How To Measure Your Feet For Jig Shoes

Getting the right size in a new pair of jig shoes can feel tricky, especially if you are moving between styles or brands.

With over 30 years’ experience fitting dancers, we’ve created this guide to make the process as straightforward as possible — while sharing the expert tips that will help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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Jig Shoe Sizing at a Glance

• Always measure the foot length – don’t rely on trainer size, school shoes, or old pumps. Use the recommended measuring method for an accurate result.

• Measure both feet – and use the larger foot measurement when checking for sizing so there is room for your longest toe.

• Check the Sizing tab on the appropriate jig shoes page for the correct sizing chart.
  

• There’s no need to second guess — our size charts already take the style of jig shoe into account. Just measure your feet and match the result to the guide on the jig shoe page.
  
  Our standard jig shoes sizing (e.g. Essential, Fays Black Suede Soles, Rutherford Golds) aims to give about 4–5mm space at the toe.
  
  Ultra Light sizing  (e.g. Feather Flex) aims to give 0-4mm space at the toe. 
  
  

• Don’t buy too big – oversized jig shoes make trebles harder and can affect sound.
  

• Don’t buy far too small – although some advanced dancers prefer a very tight fit, buying multiple sizes down damages feet and overstretches the leather.
  
• Ask your teacher or a senior student in the class for advice if unsure.

Step 1: Measure the Length of Your Foot

This is the most reliable way to get the correct jig shoe size. Accuracy matters — there’s only a small difference between half sizes.

1. Place a sheet of plain A4 paper against a wall so that the edge of the paper touches the wall.
2. Put on the socks normally worn for dancing. Place the foot on the paper with the heel against the wall. (Double check the paper hasn’t slipped!)
   
   
3. Relax the foot and toes. Mark the paper at the longest point of the foot (you may need a helper for this).
4. Draw a straight line from the wall edge of the paper to the mark, then measure this distance with a ruler. This measurement is what you’ll use to select your size.
   

👉 Measure both feet – it’s common, especially in children, for one foot to be slightly longer than the other. We recommend ordering for the larger foot when buying jig shoes so no toes are squished.

We strongly advise not ordering based on:

• School shoes or trainers (sizing varies widely)

• Existing pumps or jig shoes (they stretch with wear, so the marked size is no longer accurate)

• The old method of drawing around the foot (it’s prone to error because the result depends on the thickness of the pen and the angle you draw at)

You should now have two measurements.

Length of Left Foot:

Length of Right Foot: