Kids' Shoe Size by Age and Foot Length
Children's feet grow from about 80 mm at birth to 240 mm or more by age 14, and the growth rate slows steadily: 20 mm a year until age 3, 10 to 12 mm a year from 3 to 6, and 8 to 10 mm a year after. This chart gives the average foot length by age and the shoe size that fits it in US (0C to 13.5C, then 1Y to 7Y), UK, EU and the Korean and Japanese millimetre and centimetre systems.
Foot length is far more reliable than age. Stand the child on a sheet of paper, mark heel and longest toe, and measure in millimetres. Add 10 to 12 mm for growing room, then find that number in the mm column. Feet grow in spurts, so check every two months under age 3 and every three to four months after. Children rarely complain about tight shoes, so a thumb-press at the toe is the easiest test.
Size chart
| Age | Foot (cm) | US | EU | UK | KR(mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 m | 8.3–9.1 | 1C | 16 | 0.5 | 90 |
| 3–6 m | 9.1–10.0 | 2C | 17 | 1.5 | 100 |
| 6–9 m | 10.0–10.8 | 3C | 18 | 2.5 | 110 |
| 9–12 m | 10.8–11.6 | 4C | 19 | 3.5 | 115 |
| 12–18 m | 11.6–12.5 | 5C | 20–21 | 4.5 | 125 |
| 18–24 m | 12.5–13.3 | 6C | 22 | 5.5 | 130 |
| 2 y | 13.3–14.2 | 7C | 23 | 6.5 | 140 |
| 2.5 y | 14.2–15.0 | 8C | 24–25 | 7.5 | 150 |
| 3 y | 15.0–15.9 | 9C | 26 | 8.5 | 160 |
| 4 y | 15.9–16.7 | 10C | 27 | 9.5 | 165 |
| 4.5 y | 16.7–17.5 | 11C | 28 | 10.5 | 175 |
| 5 y | 17.5–18.4 | 12C | 29–30 | 11.5 | 185 |
| 6 y | 18.4–19.2 | 13C | 31 | 12.5 | 190 |
| 7 y | 19.2–20.1 | 1Y | 32 | 13.5 | 200 |
| 8 y | 20.1–20.9 | 2Y | 33 | 1.5 | 210 |
| 9 y | 20.9–21.8 | 3Y | 34–35 | 2.5 | 215 |
| 10 y | 21.8–22.6 | 4Y | 36 | 3.5 | 225 |
| 11 y | 22.6–23.5 | 5Y | 37 | 4.5 | 235 |
| 12 y | 23.5–24.3 | 6Y | 38–39 | 5.5 | 240 |
Sizes are approximate and vary by brand
Frequently Asked Questions
What shoe size does a 1-year-old wear?▾
The average 1-year-old foot is 115 to 125 mm, which fits US 4C to 5C, UK 3.5 to 4, EU 20 to 21, Korean 120 to 130 mm or Japanese 12 to 13 cm. First walking shoes should be soft-soled and bought with 10 mm of room.
What is the average foot length of a 6-year-old?▾
About 180 to 185 mm, which is US 12C to 13C, UK 11 to 12, EU 30 to 31, Korean 190 mm or Japanese 19 cm with growing room. Range at this age is about 170 to 200 mm.
When do kids move from C sizes to Y sizes?▾
At around 200 mm foot length, typically age 7 to 8. US 13.5C is followed by 1Y (about 205 mm). UK and EU scales continue without a restart: UK 13 to UK 1, EU 32 to 33.
How often should I measure my child's feet?▾
Every 2 months under age 3, every 3 to 4 months until age 10, then twice a year. A child gaining 10 mm a year outgrows the recommended 10 mm of room in about 12 months, but growth spurts can halve that.
Related tools
- Men's Shoe Size Conversion Chart
- Women's Shoe Size Conversion Chart
- Kids' Shoe Size Conversion Chart (0-7 Years)
- Juniors' Shoe Size Conversion Chart (8-14 Years)
- Men's Clothing Size Conversion Chart
- Women's Clothing Size Conversion Chart
- Kids' Clothing Size Conversion Chart (0-7 Years)
- Juniors' Clothing Size Conversion Chart (8-14 Years)
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- Hat Size Chart and Head Circumference Converter
- Glove Size Chart and Hand Measurement Guide
- International Bra Size Conversion Chart
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- Kids' Clothing Size by Age and Height
- Height Converter: cm to Feet and Inches
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