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FOOTnotes · Foot Guide

The 10 Most Common Foot Types

Read your toes like a map: how to spot each shape, the shoes that suit it, and the folklore foot readers have attached to it for centuries.

Your foot type comes down to one thing: the line your toe tips make. Which toe reaches the farthest, and how do the others step down from it? A big toe that leads a smooth slope is one type. A long second toe is another. Toes that line up almost flat are rarer still.

The easiest way to check is to stand barefoot on a sheet of paper and trace around your toes. Then compare the line the tips make with the dashed gold lines in the chart below. Most people match one type closely, and some sit between two.

The Chart

Find your foot type

The dashed line follows the toe tips. Tap a foot to jump to its full description.

Illustration of a woman's Egyptian foot from above, toenails painted blue: big toe longest, even slope

Egyptian

Big toe longest, even slope

Illustration of a woman's Greek foot from above, toenails painted blue: second toe longest

Greek

Second toe longest

Illustration of a woman's Roman foot from above, toenails painted blue: first three toes level

Roman

First three toes level

Illustration of a woman's Peasant foot from above, toenails painted blue: all five toes level

Peasant

All five toes level

Illustration of a woman's Germanic foot from above, toenails painted blue: big toe long, the rest level

Germanic

Big toe long, the rest level

Illustration of a woman's Celtic foot from above, toenails painted blue: long 2nd toe, staircase steps

Celtic

Long 2nd toe, staircase steps

Illustration of a woman's Asian foot from above, toenails painted blue: toes curve in a soft arc

Asian

Toes curve in a soft arc

Illustration of a woman's Mongolian foot from above, toenails painted blue: egyptian slope, square big toe

Mongolian

Egyptian slope, square big toe

Illustration of a woman's Norwegian foot from above, toenails painted blue: slope with a drop after the 3rd toe

Norwegian

Slope with a drop after the 3rd toe

Illustration of a woman's Stretched foot from above, toenails painted blue: wide gap after the big toe

Stretched

Wide gap after the big toe

The Ten Types

Every shape, explained

Illustration of a woman's Egyptian foot from above, toenails painted blue: big toe longest, even slope

01

Egyptian

Most common · about 70% of people

How to spot it

The big toe leads and every toe after it is a little shorter than the one before, so the tips form a clean diagonal from big toe to pinky.

Best shoes

Lucky you: most shoes are cut for this shape. Pointed and almond toes follow your slope naturally, and even square toes fit with only a small gap at the outside.

Foot-reading folklore

Foot readers call Egyptian feet the mark of a free spirit who steers her own course, yet works beautifully as part of a team.

Illustration of a woman's Greek foot from above, toenails painted blue: second toe longest

02

Greek

Second most common

How to spot it

The second toe reaches past the big toe, and the rest step down from there. It's also called Morton's toe, and it's the shape on many classical statues.

Best shoes

A pointed toe can press on that long second toe. Look for round or almond toes, or go half a size up in narrow styles.

Foot-reading folklore

Said to belong to dreamers and creative minds: expressive, motivating and fond of their own space.

Illustration of a woman's Roman foot from above, toenails painted blue: first three toes level

03

Roman

Square-ish forefoot

How to spot it

The big toe, second and third toe end at about the same line, then the fourth and pinky drop away. The front of the foot looks broad and boxy.

Best shoes

Choose a wide or roomy toe box. Round and square toes are your friends; sharply pointed pumps will pinch.

Foot-reading folklore

The social butterfly of the chart: outgoing, fearless and ambitious, happiest with people around her.

Illustration of a woman's Peasant foot from above, toenails painted blue: all five toes level

04

Peasant

also called square or Giselle

Rarest type

How to spot it

All five toes end at almost the same line, so the toe tips look flat and square. Dancers prize it, because level toes spread weight evenly for balance.

Best shoes

Look for square or wide round toes and good arch support, since a flat toe line puts extra work on your arch.

Foot-reading folklore

Linked with wise, steady, practical people who attract a big, loyal circle of friends.

Illustration of a woman's Germanic foot from above, toenails painted blue: big toe long, the rest level

05

Germanic

Strong big toe

How to spot it

A long, strong big toe stands out on its own, while the other four toes end at about the same line (the pinky may sit a touch lower).

Best shoes

Most styles work, depending on your arch. If the big toe gets sore, move to a wider toe box with firmer support.

Foot-reading folklore

Tied to a confident, determined and quietly self-reliant nature: someone who solves things herself.

Illustration of a woman's Celtic foot from above, toenails painted blue: long 2nd toe, staircase steps

06

Celtic

Staircase shape

How to spot it

Like the Greek foot, the second toe is longest. But the big toe and third toe match each other, and so do the fourth and pinky, so the tips step down like stairs.

Best shoes

This shape fights fashion shoes the most. Prioritize cushioning, a wide toe box and soft uppers over a narrow point.

Foot-reading folklore

The fun-lover: ambitious and responsible, but always ready to kick off her heels and enjoy herself.

Illustration of a woman's Asian foot from above, toenails painted blue: toes curve in a soft arc

07

Asian

also called the round foot

Rounded shape

How to spot it

The toe tips follow a smooth, rounded curve rather than a straight slope. The big toe may still be longest, but the line is rounded, not angled.

Best shoes

An easy fit. Round and almond toes match your shape; almost anything comfortable is fair game.

Foot-reading folklore

Read as dependable and honest, with a surprise party side: two personalities in one.

Illustration of a woman's Mongolian foot from above, toenails painted blue: egyptian slope, square big toe

08

Mongolian

Boxy big toe

How to spot it

The toes slope down just like an Egyptian foot. The difference is the big toe itself, which is broad and square at the tip instead of round.

Best shoes

Like the Egyptian foot, you can wear most styles. Give the big toe a little height in the toe box.

Foot-reading folklore

The influencer: when she speaks, people listen. Foot readers only warn her not to let it go to her head.

Illustration of a woman's Norwegian foot from above, toenails painted blue: slope with a drop after the 3rd toe

09

Norwegian

Stepped slope

How to spot it

The toes ladder down from the big toe, but instead of a smooth line there is a clear drop between the third toe and the last two.

Best shoes

Most shoes fit. If you feel burning or numbness between the toes, see a podiatrist: this shape is prone to Morton's neuroma, and inserts can help.

Foot-reading folklore

The problem-solver everyone calls first, who somehow makes life look effortless.

Illustration of a woman's Stretched foot from above, toenails painted blue: wide gap after the big toe

10

Stretched

Sandal gap

How to spot it

A wide space, often called a sandal gap, separates the big toe from the second toe. It can appear alongside any other type, Greek or Celtic included.

Best shoes

Sandals and thongs feel natural. In closed shoes, choose a generous toe box so the toes can sit apart.

Foot-reading folklore

Analytical, decisive and cool under pressure, with a pull toward the outdoors and new experiences.

Folklore, not a diagnosis

Foot reading (podomancy) is a tradition, not a science, so enjoy the personality notes for fun. For comfort, your arch height and foot width matter as much as your toe shape. If a shoe hurts, a podiatrist can tell you why.

Shopping abroad?

Once you know your shape, get your size right too. Our converter turns US women's sizes into EU, UK, Japanese, Korean and more, and back again.

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