Women’s to Kids’ Shoe Size Conversion Chart – Save Money Without Sacrificing Support
Last updated: May 2026 | By Juan Valenzuela, Certified Children’s Shoe Fitter
Did you know that if you wear a women’s shoe size 8½ or smaller, you can buy kids’ shoes instead — and pay up to 50% less for the exact same style and support? This is one of the best-kept secrets in footwear, and as a certified children’s shoe fitter with over 10 years of experience, I have been sharing it with mothers at the store for years.
In this guide I will show you exactly how the size conversion works, give you real-life examples of the savings, and share my top sneaker recommendations for women who want quality and support without the adult price tag.
The Women’s to Kids’ Shoe Size Conversion Formula
The conversion is simple: Your women’s shoe size – 1.5 = Your kids’ shoe size
So if you wear a women’s size 7, you would order a kids’ size 5.5. If you wear a women’s size 8.5, you would order a kids’ size 7. That’s it.
Here is the full conversion chart for easy reference:
This works for sneakers, sandals, rain boots, dress shoes, snow boots, and most other shoe styles. If you wear a women’s size 9 or larger, unfortunately the kids’ sizes will not accommodate your foot.
Real Life Examples – Here Is How Much You Can Save
Let me show you exactly how much money this conversion can save you with three real examples.
Example 1 – Running Shoes by Asics A women’s Asics running shoe in size 8½ retails for around $100. The exact same shoe in a kids’ size 7 — which converts to a women’s 8½ — retails for around $50. That is a $50 saving on the same shoe, same support, same quality.
Example 2 – Keen Newport H2 Sandals A women’s Keen Newport H2 sandal in size 8½ retails for around $81. The kids’ version in size 7 retails for around $27. You are saving over $54 on one of the most popular and supportive sandals available.
Example 3 – UGG Boots A women’s UGG boot retails for around $150. UGG does not come in half sizes for kids, so a kids’ size 6 translates to a women’s size 7.5 to 8. The kids’ version retails for around $83. Saving: nearly $67 on the same boot.
These are just three examples — but the same math applies to virtually any shoe style. Running shoes, sandals, rain boots, dress shoes, snow boots — you name it.
The Advantages of Buying Kids’ Shoes as a Woman
Save money. In most cases you will pay half the price of the adult version for the exact same shoe.
Wider selection. You are now shopping from both the women’s and children’s sections, which significantly expands your options.
Better width availability. This is the advantage most women do not expect. The kids’ section — especially brands like New Balance, Stride Rite, and Tsukihoshi — offers wide (W) and extra wide (XW) options that are simply not available in equivalent women’s sizes. If you have been struggling to find wide shoes in your women’s size, the kids’ section is a game changer.
Matching pairs. If you are shopping with your child or buying shoes for your child, you might be able to get a matching pair for yourself at the same time.
Understanding Width Options in Kids’ Shoes
When buying kids’ shoes for yourself, you will see these width labels — which are slightly different from women’s sizing:
- N — Narrow width
- M — Medium width
- W — Wide width
- XW — Extra wide width
Many women who struggle to find wide or extra wide shoes in their size are pleasantly surprised to discover the selection that opens up once they start shopping in the kids’ section.
Not Sure About Your Foot Shape or Size?
Before ordering online, I recommend confirming your exact foot length and width. Many women discover they have been wearing the wrong width their entire lives — and shopping in the kids’ section for the first time is a great opportunity to get this right.
I offer a free virtual shoe fitting service that helps you determine your exact foot length and width from home: Learn How to Measure Your Foot Here
My Top Sneaker Recommendations for Women Shopping in Kids’ Sizes
All of the sneakers below are available in kids’ sizes that translate to women’s sizes 5 through 8½. Each listing includes width availability so you can find the right fit for your foot shape. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. 327 by New Balance
A stylish retro sneaker that works beautifully for women shopping in kids’ sizes. The dual-layer midsole provides excellent cushioning, and it is available in medium and wide widths — including high instep accommodation.
Key Features
- Order on the New Balance website or Amazon
- Available in medium and wide widths — accommodates high insteps
- Dual-layer midsole with Fresh Foam X cushioning
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
2. Gel Cumulus by Asics
One of the most supportive kids’ sneakers available for women with narrow or medium feet. Features a firm heel counter and supportive outsole — excellent for women who need stability.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
3. Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance
A lightweight, cushioned everyday sneaker available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths — one of the best options for women with wider feet who struggle to find options in their women’s size.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths — fits high insteps
- Fresh Foam midsole for ultra-cushioned, lightweight comfort
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
4. Clifton by Hoka
The Hoka Clifton delivers the same plush ride at a significantly lower price in kids’ sizes. Great for women who spend a lot of time on their feet and need maximum cushioning.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- CMEVA foam midsole for maximum cushioning
- Engineered knit upper for breathability
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
5. Ride KDZ by Saucony
A supportive and comfortable everyday sneaker with a FORMFIT performance footbed that molds to the shape of your foot. Available in medium and wide widths.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits medium and wide feet
- FORMFIT performance footbed
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
6. 574 by New Balance
The classic New Balance 574 in a kids’ size — a timeless, versatile everyday sneaker available in medium and wide widths with leather upper and lightweight EVA foam cushioning.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon or the New Balance website
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
7. Noosa by Asics
A vibrant, eye-catching sneaker popular with women who want a bold style at a fraction of the adult price. Best for narrow and medium feet.
Key Features
- Order on Amazon
- Fits narrow and medium feet
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
8. Mach by Hoka
The Hoka Mach offers superior shock absorption and a protective toe cap — ideal for women who are on their feet all day or need extra cushioning for joint comfort.
Key Features
- Order on
- Fits medium and wide feet
- Protective toe cap
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole
- Women’s size conversion: order 1.5 sizes below your women’s size
Need a Personalized Recommendation?
If you are looking for a specific shoe style, have questions about how the sizes translate, or are not sure which width is right for your foot shape, reach out to me directly at customerservice@fittingchildrenshoes.com and I will be happy to help.
Have a question about the conversion or a specific shoe style? Leave a comment below — I read and respond to every one.
hi. What if your child is size 6 kids- youth. I want to get rain boots and don’t see any in kids sizes. If you need to size down 1 1/2 sizes, not all shoes and boots come in half sizes. What would you order? 7 or 8 adult?
Hello Chana,
If your child is a size 6 and you want to get the women’s version I would recommend you get your girl a women’s size 7 since rain boots tend to run really long. I hope this clarifies!
I wonder if this is the same for Australia sizes?
Hello Hannah,
I believe it is because AU and US women’s shoe sizes are the same.
Thanks for sharing this really useful information! I will remember the formula each time I go shoe shopping 🙂 I’m a womens size 5.5 to 6 so I can wear a children size 4. The ASICS Gel-Noosa sneakers look really good – the children’s version look just as nice as the adult sneaker. I can’t believe the adult size is double the price of the children’s sneaker. Next time I buy flats, I will surely visit the children’s section first.
Hobby,
Now you now the secret! I would try the kids size 4 and 4 1/2 before you decide buying them. Let me know how it works out or you!
Wow, I wish I would have known years ago that I could buy kids shoes. When walking through shoe departments I always see kids shoes that I think are so cute, cuter than the ones in the women’s department. Why is it though that some shoes feel better in a wider width while others feel good in the normal width? Your site offers tons of great information on shoes and socks. Gripper socks are great, it’s the only kind hospitals use because of safety. My kids are all raised and have kids of their own. My daughter has a year and a half year old and I will be directing her to your site. It’s a fun site.
Cheryl,
Some shoes will feel AND fit BETTER in different sizes and widths because every shoe runs and fits different. Even in the same brand, shoes will fit different. Always try them on, and be open minded, just because you have been wearing a women shoe size 8, that does not mean you will always be a women’s size 8 in every single shoe!
This is such an informative website especially for myself because I have an eight month old daughter! Knowing the types of shoes I should get for her is perfect since she will be walking in the next couple of months! Recently, I have learned quality over quantity! Having a solid pair of shoes is such an important thing for a young one! Thanks for all the wonderful product reviews!
Lea,
One good pair of running supportive shoes is all they need! Then, you can always have a pair of dress shoes, sandals, boot… but the everyday day supportive pair is really all they need to have happy healthy feet! As your daughter gets older, she will start asking for more shoes! Good luck with that!
I never even considered that I could buy shoes in the kids section- might have to try that sometime! I can’t believe the amount of money I could have been saving!. I’m going to have to look a little more closely at the kids shoes- mine certainly seem to grow out of theirs soon enough!
Amy,
You will be surprised at the difference in price and the good quality of shoes you will see in the kids section. If you have any questions about any particular style on the way they fit, I will be able to help you out!
it is great to get information from the horses mouth [as to speak] I can really tell that you have a lot of knowledge about this topic. Yes getting the right shoe early on can save a lot of health problems later on. I always wonder why shoes have to be so narrow in the front – i have never seen a foot that is pointed like a pyramid so why should shoes look like that, and that high heals…. is just asking for back problems later in life. Thanks for this very interesting information
Elmarie,
Your comment about never seeing a foot pointed as a pyramid made me laugh! There are certain brand of shoes that accommodate wide feet such as New Balance and Saucony. New Balance makes the shoes with the roundest toe-boxes. wearing the right type of shoe will save you a lot of foot and back problems later in life!