A parent’s guide on how to pick the right shoe size for newborns, infants, and babies. With baby shoe size charts for UK and illustrations.
How Do Baby Shoe Sizes Work?
Baby shoes sizes are not just smaller versions of adult’s shoe sizes. It’s a totally different category of shoe sizes specifically tailored for the foot measurement of newborns, infants, and, toddlers. Baby shoe sizes are the same for both girls and boys. Baby shoe sizes are sometimes subcategorized into those for newborns (0-2 months), infants (2-12 months), and toddlers (1-3 years). Older kids’ shoe sizes are here.
Have your child’s feet professionally measured regularly, as feet grow very fast in the first one and half years.
Baby Shoe Size Chart by Age
To make it easier for you to find the right shoe size for your newborns (0-2 months), infants (2-12 months), and toddlers (1-3 years), use the baby shoe size chart UK below to see kids shoe size, by foot measurement and age. Check below for baby shoe size chart by age and foot length.
| Baby Shoe Size UK | Approx. Age | Foot length in millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | 0 - 2 mos. | 90-97 |
| 1.5 | 1 - 3 mos. | 100 |
| 2 | 3 - 6 mos. | 103 |
| 2.5 | 6 - 9 mos. | 110 |
| 3 | 9 - 11 mos. | 116 |
| 3.5 | 10 - 12 mos. | 120 |
| 4 | 12 - 15 mos. | 123 |
| 4.5 | 13 - 15 mos. | 127 |
| 5 | 15 - 18 mos. | 130 |
| 5.5 | 16 - 18 mos. | 133 |
| 6 | 19 - 21 mos. | 138 |
| 6.5 | 21 - 24 mos. | 142 |
| 7-8 | 2 yrs. | 146-154 |
| 8.5-9 | 3 yrs. | 157-160 |
Infant Shoe Size Chart by Age UK
Shoe sizes for infants are designed for the little ones with an approximate age of 2-12 mos. The infant shoe size chart below helps you find the perfect fit.
TOMS Girl's Classic Alpargata Loafer Flat, Blue Glow in Dark Rainbows, 4 UK
| Infant Shoe Size UK | Approx. Age in months | Foot length in millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | 0 - 2 mos. | 90-97 |
| 1.5 | 1 - 3 mos. | 100 |
| 2 | 3 - 6 mos. | 103 |
| 2.5 | 6 - 9 mos. | 110 |
| 3 | 9 - 11 mos. | 116 |
| 3.5 | 10 - 12 mos. | 120 |
Newborn Shoe Size Chart
Socks and booties are commonly used for babies 0–2 months old. The newborn shoe size chart is suited for these ages.
| Newborn Shoe Size UK | Newborn's Age | Foot length in millimetres |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 - 2 mos. | 90 |
| 0.5 | 0 - 2 mos. | 93 |
| 1 | 0 - 2 mos. | 97 |
| 1.5 | 1 - 3 mos. | 100 |
While they may not need shoes at this point, newborns still need to wear socks or booties to protect their feet from the cold. Baby socks are usually made from hypoallergenic, lightweight, and breathable materials such as cotton or wool.
Tips for Buying Baby Shoes
- Add 1-1.5 centimetres for the shoes to give your child’s feet enough wiggle room and not restrict the proper growth of their feet. A poor fit could lead to more serious problems later on.
- After measuring both feet, when it is time to shop for the shoes, make sure to use the longer foot measurement as the basis for the size. Better have an allowance rather than buy a pair that only fits one foot.
- As babies’ feet grow rapidly, make sure to measure their size often. It is recommended that a foot measurement is taken every 2–3 months in the first 24 mos of age to ensure correct shoe size.
- If buying shoes that you plan your child to wear with socks, measure their foot size while wearing them to anticipate the additional length and width needed for proper fit.
- Before buying shoes online, identify the sizing standard used whether it is in UK, US, or EU size to make sure that the size conversion is correct.
- UK shoe size is different from European shoe sizes. Euro size is also different from US shoe sizing. To convert baby shoes for newborns from the US to the UK, just remember that UK shoes are usually just one-half size lower than US sizes.
FAQs
What size shoe does a 6-month-old wear?
On average, a 6-month-old baby wears kids 2 size shoes. However, we recommend measuring your child’s foot and then check our baby shoe size chart, as their shoe size may differ based on their development.
When should babies wear shoes?
Babies should start wearing shoes only when they start walking. Babies commonly wear socks or booties prior to that. For first-time walkers, going barefoot is still the best for walking indoors, so babies learn to feel what they touch. Children learn how to independently walk between 10-18 mos old. Jump to Baby Shoe Sizes.
What Size Shoe is a 1-year-old?
Typically, a one-year-old infant in the United Kingdom would wear shoes of sizes 3 to 4. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the correlation between foot length and shoe size, we encourage you to refer to our meticulously compiled guide on baby shoe sizes.
12-month-old Shoe Size UK
A 12-month-old baby normally has a shoe size UK of 3 to 4. Check our Baby Shoe Size guide for detailed information about foot length.
Socks or shoes for babies?
Choosing between socks or shoes for infants is subjective; typically, socks keep their feet snug while shoes are best for outside. We advise soft, elasticated cotton socks for comfort. For those beginning to walk, lightweight shoes with soft soles, crafted from breathable materials, are crucial for outdoor protection against rough surfaces and splinters. Check our Baby Shoe Size guide for more information.
Should babies wear shoes when crawling?
During the newborn or infant phases, there’s no necessity for your baby to don shoes. When they progress to the crawling stage, gentle socks or at most, non-skid socks equipped with soles, will be perfectly adequate. Always remember, at this stage, comfort and ease of movement take precedence over all else when selecting your baby’s footwear. Read this Baby Shoe Size guide for more information.
How long should babies wear soft-soled shoes?
Soft-soled shoes in general can be useful until the baby is 24 months old. Beyond this, babies learn to be confident walking and tend to be more adventurous into walking on different surfaces, which may require shoes with firmer soles and sturdier materials. Find more information in this Baby Shoe Size guide.