Kids' shoe size chart and calculator
Two minutes with a ruler beats guessing by age.
Measure your child's foot from heel to longest toe while they stand, or pick their age if you can't. We'll give you their toddler, little kid or big kid size, when to check it again, and shoes in that size.
Built from the size charts of Nike kids' footwear size chart, Stride Rite sizing help and Zappos kids' shoe size chart.
By the Sizemaven team. Rules checked against their sources October 2026.
- 1Foot lengthStand your child on paper with their heel against a wall and their weight on both feet, then mark the tip of the longest toe. Measure both feet and use the longer one; a seated child gives a reading that is too short.
Kids' shoe size chart by foot length
Foot length is the longest foot each size fits, on the US children's scale that Nike, Stride Rite and Zappos charts follow. Ages are typical only; measure to be sure.
| Foot length up to | US size | Size group | Typical age (measure to be sure) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.56 in (11.6 cm) | 4C | Toddler 4 | 12 to 17 months |
| 4.89 in (12.4 cm) | 5C | Toddler 5 | 12 to 17 months, 18 to 23 months |
| 5.22 in (13.3 cm) | 6C | Toddler 6 | 2 years |
| 5.56 in (14.1 cm) | 7C | Toddler 7 | 2.5 years |
| 5.89 in (15.0 cm) | 8C | Toddler 8 | 3 years |
| 6.22 in (15.8 cm) | 9C | Toddler 9 | 3.5 years |
| 6.56 in (16.7 cm) | 10C | Toddler 10 | 4 years |
| 6.89 in (17.5 cm) | 11C | Little kid 11 | 5 years |
| 7.22 in (18.3 cm) | 12C | Little kid 12 | 6 years |
| 7.56 in (19.2 cm) | 13C | Little kid 13 | 6 years, 7 years |
| 7.89 in (20.0 cm) | 1Y | Little kid 1 | 7 years, 8 years |
| 8.22 in (20.9 cm) | 2Y | Little kid 2 | 8 years, 9 years |
| 8.56 in (21.7 cm) | 3Y | Little kid 3 | 9 years, 10 years |
| 8.89 in (22.6 cm) | 4Y | Big kid 4 | 11 years |
| 9.22 in (23.4 cm) | 5Y | Big kid 5 | 12 to 13 years |
| 9.56 in (24.3 cm) | 6Y | Big kid 6 | 13 and up |
| 9.89 in (25.1 cm) | 7Y | Big kid 7 | 13 and up |
Toddler shoe size chart by age
Most toddlers wear sizes 4C to 10C between their first birthday and age 4. The table gives the typical size at each age, the usual range around it, and the foot length the typical size fits.
Age is a rough guide only: children of the same age can be two sizes apart, so measure your child's foot when you can. For babies under a year, see the baby shoe size chart.
| Age | Typical size | Usual range | Typical size fits a foot up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 17 months | 4.5C | 4C to 5C | 4.72 in (12.0 cm) |
| 18 to 23 months | 5C | 4.5C to 6C | 4.89 in (12.4 cm) |
| 2 years | 6C | 5.5C to 7C | 5.22 in (13.3 cm) |
| 2.5 years | 7C | 6.5C to 8C | 5.56 in (14.1 cm) |
| 3 years | 8C | 7C to 9C | 5.89 in (15.0 cm) |
| 3.5 years | 9C | 8.5C to 10C | 6.22 in (15.8 cm) |
| 4 years | 10C | 9C to 10.5C | 6.56 in (16.7 cm) |
How to convert kids' shoe sizes to women's
Big kid (Y) sizes are labeled as the men's size with the same number: Nike's chart lists a 7Y as a men's 7. To get the women's size, add 1 to the Y size on the US standard scale, which this calculator uses, or add 1.5 to match Nike's chart. A 7Y is a women's 8 on the standard scale and a women's 8.5 at Nike.
C sizes have no women's equivalent on most charts; Nike's chart starts women's sizes at 1Y, which it lists as a women's 2.5. If a foot is longer than a 7Y, the shoe size calculator covers adult sizes.
| Big kid size | Women's (standard scale) | Women's (Nike) | Fits a foot up to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5Y | 4.5 | 5 | 8.72 in (22.2 cm) |
| 4Y | 5 | 5.5 | 8.89 in (22.6 cm) |
| 4.5Y | 5.5 | 6 | 9.06 in (23.0 cm) |
| 5Y | 6 | 6.5 | 9.22 in (23.4 cm) |
| 5.5Y | 6.5 | 7 | 9.39 in (23.9 cm) |
| 6Y | 7 | 7.5 | 9.56 in (24.3 cm) |
| 6.5Y | 7.5 | 8 | 9.72 in (24.7 cm) |
| 7Y | 8 | 8.5 | 9.89 in (25.1 cm) |
Big kids' shoe sizes: what Y sizes mean
Y (youth) sizes come after the largest C size. When a child outgrows 13.5C, the numbers start again at 1Y and run up to 7Y, which fits a foot up to 9.89 inches. This calculator calls 1Y to 3Y little kid sizes and 3.5Y to 7Y big kid sizes, as Zappos does, while Nike labels all of 1Y to 7Y big kids. Go by the number and letter on the box, not the group name.
By the age table above, children typically reach Y sizes at about 8 years and big kid 3.5Y or larger at about 11 years. Age is a rough guide, so measure. Always check the letter: a 7C fits a foot up to 5.56 inches, and a 7Y fits a foot up to 9.89 inches.
| Size | Group | Fits a foot up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y | Little kid | 7.89 in (20.0 cm) |
| 2Y | Little kid | 8.22 in (20.9 cm) |
| 3Y | Little kid | 8.56 in (21.7 cm) |
| 4Y | Big kid | 8.89 in (22.6 cm) |
| 5Y | Big kid | 9.22 in (23.4 cm) |
| 6Y | Big kid | 9.56 in (24.3 cm) |
| 7Y | Big kid | 9.89 in (25.1 cm) |
Kids' shoe size guides
Questions about kids' shoes
Should I buy a size up so they can grow into it?
No. Kids' shoe sizes already include about a thumb's width (10 to 15 mm) of room in front of the toes, which is what podiatrists recommend. If the foot falls between two sizes, choose the larger one. Shoes that are much too big can make a child trip.
How often should I check my child's shoe size?
Babies' feet grow about half a size every 2 months, toddlers' feet about every 3 months, and feet of children over 3 about every 4 to 6 months. Check the fit at least that often, and whenever your child complains about their shoes.
What do toddler, little kid and big kid sizes mean?
Toddler sizes run from 4 to 10, little kid sizes from 10.5 to 3, and big kid sizes from 3.5 to 7. The numbers start over at 1 after 13.5, so boxes add a letter: C for toddler and little kid sizes up to 13.5, and Y for 1 and up. A toddler 7 (7C) fits a foot about 5.5 inches long, and a big kid 7 (7Y) fits a foot about 9.9 inches long.
What size is a big kid 7 in women's?
A big kid 7 (7Y) is the same as a men's 7, which is about a women's 8. Nike lists it as a women's 8.5.
How do I measure my child's foot?
Have your child stand on a sheet of paper with their heel against a wall. Mark the tip of the longest toe, measure from the wall to the mark, and do both feet. Use the longer foot.
How we size kids' shoes
The rule comes from the charts below, checked October 2026. Brands differ, so check the size chart on the product page before you buy. Read our method