Women and Kids Shoe Size Conversion Chart – Save Big Buying Kids’ Shoes!
Whether you’re a parent trying to figure out if you can wear kids’ shoes or you’re trying to find a matching pair for yourself and your little one, I can help you identify what children’s shoe size you need to order. Most women are unaware that if they wear a women’s shoe size 8 1/2 or smaller they can fit into most kids’ shoe sizes. I am talking about the same style and same support, at a much lower price! In most cases, half the price of what the adult version of the shoe costs. I also created a women’s and kids’ shoe size conversion chart so you can easily visualize how this translation works.
Women and Kids Shoe Size Chart
A woman’s shoe size 5 is approximately a kids’ shoe size 3 1/2, a woman’s size 6 is a kids’ size 4 1/2, and so on. The magic formula: Your women’s shoe size – 1.5 = Your kids’ shoe size!
This conversion can be helpful if you’re looking to find similar shoes for both yourself and your child. I created a women’s and kids’ shoe size conversion chart so you can understand the translation of the sizes better.
Can Women Wear Kids’ Shoes? – Real Life Examples
Let me show you a couple of examples that prove what I am telling you does work. I took a screenshot from Amazon’s website which displays a women’s Asics running shoe size 8 1/2 that retails for $100.59.
Below, you can find a picture of the same shoe (slightly different color) in a child’s shoe size 7 —which translates to a woman’s shoe size 8 1/2— and retails for $49.01. Pretty cool right? We are talking about a 50-dollar difference!
I provided an example of a running shoe, but we can do the same thing with rain boots, sandals, dress shoes, dress boots, and snow boots… you name it!
Let’s take a look at the famous Keen sandals! This time I took a picture from Amazon’s website which displays a women’s Keen Newport H2 sandal, size 8 1/2 which retails for $81.46.
Now, let’s take a look at the same exact shoe, but the kid’s version, which retails for 27.04! You are saving… let me grab the calculator for this one… 54.42 dollars.
I am going to show you one last example that I know most women will love: UGG boots! First, let’s take a look at a picture of a pair of women’s UGG boots that retail for $149.95.
Here, we have the exact same boot, but in a kids’ shoe size 6, UGG’s don’t come in half sizes so a kids’ shoe size 6 translates to a women’s shoe size 8, that retails for $82.99. You are saving: $66.96!
I created a resource that describes the most popular UGG boots for children, where I describe the best styles and tips to make them more supportive for your child to wear for longer periods of time. In that article, you might be able to find a pair of UGG boots for yourself!
These are just some examples, but you can find a ton of shoes that translate into kids’ shoe sizes. You will save a lot of money by purchasing the kids’ version of the shoe, just make sure you use the women’s and kids’ shoe size conversion chart I showed you to determine your kids’ shoe size.
The Advantages of Buying Kids’ Shoes – SAVE SAVE SAVE!
1. Price: You can save a lot of money.
2. Selection: The selection widens because now you are looking at women’s and children’s shoes.
3. Convenience: If you are shopping with your child or for your child, you might be able to get a pair of shoes for yourself, too.
Finding the Correct Shoe Size – Get it Right!
Keep in mind that the letters used to describe the width of kids’ shoe sizes are different than the ones used to describe the width of women’s shoe sizes. When buying kids’ shoes for yourself you will see these different width options:
N= Narrow width
M= Medium width
W= Wide widths
XW= Extra wide widths
A lot of mothers have asked me why they can’t find wide or extra wide shoes in their women’s sizes. Now that you know that you can shop for kids’ shoe sizes, the selection of wide and extra wide widths opens up TREMENDOUSLY!
Are You Unsure About Your Actual Foot Shape and Size?
You should take advantage of a virtual shoe fitting service I created that describes the simplest, yet most effective way to figure out your specific foot shape (narrow, medium, wide, extra wide), and the exact shoe size you should order online.
Affordable, Comfortable, and Supportive Kids’ Sneakers for Women
You will be able to fit in any of the sneakers below as long as you wear a women’s shoe size 8 1/2 or smaller. You will find shoes from some of the most popular shoe brands such as New Balance, Saucony, Asics, and Hoka. Disclosure: Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases.
1. 327 by New Balance
Key Features
- Order the shoe style 327 by New Balance on the New Balance website, Amazon, or Zappos.
- Available in medium and wide widths (accommodates high insteps).
- Dual-layer midsole construction featuring top-bed foam cushioning and underfoot Fresh Foam X.
2. Gel Cumulus by Asics
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Cumulus by Asics on Amazon or Zappos.
- Fits narrow and medium feet.
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole.
3. Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Fresh Foam Arishi by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website.
- Available in medium, wide, and extra wide widths (fits high insteps).
- Fresh Foam midsole cushioning is precision engineered to deliver an ultra-cushioned, lightweight ride.
4. Clifton by Hoka
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Clifton by Hoka on Zappos or Amazon.
- Fits medium or wide feet.
- CMEVA foam midsole and footbed.
- Engineered knit upper.
5. Ride KDZ by Saucony
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Ride KDZ by Saucony on Amazon or Zappos.
- Fits medium and wide feet.
- FORMFIT performance footbed.
6. 574 by New Balance
Key Features
- Order the shoe style 574 Core by New Balance on Amazon or the New Balance website.
- Available in medium and wide widths.
- Lightweight EVA foam cushioning in the midsole and heel increases comfort.
- Leather upper.
7. Noosa by Asics
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Noosa by Asics on Zappos or Amazon.
- Fits narrow and medium feet.
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole.
8. Mach by Hoka
Key Features
- Order the shoe style Mach by Hoka on Zappos.
- Fits medium and wide feet.
- Protective toe cap.
- Firm heel counter with supportive outsole.
Do You Need Personalized Shoe Recommendations?
I have been helping women save money on their shoes without sacrificing the quality and support that the shoes provide by fitting them in the kids’ version of the shoes. If there is a particular shoe style that you are looking for or if you have any doubts about how the sizes translate, don’t hesitate to contact me via email or the comment section below, and I will respond to your questions as promptly as possible: fittingchildrensshoes@gmail.com
You can also use the comments section below to ask any questions about how the women and kids shoe size conversion chart works.
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!