How to Measure Your Child for Clothes: A Simple Guide

Measuring a child sounds easy — until you're trying to get a wriggly four-year-old to stand still against a wall. We've been there. Here's what actually works, and what measurements matter most for getting the right clothing size.

Height is the single most important measurement for children's clothing, especially if you're buying from European brands that use EU sizing. To get an accurate reading:

1. Stand your child barefoot against a flat wall — no shoes, no thick socks.
2. Make sure their heels, back, and head are all touching the wall.
3. Rest a flat book or ruler on top of their head, level with the wall.
4. Mark the wall at the bottom of the book, then measure from the floor to that mark.
5. Measure in centimetres — this is what EU sizing is based on.

For shoes, you need foot length, not shoe size. Measure from the back of the heel to the tip of the longest toe (which isn't always the big toe — check both feet). Always measure at the end of the day when feet are slightly larger. Use the bigger of the two measurements.

A few things we've found helpful:

• Children under 2 grow so fast that measurements from two months ago can already be out of date. Measure every 2–3 months.
• For children aged 2–6, every 3–4 months is usually enough.
• For older children, twice a year keeps you current.
• Always measure before ordering from a brand you haven't used before — even if you think you know the size.

When in doubt, compare your measurements directly to the brand's size chart rather than relying on the label alone. Our brand comparison table on the homepage shows how the sizing of Zara, H&M, Next, and Boden aligns with EU height measurements.