How to Calculate Height from Shoe Size?
Shoe Size to Height Calculator. Calculating height from shoe size is not an exact science, as the correlation between shoe size and height can vary greatly among individuals due to factors like genetics, age, and gender. However, there is a general method that can give a rough estimate. Here’s a basic guideline presented in points:
- Understand the Limitations: Recognize that any formula to calculate height from shoe size will provide a rough estimate at best. Individual variations in body proportions mean that two people with the same shoe size might have different heights.
- General Formula: One of the most cited formulas for estimating height from shoe size is by Dr. William Rossi, who suggested that shoe size can approximate height with a formula, though it’s more anecdotal than scientific. It goes as follows: (Shoe size (in American sizes) * 2 + 5) * 2.54 = Estimated height in centimeters. This method is heavily simplified and should be taken with caution.
- Consider Gender Differences: Men and women have different body proportions, and their shoe sizes are not directly comparable. If using a general formula, it might be necessary to adjust expectations based on gender.
- Account for Age: Children and teenagers have rapidly changing shoe sizes and body proportions. Any estimate for individuals in these age groups is even more unreliable.
- Cultural Variations: Shoe size conventions vary widely around the world. If applying a formula, ensure it’s adjusted for the shoe sizing system used in your region (e.g., US, UK, EU sizes).
- Use as a Fun Estimate: Given the inaccuracy and the broad generalization of the method, it’s best used for entertainment or as a fun guess, rather than for any serious purpose.
- Professional Measurement is Best: For accurate height measurements, professional methods using stadiometers or similar devices are preferred. These are commonly available at medical facilities.
- No Scientific Backing: Emphasize that there’s no scientific backing for a precise formula linking shoe size to height due to the significant variability between individuals. Most methods are based on observation and rough averages rather than on robust scientific data.
Example Problem: Shoe Size to Height Calculator
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
shoe size = 8
The Relation Between Height and Shoe Size in Adolescents
Using formulas to guess your teenager’s future height can be entertaining, as long as you remember these predictions are not very accurate.
Since shoe size often relates to how tall someone is, many formulas trying to predict height include it. These formulas might also consider the heights of the parents. However, the outcomes are not very dependable.
Accuracy
During the teenage years after puberty, it’s normal for kids to grow 3 to 5 inches each year. If your teen’s shoe size suddenly gets bigger around puberty, it often means they’re about to have a growth spurt.
However, the size of their shoes doesn’t tell us how tall they will finally be. Dr. Robert H. Shmerling, in his article “Can We Predict Height?” for InteliHealth, says that there isn’t a surefire method to know exactly how tall a teen will be.
Factors
Several things affect how tall your teen will end up being. One key factor is the final length of their longest bones, like the femur in the thigh and the fibula in the lower leg.
Growth plates in these bones let them grow longer. When your teen stops growing, usually by age 17, these plates close, and the bones can’t grow anymore. Other important factors include gender, hormones, genes, and overall health and diet.
Correlation
Shoe size isn’t a great way to tell how tall someone will eventually be, but there is a connection between the two. When you look at boys and girls separately, the link between shoe size and height is clearer.
According to the “Edexcel GCSE Mathematics” book by Keith Pledger and others, the formula for boys is to multiply their shoe size by 5.3 and then add 133 to find their height in centimeters.
For girls, you multiply the shoe size by 4.5 and add 140. To get the height in inches, divide the result by 2.54. This formula can help you figure out a teen’s current height from their shoe size or vice versa. Remember, these numbers are just rough estimates, as Pledger points out.
Quick Math
You can make a quick guess of a teen’s height in inches by taking their shoe size, doubling it, and then adding 50.
This method is more about making a fast estimate and isn’t perfectly accurate, as mentioned in “Elementary Statistics” by Robert Russell Johnson and Patricia Kuby.
For instance, if the shoe size is 10, this method suggests the height could be around 71 inches, even though the calculation gives you 70 inches.
Size Calculator
| Size | Min Length | Max Length | Max Width |
| Junior 10½ – 11 | 174 mm | 184 mm | 191 mm |
| Junior 11½ – 12 | 182 mm | 192 mm | 196 mm |
| Junior 12½ – 13 | 190 mm | 201 mm | 198 mm |
| Size 13½ – 1 | 199 mm | 209 mm | 213 mm |
| Size 1½ – 2 | 207 mm | 218 mm | 219 mm |
| Size 2½ – 3 | 216 mm | 226 mm | 225 mm |
| Size 3½ – 4 | 224 mm | 234 mm | 231 mm |
| Size 4½ – 5 | 232 mm | 243 mm | 237 mm |
| Size 5½ – 6 | 241 mm | 251 mm | 243 mm |
| Size 6½ – 7 | 249 mm | 260 mm | 249 mm |
| Size 7½ – 8 | 258 mm | 268 mm | 255 mm |
| Size 8½ – 9 | 266 mm | 277 mm | 261 mm |
| Size 9½ – 10 | 275 mm | 285 mm | 267 mm |
| Size 10½ – 11 | 283 mm | 294 mm | 273 mm |
FAQs
Can You Determine Height by Shoe Size?
A sudden increase in your son’s shoe size at puberty can be indicative of a growth spurt that’s about to happen. However, shoe size, itself is not a good predictor of your teen’s ultimate height, according to the InteliHealth article “Can We Predict Height?” by Dr. Robert H.
Is Shoe Size Equivalent to Height?
There’s an established correlation between height and shoe size. Taller women tend to have larger feet since they need a larger base for balance. Shorter women tend to have smaller feet since they require a smaller base. Anecdotally, American women report that their shoe sizes vary widely, independent of their height.
Does Big Feet Mean you Will Be Tall?
Some people say that big feet indicate a child will be tall. But people of the same height often have different size feet. But feet size can tell you one thing: When you notice your kiddo’s feet grow larger, it’s a sign they’re about to get taller. According to one study, foot growth happens before spinal growth.
What Size Shoe is 24.7 cm?
UK Size: In the UK shoe sizing system, a foot length of 24.7 cm corresponds to approximately a UK size 5 for women and a UK size 6 for men. India Size: In the Indian shoe sizing system, a foot length of 24.7 cm corresponds to approximately an India size 6 for women and an India size 7 f.
Is Size 9 Feet Small for a Guy?
The most common shoe size for men around the world is typically between 9 and 12. The United States is home to people with varying ethnicities and genetic origins. More homogeneous countries tend to have populations of more similar heights and shoe sizes, which affects their national averages.
How to Predict Height?
Here’s a popular example:
- Add the mother’s height to the father’s height in either inches or centimeters.
- Add 5 inches (13 centimeters) for boys or subtract 5 inches (13 centimeters) for girls.
- Divide by 2.
Is Size 7 Shoe Small for a Guy?
It depends on various factors such as the height and build of the individual, as well as the region and culture they are from. In general, however, a size 7 shoe would be considered a smaller size for men, particularly in Western cultures where the average men’s shoe size is around 9-10
What Age Do Feet Stop Growing?
Do feet stop growing at 14? Our feet usually stop growing a few years after puberty; for girls, this is around 14 and for boys, it’s around 16. Growth plates in the feet generally finish closing between 18 and 20 years of age.
What are 5 Signs that you have Stopped Growing in Height?
Signs That Girls Have Stopped Growing in Height
- Body hair, including pubic and underarm hair, has finished growing.
- There has been very slow or no growth in height for a year or more.
- Breasts, hips, and genitals are fully developed.
- Appearance in general, including the face shape and features, is more adult-like.
