This article is part of my universal basic sock pattern.
These measurements are the average foot circumference measures gathered from different sources (e.g. knitting books & websites). You can use the measurement as a basis when you are grading your sock design or when you are knitting the socks as a gift. However, there is no chart that works for everyone so it’s always better if you are able to measure the foot you are going to knit the sock for. If you want to improve the chances of your sock to fit I suggest that add some ribbing on the instep and cuff (e.g. two by two rib or three by one).
The finished sock circumference depends on how stretchy the stitch pattern you choose for your sock is. As a rule of thumb, stockinette socks should be made with approximately 10% of negative ease. This means that if according to the table the foot circumference is 8.5” the sock circumference should be 7.7” but for instance, colorwork socks should be made close to zero ease because the fabric is not nearly as stretchy as stockinette stitch. Zero ease means simply that the circumference of the sock and foot are the same.
You might also want to make the foot of the sock to be a tiny bit shorter than the foot of the wearer because wool stretches and the socks might end up too loose after they have been worn a day.
Scroll down for EU sizes.
US shoe sizes
Kids
Average sock leg length: 3.5 – 6.5 inches
| Shoe size (US) | Foot length (inch) | Estimated foot circumference (inch) |
| 6 | 52⁄9 | 61⁄2 |
| 7 | 55⁄9 | 61⁄2 |
| 8 | 58⁄9 | 7 |
| 9 | 62⁄9 | 7 |
| 10 | 65⁄9 | 7 |
| 11 | 68⁄9 | 72⁄3 |
| 12 | 72⁄9 | 72⁄3 |
| 13 | 75⁄9 | 72⁄3 |
Women
Average sock leg lengths: 6-8 inches
| Shoe size (US) | Foot length (inch) | Estimated foot circumference (inch) |
| 4 | 81⁄3 | 81⁄3 |
| 5 | 82⁄3 | 81⁄2 |
| 6 | 9 | 82⁄3 |
| 7 | 91⁄3 | 9 |
| 8 | 92⁄3 | 9 |
| 9 | 10 | 91⁄2 |
| 10 | 101⁄3 | 92⁄3 |
| 11 | 102⁄3 | 10 |
| 12 | 11 | 101⁄3 |
Men
Average sock leg length: 7-9 inches
| Shoe size (US) | Foot length (inch) | Estimated foot circumference (inch) |
| 6 | 91⁄3 | 9 |
| 7 | 92⁄3 | 9 |
| 8 | 10 | 91⁄2 |
| 9 | 101⁄3 | 92⁄3 |
| 10 | 102⁄3 | 10 |
| 11 | 11 | 101⁄3 |
| 12 | 111⁄3 | 101⁄2 |
| 13 | 112⁄3 | 102⁄3 |
| 14 | 12 | 11 |
| 15 | 121⁄2 | 11 |
EU shoe sizes
Average sock leg length kids: 9 – 16.5 cm
Average sock leg length women: 15 – 20 cm
Average sock leg length men: 18 – 23 cm
| Shoe size (EU) | Foot length (cm) | Estimated foot circumference (cm) |
| 22 | 13.5 | 16.5 |
| 23 | 14.5 | 16.5 |
| 24 | 15 | 18 |
| 25 | 15.5 | 18 |
| 26 | 16 | 18 |
| 27 | 17 | 18 |
| 28 | 17.5 | 19.5 |
| 29 | 18 | 19.5 |
| 30 | 18.5 | 19.5 |
| 31 | 19.5 | 19.5 |
| 32 | 20 | 21 |
| 33 | 20.5 | 21 |
| 34 | 21.5 | 21 |
| 35 | 22 | 21.5 |
| 36 | 23 | 22 |
| 37 | 23.5 | 22.5 |
| 38 | 24 | 22.5 |
| 39 | 25 | 23 |
| 40 | 25.5 | 24 |
| 41 | 26 | 24.5 |
| 42 | 27 | 25 |
| 43 | 27.5 | 25 |
| 44 | 28 | 26 |
| 45 | 29 | 26.5 |
| 46 | 29.5 | 27 |
| 47 | 30 | 27.5 |
| 48 | 31 | 27.5 |
| 49 | 31.5 | 27.5 |
| 50 | 32 | 27.5 |
7 Responses
Hi there,
I found your site by accident, and just want to say a big thank you for all your free advice, time, knowledge and patterns, it is very much appreciated,
Sue.
I need to knit socks for my son, his foot measures 13 inches long, foot circumference 12 inches, ankle circumference 13 inches leg length 9inches.How many stitches should I cast on to achieve socks that will fit him?
That would depend entirely on your gauge. The only numbers that mater are your stitches the the inch and his circumference. So take your stitches to the inch and multiply it by his circumference to get your cast on.
Length is just how many rows you knit and not cast on.
Hi Marie! For me to be able to answer the question I need to also know your gauge. Here’s an article explaining how to figure out the stitch count for your sock. You can also try my no swatch sock pattern if you don’t want to make a gauge swatch. -Ida
Regards socks. Women’s small..5 and 6 shoes. Medium. 7,8 Large 9-10. Is this a pretty good guestimate?
Hi Wanda!
I’m not quite sure if I understand your question. Could you please elaborate a little? -Ida
I think she is asking if the women’s small is the same as size 5-6 in women’s shoes, if the medium would fit shoe sizes 7-8 and if the large fits size 9-10 shoes.