How to Crack Your Toe

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 25, 2023 References

Cracking your toes is an easy way to help relieve any toe pain that you might be feeling. Crack your toe using your finger to press down on each one, or curl your toes inwards and apply pressure using the floor. You can even easily crack your big toe by curling and flexing it back out several times. Whichever method you use, avoid pressing down too hard on your toes so you don't injure yourself.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Cracking Your Toe Using Your Fingers

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1
Raise your toes off the ground slightly. Keep your heel firmly on the ground. If it’s easier for you to reach your toes in this position sitting down, sit on the ground or in a chair. Otherwise, bend over and reach your toes with the front of your foot raised off the ground.^{[1]
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- With your heel on the ground, your toes will only be 1–2 in (2.5–5.1 cm) above the floor.
2
Place your pointer finger on the first toe. It’s best to start with a small toe because sometimes the big toe can’t be cracked this way. Use whichever hand you feel most comfortable using.^{[2]
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- While most people use their pointer finger, using a different finger is okay too.
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Press down on your toe's joint until you hear a crack. It’s important not to press so hard that you’re hurting your foot. Apply a soft pressure until you feel or hear the crack, stopping if the pressing becomes painful.^{[3]
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- If you begin pressing on your toe and it hurts, stop applying pressure.
4
Repeat this process with the other toes. Continue applying slight pressure to each toe with your pointer finger. Keep your foot slightly raised off the ground to make it easier to crack each toe.^{[4]
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- Pinky toes are very difficult to crack, so if it’s not working, just move on to another toe.
- Some people’s big toes can crack this way, while others can’t, so feel free to give it a try!
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Pull your toes straight out to crack them as an alternative method. Pull each toe straight out away from your body, using a strong, quick motion. If you feel or hear the crack, move to the next toe.^{[5]
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- If you're having trouble doing this on your own, ask a friend or family member to help you.
- If pulling your toe outwards causes pain, stop pulling on it to avoid an injury.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Curling Your Toes Inwards to Crack Them

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1
Crack your big toe by curling and flexing it. Your big toe is the easiest to crack⁠—simply bend the toe in towards your foot, and then flex it back out reaching towards the opposite direction. You may need to do this several times to hear or feel the crack.^{[6]
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- Curling and flexing your big toe quickly might make it crack easier.
2
Place your toes on top of your other foot to crack them more gently. From a standing position, curl your toes inwards and press them against your other foot, which should be flat on the ground. Press down using your curled toes, forcing them gently into your other foot so that they crack.^{[7]
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- This will crack your big toe the easiest, as this is the toe that will have the most impact with your other foot.
- Cross the foot whose toes you're cracking in front of the standing foot, as if you were in a flamingo pose.
- Avoid using too much force when trying to crack your toes this way.
3
Roll your curled toes along the ground to crack them quickly. Curl the toes on one foot inwards while you’re standing up. Place your toes on the ground so that only the upper bent portion is touching the floor. Roll your foot from one toe to the next, rocking left to right, applying pressure so that each one cracks.^{[8]
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- Rolling your curled toes against a carpet or rug will make it more comfortable.
- If rolling your toes along the floor causes any pain, uncurl your toes and stop.
4
Curl your toes in and press them into the ground to ensure a crack. Curl your toes in toward your feet and place your toes on the ground as if you were about to stand on your tiptoes. Bring your foot up and back down onto the ground with a bit of force, softly kicking the floor with your bent toes. Be careful not to push down too forcefully.^{[9]
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- Avoid putting all of your weight onto your toes or you may injure yourself.
- It’s best to do this with padding underneath your feet, such as a carpet.

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Tips

If you're cracking your toes using the floor, stand on a carpet or yoga mat for extra padding.

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Wear socks to help cushion your toes as you crack them.

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