoes guide.

Finally, remember that your foot may change size over the course of your life. Pregnancy, weight fluctuations, and normal aging can all alter foot length and width. Re-measure periodically rather than relying on a size you wore years ago. The Brannock device is a tool, not a permanent record.

What to pick for your foot shape

Questions

How often should I measure my feet with a Brannock device?

Measure your feet every time you buy a new pair of shoes, at minimum once a year. Feet change with age, weight changes, and pregnancy. Many people do not realize their size has changed until they develop foot pain from shoes that no longer fit.

Is a Brannock reading a guarantee that a shoe will fit?

No. The Brannock device gives you a very good baseline, but shoes from different brands, in different materials, and with different last shapes all fit somewhat differently. Your Brannock size tells you where to start, but you still need to try the shoe on and check for toe room, heel slip, and width pressure.

What does it mean if my arch reading differs from my heel-to-toe reading?

Your arch reading measures a different distance than your heel-to-toe length, so a difference is completely normal. A larger arch reading means your foot is relatively short from the ball to the toes, which can make shoes feel tight on the instep. A smaller arch reading means your forefoot is longer, which can make shoes feel too long even if the heel-to-toe reading is correct. For shoes with a rigid arch support, use the arch reading as your primary size.

Can I use a Brannock device at home?

Yes, you can buy a Brannock device for home use, and many shoe stores have them available. The technique is the same: stand with your weight on the foot, keep your heel in the heel cup, and read the three scales. The advantage of measuring at home is that you can do it in the afternoon when you are fully on your feet.

Does my Brannock size change if I wear thick socks?

Your foot bones and soft tissue do not change, but the sock material takes up space inside the shoe. You should measure while wearing the socks you plan to use. If you wear thick socks, the effective foot volume is larger, and you may need a half size larger shoe. The width may also be affected, so the width bar should be read with the sock on.

What is the most accurate way to measure a child's foot?

Children should be measured every couple of months, because their feet grow quickly. Use the same standing technique, but make sure the child is not curling their toes. Most children do not need a width reading unless they are between widths, but it is still worth checking. For a child, err on the side of a little extra toe room, since they will grow quickly.