You will get EU/US/UK sizes and a target insole length — for example: EU 25, insole 165 mm.
Shoes aren’t clothes: you can’t buy them “to grow into”. Too big a boot ruins the gait, the foot slides forward, the child trips and crushes the heel counter. Too small deforms the growing, still-cartilage foot. The right size = foot length + a small fixed allowance for the toes and growth. And since a child’s foot grows fast, you simply rebuy more often — that’s normal.
How to measure your child’s foot
- Measure in the evening — the foot swells and lengthens a little through the day.
- The child stands on a sheet of paper, weight on both feet: under load the foot is longer.
- Heel to the wall or edge of the sheet, mark the longest toe (not always the big one).
- Measure the distance from heel to mark in millimetres.
- Measure both feet — they’re often different, go by the longer one.
- Measure width at the widest part of the forefoot.
How much room to leave
Leave about 10–15 mm between the longest toe and the front of the shoe (less for sandals, ~5–8 mm; more for winter boots — for a warm sock). That’s both space for the toes when walking and a small growth margin. Less than 8 mm pinches; more than 15–17 mm is already bad for the gait. A universal check: pull the insole out, stand the foot on it — there should be this gap between heel/toes and the edge. This works for any pair, whatever size is on the label.
Kids’ shoe size chart: foot length → EU / US / UK
Foot length is in millimetres, with a typical allowance already added. US/UK sizes are approximate (they vary by brand). The EU size = last length in Paris points (1 point = 6.67 mm).
| Foot, mm | EU | US | UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 117 | 19 | 4 | 3 |
| 123 | 20 | 5 | 4 |
| 130 | 21 | 5.5 | 4.5 |
| 137 | 22 | 6 | 5 |
| 143 | 23 | 7 | 6 |
| 150 | 24 | 8 | 7 |
| 157 | 25 | 9 | 8 |
| 163 | 26 | 9.5 | 8.5 |
| 170 | 27 | 10 | 9 |
| 177 | 28 | 11 | 10 |
| 183 | 29 | 11.5 | 10.5 |
| 190 | 30 | 12 | 11 |
| 197 | 31 | 13 | 12 |
| 203 | 32 | 1Y | 13 |
| 210 | 33 | 2Y | 1 |
| 217 | 34 | 3Y | 2 |
| 223 | 35 | 3.5Y | 2.5 |
Kids’ shoe FAQ
Can I buy a size or two up so they last longer?
No. Big shoes flop around, the foot slides forward, the child toes-in and trips, the heel gets crushed. Keep to the 10–15 mm allowance and rebuy as the foot grows — it’s both better and safer.
How often should I re-measure?
Under 3, the foot grows very fast — check the fit every 6–8 weeks (even more often under 1.5). At 3–6 years, every 2–3 months, less often after that. The calculator suggests the interval by age.
Wide foot — what to do?
Enter the width — the calculator works out the fit width. For a wide foot or high instep, look for “W” width, a wide toe box and adjustment (laces/velcro) so it doesn’t press on the instep.
Can I reuse an older sibling’s shoes?
Better not: broken-in shoes have moulded to another foot and no longer hold correctly. Rubber boots and lightly-worn pairs are fine; broken-in leather everyday shoes aren’t worth it.
What shoe size is a 1-year-old?
Most often EU 19–21 (foot about 115–125 mm). But age is the worst shoe predictor: measure the foot and use the calculator above — under two, feet grow a size every 3–4 months.
What shoe size is a 2-year-old?
Around EU 22–24 (foot about 130–140 mm). Re-check the toe room every couple of months: the right gap is 10–15 mm.
What shoe size is a 3-year-old?
Usually EU 25–27 (foot about 145–155 mm). From here growth slows to a size every 4–6 months.