Little kid size chart
Each size fits feet longer than the size before it, up to its own length. Between two sizes, take the bigger one.
| US | Foot length up to | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.5C | 17.1 cm · 6.75 in | 10–10.5 | 27.5–28 |
| 11C | 17.6 cm · 6.92 in | 10.5–11 | 28–28.5 |
| 11.5C | 18.0 cm · 7.08 in | 11–11.5 | 28.5–29 |
| 12C | 18.4 cm · 7.25 in | 11.5–12 | 29–30 |
| 12.5C | 18.8 cm · 7.42 in | 12–12.5 | 30–30.5 |
| 13C | 19.3 cm · 7.58 in | 12.5–13 | 30.5–31 |
| 13.5C | 19.7 cm · 7.75 in | 13–13.5 | 31–32 |
| 1Y | 19.5 cm · 7.67 in | 12.5–13 | 31–31.5 |
| 1.5Y | 19.9 cm · 7.83 in | 13.5 | 32 |
| 2Y | 20.3 cm · 8.00 in | 1 | 32–32.5 |
| 2.5Y | 20.7 cm · 8.17 in | 1.5 | 32.5–33.5 |
| 3Y | 21.2 cm · 8.33 in | 2 | 33.5–34 |
1Y: by the standard formulas this fits a slightly shorter foot than the size before it, because the C and Y scales overlap where they meet. Brands’ own charts put it after, as here.
UK and EU sizes step differently, so a US size can cover two of them (“7–7.5”). After 3Y comes 3.5Y, the first big kid size.
Ages
The typical child’s foot is in little kid sizes from 5 to 9 years. Each child is different: at every age, feet differ by several sizes.
| Age | Typical foot | US | Nine in ten (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 years | 17.0 cm | 10.5C | 9C–12C |
| 6 years | 17.8 cm | 11.5C | 9.5C–1.5Y |
| 7 years | 18.8 cm | 12.5C | 10.5C–3Y |
| 8 years | 19.7 cm | 1.5Y | 11.5C–3.5Y |
| 9 years | 20.6 cm | 2.5Y | 13C–5.5Y |
All ages, with UK and EU sizes and a chart: kids’ shoe size by age.
Brands’ own charts
These brands publish a little kid chart. Each labels sizes its own way (some add C, K or T; some print only the number), and brands draw their bands differently: some start or end several sizes away from the sizes above. Check the brand’s chart with your child’s foot length.
How long a size lasts
A typical foot grows about 9 mm a year from 4 to 9. A half size is 4.2 mm, so a half size lasts about 6 months from 4 to 9 for the median child; yours may grow faster or slower. How much room a shoe needs, and how often to measure.
Find their size
Measure with a photo: they stand on a sheet of paper against a wall while you hold their heel. Or print the foot ruler. Then type the length:
Questions
What are little kid sizes?
US 10.5C to 3Y, for feet up to 21.2 cm (8.33 in). In UK sizes that’s 10–2, in EU sizes 27.5–34.
What size comes after 3Y?
3.5Y, the first big kid size, for feet up to 21.6 cm.
What does the letter after a kids’ size mean?
US children’s sizes are labelled C (or K) up to 13.5C, then Y (youth) from 1Y. The numbers start again at 1 when Y begins, so 1Y is bigger than 13.5C.