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Sewing machine presser feet chart: shank types and which feet to add

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5/8 in seam allowance

Short answer

Most home sewing machines take low shank feet, many with a snap-on adapter. Some take high shank or slant shank feet, so check your manual or measure from the bottom of the foot to the center of the screw. Beyond the feet that come in the box, a walking foot, a 1/4 inch quilting foot, a zipper foot and a free-motion foot are the most useful additions for most sewists.

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Presser feet are the cheapest way to make a sewing machine do more, but buying the wrong one is easy. Feet are built for a specific shank type, and some machines use proprietary attachments. This chart explains shank types, the difference between snap-on and screw-on feet, and what each common foot does. It is aimed at US home sewists with Brother, Janome, Singer, Juki and similar machines. Fit varies by brand and model, so confirm compatibility with your manual or the foot maker before you buy.

Low, high and slant shank explained

The shank is the part of the machine that the presser foot or its adapter attaches to. The three common types differ in height and angle, and a foot made for one type will not sit correctly on another.

To check yours, lower the presser foot and measure from the bottom of the foot to the center of the screw that holds the shank. A measurement of about 1/2 inch generally means low shank, and about 1 inch generally means high shank. A slant shank is angled rather than vertical and is found mostly on certain older Singer models.

  • Low shank

    Approx. measurement
    About 1/2 inch
    Where you find it
    Most current home machines from Brother, Janome, Singer and others

  • High shank

    Approx. measurement
    About 1 inch
    Where you find it
    Many larger and semi-industrial machines and some older models

  • Slant shank

    Approx. measurement
    Angled shank
    Where you find it
    Certain older Singer models

  • Proprietary

    Approx. measurement
    Varies
    Where you find it
    Some premium brands use their own foot systems

Note.These are general rules. Some machines in the same brand use different shanks. Your manual is the reliable source.

Snap-on versus screw-on feet

Many low shank machines use a snap-on system: a shank adapter stays screwed to the presser bar and individual feet clip onto it with a pin. Changing feet takes seconds. Screw-on feet attach directly to the presser bar with the thumbscrew and include their own shank. Walking feet, free-motion feet and some specialty feet are usually screw-on because they need to connect to the needle bar or have their own spring.

Generic snap-on feet sold for low shank machines fit many brands, but the pin spacing and foot width can vary. Machines with a stitch width of 7 mm or 9 mm need feet with a matching opening, or the needle can strike the foot on wide stitches. Always do a slow hand-wheel test with a new foot before sewing at speed.

Common presser feet and what they do

These are the feet most sewists use regularly. Many come with a typical machine, and the rest are inexpensive additions.

  • All-purpose (zigzag)

    What it does
    Standard foot with a wide opening
    Use it for
    Straight and zigzag seams

  • Zipper foot

    What it does
    Narrow foot that rides beside the teeth
    Use it for
    Zippers, piping, cording

  • Buttonhole foot

    What it does
    Measures the button and guides the buttonhole
    Use it for
    One-step or four-step buttonholes

  • Blind hem foot

    What it does
    Guide for folded hems
    Use it for
    Nearly invisible hems on pants and skirts

  • Overcasting foot

    What it does
    Holds the fabric edge for edge-finishing stitches
    Use it for
    Finishing seams without a serger

  • Satin stitch (open toe)

    What it does
    Grooved underside, clear view
    Use it for
    Applique and decorative stitches

  • 1/4 inch quilting foot

    What it does
    Edge guide at 1/4 inch from the needle
    Use it for
    Accurate quilt piecing

  • Walking foot

    What it does
    Feeds the top layer with the feed dogs
    Use it for
    Quilting, plaids, knits, multiple layers

  • Free-motion (darning) foot

    What it does
    Hops so you can move fabric freely
    Use it for
    Free-motion quilting and thread painting

  • Teflon or roller foot

    What it does
    Slides over sticky surfaces
    Use it for
    Vinyl, faux leather, laminated cotton

  • Rolled hem foot

    What it does
    Rolls the edge as it sews
    Use it for
    Narrow hems on light fabrics

  • Invisible zipper foot

    What it does
    Uncurls coil teeth
    Use it for
    Invisible zippers
Common presser feet (availability varies by machine)

Which extra feet are worth buying

For most people, four feet give the biggest return. A walking foot fixes uneven layers on quilts and stops knits and plaids from shifting. A 1/4 inch foot makes piecing accurate. A free-motion foot opens up stippling and thread painting. A Teflon or roller foot lets a home machine handle vinyl and faux leather.

Match the foot to the projects you actually sew. Garment sewists get more from an invisible zipper foot and a rolled hem foot. Quilters get more from the walking foot and 1/4 inch foot. See our guides on using a walking foot for quilting and sewing leather on a home machine for how to use two of these in practice.

  • Quilters: walking foot, 1/4 inch foot, free-motion foot.
  • Garment sewists: invisible zipper foot, rolled hem foot, blind hem foot.
  • Bag and home decor: Teflon or roller foot, cording foot, zipper foot.
  • Everyone: a spare all-purpose foot and a clear view foot.

See machines for quilting →

Brand-specific feet and compatibility tips

Brand feet are designed for that maker's machines and are the safest fit. Generic feet can save money, but quality and fit vary. Janome machines use different foot categories depending on the model, such as low shank, high shank or specific feet for 9 mm machines, so check Janome's chart for your model before buying. Brother, Singer and Juki also publish compatibility lists for their machines.

When a foot does not fit, signs include the needle hitting the foot, the foot sitting crooked, or the foot not lowering fully onto the feed dogs. Stop and switch feet if you see any of these. If you are choosing a new machine and want plenty of accessory options, our best computerized sewing machines guide lists models with wide accessory support.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my machine is low shank? Lower the presser foot and measure from the bottom of the foot to the center of the shank screw. About 1/2 inch generally means low shank. Your manual will usually state it directly.

Do snap-on feet fit every brand? Many generic snap-on feet fit a range of low shank machines, but not all. Check the foot opening against your machine's maximum stitch width and test slowly with the hand wheel.

Is a walking foot the same as a dual feed system? They do the same job. A walking foot is an attachment, while some machines have a built-in dual feed that moves the top layer without an extra foot.

What foot do I need for quilting? A 1/4 inch foot for piecing, a walking foot for straight-line quilting, and a free-motion foot for stippling and curves cover most quilting.

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