Quick answer: a newborn's foot is about 3.3 inches long (8.4 cm), which is a US size 0 to 1, and by 3 months most feet are 3.75 inches, a size 2. In Grookz sizing all of that is Size 1 (0 to 6 months), which fits a foot up to 4.5 inches. The other thing to know is that newborns don't need shoes. Their feet need to stay warm and that's about it, so what you're really shopping for is socks that stay on, or a soft sock shoe for the baby who kicks socks off. Here's the newborn size chart, what to put on their feet, and which size to buy if you're buying a gift.
Newborn shoe size chart
| Age | Average foot length | US size | EU size | Grookz size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 3.3 in / 8.4 cm | 0 to 1 | 15 to 16 | Size 1 (0 to 6 months) |
| 1 month | 3.5 in / 8.9 cm | 1 | 16 | Size 1 |
| 2 months | 3.6 in / 9.1 cm | 1 | 16 | Size 1 |
| 3 months | 3.75 in / 9.5 cm | 2 | 17 | Size 1 |
| 4 months | 3.9 in / 9.9 cm | 2 | 17 | Size 1 |
| 6 months | 4.1 in / 10.4 cm | 3 | 18 | Size 1 (up to 4.5 in) |
Newborn feet vary more than you'd think. A premature baby can have a 2.75-inch foot and a 10-pound newborn can be past 3.5 inches. Both are normal. Feet also grow fastest in these months, about half a size every two months, so a pair that fits at birth is tight by spring. If you want to measure, the book-press method works for a baby who can't stand.
Do newborns need shoes?
No. A newborn isn't bearing weight on their feet, isn't on the ground, and isn't outside on anything rougher than a blanket. The bones in the foot are mostly cartilage and the foot develops best when nothing restricts it. Pediatric guidance is consistent on this: no shoes until a baby is walking outside, and even then the softest, most flexible shoe you can find.
What newborn feet do need is warmth. Babies lose heat through their extremities and can't regulate temperature well yet, so cold feet are worth preventing, especially in the stroller, in the car seat, and in air-conditioned rooms. Socks do that, if they stay on. Most newborns kick socks off within minutes, which is where sock shoes come in.
What to put on a newborn's feet
- Footed sleepers and onesies. The easiest answer most of the day. Our zip onesies cover feet and have a zipper instead of snaps for 3 a.m. changes.
- Socks. Fine when they stay on. Fold-over cuffs help.
- Soft sock shoes. A knit sock with a thin, flexible rubber sole and a cuff that holds the ankle, so they stay on a kicking baby. At this age the sole is along for the ride; the point is warmth and staying put. Size 1 fits from birth to about 6 months.
- Soft-sole crib shoes and moccasins. For photos and outings. The sole should be soft enough to roll up. Ours are in the moccasins collection.
Skip anything with a hard sole, a firm heel, or ankle structure. There's nothing for it to do, and it restricts a foot that's supposed to be moving.
What size to buy as a gift
This is where most newborn shoe gifts go wrong. A pair bought in newborn size at the shower gets worn for a few weeks, if at all, because the baby is asleep, swaddled, or in a sleeper most of the time, and by the time feet are on the floor the pair is too small.
Buy the size they'll grow into. For a shower or a new baby, Size 2 (7 to 12 months) is the one that gets the most wear: it's the crawling and cruising size, when grip on the floor starts to matter and parents are actively looking for something that stays on. If you want them to have something right away, Size 1 for now and Size 2 for later, or a gift card so the parents can pick the size when they need it. Our gift sizing guide covers this in more detail.
How fast newborn feet grow
Roughly half a size every two months in the first year, with the first six months the fastest stretch. A foot goes from about 3.3 inches at birth to 4.1 inches at 6 months and 4.75 inches at a year. That's why we size by six-month ranges with stretch built in rather than by number: one Size 1 covers what would be three number sizes in a hard shoe. Our month-by-month chart has the full first two years.
Features worth having in newborn footwear
- A cuff that holds without digging in. The whole reason to buy sock shoes over socks. No red line after wearing.
- Soft, breathable knit. Cotton blends. Newborn skin marks easily.
- A sole that bends in half. If it doesn't, it's too stiff for this age.
- Nothing to tie or buckle. You'll be putting these on one-handed.
- Machine washable. Newborn feet end up in a lot of things.
- Stitched or knitted-in details rather than prints. Prints crack in the wash.
- Room to grow. Size 1 fits up to a 4.5-inch foot, so a newborn has months of growth in it.
When shoes start to matter
Around 6 to 9 months, when crawling starts on hard floors and a rubber sole gives something to push off from. Then around 12 to 15 months, when walking moves outside and the first real shoe protects against pavement and gravel. The when do babies need shoes post covers both steps.
Frequently asked questions
What size shoe does a newborn wear?
A US size 0 to 1, for a foot around 3.3 inches. By 3 months, a size 2. In Grookz sizing, Size 1 covers newborn through 6 months.
Do newborns need shoes?
No. They need warm feet, which socks, footed sleepers, or a soft sock shoe provide. Shoes become useful when crawling starts on hard floors and necessary when walking moves outside.
What size is newborn in baby shoes?
Most brands label a newborn size as US 0 or 1, fitting a 3.25- to 3.5-inch foot. Some label it NB. The sizes are small enough that most babies outgrow them within six to eight weeks.
What size baby shoes should I buy as a gift?
Size 2 (7 to 12 months) gets the most wear. Newborn sizes are outgrown before the baby is on the floor. A gift card lets the parents pick the size when they need it.
Should newborns wear socks to bed?
If the room is cool, yes, or a footed sleeper. Not shoes of any kind, sock shoes included.
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