Understanding Kids' Shoe Sizes: Infant, Toddler, and Youth
Finding the right shoe size for a child can be tricky as their feet grow so quickly. Kids' shoe sizes are typically divided into three main categories: Infant, Toddler, and Youth (or 'Grade School'). Our converter and charts below cover all these stages to help you find the perfect fit.
Infant & Toddler Sizes (Marked with 'C')
Sizes for the youngest children, from newborns to toddlers, are usually marked with a "C" after the number (e.g., 4C, 9.5C). This range typically covers babies and children up to about 5 years old. Our "Infant & Toddler" chart above provides a full conversion for these sizes.
Youth Sizes (Marked with 'Y')
Once a child outgrows the "C" sizes (around size 13.5C), they move into "Youth" or "Grade School" sizes. This scale starts over from 1 and is often marked with a "Y" (e.g., 1Y, 5.5Y). This range is for older children, and the largest youth sizes can sometimes overlap with smaller adult sizes. See the "Youth" chart above for conversions.
How to Get the Best Measurement
For the most accurate sizing, we recommend measuring your child's foot in centimeters (CM). Have them stand on a piece of paper, mark the back of their heel and the tip of their longest toe, and then measure the distance. You can input this CM value directly into our converter for a precise result. Check out our full guide on measuring shoe size for more details.