Kinks and fetishes are a normal part of human sexuality, and being curious or turned on by something doesn’t mean anything is “wrong" as long as it’s consensual!
I’m sharing some science and studies that explore why psychologists and scientists think feet can be erotic - not to pathologise, but just to understand the theories we have so far!
So whether it’s a fleeting curiosity or a full-on kink, feet fascinate plenty of us, and that’s totally normal. No shame here.
A Foot in the Door: The Stats
According to research by Justin Lehmiller, about 1 in 7 people (14%) have had a sexual fantasy where feet or toes played a role. That doesn’t mean they have a foot fetish, just that they’ve found the idea arousing at least once.
🦶 Heterosexual women: 5%
🦶 Heterosexual men: 18%
🦶 Lesbian & bisexual women: 11%
🦶 Gay & bisexual men: 21%
Head Over Heels (Literally)
One of the most popular explanations is to do with our somatosensory cortex (the part that maps touch sensations from different body parts), the “foot zone” and the “genital zone” sit right next to each other.
Some scientists think that this closeness might mean the signals sometimes “spill over,” so touching feet could light up areas linked with sexual arousal.
Brain scans back this up: one study found that the big toe sparks stronger brain activity than the other toes. Another showed that stimulating the big toe actually made people’s genitals more sensitive too, suggesting there’s a bit of sensory overlap happening.
This doesn’t mean feet are hard-wired as a universal turn-on, but it does hint that our brain’s layout makes it easier for some people to find them erotic.
First Steps Into Desire
Psychologists note that sexual attraction isn’t just biology — it’s also shaped by learning and early experiences. If someone’s first sparks of arousal happen around feet (or even shoes and socks), the brain can link those sensations together, making them erotic later on.
Feet also carry symbolic weight. They can be seen as taboo, dirty (in both literal and cheeky ways), vulnerable, or even powerful (dominance vs. submission). These layers of meaning can intensify erotic interest.
Sole Searching
Cultural perceptions of feet can also contribute to the development of a foot fetish. In many cultures, feet are considered private or even taboo, which can make them more alluring. The rise of social media and platforms like TikTok has also brought foot-related content into the spotlight, making it more accessible and normalizing these interests.
One study even found that ideals of “desirable feet” circulate heavily on Chinese TikTok (Douyin), encouraging people to self-objectify and reinforcing foot-fetish culture in certain spaces.
Respecting Boundaries and Consent
It’s important to remember: having a foot fetish is only a problem if it’s non-consensual or creepy like any other fetish or interest. Exploring kinks is totally fine as long as all parties are consenting adults, boundaries are respected, and communication is clear.
References
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Lehmiller, J. (2018) Tell Me What You Want: The Science of Sexual Desire and How It Can Help You Improve Your Intimate Life. Da Capo Lifelong Books.
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Wikipedia (2025) Foot fetishism. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foot_fetishism (Accessed: 25 September 2025).
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Health.com (2025) What is a foot fetish? Available at: https://www.health.com/condition/sexual-health/foot-fetish (Accessed: 25 September 2025).
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ResearchGate (2024) Body image and self-objectification in a Confucian cultural context: self-representation and consumption of desirable feet on Douyin. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380618070_Body_image_and_Self-Objectification_in_a_Confucian_Cultural_Context_Self-Representation_and_Consumption_of_Desirable_Feet_on_Douyin_TikTok_in_China (Accessed: 25 September 2025).
