How to Measure Kids' Shoe Size: A Guide for Buying Baby, Toddler, or Big Kid Shoes

As a parent, you’ve probably noticed how kids’ feet can grow quickly, and shoe sizes are not always the same across brands.

In fact, a study of 505 schoolchildren aged 3-12 found that only about one-third had well-fitted footwear. It also found that 72.5% wore shoes that were too short and 66.7% wore shoes that were too narrow.

So, learning how to measure kids' shoe size at home helps you choose a better fit before buying, especially when shopping online.

For that reason, we’ll help you learn how to measure length and width, how much room kids’ shoes should have, and how to use those measurements when choosing your kids' next shoes.

How to Measure Kids' Shoe Size at Home

To measure your kids' shoe size at home, have your child stand on a piece of paper and mark the heel and longest toe. Next, measure the distance and compare that number with a kids' shoe size chart.

The process is simple, but small details can change the result. A child should stand while being measured because the foot spreads slightly when weight is placed on it. It also helps to measure both feet, since one foot may be a little longer than the other.

Here are the steps that you need to follow:

1. Gather your tools: Use a blank piece of paper, a pencil, a ruler or measuring tape, and the socks your child will usually wear with the shoes. Socks matter because thicker socks can change how the shoe feels, especially with dress shoes, sneakers, boots, and school shoes.

2. Measure later in the day: Feet can be slightly larger after walking, playing, or standing. But measuring later in the day can give you a more realistic fit than measuring first thing in the morning.

3. Have your child stand on paper: Place the paper on a hard, flat floor. Have your child stand with their full weight on the foot you are measuring. Make sure the foot is flat, and the toes are relaxed.

4. Mark the heel and the longest toe: Use the pencil to mark the back of the heel and the tip of the longest toe. The longest toe may not always be the big toe, so check carefully before marking.

5. Measure heel to toe: Measure the distance between the heel mark and the longest-toe mark. You can use inches or centimeters, depending on the size chart you plan to use.

6. Measure both feet: Measure the other foot the same way. If one foot is slightly larger, use the larger measurement when choosing a shoe size.

7. Compare the measurement with a size chart: Use the measurement as a guide, then compare it with the brand’s size chart. Also think about shoe style, socks, tights, and your child’s foot shape.

Perroquet Shoes also offers a downloadable measure-at-home chart. This can help parents check sizing before ordering styles like Mary Janes, loafers, oxfords, sneakers, or baby shoes.

How to Measure Kids' Shoe Width

To measure width at home, wrap a soft measuring tape around the widest part of the foot, usually near the ball of the foot. Do this while your child is standing, then repeat on the other foot.

Kids' shoe width matters because a child can have the right length but still feel uncomfortable if the shoe is too narrow or too wide. A study of 9-year-old girls found correct shoe width in only 23% of participants. More than half wore shoes that were too wide, while 22-30% wore shoes that were too narrow.

So, we recommend checking whether the foot looks narrow, average, or wide. Also look for signs like red marks, side pressure, slipping, gapping, or complaints after walking.

Not every brand uses width the same way, so width should be used as a fit-check tool along with length. A shoe can match the size chart and still feel wrong if the shape does not match your child’s foot.

Here’s also a different way to measure your kids’ shoes:

@theptmama Fun + EASY way to measure your child’s foot at home 👣✨ No guessing. No dragging them to the store. No meltdown in the shoe aisle 😅 All you need is some Play-Doh 👇 → Flatten it → Press their foot in → Measure heel to longest toe → Compare to the brand’s size chart Done ✔️ This gives you a much more accurate measurement than eyeballing it… and it’s actually fun for them 🙌 Pro tip from a pediatric PT: Make sure you’re measuring to the longest toe (not always the big toe!) and measure both feet! #childdevelopment #kidsshoes #babydevelopment #pediatricpt ♬ Rockstar by Hannah Montana - theamandaallenshow

How Much Room Should Kids' Shoes Have?

FootCareMD says that with a removable insert, there should be about one-half inch between the child’s toes and the front of the insert.

That extra space gives the toes room to move, but the shoe should not feel loose. If the heel slips too much, the shoe may rub or make walking harder. But if the toes press against the front, the shoe is likely too small.

Socks and tights can also affect fit. A shoe that feels fine barefoot may feel tighter with thicker socks.

Since Perroquet Shoes offers both dressy and casual kids’ shoes, parents should check fit based on how the shoe will be worn. A dressy Mary Jane or Oxford should feel secure, while a casual sneaker may allow slightly more flexibility for everyday movement.

How Often Should You Measure Kids' Feet?

Kids' feet should usually be measured every 2-3 months for toddlers and every 3-4 months for older children. Growth can happen faster than parents expect, and a shoe that fits well at the start of the season may feel tight later.

It also helps to measure before a new season, before buying dress shoes for an event, before school starts, and before ordering online. But we think you should measure again if your child complains about certain shoes, avoids wearing them, trips more than usual, or has red marks after wearing shoes.

Baby and First Walker Shoe Sizing

Baby and first walker shoes should fit gently, with enough room for movement and enough structure to stay secure. For babies, soft-sole shoes are often more about protection and comfort. And for early walkers, parents should look for a secure fit that does not squeeze the toes or slip at the heel.

Remember: Measure the baby's feet while the child is calm. Do not rely only on age ranges because babies can grow at different speeds. Check toe space, flexibility, and whether the shoe stays on without pressing into the foot.

Baby feet can grow quickly, so recheck sizing often. Once parents understand their child’s size, Perroquet Shoes’ baby and soft-sole styles can be useful options for comfortable, polished footwear.

Common Mistakes When Measuring Kids' Shoe Size

Measuring kids' shoe size can seem simple, but small mistakes can lead to shoes that feel tight, loose, or uncomfortable. A 2023 scoping review found that children’s footwear can affect foot health and gait performance, which is why fit should be taken seriously.

Here are the common mistakes to avoid:

• Measuring only one foot: One foot may be slightly longer or wider than the other.

• Measuring while the child is sitting: Standing gives a more accurate result because the foot spreads under body weight.

• Forgetting socks or tights: The thickness of socks or tights can change how the shoe fits.

• Using age as the only sizing guide: Age can help as a rough reference, but it should not replace measuring.

• Printing a size chart at the wrong scale: A misprinted chart can lead to the wrong size.

• Ignoring width: Length alone does not tell you whether a shoe will feel comfortable.

• Buying too much extra room: Shoes that are too large can slip, rub, or make walking harder.

• Assuming every brand fits the same: Size and shape can vary across brands and styles.

Measuring is a strong starting point, but the fit should still be checked when the shoes arrive. Have your child walk in the shoes and check the toes, heel, sides, and overall comfort before regular wear.

FAQs

What Size Is 22cm in Kids' Shoes?

A 22cm foot measurement is usually around a US kids' size 4 or 4.5, depending on brand, shoe shape, and growing room. Use that as a starting point, then compare the measurement with Perroquet’s size chart before ordering.

What Size Shoe for a 4-Year-Old?

A 4-year-old often wears a toddler or little kid size, but there is no single correct size for every child. The best way to choose is to measure the child’s foot length and compare it with a reliable size chart.

How to Convert CM to Kids' Shoe Size?

To convert centimeters to kids shoe size, measure the child’s foot from heel to longest toe, then match that number to a kids shoe size chart. Do not convert by age alone because children grow at different rates.

How Many Shoe Sizes Are There?

There are many kids' shoe sizes because sizing changes from baby to toddler, little kid, big kid, and teen sizes. Perroquet also uses European-style numeric sizing, so parents should check the brand’s chart before buying.