Find your size

Measure your foot to know your exact size. Ordering birkenstocks online means that you will most likely not be able to try them on before making your purchase. Even if you know your general shoe size, the size varies between brands and it is always best to get an inch or centimeter measurement for comparison with the brand's size chart.

Lay a sheet of paper on the floor against the wall. Take a blank sheet of paper and lay it so that the short side lines up against the wall. Use two small pieces of tape to secure them at any angle. [9]

Stand with one foot on the sheet, heels against the wall. Stand straight up against a wall and place one foot on the paper. Make sure your heels are directly against the wall to get the most accurate measurement. [10]

Trace around your foot with a pencil. Reach with one hand and use a pencil to outline your feet as accurately as possible. Don't worry about tracing the back of your heel, it's against the back of the paper, so it acts as a back edge when you measure. [11] Tip: When walking around your foot, hold the end of the pencil as close to the edge of your foot as possible. You can also ask a friend to follow your foot for you.

Draw straight lines down the length and width of your foot. Lift your foot off the paper, then set a straight edge, like a ruler, down the middle from the back edge to the tip of your longest toe. Draw a straight line. Then, flip the ruler wisely and draw a line from the largest points of your feet, which should be just below your toes. [12]

Measure the lines to get your foot measurement. Line up the ruler along the line wise to get the length of your foot. Write it down on paper, then turn the ruler over and measure the second line to get the width of your foot. [13]

Check your measurement on the brand's sizing charts to find your size. Now that you have your shoe measurements, check the brand's or store's measurement chart to find the shoe size that translates to. Measuring your foot length will help determine your numerical shoe size. Some types of shoes will also take the width of the foot into account, offering both wide and narrow sizes for some shoes.

Order in different sizes if you are not sure. If you think you might be between sizes, or trying a new brand you're not sure of, try ordering shoes in the two closest sizes. This is especially useful if you need the shoes on short notice! You can keep the pair that fits and resend one not for a refund.

Try on your shoes as soon as you get them. When you receive your shoes in the mail, don't take off the tags yet! Walk around and wear them around the house for a few hours to see if they are comfortable. There should be plenty of room for your toes, but it shouldn't slip or slide.