What does the C or Y after the size mean?

C = children's (little kid), Y = youth (big kid or grade school). The C scale goes up to 13.5C, then Y restarts at 1Y.

How do I check fit without pressing the toe?

Remove the insole and have your child stand on it — if their toes hang off the edge or are less than a finger's width from the front, size up.

Kids & Baby Sizes

Children's Shoe Size Guide

2 min read · Updated July 1, 2026

Kids' feet grow up to 15 mm a year in the early years — faster than any sizing chart can keep up with. The trick isn't picking the perfect size, it's measuring often enough to catch the change.

Three sizing ranges

US kids' shoe sizing splits into three overlapping bands: infant (0–4C), little kid or preschool (4–13.5C), and big kid or grade school (1Y–7Y). At size 7Y the numbers restart at the adult scale — a big-kid 7Y and an adult men's 7 are the same shoe.

Age (typical)	US Kids	EU	Foot length (cm)
0-3 months	0-1C	16	8-9
6-9 months	2-3C	18	10-11
12-18 months	4-5C	20	12-13
2-3 years	6-8C	23	14-15
4-5 years	9-11C	27	17-18
6-7 years	12C-13C	31	19-20
8-9 years	1Y-2Y	33	21-22
10-11 years	3Y-4Y	35	22-23
12+ years	5Y-7Y	38	24-25

How much room to leave

Leave 12–15 mm of space between the longest toe and the front of the shoe when the child is standing. That's roughly a thumb's width. Less than 10 mm and you'll be buying again in a month; more than 20 mm and the shoe will pinch the arch when they run.

How often to measure

Ages 0–2: every 6–8 weeks.
Ages 2–5: every 3 months.
Ages 5–12: every 4 months.
Ages 12+: every 6 months, or when they say something's tight.

The width question

Kids' feet are proportionally wider than adults' feet. Most children fit a 'medium' or 'wide' before adolescence. If a shoe fits in length but leaves red marks across the top of the foot after an hour of wear, size up in width, not length.

Second-hand shoes

For infants and toddlers who haven't started walking hard, hand-me-downs are fine. Once a child walks regularly, avoid used shoes — the sole and insole have molded to the previous wearer's gait, and re-adapting is harder on developing feet than starting fresh.

Calculator

Open the kids size chart

Cross-reference age, foot length, and shoe size.

Frequently asked questions

What does the C or Y after the size mean?: C = children's (little kid), Y = youth (big kid or grade school). The C scale goes up to 13.5C, then Y restarts at 1Y.
How do I check fit without pressing the toe?: Remove the insole and have your child stand on it — if their toes hang off the edge or are less than a finger's width from the front, size up.

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Reviewed by the SizeAtlas editorial team · Last updated July 1, 2026