How to measure a child's foot at home step by step

Buying shoes by eye is the perfect recipe for returns, blisters, and cramped toes. And measuring your little one's foot at home doesn't have to be a drama: with the Pablosky size chart, it takes two minutes and no complicated calculations. We'll tell you how, step by step, and how to know if they need a medium or wide fit.

The easiest way to measure a child's foot at home is with the Pablosky size chart: download it, print it on A4 at actual size, place the foot on top, and read the size directly from the paper. If the foot width exceeds the blue lines, they need a wide fit; if it stays within, a medium fit. Measure both feet and leave a margin of 0.8 to 1.2 cm.

The easiest way: the Pablosky size chart

Pablosky has its own measuring template, designed precisely for this. You download it for free, print it on A4 at actual size, place your child's foot on top, and read their size directly from the paper, without a ruler or calculations. And since it includes blue reference lines, you can tell at a glance if they need a medium or wide fit. If you prefer, you can also download the Pablosky measuring tape. Both are available in the size guide. 

How to measure a foot with the template step by step

Print the template on A4 at actual size

This is the most important step of all. When printing, choose actual size or 100% and deactivate automatic page scaling. If the printer reduces it even slightly, the size will be inaccurate and everything else will be off. Make sure to print it at actual size before proceeding.

Place the foot on top, standing and with weight distributed

Place the template on the floor on a hard surface and have your child stand on it, distributing their weight evenly on both legs. Standing is key, because the foot lengthens and widens when bearing weight, so you read the actual measurement and not a smaller one.

Read the size and check the blue lines

With the heel firmly against the template's stop, look at how far the longest toe reaches – which isn't always the big toe: there you have their size. Then check the width. If the foot goes beyond the blue lines, your child needs a wide fit; if it stays within, a medium fit will suit them.

Repeat with both feet

Always measure both feet, as they are usually slightly different. Use the measurement of the larger foot, as that is the one that determines the size.

Medium or wide fit: what the blue lines mean

Not all feet are alike, and not all styles fit the same, which is why Pablosky works with two lasts. The blue lines on the template mark the limit: if your child's foot width exceeds them, a wide fit will suit them better, providing more space without losing support; if it stays within, a medium fit. Choosing the right last is as important as getting the correct size, because it ensures the shoe supports without squeezing.

If you don't have a printer handy

You can also get by without a template. Place your child's heel against the wall, mark the tip of the longest toe, and measure that distance. Also measure the widest part of the sole. With these two data points, length and width, consult the table in the size guide, which provides the equivalent size and references for medium and wide fits. 

From measurement to size: comfort thresholds

How much space should there be? Podiatrists recommend a margin of 0.8 to 1.2 cm between the longest toe and the toe cap, so the foot can grow freely and be comfortable. At Pablosky, we call this the comfort thresholds, and it works like this:

• More than 1.2 cm: too big, order one size smaller.

• Between 0.8 and 1.2 cm: ideal size, that's the one.

• Between 0.5 and 0.7 cm: getting snug, a change is coming, prepare for the next size.

• Less than 0.5 cm: already too small, time to replace.

And if you want to go the extra mile, each product page has a Virtual Fitter, which helps you confirm the exact size for that model before buying.

How often to measure a child's foot

Measure every two or three months for younger children, who change fastest, and less frequently as they grow older. A good time is before each seasonal purchase, such as back-to-school. And if your child says their shoes are tight, don't wait: measure them, because they've probably had a growth spurt in a flash.

Common mistakes when measuring feet at home

The biggest mistake is printing the template without actual scale, because the whole measurement will be off. Other common errors: measuring with the child sitting instead of standing, only considering the length and forgetting the width and last, measuring only one foot, skipping the growth margin, or being guided by the size they wear in another brand. Each brand has its own last, so that number may not coincide with yours.

Frequently asked questions

How much space should be left between the toe and the toe cap?

Between 0.8 and 1.2 cm, which is what podiatrists recommend for the foot to grow freely and be comfortable. If there's more than 1.2 cm of space, they're too big, and if it's less than 0.5 cm, they're already too small.

How do I know if my child needs a medium or wide fit?

Measure the width of the foot. With the Pablosky template, it's direct: if the foot exceeds the blue lines, they need a wide fit; if it stays within, a medium fit. You can also compare the width with the table in the size guide.

Can I go by the size they wear in other brands?

It's better not to rely entirely on it. Each brand has its own last and sizing, so the same number can fit differently. The safest bet is to measure the foot with the template and confirm with the Pablosky size guide or Virtual Fitter.

With the printed template and clear last, getting it right is a piece of cake. Download it from the size guide and choose with confidence.