If you’ve ever had your feet measured at a shoe shop, you’ll know whether you have different sized feet. If not, try placing both feet on a sheet of paper, drawing around them, then measuring the longest and widest parts to compare their sizes.
Although we think of our bodies as the same on both sides, there are subtle differences. You may well have one foot bigger than the other. In fact, having different sized feet is more common than having feet exactly the same size.
The left foot is usually the larger one. Why? This phenomenon can often be attributed to the way we walk. For most people, the right side of the body is dominant. It’s, therefore, easier for them to maintain their balance when they’re stepping forward with their left foot and relying on their right side to help keep them steady. By comparison, they step forward a little more tentatively with their right foot. As a result, the left foot is exercised somewhat more thoroughly, grows stronger and achieves a slightly bigger size.
Using one foot more than the other when playing sport can lead to your preferred foot increasing in size. In addition, your feet get bigger as you age, as the arches flatten out. This change may occur more rapidly in one foot than the other, resulting in size variations.
More than Half of Adults Have Different Sized Feet
Approximately 60% of adults have one foot that’s longer and/or wider than the other. In the vast majority of cases, these variations aren’t particularly noticeable or troublesome.
To put this into perspective, let’s consider shoe sizes. As Clarks’ size guide shows, the difference between each shoe size is very small, corresponding to about 1 cm difference in foot length. For example, women’s shoes in size 5 are designed for feet that are about 23.7 cm long, while size 6 caters for feet that are about 24.6 cm long.
If you have one foot longer than the other, the difference between them is likely to be less than 1 cm. So the chances are that your longer foot won’t require footwear in a larger shoe size than the other. The same can be said of feet that are different widths.
Noticeable Differences Are Linked to Health Problems
In rare cases, the variation in size is considerable and results from a health problem. A young woman named Jessica Gray, whose right foot is size 9 and left foot size 7, has drawn attention to this issue in the press. She was born with spina bifida, which means her spine didn’t develop properly. The condition is linked to bone and muscle abnormalities, which can lead to foot problems. Jessica’s left foot stopped growing several years before she reached adulthood.
Other health problems that can lead to differently sized feet include clubfoot (a deformity that makes the foot point inwards; when corrected, the foot tends to be smaller and wider than its counterpart) and scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine – the asymmetry makes one leg longer than the other and puts the corresponding foot under strain, flattening its arch).
Injuries can also affect the foot’s measurements, especially if they occur when the foot is still developing. If the foot is encased in a cast, its muscles will get smaller and weaker.
Take Extra Care with Footwear
If there’s a difference in size between your feet, take extra care when choosing shoes. If one foot is 1½ sizes bigger than the other (or more), it’s best to buy shoes in non-matching sizes. Some retailers have ‘split-size’ policies: you could buy one shoe in size 8 and another in size 9 ½, say.
If the variations are less noticeable, try buying footwear in the correct size for your larger foot (to ensure it isn’t painfully cramped or susceptible to developing deformities) and put an insole in your smaller foot’s shoe. This should stop the smaller foot from moving around too much and developing blisters and calluses.
Foot Care from Skilled London Podiatrists
If you want to ensure your feet work in harmony with each other and shoes fit properly, visit our skilled London podiatry team.
We can examine your feet, perform gait analysis and treat issues arising from size differences and asymmetry. For example, we design custom-made shoe inserts called orthotics to support feet and enhance foot function.
Don’t let size differences create foot problems – book an appointment with Feet By Pody today!
FAQs
Absolutely yes! It's very common and perfectly normal to have feet that are different sizes. Although (humans) are, for the most part, bilaterally symmetrical, one half of our body may not be an exact mirror of the other. In fact, some people to have one foot that's up to 3 inches bigger than the other!
Why does one foot grow bigger than the other? ›
Genetics play a significant role in determining foot size, as it influences the shape and size of the foot, including cases where a larger left foot is observed. However, it's important to note that other factors, such as nutrition, health, and external factors like shoe-wearing habits, can also affect foot size.
Is there a condition where one foot is bigger than the other? ›
60% of adults have one foot that is either longer or wider than the other. Noticeable differences in size are typically linked to health issues such as spina bifida, clubfoot, and scoliosis.
Is it possible to have 2 different size feet? ›
In fact, about 60% of the population has different sized feet, according to one study. Most people have one foot that's both larger and wider than the other and need to wear different shoe sizes for each foot. Unfortunately, most of us opt for one shoe size or the other and purchase footwear that doesn't fit properly.
Is one shoe size a big difference? ›
There is a difference of 1/3 of an inch between a 9.5 and 10 shoe size. This may not seem like much, but it can make a big difference in the fit and comfort of a shoe. A 9.5 may be too tight, while a 10 may be too loose. It is always best to try on both sizes to see which one fits better.
Why have my feet grown 2 sizes? ›
In addition, your feet get bigger as you age, as the arches flatten out. This change may occur more rapidly in one foot than the other, resulting in size variations.
Why is my left foot more swollen than my right? ›
When one limb is affected it can point to a more local problem in the leg being the cause of the swelling. There are a number of possibilities : Venous insufficiency - poor return of fluid in the veins from the leg. (valve failure, DVT, varicose veins)
What is foot of Turner syndrome? ›
Abbreviations. TS. Turner's syndrome. Since Henry H. Turner's original description of Turner's syndrome,1 foot problems such as lymphedema of the lower limbs secondary to poor lymphatic drainage2 and nail dysplasia3 have become well recognized as valuable diagnostic features.
What is Morton's foot disease? ›
Morton's neuroma is inflammation or thickening of the nerves between the metatarsal bones, which are the bones located between the toes. Usually found between the second, third and fourth bones of the foot, it is often caused by compression of the nerves that causes irritation and swelling.
What causes uneven feet? ›
While injuries and stress can cause your feet to be out of alignment, imbalances can also be caused by structural problems in the hips, knees or ankles. Pronation or supination can occur as the result of how your bones develop as you grow.
It's very common and perfectly normal to have feet that are different sizes. Although (humans) are, for the most part, bilaterally symmetrical, one half of our body may not be an exact mirror of the other. In fact, some people to have one foot that's up to 3 inches bigger than the other!
Is there a correlation between foot size? ›
Shoe size generally is proportional to height, so it's used in many height-predicting formulas out there. A lot of the time, these formulas take into account the parents' height, as well. However, the results are usually far from reliable. Prior to puberty, many kids haven't had a major growth spurt yet.
Can my foot size change? ›
Even after growth has stopped, changes in foot size can still occur due to factors like weight gain, loose ligaments, or conditions like bunions or hammertoes. These changes highlight the importance of continuing to pay attention to foot health and shoe fit even in adulthood.
What causes one foot to be bigger than the other? ›
This can be seen when we walk; it is easier to maintain our balance when we step forward with our left foot. The right foot is stepping forward a little more tentatively, and, as a result, the left foot is exercised somewhat more thoroughly, grows stronger, and becomes slightly bigger in size.
How much bigger is a 9.5 than a 9? ›
Length: There is approximately a 1/6" difference between each half-size (e.g., between 9 and 9.5, between a 9.5 and a 10, and so on) For every half size up, the width (across the ball) will increase by 1/8"
When do feet stop growing? ›
Generally, feet stop growing around 20 or 21 years old. But it's possible for a person's feet to keep growing into their early 20s. It also depends when you started puberty. Everyone grows at different rates.
How to fix one shoe bigger than the other? ›
Hi there, try insoles they are the perfect hacks for a bigger shoe size. You can find insoles for flat shoes, heeled ones or go for sock absorbing ones for sneakers. If not insoles, you can also try shoe fillers; they will give you tighter fit very easily and are good for closed toe shoes.
Why is my foot uneven? ›
What Really Causes Misaligned Feet? Most of the time foot misalignment is the cause of genetics or overuse. If you have arthritis, for example, this can lead to alignment issues. Or, if you damaged your ankle or foot and it didn't heal properly, a sprain or fracture could affect your gait.
Why is my left side bigger than my right side? ›
Hemihyperplasia (sometimes referred to as hemihypertrophy) is a rare condition in which one side of the body or a part of one side of the body (such as a hand or leg) grows significantly more than the other due to an over-production of bone or soft tissue. This overgrowth causes visible unevenness or asymmetry.
Why are my shoe sizes different? ›
They are usually due to the following factors: Different methods of measuring the shoes, different manufacturing processes, or different allowances even when the same system is used. An indication in centimetres or inches can mean the length of the foot or the length of the shoe's inner cavity.
