Objective To investigate the distribution of plantar pressures and bone stresses of the foot with high, normal and low arch shapes, and reveal the influence of arch morphology on foot biomechanical properties. Methods A total of 127 young women were recruited. The foot type was classified by collecting the morphological data of the foot with the three-dimensional (3D) foot scanner, and three types of the foot arch morphology were selected for analysis, The geometric model of foot bone was obtained by CT scanning, so as to establish the biomechanical finite element model of the foot. A load of 50% human body weight was applied to the model to simulate the state of bipedal standing. Results Comparing the calculated plantar contact area with the measured results, the relative error values were smaller than 10%, which proved the validity of the finite element model. The peak plantar pressure under three types of arch morphologies was located in the hind foot region, and the heel pressure of high- and low-arched foot was higher than that with normal-arched foot. Compared with normal-arched foot, high-arched foot showed a significant increase in stress in the hind foot area, the peak stress of soft tissue was 299.45% higher, and the peak stress of bone was 93.19% higher. For low-arched foot, the plantar contact area increased by 13.28% and calcaneal stress increased by 98.09%. The peak bone stresses of high-, normal- and low-arched foot were located at the talus, which were 9.903, 19.921 and 36.308 MPa, respectively. Conclusions This study supports the association between abnormal arch morphology, foot pain and foot diseases, and provide a basis and direction for the design of orthopedic insoles and arch support structures for abnormal feet.