Kids Shoe Size Guide
Find the perfect fit with our complete shoe size charts, measuring tips, and expert guidance on when to size up.
Try Our Shoe Size CalculatorKids Shoe Essentials
How to Measure Your Child's Feet
The key to finding the right shoe size is accurate measurement. Feet can vary between left and right, so always measure both.
Step-by-Step Measuring Guide
- 1
Have your child stand on paper
Place a piece of paper against a wall. Have them stand with their heel against the wall. They should be standing, not sitting - feet are bigger when bearing weight.
- 2
Mark the longest toe
Draw a line at the tip of their longest toe. For some kids, this is the big toe; for others, it's the second toe.
- 3
Measure the length
Use a ruler to measure from the wall to the mark. This is their foot length. Measure both feet and use the longer measurement.
- 4
Add growing room
Add about 0.5 inches (1.25 cm) to the measurement for growing room and toe wiggle space. Then match to the size chart.
Best Time to Measure
Measure feet at the end of the day when they're slightly larger from activity. Have your child wear the type of socks they'll wear with the shoes.
Baby Shoe Sizes (0-12 Months)
Babies don't need shoes until they're walking outdoors. Before then, bare feet or socks are best for foot development.
| US | EU | UK | Length | CM | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 15 | 0 | 3.25" | 8.3 | 0-6 weeks |
| 1 | 16 | 0.5 | 3.5" | 8.9 | 6 weeks-3 months |
| 2 | 17 | 1 | 3.75" | 9.5 | 3-6 months |
| 3 | 18 | 2 | 4.125" | 10.5 | 6-9 months |
| 4 | 19 | 3 | 4.5" | 11.4 | 9-12 months |
| 5 | 20 | 4 | 4.75" | 12.1 | 12-18 months |
First Shoes: What to Look For
- • Flexible, soft soles that bend easily
- • Lightweight materials
- • Wide toe box for natural toe spread
- • Easy on/off (velcro or slip-on)
- • Breathable materials
Toddler Shoe Sizes (1-3 Years)
Toddler feet grow fast - about half a size every 3-4 months. Check fit regularly and watch for signs shoes are too small.
| US | EU | UK | Length | CM | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 | 21 | 4.5 | 5" | 12.7 | 15-18 months |
| 6 | 22 | 5 | 5.125" | 13 | 18-21 months |
| 7 | 23 | 6 | 5.5" | 14 | 21-24 months |
| 8 | 24 | 7 | 5.75" | 14.6 | 2 years |
| 9 | 25 | 8 | 6.125" | 15.6 | 2.5 years |
| 10 | 27 | 9 | 6.5" | 16.5 | 3 years |
Kids Shoe Sizes (4-12 Years)
After size 10, kids move into "youth" sizes (marked with Y). Growth slows but still check every 4-6 months.
| US | EU | UK | Length | CM | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5 | 27 | 9.5 | 6.625" | 16.8 | 3-4 years |
| 11 | 28 | 10 | 6.875" | 17.5 | 4-4.5 years |
| 12 | 30 | 11 | 7.125" | 18.1 | 4.5-5 years |
| 13 | 31 | 12 | 7.5" | 19.1 | 5-6 years |
| 1Y | 32 | 13 | 7.75" | 19.7 | 6-7 years |
| 2Y | 33 | 1 | 8.125" | 20.6 | 7-8 years |
| 3Y | 34 | 2 | 8.5" | 21.6 | 8-9 years |
| 4Y | 36 | 3 | 8.75" | 22.2 | 9-10 years |
| 5Y | 37 | 4 | 9.125" | 23.2 | 10-11 years |
| 6Y | 38 | 5 | 9.5" | 24.1 | 11-12 years |
Youth to Adult Transition
Youth size 7Y is roughly equivalent to women's size 8.5 and men's size 7. Around ages 10-12, kids often transition to adult sizing. Add 1.5 to youth sizes to get women's sizes; youth and men's sizes are the same.
Understanding Shoe Width
Width matters as much as length for comfortable shoes. Here's how to know if your child needs narrow, regular, or wide shoes.
Narrow (B)
Slim feet. Look for brands like Stride Rite narrow or European brands.
Medium (D)
Standard width. Most shoes are made in medium width.
Wide (E/W)
Broader feet. Brands like New Balance, KEEN offer wide options.
Extra Wide (EE/XW)
Very wide feet. Limited options - check specialty stores.
Signs Your Child Needs Wide Shoes
- Feet hang over the edges of sandals
- Toe box always looks stretched or bulging
- Complaints of pinching on sides
- Red marks on sides of feet after wearing shoes
- Difficulty finding shoes that fit comfortably
- Wide foot runs in the family
When to Check Shoe Size
Babies (0-1)
Every 2 months
Feet grow rapidly - up to half a size every 2 months
Toddlers (1-3)
Every 3-4 months
Growth slows slightly but still need frequent checks
Kids (4-12)
Every 4-6 months
Growth continues but at a steadier pace
Frequently Asked Questions
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