This chart covers US, UK, EU, and Japan kids shoe sizes from birth through age 10, with approximate foot lengths in centimeters and inches. Size-to-age mappings are approximate — children's feet grow at different rates, and two children the same age can differ by two or three shoe sizes. The age ranges below reflect median growth data from three major shoe manufacturer size guides (Stride Rite, Nike, Clarks UK). Always measure the child's foot rather than relying on age alone.
Sizing varies by brand. These tables reflect consensus values across multiple sources; a specific pair of shoes may run a half-size larger or smaller than shown.
Infant and toddler sizes (birth – 24 months)
| Approx. age | US size | UK size | EU size | Japan (cm) | Foot length (cm) | Foot length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 1C | 0.5 | 16 | 9 | 9.0 | 3.5" |
| 3–6 months | 2C | 1 | 17 | 10 | 10.0 | 3.9" |
| 6–9 months | 3C | 2 | 18 | 11 | 10.5 | 4.1" |
| 9–12 months | 4C | 3 | 19–20 | 12 | 11.5 | 4.5" |
| 12–18 months | 5C | 4 | 21 | 13 | 12.7 | 5.0" |
| 18–24 months | 6C | 5 | 22 | 14 | 14.0 | 5.5" |
Kids sizes (2–10 years)
"C" denotes Little Kids sizing (roughly ages 2–7); "Y" (Youth) denotes Big Kids sizing (roughly ages 6–12). There is overlap between size 6–7Y, when some children transition to adult sizing.
| Approx. age | US size | UK size | EU size | Japan (cm) | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 years | 7C | 6 | 23 | 14–15 | 14.6 |
| 2–3 years | 8C | 7 | 24–25 | 15 | 15.6 |
| 3–4 years | 9C | 8 | 26 | 16 | 16.5 |
| 3–4 years | 10C | 9 | 27 | 17 | 17.1 |
| 4–5 years | 11C | 10 | 28–29 | 17–18 | 17.8 |
| 5 years | 12C | 11 | 30 | 18 | 18.4 |
| 5–6 years | 13C | 12 | 31 | 20 | 19.7 |
| 6–7 years | 1Y | 13 | 32–33 | 21 | 21.0 |
| 7–8 years | 2Y | 1 | 33–34 | 21–22 | 21.6 |
| 8–9 years | 3Y | 2 | 35 | 22 | 22.2 |
| 9–10 years | 4Y | 3 | 36 | 23 | 23.0 |
| 10+ years | 5Y | 4 | 37 | 24 | 23.5 |
How to measure a child's foot at home
Measuring the foot directly is more reliable than using age as a guide.
- Place a blank piece of paper on a hard floor against a wall.
- Have the child stand with their heel touching the wall and their full weight on the foot.
- Mark the tip of the longest toe with a pencil.
- Measure from the wall to the mark in centimeters.
- Compare the measurement to the foot length column in the chart above.
- Add 0.5–1.0 cm for growing room when selecting a size.
Measure both feet — the larger foot determines the size. Measure later in the day, when feet are slightly larger from activity.
Practical notes
Age ranges are averages, not guarantees. The age columns above represent typical ranges from three manufacturer size guides. A child at the 90th percentile for height will likely be in a larger shoe size than these ranges suggest.
US "C" vs. "Y" sizing. US children's shoes use two numbering systems that reset: Little Kids (1C–13C) and Big Kids (1Y–7Y). A US 13C and US 1Y are not the same size — 13C is smaller and fits approximately a 5–6 year old, while 1Y fits approximately a 6–7 year old.
EU sizing runs consistently. EU sizes follow the Paris Point system (⅔ cm increments) and do not reset between infant and adult sizing. EU 16 (infant) through EU 46 (adult) is one continuous scale, which makes EU→foot length conversions more straightforward than US conversions.
Japan sizing in centimeters. Japanese shoe sizing is foot length in centimeters, rounded to the nearest centimeter. A Japan 14 means the shoe is designed for a 14 cm foot.
Brand variation. Size guides from Stride Rite, Nike, and Clarks UK were cross-referenced to produce these tables. Differences of half a size between brands are common, particularly in the 8C–12C range. When ordering online without trying on, check the specific brand's size guide.