How to determine Shoe Size
If you've ever wondered at what age a child would wear a certain size when looking at a shoe, we have created a chart for your reference. While the appropriate age group for each size varies from brand to brand and from child to child, we have determined the most common age. Kids Age (0) Babies & Toddlers. 1C 2C 3C 4C 5C 6C 7C 8C 8.5C 9C 9.5C 10C 10.5C 11C 11.5C 12C 12.5C 13C 13.5C 1Y 1.5Y 2Y 2.5Y 3Y 3.5Y 4Y 4.5Y 5Y 5.5Y 6Y 6.5Y 7Y.
It is best to have your child's foot measured in our store by one of our qualified shoe fitting specialists.- Shoes sizes/fit recommendations can vary depending on the style and manufacturer.
At Home foot measuring
1. Determine the Length
- Have your child stand on a ruler or tape measure placed up against a wall on a hard, flat floor surface.
- Have your child's full weight on the foot you are measuring.
- Check to see if your child is curling their toes, if so flatten them out.
- Measure both feet. From the back of the heel to the foot's longest toe. Many children will have one foot longer than the other.
- Tip: If you are measuring a toddler, have someone steady your child while you focus on their feet.
We find this method more accurate in determining the length of your child's foot in comparison to tracing your child's foot.
2. Width
- Width can vary depending on the shoe and the shape of your child's foot.
- Some children can have high insteps (top portion of their foot is thick), while others can have a wide width across the toe joint or 'ball' portion.
- If your child has a high instep (top part of the foot is thick) then look for a shoe that is taller in height across the instep and opens up deep for ease of putting on and extra adjustment. Usually a child with a high instep will find some shoes don't fasten over completely at the top. Tip: A shoe style labeled wide width does not necessarily fit deeper than another style in a medium width... if you need recommendations please contact us and we will be happy to help!
3. Size recommendations
We suggest to allow 3/4' room for growth for most shoes, depending on the style of the shoe and age of the child. For example, slip on style shoes, since there is no strap around the ankle to keep the heel seated in the back of the shoe, we might not recommend as much room for growth to help with reducing heel slippage.
4. Determine the size:
Option 1: Contact US
Once you have taken your child's foot measurements and you wish to order shoes on-line, please contact us and we will help you determine the right size for your child before placing your order. We will even measure the inside of the shoe and compare to your child's measurement.
Please provide your child's foot measurements of both feet and the style of footwear you wish to purchase along with any width suggestions such as flat narrow feet, wide ball or high instep.
Option 2: Size Estimate with the Brannock Measuring device
Take the longest foot measurement and compare with the Brannock device. In most cases you will choose a shoe size that is a size larger than what it states on the Brannock measuring device. For example, if your child's longest foot is 13cm, that is a size 6 on the Brannock, so we would start with a shoe size 6.5 to allow for growing room. If the shoe only comes in full sizes, your child is in between sizes or you prefer additional growing room then we would start with a size 7.
Note: not all shoes fit the same, most are true to size, but we do carry a few that are not. We do our best to add this on the bottom of each product page if we notice a shoe that fits a full size big or small.
Unsure? Give us a call and we will measure the inside of the shoe you are considering.
1y Shoe Size And Age
Shoe Size Options on our Website
1y Shoe Age
1y Shoe Size Age
We use US (North American) sizing on our website.
View the below chart to see how we group our size ranges.
1y Shoe Size Is For What Age
Note: Some Youth sizes with have '(Y)' beside the size to help clarify youth vs pre/first walker sizes.