Kids Socks Size Chart by age: What are sock sizes for boys & girls

Socks for children are typically labeled with either a shoe size, an alpha size (S-M-L), or a specific kids’ sock size (a number between 0 and 12). See the Kids Socks size chart below to determine your children’s sock size (both alpha and specific sock size in US, EU or UK sizes) based on shoe size or age.

kids-socks-size-by-age-size-chart-What-are-kid-sock-sizes
Kids socks size by age size-chart: What are kids sock sizes?

When you buy socks for your child that are too small, the socks will develop frequent holes and fabric tears. If you buy socks that are too big, your child’s shoes will not fit properly!

How to find kids sock sizes?

Why it is essential to know the right size before you buy Kid’s Socks

Buying socks for a newborn can be a little tricky. Keeping in mind that babies continue to grow, it is best to buy socks that are not too small or too large.

The best way to get it right is using a Kids Socks Size chart. When it comes to children’s sock sizes, there is no established norm. They may occasionally be offered according to size, age, or shoe size (e.g. toddler).

The sock size chart allows one to enter the child’s age or determine the size of the child’s socks based on their shoe size. We used the following charts for the US, EU, and UK sock sizes.

Quick Read to understand Children’s sock sizes

Kids’ Sock Sizes by age in a nutshell:

  • Infants from 6 to 12 months or baby shoe size 2-5 can wear the smallest size. (Small or 0-5)
  • Children from 1 to 2 years old or toddler shoe sizes 3 to 7 can wear the toddler size (6-7)
  • Little girls or boys, ages 3 to 6 or 7, should order the following size. These socks are suitable for kids with shoe sizes ranging from roughly a size 7 to a size 1Y. (7-8°
  • Most 7 to 10-year-olds wearing shoe sizes 13 to 5Y can fit into the Big kids’ sock size. Since a kids’ size 5Y is similar to a women’s shoe size 6.5, the upper end of this range overlaps with women’s sock sizing. Kids with shoe sizes 4.5Y and up can usually wear women’s socks.

Common sizes include sock size for 7 year old, sock size for 5 year old, youth sock size conversion, 6 8 5 sock size, sock size for 5 year old etc. 

(source: Cute Crazy Socks)

Table of Content

Looking for shoe size by age? check here

One of the biggest advantages of knowing the right size before you buy kids socks is that you will be able to ensure that your kid is comfortable. Children’s feet can be a little small, and too big socks can make them feel uncomfortable.

Too tiny socks, on the other hand, can be too tight and might cause health problems as they can interfere with blood flow around the feet. Likewise, a child will not voice that concern if their socks are too big or too small.

This is why you must always aspire to get the size right. 

Kids Socks Size Chart

To help you pick the right size, a Kids Socks Size Chart is necessary as socks come in many sizes. A newborn will need a baby sock, a few sizes larger.

A toddler or youth sock is designed to fit a child with a shoe size of two to six. A child of eight years and up should wear a youth or medium sock.

With all these options to think about, you will save a lot of time and money by using a Kid’s Socks Size.

All sports brands offer kid’s socks, like adidas socks, Nike socks, Puma Socks, …

As you can see from the chart below, you should start considering small adult size socks once your child is close to the age of 10.

AgeFoot Length Children Shoe Size
 CMINCHES 
6-12 Months10 cm3.9″2~5
12 – 18 Months11cm4.3″5~6
18-24 Months12.5m4.9″6~7
 14cm5.5″9-11
6-8Years16 cm6.3″12-13.5
9-11 Years18 cm7.1″2-3.5


Other charts you might come across include toddler sock size chart, nike youth sock size chart, big boy sock size chart.

Types of socks for kids and their sizes

type-of-kids-socks-childrens-sock-sizes
Kids Sock sizes by type of children’s socks (image inspired by Threadcurve.com)

The displayed size charts for kid’s socks are good for all type of socks like:

  • Toe cover – mute
  • Invisible – no show socks
  • Liner – Extra low cut socks
  • Ped – Low-cut
  • Quarter – Anklet socks
  • Mid Calf – Crew socks
  • Over the Calf – executive socks
  • Knee High Socks
  • Loose
  • Over the knee socks

Kids Sock Size Chart conversion to Kids shoe sizes

Easily convert your kid’s age or shoe size (in UK, EU or US) into children’s sock sizes. As socks are unisex sized, the size for boys’ socks is the same as for girls’ socks.

SOCK
SIZE

AGESHOE
SIZE, US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
0-4 NB0-10-0.515-16
4-5.5 3-12m2-41-317-19
5-6.5 1-23-72-618-22
6-7.5XS2-46-115-1021-27.5
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32
8-9.5M5-1012-5Y11-4Y29-36
9-11L10-166Y-7Y5Y-6Y37-38
10-12XLAdult7Y->6Y->38->
baby-toddler-kids-sock-sizes
Baby Toddler sock sizes: What size socks for babies, toddlers? (Photo by Nasim Keshmiri on Unsplash)

Infant/Toddler Socks Size Guide

Sock SizeInfant-Toddler Shoe sizeAge
S1.5 – 46 – 18 months
M4 – 8.518 – 36 months
L7.5 – 113 – 5 years old

Related: Shoe size for Babies and Toddlers

Tip: For the most accurate results, measure the feet of your little ones in their undergarments.

Girls’ Socks Size Guide (small and big girls)

Girls’ Sock SizeGirls Shoe size
S6 – 10.5
M10.5 – 4
L4 – 10

Related: Girls Growth Size chart – A Useful Guide For Shoes And Clothing

Tip: Match Your girls’ shoe size to the ranges listed in the chart to determine sock size.

kids sock sizes - kids socks size chart
kids sock sizes – kids socks size chart

Boys’ Sock Size Guide (small and big Boys)

Boys’ Sock SizeBoys’ Shoe size
S6 – 10.5
M10.5 – 4
L4 – 10

Related: Boys Growth Chart – A Useful Size Guide For boys Shoes And Clothing

Tip: Match Your Boy’s shoe size to the ranges listed in the chart to determine sock size.

How to choose the right Kid’s Socks Size

Choosing the right kid’s socks size is a task you must take seriously. Kids’ feet are smaller than adults, and their socks should fit properly.

The general rule is that you must choose the smallest size for infants. For pre-teens, choose the largest size.

The best sock for a baby is one that fits snugly around the heel and is comfortable. Luckily, most brands have sizing charts on their websites to guide you.

You can also try your child’s socks on before buying them. However, remember that kids’ socks are made of thin material and will stretch with use.

Therefore, sizing should be considered to ensure the socks will fit properly. It is important to note that kids’ feet do not always express their discomfort, so sizing up can help to ensure a comfortable fit.

The right sock should not only be comfortable but should also be durable. 

How-to-choose-the-right-Kid's-Socks-Size
How to choose the right Kid’s Socks Size for your children’s socks? (Photo by Carl Kho on Unsplash)

The best Kid’s Socks Size for your children

When looking for the best kid’s Socks Size for your child, the first thing to consider is your child’s shoe size. A shoe of the same size can fit a child in a child’s socks of different age.

For example, if a kid is a two-year-old, they should wear a pair of toddler socks. Kids four and up should be in children’s sizes four and up.

A high-growth child can go to the next level by selecting a size eight or higher. Toddlers are typically in toddler socks ranging from sizes three to seven.

They can easily move into a child’s size eight or larger as they grow older. Once they reach the age of four, the child can wear kids’ sizes eight and up. Fortunately, most kids grow into the same shoe size by the time they’re ten.

Related: Shoe size for Babies and Toddlers

Kids’ socks are generally categorized according to shoe size and age. For newborns, the best sock size fits the shoe well.

There’s the junior size for older children, which is meant for children in shoes with a size five and up. And for teenagers, a size eight sock is ideal.

How to measure, how to find your Kid’s Socks Size

Knowing how to measure your child’s feet for the correct sock size is important for comfort and fit.. If it’s too small, the heel will appear under the foot.

The material should not bunch up when your child slips their shoes on. Loose socks can feel uncomfortable inside the shoe. A pair that sits properly should have no toe seam.

How to determine your child’s sock size

The best way to determine child sock size is to measure the length of the foot. The length of the foot will determine the sock size. Regardless of the brand, it’s important to know the correct length.

Measure your kid’s feet in 10 simple steps

  1. Measure your kid’s feet in the afternoon.
  2. Make them Stand When Measuring, but with smaller children this is not needed
  3. Be precise
  4. Measure both feet
  5. Stand on a piece of paper
  6. Start drawing
  7. Measure the length of your kid’s feet
  8. Determine your kids socks size in the conversion charts

You should choose a size smaller than the child’s normal shoe size for newborns. The same holds for babies. Sometimes, baby socks can double as holiday decorations or change purses.

There are three general sizes: infant, toddler, and kids. A toddler sock fits a newborn to a year old. For children between the ages of five and ten, you’ll need a child sock between the infant and toddler sizes. 

How often should I take my kid’s foot measurements?

Every three months, kids typically go up a half size. Your child’s feet should ideally be measured every three to four months. Related: Kids Shoe Size by Age: your child’s shoe size with easy size-charts

Unisex Sock Sizing

All children’s sock sizes are in unisex sizing, which helps you avoid socks with gendered packaging altogether.

Children’s sock sizes explained (video)

Children socks sizing by ExpertVillage Leaf Group

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What size sock does a 3 year old wear?

3-year-olds wear socks in size 6 to 7.5 or a XS sock. Their shoe size is between 6-11 US, 5-10 UK, and 21-27 EU. Kids of that age grow up at a different pace, so check the foot length of your 3-year-old Boy or girl.

Kids Socks
Size

AGESHOE
SIZE US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
5-6.5 1-23-72-618-22
6-7.5XS2-46-115-1021-27.5
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32

What sock size is a 5 year old?

5-year-olds wear socks in size 7 to 8.5 or an S sock. Their shoe size is between 10-12 US, 9-11 UK, and 30-32 EU. Kids of that age grow up at a different pace, so check the foot length of your 5-year-old Boy or girl.

Kids Sock
Size

AGESHOE
SIZE, US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
6-7.5XS2-46-115-1021-27.5
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32
8-9.5M5-1012-5Y11-4Y29-36

What size socks should a 6 year old wear?

6-year-olds wear socks in size 8 or a S to Medium sized sock. Their shoe size is 11-1y US, 10-12 UK, and 31-33 EU. Kids of that age grow up at a different pace, so check the foot length of your 6-year-old Boy or girl.

Kids Sock
Size

AGESHOE
SIZE, US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32
8-9.5M5-1012-5Y11-4Y29-36
9-11L10-16Y-7Y5Y-6Y37-38

What sock size is a 7-year-old?

7-year-olds wear socks in size 8 or a S to Medium sized sock. Their shoe size is 1-2y US, 1Y-2Y UK, and 32-34 EU. Kids of that age grow up at a different pace, so check the foot length of your 7-year-old Boy or girl.

Kids sock
size

AGESHOE
SIZE, US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32
8-9.5M5-1012-5Y11-4Y29-36
9-11<L10-166Y-7Y5Y-6Y37-38
What-sock-size-for-a-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-year-old-boy-or-girl
What sock size for a 3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-year-old-boy or girl? (Photo by Valentin Lacoste on Unsplash)

What is the socks size for 8 year old?

An 8-year-old wears socks in size 9 or a M (Medium) sock. Their shoe size is 3-4Y US, 2Y-3Y UK, and 33-34 EU. Kids of that age grow up at a different pace, so check the foot length of your 8-year-old Boy or girl.

Kids Socks
Size

AGESHOE
SIZE, US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32
8-9.5M5-1012-5Y11-4Y29-36
9-11L10-166Y-7Y5Y-6Y37-38

What is the sock size for a 13 year old boy?

A 13-year-old Boy (or girl) wears socks in size 10-11 or a L (Large) sized sock. Their shoe size is 7Y US, 5-6Y UK, and 37-38 EU.

Kids of that age grow up at a different pace, so check the foot length of your 13-year-old Boy or girl. Kids (or teens) of this age will be able to find sock in the small sizes of adults socks

Kids Sock Size
AGESHOE
SIZE, US
SHOE
SIZE, UK
SHOE
SIZE, EU
7-8.5S3-79-1Y8-1325-32
8-9.5M5-1012-5Y11-4Y29-36
9-11L10-166Y-7Y5Y-6Y37-38

What age are size 9-12 socks?

Size 9 to 12 socks will fit kids from 10 to 16 years old. These sizes will also be labeled as Large. Socks of 9-12 size will fit kids with shoe size 6Y-7Y US, 5Y-6Y UK size and 37-38 EU size.

Conclusion 

The sizes of children’s feet differ from those of adults, so it is important to understand this. If you’re buying a pair for your child, the kid’s socks should have plenty of room for the toes. 

Choose baby socks if your child is between one and three years old. Regarding toddler shoes, you should look for sizes corresponding to your child’s age group.

For most brands, the size is indicated on the sock’s label, for example, “sock size 9-11.”  Some brands use alphabetical sizing, so you can tell which pair is right for your child.

Did you find this guide helpful? Please ask any questions you might have and all the best as you seek to get the very best kid’s socks size for your child. 

Picture in this post by Carmen Fu on Unsplash

The model in the picture is wearing a Vans sneaker: check the Vans Size Guide here, Vans Slip-On Size Charts

Related Kids’ size charts