Babies and toddlers outgrow shoes faster than any other age group, and an age label such as “12–24 months” says little about the foot that needs the shoe. The sound approach is to measure the foot and match it to a size chart. This calculator takes the length of your child’s longer foot and gives the US toddler size from Nike’s chart, the UK and EU sizes, and the matching age band on Carter’s chart.
How to use the toddler shoe size calculator
- Measure the foot. With your child standing on a sheet of paper, heel against a wall, mark the longest toe and measure from the wall.
- Use the longer foot. Feet differ slightly.
- Enter the length in centimetres or inches.
- Read the result: US, UK, EU and Carter’s band. If between sizes, it takes the larger.
Toddler shoe size formula
quick check: US size ≈ 3 × foot (in) − 9¾
Carter’s band = band whose cm range contains the foot (gaps → the larger)
The sizes 1C to 10C are the baby and toddler rows of Nike’s kids’ footwear chart, and the age bands are from Carter’s size chart (retrieved 2026-10-15). The check formula is the children’s rule on Wikipedia’s Shoe size page.
| Carter’s shoe size | Foot length (cm) | Typical age |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3M | 7.9 – 8.9 | 6 weeks – 3 months |
| 3–12M | 9.5 – 10.8 | 3 – 12 months |
| 12–24M | 11.4 – 13.3 | 9 – 24 months |
| 2T–4T | 14 – 15.9 | 2 – 4 years |
| US kids size | UK | EU | Nike cm / JP | Foot length (in) | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1C | 0.5 | 16 | 7 | 3 9/16 | 9.0 |
| 2C | 1.5 | 17 | 8 | 3 15/16 | 10.0 |
| 3C | 2.5 | 18.5 | 9 | 4 1/4 | 10.8 |
| 4C | 3.5 | 19.5 | 10 | 4 9/16 | 11.6 |
| 5C | 4.5 | 21 | 11 | 4 15/16 | 12.5 |
| 6C | 5.5 | 22 | 12 | 5 1/4 | 13.3 |
| 7C | 6.5 | 23.5 | 13 | 5 9/16 | 14.1 |
| 8C | 7.5 | 25 | 14 | 5 15/16 | 15.1 |
| 9C | 8.5 | 26 | 15 | 6 1/4 | 15.9 |
| 10C | 9.5 | 27 | 16 | 6 9/16 | 16.7 |
| 10.5C | 10 | 27.5 | 16.5 | 6 3/4 | 17.1 |
| 11C | 10.5 | 28 | 17 | 6 15/16 | 17.6 |
| 11.5C | 11 | 28.5 | 17.5 | 7 1/16 | 17.9 |
| 12C | 11.5 | 29.5 | 18 | 7 1/4 | 18.4 |
| 12.5C | 12 | 30 | 18.5 | 7 7/16 | 18.9 |
| 13C | 12.5 | 31 | 19 | 7 9/16 | 19.2 |
| 13.5C | 13 | 31.5 | 19.5 | 7 3/4 | 19.7 |
| 1Y | 13.5 | 32 | 20 | 7 15/16 | 20.2 |
| 1.5Y | 1 | 33 | 20.5 | 8 1/16 | 20.5 |
| 2Y | 1.5 | 33.5 | 21 | 8 1/4 | 21.0 |
| 2.5Y | 2 | 34 | 21.5 | 8 7/16 | 21.4 |
| 3Y | 2.5 | 35 | 22 | 8 9/16 | 21.7 |
| 3.5Y | 3 | 35.5 | 22.5 | 8 3/4 | 22.2 |
| 4Y | 3.5 | 36 | 23 | 8 13/16 | 22.4 |
| 4.5Y | 4 | 36.5 | 23.5 | 8 15/16 | 22.7 |
| 5Y | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23.5 | 9 1/8 | 23.2 |
| 5.5Y | 5 | 38 | 24 | 9 1/4 | 23.5 |
| 6Y | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 | 9 3/8 | 23.8 |
| 6.5Y | 6 | 39 | 24.5 | 9 9/16 | 24.3 |
| 7Y | — | 40 | 25 | 9 11/16 | 24.6 |
Worked example
A toddler’s longer foot measures 13.5 cm (5.31 in).
- Nike: 6C is made for 5 4/16 in (5.25 in), which is shorter, and 7C for 5 9/16 in (5.56 in), so the size is 7C (UK 6.5, EU 23.5).
- Carter’s: 13.5 cm is just above the 12–24M band (11.4–13.3 cm) and below the 2T–4T band (14–15.9 cm): 2T–4T (foot is between bands: larger).
Fitting toddler shoes
- Toe room: about a thumb’s width between the longest toe and the front of the shoe.
- Fastening: the shoe should stay on without gripping.
- Flexible soles let the foot move naturally as the child learns to walk.
- Check often: take the shoes off and look for red marks.
For older children use the Kids Shoe Size Calculator, for conversions the Kids Shoe Size Converter, and for clothes the Baby Clothes Size Calculator. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Sources
Every figure above comes from these pages, read directly on the dates shown. Brand names are used only to identify published charts.
- Nike — kids’ shoes size chart (babies and toddlers 1C–10C) — checked 2026-10-15
- Carter’s — size chart (shoe sizes by foot length and age) — checked 2026-10-15
- Wikipedia — Shoe size (children’s formula) — checked 2026-10-15
Frequently asked questions
What shoe size is my toddler?
Measure the longer foot, heel to longest toe, and look it up on the chart. On Nike’s chart a 13.5 cm foot is a size 7C; a 15 cm foot is an 8C. Toddler sizes run 1C to 10C, and from 10C the children’s sizes continue.
What does the age band mean?
Carter’s lists shoe sizes by age: 0–3M for feet of 7.9–8.9 cm, 3–12M for 9.5–10.8 cm, 12–24M for 11.4–13.3 cm and 2T–4T for 14–15.9 cm. Age is only a guide: use the measurement.
What if the foot is between sizes?
Size up, as Nike advises for children’s shoes. Check the toe room by pressing down on the end of the shoe while your child stands.
How often should I re-measure?
Toddlers’ feet can grow a size every two to three months, so measure often. Check that shoes are not tight after each growth spurt.
Do babies who are not walking need shoes?
This page only helps with size. Soft shoes or none are usual before walking; follow your paediatrician or health visitor’s advice.