Kids Shoe Sizes by Age – How to Get the Right Shoe Size for your Child!
Is it smart to retrieve kids’ shoe sizes by age? Choosing your child’s shoe size based on your child’s age is one of the most common mistakes that I see parents make. The issue is that children’s shoe sizes vary even for the same age group.
For instance, the estimated shoe size for a 3-year-old is a size 9. The issue is that every child grows at a different pace, and while most 3-year-old children need a shoe size 9, some others might need a shoe size 10.
There are also other factors that you should take into consideration before buying your child’s shoes, such as whether your child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet, or if your child has a high instep.
Based on my experience in fitting children’s shoes for these many years, I have put together a set of guidelines that you can use. Please remember that these guidelines should be used just as an estimate.
Kids Shoe Sizes by Age – My Estimate Based on My Experience Fitting Shoes
➡️ If your child is between 6 to 9 months old the estimated shoe size is 2.5 – 3
➡️ If your child is between 9 to 12 months old the estimated shoe size is 3 – 3.5
➡️ If your child is between 12 to 15 months old the estimated shoe size is 4 – 4.5
➡️ If your child is between 15 to 18 months old the estimated shoe size is 4.5 – 5
➡️ If your child is between 18 to 21 months old the estimated shoe size is 5.5 – 6
➡️ If your child is between 21 to 24 months old the estimated shoe size is 6.5 – 7
➡️ If your child is between 2 to 2.5 years old the estimated shoe size is 7 – 7.5
➡️ If your child is between 2.5 to 3 years old the estimated shoe size is 8 – 8.5
➡️ If your child is between 3 to 3.5 years old the estimated shoe size is 8.5 – 9
➡️ If your child is between 3.5 to 4 years old the estimated shoe size is 9.5 – 10
➡️ If your child is 5 years old the estimated shoe size is 10 – 10.5
➡️ If your child is 6 years old the estimated shoe size is 11 – 11.5
➡️ If your child is 7 years old the estimated shoe size is 11.5 – 12
➡️ If your child is 8 years old the estimated shoe size is 12.5 – 13
➡️ If your child is 9 years old the estimated shoe size is 1 – 1.5
➡️ If your child is 10 years old the estimated shoe size is 1.5 – 2
➡️ If your child is 11 years old the estimated shoe size is 2.5 – 3
➡️ If your child is 12 years old the estimated shoe size is 3.5 – 4
➡️ If your child is 13 years old the estimated shoe size is 4 – 4.5
➡️ If your child is 14 years old the estimated shoe size is 5 – 5.5
➡️ If your child is 15 years old the estimated shoe size is 6 – 6.5
➡️ If your child is 16 years old the estimated shoe size is 7 – 7.5
Keep in mind that the last kids’ shoe size is a size 7. A shoe size 7.5 is already considered a men’s or women’s shoe size.
These are just guidelines that will give you an estimate of what shoe size your child needs.
Do You Have a Good Fitting Children’s Shoe Store in Your Area?
I always recommend parents take their children to be properly fitted for shoes at their local children’s shoe store, where a shoe fitter can properly measure their feet and find shoes that fit. The issue is that most children’s shoe stores have been closing down, and most parents need to buy their kids’ shoes online. To buy your kids’ shoes online you must know your child’s exact foot size.
Take a look at a resource that I created where I describe the best-fitting children’s shoe stores by state where to go for proper fittings.
Is There a Better Way to Retrieve Your Child’s Shoe Size?
I created an article that helps parents determine their child’s exact foot length and whether the child has narrow, medium, wide, or extra wide feet. You will also be able to figure out whether your child has a high instep or not. You can learn about the most effective way to retrieve your child’s shoe size in another post that outline two simple steps to do so.
Please note that once you figure out your child’s foot size, that is the first step when trying to find shoes for your child. For example, let’s say your child measures a foot size 7, this doesn’t mean that your child’s final shoe size is going to be a size 7. Certain shoes can fit short, long, narrow, or wide, and depending on how they run, you will need to adjust the final shoe size that you get for your child.
The good news is that I am familiar with how most shoe styles fit, so if you are in doubt about how a particular shoe style fits, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
The Best Shoes for Kids – Let Me Help You Find Them!
Children can outgrow their shoes pretty quickly, anywhere between 3 1/2 to 5 months — depending on their age. This means that you need to be smart when shopping for your kids’ shoes and find a shoe style that is durable, supportive, lightweight, flexible, and affordable at the same time.
There are certain shoe brands that focus on manufacturing supportive and comfortable shoes using skin-friendly materials, which parents will surely appreciate.
Before you leave, you should find out which are the best shoe brands for toddlers and older children, and which shoes among those brands are better than others.
Having Trouble Finding a Particular Shoe Style for Your Child’s Feet?
I have fitted shoes for some of the most complicated feet out there, including children with narrow, extra wide feet, and high insteps.
I created an online tool that allows parents to find the perfect pair of shoes for their children. This tool is extremely effective as it displays shoes in different widths such as narrow, medium, wide, and extra wide. It also tells you exactly how each shoe style fits (short, long, narrow, or wide) and will let you filter by the instep of your child’s foot. You can even find shoes that accommodate orthotics.
Please remember that buying your kids’ shoes based on their age is not a good idea. There are many other factors that will affect your child’s foot size, and you should consider them all before purchasing your kids’ shoes.
Do not hesitate to contact me directly at my email if you have any further questions or if you are having a hard time finding a specific pair of shoes for your child. My email address is:
Do you buy your kids’ shoes based on their age? Do you normally buy your kids’ shoes online or do you have a good-fitting children’s shoe store in your area? Please let us know in the comments section below so other parents can benefit from your experiences.
