We’ll admit it first, getting your child to stand still for an accurate measurement of his or her feet is one of the biggest challenges in the process of buying kids shoes. And, it is not even possible to cheat, especially when it's when you are buying the first pair of pre-walker shoes for your baby's first steps. We have tried measuring while our child is lying down sleeping and did not get the right size.

So here are 3 easy yet accurate ways to measure your child’s feet to ensure that you don’t purchase the wrong sized shoes.

How to measure kids shoe size?

To have an accurate measurement, you should:

  • measure both feet, as each foot may differ in length. Sizing should be based on the larger foot.
  • measure feet with full body weight on them, equally. This ensures feet are at their largest when supporting body weight.

Here, we compare three methods of measuring a child’s feet to see which gives us the closest fit for Two Little Feet’s kids shoe collection:

1) Basic measurement

Items needed: White A4 paper, pen/pencil, ruler, a wall

Steps:

  1. Place a piece of white A4 paper against the edge of a wall. Make sure the paper is level on the floor and against the wall edge.
  2. Have your child stand on the paper with the back of his/her heel touching the wall. Both feet should be squared with the full body weight resting equally on them.
  3. Use the ruler to draw a line where the longest toe ends.
  4. Measure the distance between the end of the paper and the line drawn.
  5. Follow the same steps to measure the other feet. Take the longest measurement of both feet.

Our results: 15.5cm length

To provide ample wiggling room for toes, Shoes' insole should be at least 16.5cm (1cm longer than foot length)

two little feet basic measurement kids feet size
two little feet basic measurement kids feet size measured

2) Tracing/Footprint measurement

Items needed: White or coloured A4 paper, pen/pencil, ruler.

Steps:

  1. Place paper on the floor and have your child stand equally on it.
  2. Use a pen or pencil to trace the outline of the feet.
  3. Measure the the distance between the back of the heel and the longest toe. Make sure to measure both feet and take the longest measurement.

two little feet tracing measurement kids feet size 

Our results: 15.5cm length.

To provide ample wiggling room for toes, Shoes' insole should be at least 16.5cm (1cm longer than foot length)

3) Foot ruler measurement

Items needed: Kids foot ruler or the original Brannock Device

Steps:

  1. Place foot ruler on an even floor surface.
  2. Have your child step evenly on the ruler and take the measurement of both feet. Go with the longest measurement.

Our results: 15.2 cm length

To provide ample wiggling room for toes, Shoes' insole should be at least 16.2cm (1cm longer than foot length)

two little feet ruler measurement kids feet size

With the above measurements, our child wears Kids Size 8.5 (insole length 16.6) for Sandals and Kids Size 9 (insole length 17.1cm) (with socks) for Shoes with her regular width feet.

Kids shoe size chart

If you’re still puzzled about how to measure or check your kid’s foot size, you could try to download our printable kids shoe size measurement chart to get a more accurate reading.

Once you have your child’s measurements, you can try out our size assistant below to get size recommendations for our shoes and sandals. 

Alternatively, if your child is already wearing shoes from another brand, you may convert the current shoe brand's size into ours using this Size Conversion Guide.

Note: If the shoes still didn’t fit nicely on your kid, you could still enjoy a one-time shoe size exchange (T&C apply). 


Don’t forget to check out our children's shoe sizing update to better understand our sizing and find out about 5 tips when choosing children’s footwear as advised by a podiatrist.

 

Tips to measure kids shoe size

Here are some other useful tips when measuring and buying children’s shoes: 

  • It’s natural for feet to swell in the day so avoid measuring your child’s feet in the morning. It’s always best to try on new shoes when you’ve been up and about for a few hours. 
  • Give your child about 1cm from the end of the shoe to the full extended toe so that there is space for feet to grow. 
  • Do not get shoes that are too big as this can cause harm to foot development. Additionally, kids may trip and fall if shoes are too big. 
  • Do not get shoes that are too small either. If your child’s feet are in between sizes or two different sizes, go with the bigger size.
  • Stand, walk, jump, and dance. The best way to ensure a perfect fit is to have your child be active in them, rather than just stand and walk. 

Signs that your child’s shoes are too big

A smaller shoe size may be needed if:

  • Your child trips or twists the ankles frequently. 
  • Your child’s heel lifts off and out of the shoes when they are walking.
  • Your child is dragging the feet.
  • You child’s walk is affected.
  • Your child has blisters.

Signs that your child’s shoes are too small

A bigger size is most likely needed if:

  • The shoes are pressing deeply against your child’s skin.
  • Your child has blisters.
  • There is no space in the toe box - your child’s feet are squished!
  • Your child complains that the shoes are tight or uncomfortable. Knees, back, hip or joint pain can also be a sign of ill-fitting shoes. 
  • Your child doesn’t seem to want to wear the shoes anymore.

How often do you need to measure your child’s feet? 

Children’s feet grow by half a size every three months on average. So it’s best to measure your child’s feet every three to four months to ensure that their current pair of shoes still fit well. 

Conclusion

It’s important that your child wears shoes that fit them well as ill-fitting shoes can cause harm to their feet in addition to falls and accidents. If you’re unsure whether you’ve got the right size for them, check out our sizing guide today.

Depending on your child's walking phases, pick your choice of footwear from our wide range of kids’ sneakers and sandals. Remember to check the size chart of our products before purchase.

You should also check out the article on 5 Tips When Choosing Children’s Footwear, A Podiatrist's Advice to help you select the best shoes based on their age.

Reviewed by:

Kelvin Tay Kai Ming
BSc (Podiatry)
First Class Hons (UK)

Kelvin Tay, affectionately known as ‘Kai Kai’ or ‘Ah Tay’ by patients enrolled in the University of Southampton with the Ministry of Health Health Sciences Scholarship Award and graduated with First Class Honours in 2010. Kelvin’s main interest is in Sports Podiatry and his work in Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital and Changi Sports Medicine Centre has given him extensive experience in foot care and wound management.

Fluent in English, Mandarin and Hokkien, Kelvin has also been an executive committee member of Singapore’s Podiatry Association since 2013. He has won numerous awards including the SingHealth Service Quality Silver Award 2012 (SGH), the Eastern Health Alliance Caring Awards (Silver 2013-2014) and the Quarterly Best Service Award 2014 (CGH).

He is currently a Senior Group Partner and Principal Podiatrist at Physio & Sole Clinic.

Found your child's size?

          

 

For babies just starting to walk, check out this curated Wobbly Steps Collection for first walkers who are still walking with support.

If your child is walking steadily, we have curated a Steady Walking Kids Shoes and Sandals Collection.

Have an active running and jumping child at home? Look no further than our most supportive kids sneakers and children sandals for Active Running young ones!

Check out our range of children footwear: