Pants sizes for kids vary depending on children’s age, boys pants, girls pants, their body growth, clothing manufacturers, and country. To find kids pants size chart accurately, measure your kids from time to time, what you need to measure is their waistline, hips, and inseam. 

Introductions 

Pants or shorts are one the essential items for children. One or two pieces of tops might be enough for a child for one day, but having a pair of pants for a day is never enough. You have to have a backup of several pairs of pants in your baby’s closet. 

If you are wondering What is Pants Sizing for Kids to find the right sized one, welcome to my new blog. Here you will find in detailed guide on measurements, pants size chart, and tips to find the right size of pants for your children. Without further ado, let’s get started. 

Measurement Basics 

What is Pants Sizing for Kids

If you are looking for a child’s measurement chart, check here below. Here I have listed down children’s body measurements based on their age. Please note that this measurement chart is in general and the variables mentioned are approximate. Based on the child’s growth this will vary. 

Category: Infants 

Age range: 0 months to 12 months 
Size Height Weight Waist 
0 months to 12 months 20 inches to 30 inches 6 pounds to 26 pounds 15 inches to 19 inches 
12 months to 24 months 30 inches to 34 inches 26 pounds to 30 pounds 19 inches to 21 inches 

Category: Toddlers  

Age range: 2 years to 5 years 

When infants grow a bit, they start to gain some physical attributes. If your baby falls in the category, based on toddler years, you need to take measurements of their hips and, inseam separately. 

Size Height Weight Waist Hips Inseam 
2T Around 34 inches 30 to 32 pounds 21 inches 21 inches 14 inches 
3T 35 to 37 inches 33 to 35 pounds 21 to 22 inches 21 to 22 inches 14 to 15 inches 
4T38 to 40 inches36 to 37 pounds Around 22 inches 22 to 23 inches 16 to 16 inches 
5T41 to 43 inches 38 to 40 pounds Around 22 inches 23 to 24 inches 16 to 18 inches 

Category: Children  

Age range: 6 to 9 years old 

Children of this age range are literally the ‘tiny-you’ version. They are about to be a ‘grown-up’ body and require their gender-specific clothing, for example, boys pants are different than girls pants. That’s why their figure sizing matters most while shopping. Let’s check the lower half measurements of a child’s body. 


Age 

Size 

Height 
Weight Hips 
Waist 

Inseam 
Boys Girls Boys Girls 
5 to 6 years 6 / S44 to 46 inches45 to 50  45 to 50 24 to 25 inches 24 to 25 inches Around 22 inches 18 to 20 inches 
6 to 7 years 7 / M47 to 49 inches50 to 58 50 to 57 25 to 2625 to 27Around 23 inches 20 to 23 inches
7 to 8 years8 / M49 to 52 inches 58 to 68  57 to 65 26 to 2727 to 28Around 24 inches 23 to 24 inches
8 to 9 years10 / L52 to 55 inches 68 to 8765 to 7527 to 2928 to 30Around 25 inches 24 to 25 inches

Category: Preteen 

Age range: 10 to 12 

These children are preadolescent. At this stage, children’s bodies develop based on their gender. So, your concern stays on their clothing sizes appropriate for age. Apart from these physical changes, they will have psychological changes and will opine their choice on almost everything, even on wearing fashionable clothing. So, while choosing pants for them, consider their body measurements and their opinion, choices, and preferences. Let’s check the body measurement of this category. 


Age 

Size 
Height Weight Hips 
Waist 

Inseam 
Boys Girls Boys Girls Boys Girls 
9 to 10 yearsB: 12/XL, G: 12/L55.5 to 58.5 inches55 to 58 inches87 to 100 pounds75 to 86 pounds29 to 30.5 inches30 to 32 inches25 to 26 inches26 to 27.5 inches
10 to 11 years 14/XL58.5 to 61.5 inches58 to 61 inches100 to 110 pounds86 to 100 pounds30.5 to 32 inches32 to 34 inches26 to 28 inches27.5 to 29 inches           
11 to 12 years 16/ XXL61.5 to 64 inches61 to 62.5 inches110 to 120 pounds100 to 108 pounds32 to 33.5 inches34 to 36 inches28 to 30 inches29 to 29.5 inches

Kids Pants Sizing Systems 

Kids’ pants sizing systems are mostly done by age. If you go to buy clothing for them, you will first be asked what is the age of your child. If your child has a faster or slower growth rate than their peers, then you might have to tell the height, which is where the kid’s height measurements come into play. 

Here are the most common sizing systems for kids’ pants are described. 

Kids pant sizing based on age 

For infants and toddlers, the sizing is 2T, 3T, etc. As the baby grows up, the ‘T’ disappears and their clothing size is shown in number, such as size number 5, 6, etc. 

Child’s pant sizing based on measurement 

As mentioned earlier, if your child has a fast or slower growth rate, then, you may take considerations of their height. Measuring the child will help you find the most accurately fitting clothing for them. Also, many brands offer custom clothing sizes for children as well. You may take advantage of that if you have a record of the child’s measurement. 

Babies’ pant sizing as per the alphabet 

Similar to adult people’s clothing, children have sizing guides which are: 

XS: Extra Small 

S: Small 

M: Medium 

L: Large 

XL: Extra Large 

Here is the numeric size conversion from the letter from the kids’ pant size. 

Alphabetical size Numeric size 
S (Toddler) 2T 
M (Toddler) 3T 
L (Toddler) 4T 
Small, signed as ‘S’
Medium, signed as ‘M’ 
Large, signed as ‘L’ 
Extra Large, signed as XL 7

Measuring Your Child for the Perfect Fit 

Measuring Your Child for the Perfect Fit 

To find the perfect size of clothing, you need to measure your child appropriately. Here is how you can measure your child. 

Step 1: To find the right fit clothing for your baby let your him/her wear tight fitting clothing. 

Step 2: Gather the equipment with which you will do the measurements. Those are: 

  1. Cloth measuring tape 
  2. Pen or pencil 
  3. A piece of paper 

Step 3: Measure your child’s height first. Let him/her stand against the wall, and measure from head to heel. 

If you are buying tops or t-shirts here is what you need to measure with a measuring tape: 

  • Shoulder: From left to right side. 
  • Neck: Around the neck part. 
  • Chest: Around the chest part, under the arms. 
  • Arms: From shoulder to wrist.

For buying child’s pants, here is what you need to measure: 

  • Waist: Natural narrow part of the whole waistline. 
  • Hips: The fullest part of the hips. 
  • Inseam: From the starting of the leg, near the crotch area, to the heel. Take the full length of kids legs.

Write all these measurements for future records. 

Step 4: While buying pants for your baby, take this pants measurements size chart of your kids. 

Shopping Tips to Find the Right Pants for Children 

Shopping Tips to Find the Right Pants for Children 

If you are going to buy the right pair of pants for your kids, here are some tips to follow. Let’s check them out. 

Infants pants

  • Look for pants that are simple designing (not many decorations, zippers, buttons, etc), so that whenever children wear them, it doesn’t create a disturbance on them. 
  • Make sure the pants are made of good quality fabrics, soft to the touch, and stretchy so that the pant offers comfort at its peak. 
  • Buy one or two sizes larger, as children grow fast. If you buy a fitting one, it might not be usable for one month later. 
  • Stick to well-known brands for infants clothes. Brands are generally safe and offer quality products, so you can use them for your kids care.

Toddlers pants

  • Pants have to be comfortably elastic so that it is easy to wear. 
  • Consider that the baby needs to wear a diaper inside the pants, so the pant size has to be flexible yet right. 
  • If they can express an opinion, ask them if the pant feels good for them. 

Children’s pants

  • Bring your children to the shop while shopping pants for them. 
  • Take a pair of pants that your child feels comfortable wearing. 
  • Buy one size large pants. 

Styling Tips for Kids Pants

Finding children’s clothing sizes fit right is a great relief, because not only does this look good, but also makes children comfortable in wearing the clothing. If you have found the right pants size chart, its time to know some tips to consider while styling up your toddler pants. Check these out.

1. Fold the pants near the ankle area. If the pants are big in size, it will be adjusted. If it is the right size, this will look fashionable. 

2. Tuck the t-shirt or tops inside the pants. 

3. Buy different colors of pants, better if most are dark colors. 

4. Have different occasion-based pants for little ones. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

Question: What size is a 12-13-year-old boy? 

Answer: The basic clothing size for boys between 12 to 13 is XL (14-16) or 14. 

Question: What size is youth medium?

Answer: Youth medium size indicates kids aged between 8 and 10. Depending on growth their height and weight, their clothing sizes vary as well. If your child falls in the youth medium category, make sure to have his/her measurement right. 

Question: What does the “T” stand for in the size chart?

Answer: In the children’s clothing, or shoe size chart you will find the letter ‘T’ which indicates ‘Toddler’. Let’s say a pant size is written 2T, that means, it will fit on a two-year-old child’s waist. 

Question: How do you measure a child’s waist for pants? 

Answer: To take your child’s waist measurement for purchasing pants, measure the full legs, starting from below waist. That is, their waist, hip, and inseam measurements with a cloth measuring tape. Do not measure it too tight or too loose. 

Question: What is an 11 year old boy pants size?

Answer: Typically, an 11-year-old boy’s pants are between 10 and 12 (size L). It’s always a good idea to check the sizing chart or try on the pants to ensure the best fit. An 11 year old boy pants size can vary depending on his height and weight.

Conclusion 

I hope now you understand the kid’s clothing size chart, the process of how you can measure your child, and find the right fit of clothes for your little ones. 

Just a friendly reminder, as children generally have a fast growth rate, so, I recommend shopping for one size large clothes so that you can get them to wear for a few more times than usual. 

If you want me to write on any specific topic or are curious about your childcare, drop me a message. I will cover try to cover that. See you in my next article.

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Last Update: September 14, 2024