Children's shoe size: size table, convert to age

Everything about children’s shoe sizes: detailed measuring instructions, a shoe size converter (DE, EU, UK, US) and size tables for boys and girls. Plus a step-by-step guide on how you can easily check whether shoes really fit.

Why is all this important? Quite simply: too small children’s shoes can have serious health consequences such as irreversible malpositions and deformations. A side effect? No! Scientific studies show that at least 50 percent of children wear shoes that are too small. At this point, therefore, the appeal: take your time to find the right size. Your children’s feet will thank you!

Calculate children’s shoe size

Children’s shoes – please in the right size!

Children’s feet are in no way just a miniature version of adult feet, because they are still in the process of growth. Children’s feet are softer, more flexible and not as sensitive. They only develop their full functionality over the years.

This has a big impact: In contrast to adults, children do not notice, for example, if their shoes are too small. The still very soft feet can be squeezed into shoes that are too small for a surprisingly long time. The result is irreversible damage to the feet. Do not trust your child’s feelings. Instead, check regularly whether there is still enough space in the shoe. Because in growth phases, children’s feet can grow up to three sizes a year!

Table children’s shoe sizes

Foot length in centimeters	DE / EU Size	UK-size	US Size
8.3	15	0	0C
9.1	16	0.5	1C
10	17	1.5	2C
10.8	18.5	2.5	3C
11.6	19.5	3.5	4C
12.5	21	4.5	5C
13.3	22	5.5	6C
14.2	23.5	6.5	7C
15	25	7.5	8C
15.9	26	8.5	9C
16.7	27	9.5	10C
17.2	27.5	10	10.5C
17.6	28	10.5	11C
18	28.5	11	11.5c
18.4	29.5	11.5	12C
18.8	30	12	12.5c
19.3	31	12.5	13C
19.7	31.5	13	13.5C

Unlike adult shoe sizes, girls ‘shoe sizes and boys’ shoe sizes are. Only adult size, UK and US sizes are calculated differently for women and men!

Which children’s shoe size and at what age?

Children’s feet grow amazingly quickly. Almost one millimeter a month at the age of four to six years. But this also means that there cannot be a shoe size table that assigns a certain shoe size to a child. Never rely on such tables, measure the size of the foot instead.

Children’s shoe sizes by age

Foot length in centimeters	shoe size	Age
9.7	16	Born
10.4	17	0 – 3 months
11	18	6 – 8 months
11.5	19	8-10 months
12.3	20	10 – 12 months
13	21	1
13.7	22	1 – 2
14.3	23	1 – 2
14.9	24	2-3
15.5	25	2-3
16.2	26	3-4
16.8	27	4
17.4	28	4 – 5
18.1	29	4 – 5
18.7	30	5 – 6
19.4	31	5 – 6
20.1	32	7-8
20.7	33	8 – 9
21.4	34	10
22	35	from 10

Incidentally, the growth phases for boys are usually only completed at the age of 15, and in girls often at the age of 13.

By the way: children don’t need shoes at all to learn to walk! Running socks are enough! Only when the children can walk safely do parents have to consider buying children’s shoes.

The right and left feet rarely have the same length. A length difference of 6 mm is completely normal – but this corresponds to almost an entire shoe size!

How much space must be in children’s shoes?

Shoes have to fit – so far so indisputable. Most mothers and fathers know that there must be a little space in their shoes. But did you know it at least 12 to 17 millimeters have to be? The reason: only with this space can children roll properly when walking.

Feet are always longer in the evening than in the morning. And of course they are longer when standing than when sitting. When walking and running, children’s feet also need the most space so that they can roll properly.

measure up

Which children’s shoes are small, which are large?

Unfortunately, parents cannot rely on the correct specification of shoe sizes. For example, there are no binding standards in the European Union that manufacturers must follow. Research has shown that 91 percent of the excellent shoe sizes did not match the actual inside length of the children’s shoes. On average, shoes are 1.5 numbers smaller than specified! Do not trust the information provided by the manufacturer, but measure yourself.

But not: stiff shoes!

Shoes that are too stiff are just as bad as shoes that are too small. Children’s feet are malleable and soft, so that they can be squeezed into even the tightest shoes. This can not only lead to sagging and kinked feet, but also to back damage and poor posture. Even if modern Mernsch takes fewer steps today than before, baby shoes should already be soft so that they do not hinder the mobility of the feet.

Shoes should be able to breathe

The footbed should be made of real leather to prevent sweaty feet. In shoes made of synthetic fabrics, children’s feet start to sweat. Children’s shoes made of natural materials give your feet the opportunity to breathe – an important prerequisite for healthy feet.

Children’s rubber boots

Wellington boots should be made of natural rubber and not PVC. The reason: PVC and printed motifs contain harmful pollutants.

In general, the following also applies: children’s feet sweat in rubber shoes. Therefore, they should not be used as everyday shoes, but only when it is outside is really wet.

Shoe size table, calculation and formula of children’s shoe sizes

In this example calculation, the German shoe size was calculated for a child with a foot length of 9 cm. The result is a value of 15.75, which is rounded to 16, since only whole and half shoe sizes exist.

Still best: buy shoes from specialist retailers!

You should buy shoes in the afternoon, because children’s feet get bigger during the day. Insist that the feet be measured. Then try on different shoes together with the seller. If you think you have found the right size, you should go to the seller carry out an internal measurement of the shoes again to let. The shoes should be at least 17 mm longer than the feet. Do not get involved in less, otherwise you will soon have to buy new shoes again.

If necessary: measurement at home with the liner measuring device

You don’t have a specialist shop? You’d rather buy on-line? Then get your own liner measuring device. The 10 – 12 € are well invested money. If you save here, you save in the wrong place. Shoes that are too small permanently damage feet and therapy or treatment is hardly possible.

At this point, you shouldn’t make any compromises. On the other hand, there are harmless savings options for used shoes (see next section).

Can children wear used shoes? Is that healthy?

In general, there is nothing to be said against wearing used shoes. Caution should only be exercised if the insoles have been deformed by the previous wearer’s foot (deep footprints) or if the soles have worn off. Shoes from children with malformations are also taboo. However, wearing well-preserved shoes is completely harmless and not only protects your wallet, but also yours environment.