Toddler sizes aren’t just ranked by age like baby sizes because they all grow at such different rates. There are two different clothing size systems that overlap; one goes by months, while the other goes by years. Let’s clear up some of the confusion about how toddler sizes work.
Toddlers Grow at Their Own Pace
No two toddlers are alike, and they all grow at their own rates. The average 1 year old boy weighs 21 pounds and stands 30 inches tall. The average girl is 19 pounds and 29 inches tall at this age. By age 2, these measurements jump to 28 pounds and 2 feet, 11 inches for boys and to 26 pounds and 2 feet, 10 inches for girls. These are just averages, however. Your toddler might be smaller or larger at these ages. What matters is that they grow along their own curve. “There is a lot of individual variation in toddler size, and some girls may be taller or heavier than boys of the same age,” says Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician in New Jersey and the senior editor of Amy Baby Review. Remember there is not a ton of physical growth during the toddler stage like there was during the first year of life. Be sure to reach out to your child’s pediatrician or healthcare provider with any concerns about your toddler’s size or growth.
Toddler Clothing Sizes Explained
Toddler sizes range from 2T to 5T. The numbers stand for the child’s approximate age in years, and the T stands for “toddler.” Here is a size chart for reference: Pants that are sized as 24 months will have more room to accommodate a diaper under the clothes, while pants sized 2T will be slimmer, since they only need to fit over underwear. Size 2T may also be leaner than 24 months because of the way your child’s body changes when they become a toddler. “Toddler sizes are typically distinguished from babies by the fact that they are walking,” notes Jeff Fischer, a garment industry veteran and co-founder of DTC childrenswear brand, Young Days. “Their bodies are shaped differently as they are generally more active and have begun to lose their baby fat.”
What’s The Difference Between 3T and Kids’ Size 3?
Toddler sizes usually go up to size 5T, but you might also see kids’ sizes 3, 4, or 5 in some brands. These are no different than the toddler sizes. If your child wears a 4T, you can bet on a kids’ size 4 being the right fit.
How Do I Measure My Squirmy Toddler?
As you might imagine, it’s not always easy to get a toddler to hold still so that you can measure them. One way to make things easier is to trace their body and then measure the tracing instead of the child. Head outside with some chalk, or spread a large piece of butcher paper on your floor. Have your little one lay down and trace all the way around their body. Making it into a game might help your kid hold still. You can even let them color and decorate the tracing afterwards. You can also have your child stand against a door frame so you can mark their height with a pencil and then measure from the floor. If their hair adds height, try to keep the pencil pushed down so that it rests on the crown of their head.
How Do European Sizes Differ for Toddlers?
Now that many online stores ship globally, you might discover that some of your favorite toddler brands are sized using European charts. American, British, and Australian sizes are based on the child’s age, whereas European sizing is based on the child’s height, in centimeters. “If you’re looking to purchase garments that utilize that measurement, I would err on the larger size to give most kids a little longer to wear anything before growing out of it,” says Fischer.
A Word From Verywell
Buying clothes for your toddler might be fun, but it can be hard to know exactly what size to get. Start by measuring your little one’s height and buy clothes based on this number, rather than their age. Many kids won’t wear the exact size that matches their age. Of course, trying on clothes is the only way to know for sure, but it’s not always easy to take a toddler shopping. Plus, you might want to save time and shop online. When torn between two sizes, order the larger one. All kids grow at different rates. However, if you find yourself concerned about your toddler’s growth, be sure to reach out to their pediatrician or healthcare provider. There was an error. Please try again.
