The shoe sizing system in the United States uses a separate scale for children and adults. Both scales range from 1 to 13 so that an adult's size 1 is the next larger size after a child's size 13. Shoe manufacturers frequently use slight variations of the standard sizing system, so you may need to try more than one pair to find the best-fitting shoes.
Step 1
Put a pair of socks on your child's feet. Use a pair that your child will typically wear with the shoes you want to buy.
Step 2
Place your child's feet flat on the floor and uncurl the toes so that the foot is as straight as possible.
Step 3
Measure the length of your child's foot from the top of the big toe to the end of the heel. Use a tape measure with inches and record the measurement.
Step 4
Repeat this procedure with the other for foot and use the larger of these two measurements to determine your child's shoe size.
Step 5
Calculate your child's shoe size according to the standard American shoe sizing system. This calculation uses the equation S = (3 x foot length) - 9.5. Round this result to the next largest half integer to obtain your child's shoe size.
Assume for this example that your child's foot measures 7 1/8 inches. This provides a result of (3 x 7.125) - 9.5 = 11.875. Your child's actual shoe size is therefore 12.
Things You'll Need
- Socks
- Tape measure
- Shoe size chart
- Calculator
