How children clothes sizes work in the UK
- Size-Age Relation: UK kids’ clothing sizes typically match the child’s age, with a size system ranging from newborn to toddler, and then kids and youth sizes from 4 to 16.
- Growth Differences: Due to individual growth variations, a child may need a size larger or smaller than their age indicates.
- Height & Weight Guides: Some manufacturers include height and weight guides to help ensure a proper fit.
Kids Size Chart UK
Boys Size Chart
Boys’ clothing sizes typically begin at size 4, aimed at around 4-year-olds, and go up to size 18. This chart can also be read as kids shirt size chart or youth shirt size chart.
| UK Boys Size | General Size | Approx. Age | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | XS | 3 - 4 | 99 - 105 | 14 - 17 |
| 5 | XS | 4 - 5 | 107 - 113 | 17 - 22 |
| 6 | S | 5 - 6 | 114 - 118 | 20 - 23 |
| 7 | M | 6 - 7 | 124 - 128 | 23 - 25 |
| 8 | M | 7 - 8 | 130 - 135 | 24 - 29 |
| 10 | L | 8 - 9 | 136 - 140 | 28 - 36 |
| 12 | L | 9 - 10 | 141 - 146 | 34 - 43 |
| 14 | XL | 10 - 12 | 147 - 152 | 40 - 44 |
| 16 | XL | 12 - 13 | 152 - 157 | 44 - 50 |
| 18 | XL | 13 - 14 | 160 - 168 | 50 - 52 |
Girls Size Chart
Choosing the right clothing sizes for girls can be tricky. Girls often develop in the chest and hip areas before they grow taller. This sudden change can make finding the right size a bit challenging.
| UK Girls Size | General Size | Approx. Age | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | XS | 3 - 4 | 97 - 107 | 14 - 17 |
| 5 | XS | 4 - 5 | 107 - 112 | 17 - 22 |
| 6 | S | 5 - 6 | 112 - 117 | 20 - 23 |
| 7 | M | 6 - 7 | 122 - 127 | 23 - 25 |
| 8 | M | 7 - 8 | 127 - 137 | 24 - 29 |
| 10 | L | 8 - 10 | 137 - 147 | 28 - 36 |
| 12 | L | 10 - 12 | 147 - 157 | 34 - 43 |
| 14 | XL | 12 - 13 | 157 - 163 | 40 - 44 |
| 16 | XL | 13 - 14 | 163 - 168 | 44 - 50 |
- Find kids shoe sizes here
Toddler Size Chart Clothes
The “T” found next to size numbers stands for “Toddler.” For this age group, the size guide for boys and girls is the same because children have yet to develop masculine or feminine body shapes at this point in their lives.
| Toddler Size UK | Approx. Age | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2T | 2 years | 85 - 90 | 13 - 14 |
| 3T | 3 years | 91 - 98 | 14 - 15 |
| 4T | 4 years | 99 - 104 | 15 - 17 |
Newborn, Infant, Baby Size Chart Clothes
Baby clothing sizes are usually categorized by age, starting from newborn (NB) up to 24 months. For more details, refer to the chart below.
| UK Baby Size | Approx. Age | Weight (kg) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | Preemie | Up to 3 | Up to 46 |
| NB | Newborn | 3 - 4 | 47 - 52 |
| 3M | 0-3 Months | 5 - 7 | 57 - 61 |
| 6M | 3-6 Months | 7 - 8 | 62 - 69 |
| 9M | 6-9 Months | 8 - 10 | 70 - 74 |
| 12M | 9-12 Months | 10 - 11 | 75 - 77 |
| 18M | 12-18 Months | 12 - 13 | 79 - 84 |
| 24M | 18-24 Months | 13 - 14 | 85 - 90 |
How to measure for Kids clothing sizes
To measure a child for clothing sizes, you’ll need a flexible tape measure, and it’s helpful to have the child in light clothing for accuracy. Here are the main measurements needed:
- Height: Have the child stand against a wall, then measure from the floor to the top of their head. It’s easier if the child isn’t wearing shoes.
- Chest: Measure around the fullest part of the child’s chest, usually right under the armpits. Make sure the tape measure is level and not too tight.
- Waist: Measure around the natural waistline, the narrowest area of the waist. This is usually about an inch above the belly button.
- Hips: Measure around the fullest part of the child’s hips and buttocks.
- Inseam: This measurement is needed for pants and jeans. Measure from the inner thigh down to the bottom of the ankle.
Kids Clothing Size Conversion Chart
International clothing sizes can vary. UK, US, and Australian sizes typically match the child’s age, while European sizes use the child’s height. To translate between systems, use our kids size conversion chart.
| US Kids Size | EU Kids Size | UK Kids Size |
|---|---|---|
| 3M | 56 - 62 cm | 3 m |
| 6M | 62 - 68 cm | 6 m |
| 9M | 68 - 74 cm | 9 m |
| 12M | 74 - 80 cm | 12 m |
| 18M | 80 - 86 cm | 18 m |
| 24M | 86 - 92 cm | 24 m |
| 2T | 92 cm | 2-3 |
| 3T | 98 cm | 3-4 |
| 4T | 104 cm | 4-5 |
| 5 | 104 - 110 cm | 4-5 |
| 6 | 110 - 116 cm | 5-6 |
| 6X-7 | 116 - 122 cm | 6-7 |
| 8 | 122 - 128 cm | 7-8 |
| 10 | 134 - 140 cm | 9-10 |
| 12 | 146 - 152 cm | 11-12 |
| 14 | 158 - 164 cm | 13-14 |
| 16 | 170 - 180 cm | 15-16 |
FAQ
What size is Youth Medium?
Youth Medium size is typically appropriate for children between the ages of 8 and 10. General measurements for this size often fall between 48 and 58 inches in height and 50 to 70 lbs in weight. However, this can vary depending on the brand or style of the clothes. Check our youth size charts here.
What size is Youth Small?
A Youth Small size generally fits kids in the age range of 6 to 8, with a height between 44 and 48 inches and a weight of about 40 to 50 lbs. This can vary depending on the brand or style of the clothes. For the most accurate fit, consult our size chart.
15-16 years size
Teenagers aged 15-16 usually wear Adult Small to Medium sizes. However, some may still fit into larger children’s sizes, like Youth XL or 18-20, especially if adult sizes are too big for them. As each brand varies, it’s always best to check their specific size guides. Check our youth size charts here.
What size is 12-13 years girl?
For 12-13 year old girls, the typical size falls under the large categories in child or youth sizes, often marked as Youth Large (L) or Youth Extra Large (XL), corresponding to sizes 12-16 in most clothing brands. Check our youth size charts here.
What size is 10/12 in youth shirts?
A 10/12 in youth shirts typically corresponds to a Youth Medium (M) or Youth Large (L) in many clothing brands. Youth Medium (M): for children around ages 8-10, height between 122–147 centimetres, and weight around 23–32 kilograms. Youth Large (L): for children around ages 10-12, height between 147–160 centimetres, and weight around 32–39 kilograms. Check our youth size charts here.