Kids Shoe Sizes – Charts and Fit Guide

A big challenge for many parents is figuring out what kid’s shoe sizes they should be buying as you’re working with toddler shoe sizes, big kid shoe sizes, and at some point, your kids will graduate into adult-sized shoes.

If you’re in a shoe store, then you can get a good visual idea of which shoes may fit and then try them on. However, many parents are buying shoes online now for the more extensive selections and often better prices.

Detailed below is a complete guide on kid’s shoe sizes, including easy-to-follow charts and fit guides so that you can get the right shoes for your kid and not waste time returning ill-fitting kids’ shoes.

Kids Shoe Size Charts

Kids’ shoes come in two main categories, toddler shoe sizes and big kids’ shoe sizes. The two shoe size categories have somewhat standard sizing between different brands, though often it’s a good idea to double-check specific brands sizing charts if it’s the first time buying from them.

Some brands will use different terminology when referring to kids’ shoes, so it’s helpful to know what they generally mean in relation to the more common terms.

• Toddler Sizes (0 – 13): Toddler, tots, little kids, baby, and walker.
• Kid Sizes (1 – 7): Kids, big kids, and youth.

Toddlers’ And Little Kids’ Shoe Size Chart

Toddler or little kid sizes range from 0 – 13 in the US; typically, the size is appended with a T for smaller toddler sizes or Kids for little kids sizes.

Generally, shoes in these sizes will be suitable for babies and toddlers (sizes 0 – 7) up until your kid reaches 4 or 5 years old (sizes 8 – 13).

Big Kids’ Shoe Size Chart

Big kids’ shoe sizes range from 1 – 7 in most brands which causes a lot of confusion for online shopping as you have two types of kids’ shoes that are marked with sizes 1 – 7, just look out for the “T” or “Kids” label on the shoe size to determine which is which.

When your kid transitions from little kids’ shoes which max out at a size 13 Kids, the next size up is a size 1 Kids, which adds even more to the confusion you may be facing when checking kids’ shoe sizes online.

Adult Shoe Sizes For Kids

As your kid grows and gets older they’re going to grow out of the big kids’ sizes, this can typically happen at around 10 – 11 years old, and kids will need to transition to standard adult-sized shoes.

Adult shoe sizes are broken into men’s and women’s sizes; there is generally a 1.5 size difference between men’s and women’s sizes, so depending on the sex of your kid, the size after a 7 Kids can be different.

Boys who need to get the next size up from a 7 Kids can transition straight into an adult men’s size 8 for most brands.

For girls that need to get the next size up from a 7 Kids, they’ll need to look at a size 9.5 in adult women’s shoes.

How Do You Measure Kids’ Feet To Find The Right Shoe Size?

Kids are constantly growing, and you’ll need to buy new shoes much more often until they get older, so it’s important to get the right size shoe to keep them comfortable. Being able to measure and pick the correct sizing will be helpful while shopping, especially online.

You’ll find many brands in kids and adult shoes have half sizes if the fit is not ideal, but in most cases, you’ll want to measure your child’s foot and then have an additional ½ inch of room at the front of the shoe to ensure comfort and some growth before you have to replace the shoe.

If you’re in a store or want to check how well current shoes are fitting, pull the insoles out and have your kid stand on them. You’ll get a good idea of how close to the end they are or if the brand you’ve gotten is too narrow.

How wide shoes are is often up to each brand, so some will be narrow and some wider. You’ll even find some brands that come in varying-width shoes, which can also be very helpful.

How Often Should You Go Up In Kids’ Shoe Size?

Kids won’t always tell you if the shoes are uncomfortable or getting too small until it’s become too late, and this can often be a problem for their growing bones and joints, especially when they’re in athletic running shoes, or playing sports or going hiking.

Toddlers between the ages of two and six could have their feet growing as much as ½ an inch every 2 – 4 months.

After about 4 years old, your kids’ feet will slow down, but you should be measuring their feet every six months and potentially replacing that often as well.