Toddler Shoe Sizes by Age: A Simple Guide & Chart
Updated September 2025 · 5 min read
As a rough guide, most toddlers wear about a US size 4–5 at 12–18 months, 5–6 at 18–24 months, 6–7 at age 2, and 8–9 by age 3 — but children’s feet vary enormously, so the only reliable method is to measure your child’s feet. Toddlers’ feet grow fast (often half a size every couple of months), so re-check every 6–8 weeks.
- Age charts are averages only — always measure your toddler’s actual feet.
- Toddler feet grow fast; re-measure every 6–8 weeks.
- Measure both feet in the afternoon and fit to the larger one.
- Leave about a thumb’s width of growing room at the toe.
Measure, don’t just go by age
Age is the least reliable way to size children’s shoes — feet vary hugely from child to child. The chart below gives rough averages only. The dependable approach is to measure your toddler’s feet and fit to the measurement.
Rough age-to-size guide (US toddler sizes)
| Age | Approx. US size |
|---|---|
| 12–18 months | 4–5 |
| 18–24 months | 5–6 |
| 2 years | 6–7 |
| 2.5 years | 7–8 |
| 3 years | 8–9 |
These are averages — your child may sit above or below them and still be perfectly normal.
How to measure your toddler’s feet
- Measure in the afternoon, when feet are at their largest.
- Stand your child on a piece of paper and mark the heel and the longest toe.
- Measure the distance in millimetres, and do both feet — they’re often slightly different.
- Fit shoes to the larger foot, using the retailer’s size chart to convert.
Getting the fit right
- Leave about a thumb’s width (roughly 1–1.5 cm) of space at the longest toe for growing room.
- Check width, not just length — toddler feet are often chubby.
- Fit shoes with the socks your child will wear.
- Re-measure every 6–8 weeks; toddler feet can grow around half a size in a couple of months.
For new walkers, look for lightweight, flexible shoes with a non-slip sole and room for toes to spread.
Frequently asked questions
What size shoe does a 2-year-old wear?
On average around a US size 6u20137 u2014 but this is only a rough guide. Childrenu2019s feet vary a lot, so measure your childu2019s feet rather than relying on age.
How often should I measure my toddleru2019s feet?
Every 6u20138 weeks. Toddler feet grow quickly u2014 often around half a size every couple of months u2014 so sizes change fast.
How much growing room should toddler shoes have?
About a thumbu2019s width (roughly 1u20131.5 cm) between the longest toe and the end of the shoe, fitted with the socks your child will wear.
Sources
Guidance in this article reflects widely published parenting and paediatric advice from bodies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the UK’s NHS. It is general information, not medical or dietary advice — always follow the guidance of your own paediatrician, health visitor or a registered dietitian.