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Short answer: measure your dog’s paw while they are standing and putting weight on it. Start with the widest part of the paw, then measure length too, because boot brands do not all size the same way. Ruffwear uses paw width, Muttluks uses paw length for its main boot chart, WagWear points customers to its own sizing tool, and QUMY lists both width and length on its QUMY-sold Amazon listing.
Getting this right matters more than it sounds. The most common boot problem owners run into is fit: too small and the boot pinches or will not go on; too large and it twists, rubs, or flies off. Five minutes with paper and a ruler gives you a number you can compare against each brand’s chart instead of guessing from a size name like small or medium.
What you’ll need
No special tools:
- A sheet of paper larger than your dog’s paw
- A pen or pencil
- A ruler or tape measure with inches and millimeters
- A small reward to help your dog stand still
Step by step: measuring your dog’s paw
Step 1 – Get your dog standing and weight-bearing. This is the step most people skip. A paw spreads out when it carries weight. If you measure while your dog is lying down or while you are holding the foot in the air, you can get a smaller number than the paw actually needs inside a boot.
Have your dog stand normally on a hard floor with the paw on a sheet of paper.
Step 2 – Mark the widest points. With the paw still on the paper, mark the two widest points on the left and right sides of the paw. You can trace the full outline if your dog tolerates it, but two careful side marks are enough for a width measurement.
Front paws are often larger than rear paws, so measure both front paws at minimum. If you plan to buy boots that are sold in pairs, measure all four.
Step 3 – Measure the width. Measure the straight-line distance between the two side marks. Write the number down in both inches and millimeters. This is the number Ruffwear asks for on its boot charts, and it is also the key number on the QUMY chart we found on the QUMY-sold Amazon listing.
Step 4 – Measure the length too. Some brands do not size mainly by width. Muttluks asks you to mark from the “heel” of the paw to the longest toenail and then match that length to its sizing chart. Measure length while your dog is still standing.
Step 5 – Check front and rear separately. If the front and rear paws are close, one size may work. If they differ by a full brand size, do not force one size to do everything. Ruffwear sells many boots in pairs, which can make mixed front/rear sizing easier. WagWear also notes that customers may need different single-boot sizes in some cases.
Brand sizing reference: do not assume brands match
Use this as a starting reference, then confirm against the exact product page before ordering. The important correction is that “between sizes” is not universal. Ruffwear says to size down between sizes on its boot chart. Muttluks FAQ says to choose the larger size for boots. WagWear wants a close fit and directs shoppers to its product-page sizing tool.
| Brand checked | What to measure | Official sizes or sizing rule found | Between-size note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ruffwear Grip Trex | Paw width, widest part while weight-bearing | 1.50 in (38 mm), 1.75 in (44 mm), 2.00 in (51 mm), 2.25 in (57 mm), 2.50 in (64 mm), 2.75 in (70 mm), 3.00 in (76 mm), 3.25 in (83 mm) | Ruffwear says size down if between sizes. |
| Muttluks Original / Woof Walkers / Hott Doggers | Paw length, heel mark to longest toenail | X Itty Bitty 0-1 in (0-2.5 cm); Itty Bitty 1-1.5 in (2.5-3.8 cm); XX Small 1.5-2.25 in (3.8-5.7 cm); X Small 2.25-2.75 in (5.7-7 cm); Small 2.75-3.25 in (7-8.2 cm); Medium 3.25-3.75 in (8.25-9.5 cm); Large 3.75-4.25 in (9.5-10.8 cm); X Large 4.25-4.75 in (10.8-12.1 cm); XX Large 4.75-5.25 in (12.1-14 cm) | Muttluks FAQ says boots between sizes should choose the larger size. |
| WagWear WagWellies | Product-page sizing tool; public guide is a visual reference | Public sizing page says the guide is a visual reference and to use “Find My Dog’s Size” on product pages for accurate sizing. Breed/weight reference includes XXXS under 5 lb through XXXL 150+ lb. | Do not convert from Ruffwear or Muttluks labels. Use WagWear’s tool for the exact boot. |
| QUMY dog shoes | Paw width and paw length | QUMY-sold Amazon listing shows Size 1 1.8 x 2.3 in through Size 8 3.0 x 3.3 in (W x L). | Use the current listing chart as product-specific; recheck before publishing affiliate links. |
Common mistakes
- Measuring a lifted paw. Always measure with weight on the paw.
- Only measuring width. Width is essential, but length matters for brands like Muttluks.
- Trusting size labels. A medium in one brand is not a medium in another.
- Using one rule for every brand. Follow the specific brand’s between-size instruction.
- Forgetting front and rear paws. Measure all four if you are buying a brand that lets you mix sizes.
In a Reddit sizing thread, owners repeatedly pointed back to the same practical method: stand the dog on paper, trace or mark the paw, then measure. One commenter also described the real-world problem this guide is trying to solve: dog shoe sizing can feel inconsistent across brands and styles. Use those comments as user experience signals, not as sizing rules.
How we researched
This article is based on brand sizing pages and publicly visible product charts, not product trials by Switchback Paws. Sources checked for this guide include Ruffwear’s Grip Trex sizing chart, the official Muttluks boot sizing chart and FAQ, WagWear’s WagWellies sizing guide and help center, and the QUMY-sold Amazon product chart. We keep source notes for this guide so brand sizing claims can be rechecked before major updates.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure my dog’s paw for boots? Have your dog stand on paper, mark the widest left and right points of the paw, and measure the distance between the marks. Also measure length from the back of the paw to the longest nail so you can use brands that size by length.
Should I measure paw width or length for dog boots? Measure both. Ruffwear’s boot chart is width-based, while Muttluks uses a length-based method for its main boot chart. Having both numbers keeps you from guessing.
What if my dog is between two boot sizes? Follow the brand’s own instruction. Ruffwear says to size down between sizes, while Muttluks says to choose the larger boot size. If the product page gives a different rule, follow that page.
Do front and rear paws need different boot sizes? Sometimes. Front paws are often larger than rear paws. Measure all four paws if the brand sells pairs or single boots that let you fit front and rear separately.
Can I measure dog paws at home without a printable chart? Yes. Paper, a pen, and a ruler are enough. A printable chart can help with some brands, but it must be printed at the correct scale.
Next steps:
- Ready to choose boots? See our guide to dog boots for hiking and hot pavement.
- Walking on hot surfaces? Read how hot is too hot for dog paws.
- Building out your kit? Start with the dog hiking gear checklist.