Ultimate Guide: Understanding Children’s Shoe Sizes (A Parent’s Guide to the Perfect Fit)
Buying shoes for growing feet can feel like a minefield — different countries, different size gauges, and sometimes even the same number meaning completely different things. At Young Soles, we understand how frustrating it can be to get the right fit online. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you navigate children’s shoe sizes and find shoes that keep little feet comfortable, supported, and ready for adventure.
Our shoes are made in Europe, and we use EU sizing as our base system because it’s accurate, consistent, and easier to track as your child grows.
What Makes EU Sizing So Reliable
EU sizing is based on the length of the last, the mould that shoes are built around. This length is measured in centimetres, then converted into the EU sizing system using a simple formula:
Length of last (cm) × 1.5
For example, if the last measures 15cm, it converts to an EU size 23 (always rounding up to the nearest whole number).
Unlike UK and US sizing, EU sizes run in a continuous scale without breaks between children’s and adult shoes. This makes it easier to track your child’s growth and helps you find a more precise fit — which means better kids’ shoe comfort and healthy development.
At Young Soles, all our shoes are crafted in Europe, so you can trust every size to be accurate and consistent.
How Other International Shoe Sizes Work
When you’re shopping internationally, things can get a little tricky. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common sizing systems and how they compare to EU sizes.
UK sizing
The UK shoe sizing system dates back to the 14th century and is based on an old English unit called a barleycorn (equal to one-third of an inch).
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UK sizes start at 0 for newborns and increase by one barleycorn at a time.
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Half sizes are included for a more accurate fit.
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After size 13, the scale resets back to size 1 when moving into adult sizes, which can be confusing when buying for fast-growing kids.
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You’ll often see “infant” or “junior shoe sizes” written alongside numbers to make this clearer.
US sizing
The US system works almost the same as the UK system but starts from a different baseline, which is why US sizes are usually one size larger than UK sizes.
Other systems
Some countries use different systems altogether:
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Mondopoint, which measures the actual foot length in millimetres (used in some parts of Europe and for ski boots).
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Japanese sizing, which uses centimetres directly for a very straightforward approach.
How to convert between systems
The good news is converting isn’t complicated. For example:
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EU 30 ≈ UK 12 ≈ US 13
To make it easier, we’ve created a detailed size guide with millimetres, inches, and equivalent EU, UK, and US sizes.
View the Young Soles Size Guide →
Why Correct Shoe Sizing Matters for Kids
Children’s feet are soft, flexible, and constantly developing. Early on, their bones are mostly cartilage, which means their feet can easily be shaped — or misshaped — by ill-fitting shoes. And because kids often don’t feel pain right away, a bad fit can go unnoticed until it causes real problems.
Here’s why the correct size matters:
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Healthy Bone & Joint Development
Shoes that are too tight can compress toes and disrupt natural bone growth, leading to bunions, hammertoes, or long-term misalignment. -
Good Circulation
Shoes that are too small restrict blood flow, while shoes that are too big cause friction and irritation. -
Natural Movement & Balance
A well-fitting shoe supports proper walking patterns. Too big or too small? Expect tripping, awkward gait, and even long-term issues in the knees, hips, or back. -
Preventing Skin Problems
Poorly fitting shoes can lead to blisters, calluses, corns, and ingrown toenails — all avoidable with the right fit. -
Strong Muscle Development
The right size allows muscles and tendons to work as they should, helping children build strength and coordination.
At Young Soles, every pair is built with foot-shaped lasts, wide toe boxes, flexible soles, and premium breathable materials — giving growing feet the space and support they need.
Why You Shouldn’t Size Up Too Much
It’s tempting to “buy big” so your child can grow into their shoes, but too much extra space causes its own problems, like tripping, blisters, and awkward walking patterns.
The ideal fit?
A little room to grow — but not so much that it compromises comfort or stability.
Pro tip: Leave a thumb’s width between your child’s longest toe and the front of the shoe for just the right amount of growing room.
Why Barefoot Shoes Are Great for Developing Feet
Children’s feet are naturally designed to move freely. In their early years, when bones are still forming, shoes play a huge role in either supporting natural development or restricting it.
Our barefoot collection is built to mimic natural movement, offering:
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Natural strength building: Encourages foot muscles and tendons to work naturally.
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Proper alignment: Zero-drop soles promote healthy posture and reduce strain.
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Room to grow: Wide toe boxes allow toes to spread naturally.
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Flexibility: Lightweight soles bend with the foot for freedom of movement.
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Sensory connection: Feeling the ground improves coordination and balance.
Barefoot shoes give kids the protection they need while letting them move as nature intended — perfect for healthy development and everyday adventures.
Explore the barefoot collection →
Find the Perfect Fit with Sizewise
No more guesswork when buying toddler’s shoe sizes or junior shoes online. With Sizewise, our smart foot measuring tool, you can measure your child’s feet accurately from home using just your smartphone.
In seconds, you’ll get precise measurements to help you pick the perfect pair — ensuring comfort, support, and the confidence that comes from a perfect fit.
Give Growing Feet the Best Start
The right shoes do more than look great — they set your child up for healthy growth and endless adventures.
At Young Soles, we combine classic British heritage design with modern innovation, creating shoes that fit beautifully, support natural movement, and keep kids looking effortlessly cool.