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Start-Rite know a thing or two about kids' feet – they've been in the business since 1792. They believe it's really important to measure young feet accurately before buying every pair of shoes – after all, ill-fitting footwear can impact on a child's foot health for years to come.

So spend some time with Start-Rite's handy measuring guide.

Foot development

Illustration of an X-ray style side view of a human foot and ankle bones on a dark green background

Pre walkers

Feet are mainly soft tissue and cartilage; they are very soft and pliable. At this point they're not designed to take any pressure from standing or from wearing shoes. Even tight socks may compromise foot development.

Illustration of foot X-ray showing fractured metatarsal bones, ankle and toes on a dark green background

First steps

Bones are going through ossification, but ligaments still haven’t fully formed so feet are still soft and vulnerable. Walking is determined when the feet, legs and spine are strong enough to start bearing weight. This is instinctive for each child and occurs at different times.

Side view X-ray style illustration of a human foot and ankle bones, medical anatomy graphic on green background

Pre school

Softer tissues are starting to become stronger and better prepared for weight bearing. Ligaments and bones continue to develop in preparation for more adult-like walking and running.

Side view X-ray illustration of a human foot showing bones, joints and toes, medical anatomy graphic on green background

Kids 4+

All ligaments are starting to form, and bones are becoming stronger. Trunk, leg and foot muscles are learning to work synchronously together. Feet aren’t fully developed until mid-late teens.

Foot shapes

White outline of a bare human footprint on dark green background, simple icon for foot size measurement guide

Square

All toes are about the same length

Round

The 2nd toe is the longest, toes then taper off

Tapered

The big toe is the longest, toes then taper off

Arch shapes

Flat

A very flexible foot with an arch that sits low to the ground. Limited arch definition.

Minimal line icon of a foot above a curved arch, representing podiatry, foot support and orthotic insoles

Typical

Biomechanically efficient foot. Moderately flexible foot with a defined arch.

Minimal line drawing of a human foot and ankle on dark green background with an upward arrow icon below

High

A very rigid foot with an arch that sits higher from the ground. Well defined arch.

How often should you measure kids' feet?

Pre-walkers - every six to eight weeks
First steps - every six to eight weeks
Pre-school - every two to three months
Kids 4+ - every three to four

Using the small gauge

Two schoolchildren in uniform sit on outdoor steps with a football, wearing caps and bright yellow socks.

Make sure your child’s socks fit well. Ensure the child is sitting on a lap and the foot is dangling.
Hold the foot into the gauge with the heel against the heel rest. Push the length slider forward so that is rests lightly against the longest toe.
Take a note of the size shown by the line in the circle. This is the child’s shoe size.
Pull the tape gently until it’s resting on the foot. Lift the tape until it’s parallel to the floor. The letter the blue arrow is pointing at is the width fitting.
Repeat these steps for the other foot. The shoe size needed will be the size of the longest foot, and the width of the widest foot.

Using the large gauge

Two girls sitting on a café counter in school-style outfits, wearing colourful socks and black Mary Jane shoes

Make sure your child’s socks fit well. Place the foot on the gauge using a footstool. The position of the leg should be a 90º angle.
Hold the foot in the gauge so the heel is against the heel rest. Push the length slider forward so it rests lightly against the longest toe.
Take a note of the size shown by the line In the circle. This is the child’s shoe size.
Position the tape diagonally across the foot at the toe joints and pull the tape gently so its sits around the foot. Use the shoe size noted to find the corresponding width measurement on the tape.
Repeat these steps for the other foot. The shoe size will be the size of the longest foot, and the width of the widest foot.

What to look for in a school shoe

Comfort: Kids spend so much time in their school shoes, and we want to make sure they can make the most of their days. If their shoes are uncomfortable it might affect their ability to concentrate in class and have fun at breaktimes. Finding a comfortable pair means they can get on with their day without distraction.

Durability: Whether they’re running around the playground or having a kick-about on the field, your child’s school shoes need to be tough enough to withstand all sorts of activities. Choosing a good quality pair will make sure they last longer and see them through the school year.

The Right Material: We believe that leather is generally the most suitable material for school shoes, as it can be protected and even repaired. Leather school shoes are durable, breathable, and long-lasting. Patent leather is also durable and has a high-shine finish that makes it easy to clean – and looks super smart, too!

Some schools allow shoes made from other materials, such as canvas. Canvas feels really breezy, so it’s ideal for summer – and shoes made from this material are often machine washable, which is a big bonus.

Size guides

Baby size conversion chart

UK	EU	MMs
2		94-103
2.5	18	104-107
3	19	108-111
3.5		112-116
4	20	117-120
4.5	21	121-124

Kids' size conversion chart

Small sizes (kids)

UK	EU
2
2.5	18
3	19
3.5
4	20
4.5	21
5
5.5	22
6	23
6.5
7	24
7.5	25
8
8.5	26
9	27
9.5
10	28
10.5
11	29
11.5	30
12
12.5	31
13	32
13.5

Kids' size conversion chart

Large sizes (kids)

UK	EU
1	33
1.5
2	34
2.5	35
3
3.5	36
4	37
4.5
5	38
5.5	39
6
6.5	40
7	41
7.5
8	42
8.5
9	43
9.5	44
10
10.5	45
11	46

UK to EU and US conversion

Size chart (kids)

UK	EU	US	Foot Length
2 jnr	17.5	2.5	101
2.5 jnr	18	3	102
3 jnr	18.5	3.5	109
3.5 jnr	19	4	113
4 jnr	20	4.5	117
4.5 jnr	20.5	5	122
5 jnr	21	5.5	126
5.5 jnr	22	6	130
6 jnr	22.5	6.5	134
6.5 jnr	23	7	138
7 jnr	24	7.5	142
7.5 jnr	25	8	147
8 jnr	25.5	8.5	151
8.5 jnr	26	9	155
9 jnr	27	9.5	159
9.5 jnr	27.5	10	164
10 jnr	28	10.5	168
10.5 jnr	28.5	11	172
11 jnr	29	11.5	176
11.5 jnr	29.5	12	181
12 jnr	30	12.5	185
12.5 jnr	31	13	189
13 jnr	32	13.5	193
13.5 jnr	32.5	1	198
1	33	1.5	202
1.5	33.5	2	206
2	34	2.5	210
2.5	35	3	214
3	35.5	3.5	219
3.5	36	4	223
4	37	4.5	227
4.5	37.5	5	231
5	38	5.5	236
5.5	39	6	240
6	39.5	6.5	246

UK to EU and US conversion

Size chart - width (kids)

UK	EU	US	Width
D fit	XN	XN	Extra narrow
E fit	N	N	Narrow
F fit	M	M	Medium
G fit	W	W	Wide
H fit	XW	XW	Extra wide

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