How to convert kids’ shoe sizes
Kids' shoe size conversion chart
US children’s sizes are split into a child scale (C) and a youth scale (Y); both appear here alongside UK, EU, JP and CN sizes on the same row.
| US | UK | EU | JP | CN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2C | 1 | 17 | 9.5 | 95 |
| 3C | 2 | 18 | 10.5 | 105 |
| 4C | 3 | 19 | 11.4 | 114 |
| 5C | 4 | 20 | 12.1 | 121 |
| 6C | 5 | 22 | 13 | 130 |
| 7C | 6 | 23 | 14 | 140 |
| 8C | 7 | 24 | 14.6 | 146 |
| 9C | 8 | 25 | 15.3 | 153 |
| 10C | 9 | 26 | 16 | 160 |
| 11C | 10 | 27 | 16.8 | 168 |
| 12C | 11 | 28 | 17.5 | 175 |
| 13C | 12 | 29 | 18.2 | 182 |
| 1Y | 13 | 32 | 20 | 200 |
| 2Y | 1 | 33 | 20.5 | 205 |
| 3Y | 2 | 34 | 21.2 | 212 |
| 4Y | 3 | 36 | 22.5 | 225 |
| 5Y | 4 | 37 | 23.2 | 232 |
| 6Y | 5 | 38 | 24 | 240 |
Children’s feet grow quickly and every brand grades slightly differently. Measure the child’s feet every few months and always check the brand’s guide before buying.
Why children’s sizes use C and Y scales
US children’s shoe sizes are measured on their own scale, split into child sizes (ending in C, roughly ages 1–7) and youth sizes (ending in Y, roughly ages 7–12). The same physical foot gets a very different number from the adult scale, which is why kids need their own chart.
How to use this kids’ shoe size converter
Pick the system you already know and type the size — the matching row appears across every other system at once, from any starting system. Click any row of the chart to load that size back into the converter.
How to measure a child’s foot
Have the child stand with weight on both feet, mark the longest toe and the back of the heel on a sheet of paper, and measure the distance in centimetres. Measure both feet and size to the longer one, leaving a little growing room.
Tips for buying kids’ shoes
Children outgrow shoes quickly, so re-measure every couple of months. Shop later in the day and, when between sizes, choose the larger for comfort and growing room.
Brand-specific notes for kids’ shoes
Most kids’ brands size by the foot length, so the JP (cm) column is the most reliable one to compare between brands.
When measuring a child, let them stand with weight evenly on both feet and leave about a thumb’s width of growing room at the toe.
Frequently asked questions
What does the C or Y in a US kids’ size mean?
C stands for the child scale and Y for the youth scale — for example 10.5C is a child size while 1Y is a youth size. They are different scales, so the letter matters; the chart shows which rows are child and which are youth.
How do I know which US kids’ size my child needs?
Measure the child’s foot in centimetres and read it against the JP (cm) column, which most brands size by. The matching row then gives the US C or Y size as well as the UK, EU and CN equivalents.
When does a child move from C sizes to Y sizes?
Roughly when the foot reaches about 21–22 cm — the point where youth (Y) sizes begin. Age is only a rough guide, since growth rates differ a lot, so measure the foot rather than guessing by age.
How much growing room should I leave in kids’ shoes?
About a thumb’s width (roughly 1 cm) between the longest toe and the end of the shoe. Leaving too much room makes shoes unsafe to walk in, while too little means they are outgrown almost immediately.
Are EU and JP sizes the same for kids and adults?
The EU kids’ scale is continuous with the adult scale (a big kids’ size runs straight into adult sizes), while JP always states foot length in centimetres. The chart keeps the child and youth US rows separate from adult sizing.