If you’ve ever tried to buy shoes for a growing child, you know the frustration of navigating UK, EU, and US size labels. A toddler’s foot can jump half a size in a few months, and a brand’s chart rarely matches the next. This guide cuts through the confusion with verified conversions from major retailers and a simple measuring method that works every time.

4 related posts

Average foot growth per year (age 1-3): 0.5-1 size every 3-4 months ·
UK kids shoe size range: 0 to 13.5 (infant to youth) ·
EU kids shoe size range: 16 to 40 ·
US kids shoe size range: 1 to 7 (youth) ·
Age range for toddler sizes: 0-4 years (UK sizes 0-10)

Quick snapshot

1UK Kids Shoe Sizes
2EU Kids Shoe Sizes
  • Range: 16 to 40 (WearView conversion chart)
  • Used in most of Europe (WearView conversion chart)
  • Increment: 0.67 cm per size (WearView conversion chart)
3US Kids Shoe Sizes
4Foot Length (cm)
  • Most accurate measurement (WearView guide)
  • Measure from heel to longest toe (WearView guide)
  • Add 0.5-1 cm for growing room (WearView guide)

The table below shows key UK sizes with their corresponding foot lengths and approximate ages, giving you a quick reference for common milestones.

Key UK sizes with foot length and approximate age
UK Size Foot Length (cm) Approximate Age
0 8.3 0-3 months
3 12.0 12-18 months
8 15.0 3-4 years
12 18.0 6-7 years
13.5 20.0 9-10 years

What Are Kids Shoe Sizes?

UK kids shoe size system

Kids shoe sizes start at UK 0 for newborns and go up to UK 13.5 for older children, according to the WearView international chart. Each UK size increment adds roughly 0.5 cm to the foot length, though exact measurements vary by brand.

EU kids shoe size system

European kids sizes begin at EU 16 and rise to EU 40. The WearView conversion chart shows that EU increments are larger (about 0.67 cm per size), which is why a UK 3 equals roughly EU 36 for older children.

US kids shoe size system

US kids sizes run from 1 (toddler) to 7 (youth). The New Balance size guide starts at US 0 for infants (8 cm foot) and goes up to US 7, matching UK 13.5 at the top end.

The catch

UK and EU sizes don’t line up neatly: a UK 3 is not a “small” EU 36, but a true EU 36 — the number systems start from completely different baselines.

What Are UK Kids Shoe Sizes?

UK size chart for infants (0-12 months)

  • UK 0 – foot length 8.3 cm – newborn
  • UK 1 – foot length 9.0 cm – 3-6 months
  • UK 2 – foot length 9.8 cm – 6-9 months
  • UK 3 – foot length 12.0 cm – 12-18 months

These values are taken from the Foot Locker UK size guide, which maps foot length in cm to UK sizes for small infants.

UK size chart for toddlers (1-4 years)

  • UK 4 – foot length 13.0 cm – 18-24 months
  • UK 5 – foot length 14.0 cm – 2-3 years
  • UK 6 – foot length 14.5 cm – 3 years
  • UK 7 – foot length 15.0 cm – 3-4 years
  • UK 8 – foot length 15.6 cm – 4 years

Foot Locker UK lists toddler sizes up to UK 8, while New Balance uses similar foot lengths for its UK 7 (14.6 cm) and UK 8 (15.2 cm).

UK size chart for children (4-7 years)

  • UK 9 – foot length 16.0 cm – 4-5 years
  • UK 10 – foot length 16.8 cm – 5-6 years
  • UK 11 – foot length 17.5 cm – 6 years
  • UK 12 – foot length 18.0 cm – 6-7 years
  • UK 13 – foot length 19.0 cm – 7-8 years

Source: WearView children’s chart (ages are approximate).

UK size chart for youth (8+ years)

  • UK 13.5 – foot length 20.0 cm – 9-10 years
  • UK 1 (junior) – foot length 20.5 cm – 10-11 years (transition to adult sizes)

The Foot Locker UK big kids’ chart shows that UK 2.5 (EU 35, 21.9 cm) is the crossover to adult sizing.

Bottom line: UK kids sizes 0-13.5 cover birth to about age 10. The system is consistent across most British retailers, but foot length in cm is the only reliable way to match a child to the right size.

What Is the EU Shoe Size to UK Kids?

Five common sizes, one pattern: the EU number is roughly 32-33 points higher than the UK number for the same foot length.

UK Size EU Size Foot Length (cm) Source
2.5 35 21.9 Foot Locker UK
3 36 22.2 Foot Locker UK
4 37 23.2 Foot Locker UK
5 38 24.1 Foot Locker UK

The pattern: EU sizes are about 32-33 numbers higher than UK sizes for the same foot length, as Foot Locker UK explains. But this offset shifts at smaller sizes — for example, a UK 0 (8.3 cm) corresponds to roughly EU 16 (not 32).

How to convert EU size 27 to UK

According to the WearView conversion chart, EU 27 matches a foot length of about 16.5 cm and converts to UK 9.5 — suitable for a child aged 4-5 years.

Why EU and UK sizes are not the same

Both systems measure foot length in centimetres, but the EU scale uses a different “last length” (the mould the shoe is built on). The Foot Locker UK guide notes that this is why the numerical offset is not constant across the size range.

The trade-off

Always rely on foot length in cm rather than trying to memorise the UK‑EU offset. Brands like Nike and Clarks each calibrate their own conversion tables.

What Are Kids Shoe Sizes by Age?

Age-based size guide for infants (0-12 months)

  • Newborn (0-3 months): UK 0, foot 8.3 cm
  • 3-6 months: UK 1, foot 9.0 cm
  • 6-9 months: UK 2, foot 9.8 cm
  • 9-12 months: UK 2.5-3, foot 11.0-12.0 cm

Sources: Foot Locker UK and New Balance both provide these approximate bands.

Age-based size guide for toddlers (1-4 years)

  • 12-18 months: UK 3-4, foot 12.0-13.0 cm
  • 2 years: UK 5-6, foot 14.0-14.5 cm
  • 3 years: UK 7-8, foot 15.0-15.6 cm
  • 4 years: UK 8-9, foot 15.6-16.5 cm

These ranges come from the WearView toddler chart and New Balance.

Age-based size guide for children (4-7 years)

  • 4-5 years: UK 9-10, foot 16.0-16.8 cm
  • 5-6 years: UK 10-11, foot 16.8-17.5 cm
  • 6-7 years: UK 11-12, foot 17.5-18.0 cm

Foot Locker UK notes that growth slows after age 5, so check every 4-6 months rather than every season.

Age-based size guide for youth (8+ years)

  • 8-9 years: UK 12-13, foot 18.0-19.0 cm
  • 9-10 years: UK 13-13.5, foot 19.0-20.0 cm
  • 10-11 years: UK 1 (junior), foot 20.5 cm

Older kids often move into adult sizes around UK 3. The New Balance size guide covers up to UK 7 for big kids, roughly ages 11-12.

Bottom line: Age charts are helpful starting points, but one child’s growth can differ from another’s by two full UK sizes. Always measure the foot in cm — it’s the only metric that doesn’t lie.

How to Calculate Shoe Size for Kids?

Step 1: Measure foot length in cm

Place the child’s foot on a blank piece of paper against a wall, wearing the socks they’ll normally wear with shoes. Nike’s kids footwear guide recommends tracing the foot and measuring from the heel to the longest toe. Measure both feet and use the larger one, as New Balance emphasises.

Step 2: Use a conversion chart

Take the length in cm and match it to a conversion chart from a reputable retailer. Foot Locker UK provides a clear table that maps cm to UK, EU, and US sizes. WearView offers a similar chart with more granular half-sizes.

Step 3: Add 0.5-1 cm for growing room

WearView advises adding 1 to 1.5 cm of wiggle room for active children. Nike says to size up if between sizes. For toddlers, 0.5 cm (about a thumb’s width) is enough; for older kids who run and jump, 1 cm is safer.

What to watch

Growing room that’s too generous can cause tripping or poor foot development. A finger’s width between the longest toe and the shoe’s tip is the gold standard, as New Balance recommends.

What’s Confirmed and What’s Still Uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • UK kids shoe sizes range from 0 to 13.5 (supported by WearView and Foot Locker UK)
  • EU size 27 equals UK size 9.5 (per WearView conversion)
  • Foot length in cm is the most reliable sizing method (all major brand guides agree)
  • Children’s feet grow rapidly; check size every 2-3 months for toddlers (Nike advice)

What’s unclear

  • Exact age-to-size correlation varies by child (no universal table)
  • Brand-specific sizing may differ from standard charts — Nike and New Balance show slight variations in cm
  • Some retailers use half sizes inconsistently (especially EU vs UK half-size mapping)

Expert Perspectives on Kids’ Shoe Sizing

Measure both feet and use the longest point of the toes. If your child is between sizes, it’s best to size up.

— Nike size guide (sports footwear specialist)

Trace each foot and use the longest measurement to determine size. Children’s feet are often different sizes.

— New Balance size guide (performance footwear brand)

Place the child’s foot on paper against a wall and wear the socks normally worn with shoes. Add 1 to 1.5 cm of wiggle room for growing feet.

— WearView conversion chart (sizing resource)

Additional sources

grivetoutdoors.com, zappos.com, schuhe.net, next.co.uk

For a comprehensive breakdown of UK, EU, and centimetre conversions, refer to this detailed kids shoe size chart that also includes a toddler age guide.

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I measure my child’s feet?

For toddlers (under 4 years), every 2-3 months. For older children, every 4-6 months. Feet can grow half a size in a few months, as Foot Locker UK warns.

What is the difference between UK and EU shoe sizes?

The EU system uses a larger increment (0.67 cm per size vs 0.5 cm for UK). A UK size 3 is roughly EU 36, and a UK 5 is EU 38 (Foot Locker UK).

Can I use a UK size chart for shoes bought in Ireland?

Yes. The Republic of Ireland uses UK sizing for kids’ shoes. The same UK 0-13.5 range applies.

What does ‘youth’ size mean in kids shoes?

Youth sizes (roughly UK 12-13.5) are designed for children aged 8-10 who have outgrown standard kids’ sizes but are not yet ready for adult shoes. New Balance labels these as “big kids”.

How much growing room should I leave in kids shoes?

Toddlers: 0.5 cm (about a thumb width). Older children: 1 cm. WearView recommends 1-1.5 cm for active kids.

Are Nike kids shoe sizes the same as UK sizes?

Nike uses its own size chart that aligns closely with UK sizes but may differ by half a size. Always use Nike’s official kids footwear size guide with foot length in cm.

What is the best way to measure a toddler’s foot at home?

Use a piece of paper, a wall, and a pen. Trace the foot, measure from heel to longest toe, and repeat for the other foot. New Balance provides step-by-step instructions on their website.

For UK parents, the choice is straightforward: ignore the age labels and the brand stamps, measure the foot in centimetres, and cross-check against a verified conversion chart. Your child’s comfort — and your wallet — will thank you.