Kids & Toddler Shoe Sizes

Q: What size shoe does a 2 year old wear?

Age alone is unreliable — foot length in millimetres is the honest axis. Measure the foot and use the chart; a typical toddler may land around US 6–8, but range varies widely.

Q: What size shoe does a 3 year old wear?

A 3 year old typically has a 145–155mm foot, around US 8C–9C — but children the same age vary by two or more sizes, so measure the foot and use the length chart rather than the age.

Q: How do I measure kids feet for shoe size?

Trace the foot on paper, measure longest toe to heel in mm, then compare that measurement with the exact brand chart. See our how-to-measure guide for steps.

Age ≠ size. Measure foot length in millimetres first. US kids C/Y labels are a reference scale, not a universal conversion: each brand's child chart can differ, so use the measured length to check the exact brand before buying.

Kids sizing safety rules

Use the child's current measured foot length, not age or last season's size.
Do not apply adult brand advice automatically; kids lasts and growth room behave differently.
Growth room is a small allowance, not a reason to buy a much larger shoe that slips.
If a child reports pain, limping or numbness, treat that as more than a sizing chart question.

What size shoe does a 2 year old wear?

There is no single answer — toddler feet vary by 2+ US sizes at the same age. Measure foot length first, then compare it with the exact brand's kids chart.

Shoe size by age (approximate)

Parents search "what size shoe does a 3 year old wear", so here's a starting point — but read the warning first: at any age, children's feet span two or more sizes. Use the foot-length column as the real guide and the US column only as a rough orientation, then measure.

Typical foot length and approximate US toddler/youth (C/Y) size by age — population averages, not a fitting rule.
Age	Typical foot (mm)	Approx US size
12 months	115–125	4C–5C
18 months	125–135	5C–6C
2 years	135–145	6C–7C
3 years	145–155	8C–9C
4 years	155–165	10C–11C
5 years	165–175	11C–12C
6 years	175–185	12C–13C
7 years	185–195	13C–1Y
8 years	195–205	1Y–2Y

Re-measure before a new season and whenever the current pair feels short or tight. Age can help you start a search, but it should not choose the final size.

Kids C/Y reference by foot length

Foot-length reference for US kids C/Y labels
Foot length (mm)	US kids reference
120	4.5C
130	5.5C
140	7C
150	8C
160	9C
170	10C
180	11.5C
190	12.5C
200	1Y

Source type: brand-published chart. This reference is derived from the Nike Kids Footwear Size Chart, checked on 2026-07-16. It is not a claim that another brand uses the same labels.

How do I measure kids feet for shoe size?

See how to measure your foot — same technique, smaller feet. Measure both feet; buy for the longer foot plus growth room.