How to choose the right sock size for your child
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It's the most common question we get, and it's a fair one. Kids' sock sizes are printed as ranges — 23–27, 28–31, 32–35 — which look like shoe sizes but don't always behave like them. Here's how to get it right without guessing.
Forget the age on the label
Most sock packaging leads with an age: "5–7 years," "7–9 years." It's the least reliable number on the pack.
Children of the same age vary enormously. A tall six-year-old and a small eight-year-old can wear exactly the same sock. If you buy by age alone, you're relying on your child being statistically average — and most aren't.
Measure instead. It takes two minutes and it works every time.
How to measure a foot properly
- Put a sheet of paper flat against a wall.
- Stand your child on it, heel touching the wall, weight on both feet.
- Mark the paper at the tip of the longest toe. This isn't always the big toe — check.
- Measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
- Repeat on the other foot and use the larger measurement.
Two details that matter: measure with your child standing, because feet spread under weight, and measure in the afternoon if you can. Feet swell slightly through the day, so a sock that fits at 8am can feel tight by 4pm.
Matching the measurement to a size
| Size | Foot length | Rough age |
|---|---|---|
| 23–27 | 14–16.5 cm | 3–5 years |
| 28–31 | 17–19 cm | 5–8 years |
| 32–35 | 19.5–22 cm | 8–11 years |
Between two sizes? Go up.
This is the single most useful rule here, and it's worth explaining why rather than just asserting it.
A sock that's slightly too big still works. Knitted cuffs have enough stretch to hold, and the extra length sits harmlessly at the toe. A sock that's slightly too small does real damage: it pulls the toe seam back across the toes, stretches the knit permanently out of shape, and wears through at the heel and toe far faster.
Add to that the obvious — children grow faster than socks wear out — and sizing up is almost always the better bet.
How to tell the fit is wrong
Once they're on, three quick checks:
- The heel pocket should sit on the heel. If it's riding up the back of the ankle, the sock is too small.
- The toe seam should sit past the toes, not across them. A seam pressing on the toes is the most common cause of "these socks are itchy."
- The cuff should be snug, never tight. A deep red ring after a few hours means size up.
A note on shrinkage
People often size up expecting socks to shrink. Good cotton doesn't shrink meaningfully — long-staple premium cotton in particular holds its shape through repeated washing. What actually ruins fit is heat: a hot wash and a hot dryer will tighten the knit permanently. Wash cold, dry low, and the fit you bought is the fit you keep.
Still not sure?
Send us the measurement in centimetres on WhatsApp and we'll tell you exactly which size to order. We'd genuinely rather answer a question than process an exchange.
You can also check the full size guide any time.
