Kids’ clothes size guide: EU and UK sizes by height and age

This kids’ clothes size guide explains how children’s sizes work in Europe and the UK, so you can buy the right size the first time, in a shop, online or abroad. The two systems look different and measure the same thing. Most of Europe labels children’s clothes by height in centimetres (92, 104, 116). Britain, France, Italy and Spain usually label by age (3 to 4 years, 6 ans, 6 anni). Height is the more reliable guide, because children of the same age vary so much. The guide includes a kids’ clothing size chart from newborn to teenager, instructions for measuring, how to buy for growth without clothes looking oversized, which fastenings suit which age, and the safety rules worth knowing.

Kids’ clothes size guide: the quick answer

• Measure your child’s height. It’s the best single predictor of size.
• European sizes are the child’s height in centimetres. Size 116 fits a child about 116 cm tall.
• UK sizes are age ranges. “5 to 6 years” is made for a child about 116 cm tall.
• Sizes step up every 6 cm.
• Between sizes, go up, and adjust the waist.
• Buy for the height your child is now, plus one size at most.

How children’s sizes work

System	Label shows	Used in	Example
European height sizing	Height in centimetres	Germany, the Netherlands, Scandinavia, Austria, Switzerland and many international brands	116
Age sizing	Age in years or months	United Kingdom and Ireland	5-6 years
Age sizing, local language	Age	France (ans, mois), Italy (anni, mesi), Spain (años, meses)	6 ans, 6 anni
Dual labels	Both	Many international retailers	116 / 5-6Y

Europe’s height-based system follows a European standard for clothing size labels, which bases sizes on body measurements instead of arbitrary numbers. For children, the key measurement is height.

Baby clothes size chart: birth to 2 years

EU size (height)	UK label	France and Italy	Typical weight
50	Newborn	Naissance, 0 mesi	Up to about 3.5 kg
56	Up to 1 month	1 mois, 1 mese	3.5 to 4.5 kg
62	0-3 months	3 mois, 3 mesi	4.5 to 6 kg
68	3-6 months	6 mois, 6 mesi	6 to 8 kg
74	6-9 months	9 mois, 9 mesi	8 to 9 kg
80	9-12 months	12 mois, 12 mesi	9 to 11 kg
86	12-18 months	18 mois, 18 mesi	11 to 12.5 kg
92	18-24 months	2 ans, 2 anni	12.5 to 14 kg

Weights are typical values to help with gifts for a baby you can’t measure. Go by length where you can.

Kids’ clothing size chart: 2 to 16 years

EU size (height in cm)	UK label	France and Italy	Height range
92	1.5-2 years	2 ans, 2 anni	87 to 92 cm
98	2-3 years	3 ans, 3 anni	93 to 98 cm
104	3-4 years	4 ans, 4 anni	99 to 104 cm
110	4-5 years	5 ans, 5 anni	105 to 110 cm
116	5-6 years	6 ans, 6 anni	111 to 116 cm
122	6-7 years	7 ans, 7 anni	117 to 122 cm
128	7-8 years	8 ans, 8 anni	123 to 128 cm
134	8-9 years	9 ans, 9 anni	129 to 134 cm
140	9-10 years	10 ans, 10 anni	135 to 140 cm
146	10-11 years	11 ans, 11 anni	141 to 146 cm
152	11-12 years	12 ans, 12 anni	147 to 152 cm
158	12-13 years	13 ans, 13 anni	153 to 158 cm
164	13-14 years	14 ans, 14 anni	159 to 164 cm
170	14-15 years	15 ans, 15 anni	165 to 170 cm
176	15-16 years	16 ans, 16 anni	171 to 176 cm

How to read it: the European size is the top of the height range. A child who is 113 cm tall wears 116. Age labels assume an average child, so a tall five-year-old may need “6 to 7 years”. Retailers set their own ranges, and they can differ by a few centimetres from this chart. Check the brand’s chart when one is available.

Some makers use double sizes, such as 98/104 or 110/116. They fit both heights, loosely on the smaller.

How to measure your child

Measurement	How
Height	Barefoot, back against a wall, book flat on the head. Mark and measure
Chest	Round the fullest part, under the arms, tape level
Waist	Round the natural waist, usually just above the navel
Hips	Round the fullest part of the seat
Inside leg	From crotch to ankle bone

Measure every three to four months. Keep the numbers on your phone for shopping.

Height decides the size. Chest and waist decide the fit. A tall, slim child and a short, sturdy child of the same height both start at the same size, then need a slim or generous cut.

Buying for growth without looking oversized

Children grow about 6 cm a year between the ages of four and ten on average, which is one size. A little room is sensible. Too much looks sloppy, is uncomfortable and can be unsafe.

Where extra room works

• Trouser length: turn up the hem once or twice, and let it down later.
• Sleeve length: up to 2 cm of extra sleeve can be folded back.
• Coats and outerwear: one size up leaves room for jumpers, and lasts two winters.
• Knitwear and sweatshirts: forgiving by nature.
• Pyjamas and playwear.

Where the fit must be right now

• Shoulders: an oversized shoulder is the clearest sign of clothes that are too big.
• Waist: trousers that fall down are a nuisance and a trip hazard.
• Neck openings: too wide, and the top slips off the shoulder.
• Shoes. See our kids’ shoe size guide.
• Occasion wear. See our boys’ suits guide.

Features that grow with the child

• Adjustable waistbands with button elastic inside.
• Deep hems that can be let down.
• Turn-back cuffs.
• Stretch fabrics and ribbed cuffs.
• Braces and dungaree straps with several button positions.

For snowsuits with grow-with-me features, see our guide to kids’ snowsuits and snow pants.

A simple rule

Buy the size for your child’s current height. If they’re in the top half of that height range, or the season is just beginning, buy the next size. Never go up two.

Easy fastenings by age

The right fastening lets a child dress without help, which matters at nursery and school.

Age	Can usually manage	Choose
Under 1	Nothing	Poppers at the crotch and shoulder, envelope necks, zips with a chin guard
1 to 2	Pulling off socks and hats	Elastic waists, wide necks, poppers
2 to 3	Pulling trousers up and down, large zips once started	Elastic waists, hook-and-loop shoes
3 to 4	Large buttons, zips with help	Big buttons, chunky zips, pull-on trousers
4 to 5	Most zips and buttons	Zips, front buttons, hook-and-loop or elastic laces
5 to 7	Small buttons, buckles, starting to tie laces	Shirt buttons, belts, laces for practice
7 and over	Laces and ties with practice	Anything, with a clip-on tie as a back-up

Children develop at different rates, so treat the ages as a guide. For school, choose clothes your child can fasten alone, especially for PE and the toilet.

Safety rules worth knowing

• Cords and drawstrings. European safety rules restrict cords on children’s clothing. Clothes for young children shouldn’t have drawstrings or functional cords in the hood or neck, because they can catch.
• Small parts. For under-threes, check that buttons, bows and decorations are firmly attached.
• Nightwear. Look for the fire-safety information on children’s nightwear labels.
• Fit. Very long trousers and sleeves cause trips and catch on play equipment.

Sizing differences around Europe

• Scandinavia and the Netherlands: height sizing, cut generously in length. See our guides to Swedish and Danish fashion.
• Germany: height sizing, practical cuts.
• France: age sizing in *ans*, cut slim. See French fashion.
• Italy: age sizing in *anni*, cut close to the body. See Italian fashion.
• United Kingdom: age ranges, with slim and generous fits for school wear. See British fashion.

If a brand comes from a country known for a slim cut, consider one size up for a sturdier child.

From children’s to adult sizes

Around 164 to 176 cm, teenagers move into adult sizes: XS or S in tops, and waist and leg measurements in trousers. Many makers offer a “teen” range that bridges the two. See clothes for teenage boys and how should clothes fit.

Buying children’s clothes online and second-hand

• Use the brand’s own size chart and your child’s measurements.
• Read reviews for comments such as “runs small”.
• Check garment measurements when they’re given, and compare with something that fits.
• Second-hand clothes may have shrunk. Compare against a current garment, not the label.
• Buy ahead with care. Seasons and sizes need to line up: a winter coat bought in spring should fit next winter’s height.

For fabrics, see the best fabrics for kids’ clothes. For a small, mix-and-match children’s wardrobe, see our capsule wardrobe guide.

How this chart was made

European children’s sizes follow the height intervals of the European clothing-size standard, EN 13402, which labels garments by body measurement. UK and continental age labels are matched to those heights using the ranges most retailers publish. Individual brands vary, so use this chart to find your starting point.