Fitting Guide: How to Measure Heel Height

The best shoes are comfortable, well-fitting, and stylish. This is true whether it’s a casual trainer, a smart heel, or anything in between.

Wearing high heeled shoes with the wrong height heel can lead to all manner of issues, which is why we’ve written this guide to measuring heel height. After reading you’ll be able to shop with confidence and select a heeled shoe that’s a pleasure to wear.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• The importance of having a comfortable heel height for you
• A step-by-step guide to measuring your shoe heel height
• Understanding the best heel for you

The Importance of Having a Comfortable Heel Height for You

The height of your heels will determine how comfortable your shoes feel throughout the day. The wrong height heel can lead to short term pain and discomfort, as well as long term issues with your back, posture, and other areas. Thankfully it’s easy to get your heel height requirements right before buying your shoes, helping you to avoid these issues altogether.

Here are some of the things to consider when deciding which heel size is right for you:

• Foot shape: the structure of your foot has an impact on which heel heights will feel comfortable to you. High arches lend themselves better to mid or high heels, while low heels or flats may be more comfortable for flatter feet.

• Foot size: smaller feet can make heels feel steeper, as the foot's angle becomes more quickly pronounced. Larger feet distribute pressure across the shoe more evenly and may make higher heels more comfortable.

• Posture: your natural way of walking and standing can affect the type of heel that'll feel most comfortable. A naturally forward-leaning posture may suit low heels or flats, for example.

• Ankle strength: higher heels are less stable than lower shoes, meaning that if you have weaker ankles, a lower heel may be a better choice as they’ll reduce the risk of injury.

• Personal preference: in the end it comes down to what you’re happy with. Refer to the above points when making a decision but go with the heel height that provides a comfortable and stable fit.

With those factors in mind, let’s take a look at the steps for measuring a shoe’s heel height

Step by Step Guide to Measuring Your Shoe Heel Height

The method for measuring heel height may seem fairly obvious, but there are a few things you need to know to ensure a fully accurate measurement. Having this accuracy will help you to buy the right shoe or make the required adjustments to a heel.

1. Place the Shoe on a Flat Surface

Take your shoe and rest it on a flat surface. Make sure it’s upright in a position as close as possible to how the shoe would rest on the floor when worn: any other position increases the likelihood of an inaccurate measurement.

2. Find the Base of the Heel

The base of the heel is where it meets the ground, and this is where you’ll be taking the measurement from.

Note that for block heels, wedge heels, or any other heels that slope outwards, you need to measure from the outermost point of the heel. This is the point that reflects the actual height of the heel that will have an impact on your posture and balance.

3. Measure to Where the Heel Meets the Shoe

Use a ruler or tape measure to measure the distance from the base of the heel identified in step 2 to the point where the heel meets the shoe.

Measuring along the back centre of the heel will give the most accurate measurement. For blocks, wedges, or other sloped heels, be sure not to measure up the diagonal line from the outermost point to the shoe: instead, measure upwards from the table surface to the point where the back of the heel meets the shoe.

4. Make a Note of the Measurement

Record the measurement and unit for the heel so you can refer back to it later. We also recommend double checking, just to make sure you measured right.

Noting down the type of heel can be helpful as well, when shopping for and comparing different styles.

Understanding the Best Heel for You

Now you know the importance of finding the right heel height, and how to measure a shoe’s heel, it’s time to determine the best height of heel for your feet. To recap, the factors we mentioned earlier are:

• Foot shape: do you have high or low arches?
• Foot size: are they small or big?
• Posture: do you naturally lean forward?
• Ankle strength: have you got any ankle weakness or injuries?
• Preference: what styles do you like?

We’d also recommend thinking about the occasion: if you’re choosing a heel for a formal event where you won’t be on your feet for too long, you might opt for a higher heel than what you’d wear all day at the office, for example.

The Heel Deal

Getting the right height heel on your shoes will ensure comfort and stability every time you wear them, giving you the confidence to walk high and proud. We hope this guide has been useful in learning how to measure heel height, and also in understanding why getting the right heel height is so important. If you have any other questions about measuring shoe height or finding the right pair for you, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.

You can also browse our range of low, mid, and high heels, or take a look at our new-in range of comfortable and stylish shoes for women.