In this article
New Balance kids' shoes come in three size ranges: toddler (US sizes up to 10), little kid (10.5 to 3) and big kid (3.5 to 7). The numbers restart after 13, so a little kid size 1 is bigger than a size 13. The surest way to choose is to measure your child's foot in centimetres and match it to New Balance's chart, then size up if they're in between.
The three size ranges
| Range | US sizes | Rough age | Foot length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Babies and toddlers | Up to 10 | Up to about 4 | Up to 16 cm |
| Little kids | 10.5 to 13, then 1 to 3 | About 4 to 8 | 16.5 to 21 cm |
| Big kids | 3.5 to 7 | About 8 to 12 | 21.5 to 25 cm |
Ages are New Balance's rough guide. Feet vary a lot, so go by length, not age. In our listings, sizes up to 13 are marked C and sizes from 1 up are marked J, with the EU size alongside.
Sizes and foot lengths we carry
| US size | EU size | Foot length |
|---|---|---|
| 5C | 21 | 12 cm |
| 6C | 22.5 | 12.5 cm |
| 7C | 23.5 | 13.5 cm |
| 8C | 25 | 14.5 cm |
| 9C | 26 | 15 cm |
| 10C | 27.5 | 16 cm |
| 11C | 28.5 | 17 cm |
| 12C | 30 | 17.5 cm |
| 13C | 31 | 18.5 cm |
| 1J | 32.5 | 19 cm |
| 2J | 33.5 | 20 cm |
| 3J | 35 | 21 cm |
| 3.5J | 35.5 | 21.5 cm |
| 4J | 36 | 22 cm |
| 5J | 37.5 | 23 cm |
| 6J | 38.5 | 24 cm |
| 7J | 40 | 25 cm |
Lengths follow New Balance sizing as listed on our product pages.
How to measure at home
- Measure late in the day. Feet are at their biggest in the late afternoon.
- Have your child stand on a sheet of paper with their weight on both feet, heel against a wall.
- Mark the tip of the longest toe, which isn't always the big toe, and measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
- Measure both feet. Use the bigger one.
- Find the size on the table above. If the measurement falls between two sizes, choose the larger.
How to check the fit
- Toe room: with your child standing, there should be about 1 to 1.25 cm between the longest toe and the end of the shoe.
- Heel: snug enough that the heel doesn't slip out as they walk.
- Midfoot: snug, not tight. Hook-and-loop and bungee closures let you adjust this.
- Width: most of our New Balance listings are standard width (M). The NEW-B FIRST is wide (W), worth trying if standard widths feel tight across the top or sides.
Kids' feet can grow up to half a size every 2 to 4 months, so check the fit about once a month, especially for toddlers.
Which style for which stage
| Stage | Look for | Our New Balance picks |
|---|---|---|
| Early walkers | Flexible sole, roomy toe box, easy on and off | NEW-B FIRST ($69.95, wide), 574 NEW-B ($79.95) |
| Confident toddlers | Grippy sole, a closure that stays fastened | Rave Run V2 ($64.95, bungee laces plus a top strap), 530 Bungee ($89.95) |
| Little kids | Closures they can manage themselves at school | 530 Bungee ($99.95 in little kid sizes), 625 Hook & Loop ($79.95) |
| Big kids | Laces and running-shoe support | FuelCell 990v6 ($169.95) |
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this. Not every colour comes in every size, so check the size list on each product page.
Not walking yet? Babies learn to walk best barefoot, and soft booties that stay on are enough until then. Shopping for daycare? Our guide to daycare indoor shoes covers what most centres ask for.
Want to try sizes on? Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which sizes we have on hand.
