How to Tell Your Child’s Foot Shape – Narrow, Medium, Wide, or Extra Wide
Buying shoes the wrong width is one of the most common mistakes parents make — and most don’t even realize it’s happening.
Most parents focus on shoe length and assume their child will tell them if something is wrong. But children rarely complain about shoe width, even when their feet are being squeezed all day. By the time they do speak up, the damage is often already done — blisters, calluses, poor posture, and in some cases, lasting foot problems.
This guide will show you exactly how to determine your child’s foot width in two simple steps, and what to do once you know it.
Why Shoe Width Matters as Much as Shoe Length
A shoe can be the perfect length and still be completely wrong for your child’s foot. Width affects everything — how the foot sits inside the shoe, how much room the toes have to spread naturally, and how stable your child feels when walking and running.
Shoes that are too narrow squeeze the foot inward, restricting blood flow and causing discomfort, blisters, and calluses. Over time, narrow shoes can push the toes into unnatural positions and contribute to deformities.
Shoes that are too wide allow the foot to slide and shift inside the shoe, creating instability. This can affect balance, walking gait, and increase the risk of ankle injuries.
The first seven years of a child’s life are especially critical. This is the window when permanent structural changes to the foot and lower extremity are most easily achieved with the right footwear and orthotics. Getting the width right during these years is not optional — it is essential.
How to Determine Your Child’s Foot Width
You have two options. Either one will give me everything I need to assess your child’s exact foot shape remotely — including whether they have narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet, as well as any potential foot conditions such as flat feet or overpronation.
Option 1 — Record a Short Video
Use good lighting and make sure your child is standing on a flat, hard surface — not carpet. A 30 to 60 second video is ideal. Watch the example below to see exactly how it should look:
Option 2 — Send Three Photos
If a video is not possible, three photos work just as well. Make sure your child is standing on a flat, hard surface — not carpet — and that the lighting is bright enough to see the foot clearly.
Here is exactly how to take them:
Photo 1 — Front view: Have your child stand naturally and photograph both feet straight on from the front.
Photo 2 — Inside view: Photograph the inside of the foot from the arch side, as shown in the example above. This angle shows the height of the instep and the arch shape — whether it is flat, normal, or high.
Photo 3 — Outside view: Photograph the outside of the foot from the opposite side, as shown in the example above. This angle shows the outer edge of the foot and the overall foot profile from the little toe side.
What to Include in Your Email
Once you have your video or photos ready, send them to: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
Please include:
- Your video or three photos
- The country you live in (so I can recommend shoes available in your region)
- Any additional information about your child’s feet — pain, conditions, current shoes, or concerns
You will receive a response within 24 hours with your child’s exact foot shape and specific shoe recommendations. If you have not heard back within 24 hours, you can also reach me by phone or text at: +1 301-691-8479
Is This Service Free?
Yes — completely free. I believe that every child deserves to wear the right shoes, regardless of where their family lives or what their budget is. Getting the right shoe width early can prevent years of foot problems down the road, and that is worth more than any fee.
If you find this service helpful and would like to support the work of Fitting Children’s Shoes, you are welcome to donate here. Your support helps families around the world get the right guidance for their children’s feet.
What Happens After I Assess Your Child’s Foot Shape?
Once I identify your child’s exact foot width, I will provide you with specific shoe recommendations based on their foot shape, size, and any conditions I observe. I will tell you exactly which brands and styles to look for — so you are not guessing in the store or ordering the wrong thing online.
Shoe width varies significantly between brands. A wide width in one brand may fit very differently in another. Knowing your child’s foot shape is only half the equation — knowing which shoes are actually built to accommodate that shape is the other half, and that is where my experience as a certified shoe fitter makes a real difference.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact me via email at fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com.
Hello. I paid the $10.00 fee yesterday and I’m not sure how to upload my pictures.
Hello Melody,
Please check your email as I have sent you further instructions.
Can over pronation be cured by orthotics and the correctly supportive shoes, or will he always need these.
Hello Sam,
This depends on how early you intervene. The earlier you intervene, the higher the chances are to improve your son’s foot posture and waking gait.
If you have an older child, the orthotics and shoes can help prevent foot and leg pain, and allow your son to participate in sports and other activities.
Hi! My daughter is 8 and has Autism. She has always worn mary jane shoes. She was recently referred to a PT bc of her right foot turning inward. Her PT suggested a good, stable shoe. She is a 4.5. I plan on using your tool for measuring but i know she has a wide forefoot. I bought a pair of Saucony cohesion shoes. Prior to finding this website. My concern is that since she is already showing a deformity if i need to go on and get her orthotics. The right foot looks super flat and overpronated. She needs something super stable for her heel. I feel terrible. She was just really picky and likes velcro bc she can’t independently put on laced shoes yet. She is also in a size that you can’t find velcro shoes in. Idk what shoes have removable insoles (the saucony conhesions do not) and she is still a girl and likes pretty shoes. We have no shoe shops in our area for her to be fitted. Thank you.
Hello Gloria,
It is frustrating when we don’t actually have a shoe store to take our kids to be properly fitted for shoes. I understand that your daughter prefers Mary jane shoes and she can still wear them, but I will definitely recommend she wears a pair of supportive, stable sneakers for most of the day.
For the record, you always should get the orthotics first before purchasing shoes because the shoes need to accommodate the orthotic not the other way around. Saucony cohesion shoes are great in terms of support, you might have to use a screwdriver to remove the inner sole though.
I would recommend you take her to your physical therapist to be evaluated for orthotics. I don’t know if she has expressed that she has foot or leg pain, but children with flat feet and overpronation normally do.
I can definitely provide you with a selection of velcro shoes (probably 2 or 3 shoe styles) that come in her size and will be supportive enough to fit an orthotic.
But please first find out what orthotic she needs. If I were you I would mention to the PT if they are familiar with CASCADE DAFO orthotics since I have fitted those before and they make a huge difference. I hope this helps and please folow up with me.
Hi Juan
Where are you? Id love to come and see you. My daughter is 5 years old and she has long narrow flat feet. However she has a bump on the top of her foot from me, due to having extremely high arches and also a pinkie toe that hasn’t quite turned out so become sore on her shoe. She has just started school and we got “fitted” at a rebel sports store but after just 6 weeks she has very sore feet. It was an asicis – can you help? we live on the Sunshine Coast,qld but happy to drive to Brisbane if you recommend anyone. Ive read your posts and I am trying to decide between the new balance or sacouny
Hello Rachel,
The children’s shoe store I used to work in is called Shoe Train and is located in Potomac, Maryland. I am not there anymore but the staff is great and some of them have 25+ years of experience. I am not familiar with any good children’s shoe store in your area.
Did you try shoelaces or velcro? Keep in mind that shoelaces will provide more support and stability and also fit the shape of her narrow feet much better than velcro.
When it comes to dealing with her pinky toe there are certain orthotics that might help her specially if you put a toe rise, since it will help spread her toes more evenly.
Where does her feet actually hurt? This will allow me to identify if the shoe is not supportive enough, or if it’s hurting on the top of her feet the shoe might not be deep enough which means that the top part of her foot is being pressured by the shoe. Let me know so I can give you better advise!