Baby and child size chart
Standard body measurements by age. Pick the size from the chest measurement, then add ease.
Baby (3–24 months)
| Measurement | 3 mo | 6 mo | 12 mo | 18 mo | 24 mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 16 in (40.5 cm) | 17 in (43 cm) | 18 in (45.5 cm) | 19 in (48 cm) | 20 in (50.5 cm) |
| Center Back Neck-to-Wrist | 10½ in (26.5 cm) | 11½ in (29 cm) | 12½ in (31.5 cm) | 14 in (35.5 cm) | 18 in (45.5 cm) |
| Back Waist Length | 6 in (15.5 cm) | 7 in (17.5 cm) | 7½ in (19 cm) | 8 in (20.5 cm) | 8½ in (21.5 cm) |
| Cross Back (Shoulder to shoulder) | 7¼ in (18.5 cm) | 7¾ in (19.5 cm) | 8¼ in (21 cm) | 8½ in (21.5 cm) | 8¾ in (22 cm) |
| Arm Length to Underarm | 6 in (15.5 cm) | 6½ in (16.5 cm) | 7½ in (19 cm) | 8 in (20.5 cm) | 8½ in (21.5 cm) |
| Upper arm | 5½ in (14 cm) | 6 in (15.5 cm) | 6½ in (16.5 cm) | 7 in (17.5 cm) | 7½ in (19 cm) |
| Armhole depth | 3¼ in (8.5 cm) | 3½ in (9 cm) | 3¾ in (9.5 cm) | 4 in (10 cm) | 4¼ in (10.5 cm) |
| Waist | 18 in (45.5 cm) | 19 in (48 cm) | 20 in (50.5 cm) | 20½ in (52 cm) | 21 in (53.5 cm) |
| Hips | 19 in (48 cm) | 20 in (50.5 cm) | 20 in (50.5 cm) | 21 in (53.5 cm) | 22 in (56 cm) |
Child (sizes 2–10)
| Measurement | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 21 in (53 cm) | 23 in (58.5 cm) | 25 in (63.5 cm) | 26½ in (67 cm) | 28 in (71 cm) |
| Center Back Neck-to-Wrist | 18 in (45.5 cm) | 19½ in (49.5 cm) | 20½ in (52 cm) | 22 in (56 cm) | 24 in (61 cm) |
| Back Waist Length | 8½ in (21.5 cm) | 9½ in (24 cm) | 10½ in (26.5 cm) | 12½ in (31.5 cm) | 14 in (35.5 cm) |
| Cross Back (Shoulder to shoulder) | 9¼ in (23.5 cm) | 9¾ in (25 cm) | 10¼ in (26 cm) | 10¾ in (27 cm) | 11¼ in (28.5 cm) |
| Arm Length to Underarm | 8½ in (21.5 cm) | 10½ in (26.5 cm) | 11½ in (29 cm) | 12½ in (31.5 cm) | 13½ in (34.5 cm) |
| Upper arm | 7 in (17.5 cm) | 7½ in (19 cm) | 8 in (20.5 cm) | 8½ in (21.5 cm) | 8¾ in (22 cm) |
| Armhole depth | 4¼ in (10.5 cm) | 4¾ in (12 cm) | 5 in (12.5 cm) | 5½ in (14 cm) | 6 in (15.5 cm) |
| Waist | 21 in (53.5 cm) | 21½ in (54.5 cm) | 22½ in (57 cm) | 23½ in (59.5 cm) | 24½ in (62 cm) |
| Hips | 22 in (56 cm) | 23½ in (59.5 cm) | 25 in (63.5 cm) | 28 in (71 cm) | 29½ in (75 cm) |
Youth (sizes 12–16)
| Measurement | 12 | 14 | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 30 in (76 cm) | 31½ in (80 cm) | 32½ in (82.5 cm) |
| Center Back Neck-to-Wrist | 26 in (66 cm) | 27 in (68.5 cm) | 28 in (71 cm) |
| Back Waist Length | 15 in (38 cm) | 15½ in (39.5 cm) | 16 in (40.5 cm) |
| Cross Back (Shoulder to shoulder) | 12 in (30.5 cm) | 12¼ in (31 cm) | 13 in (33 cm) |
| Arm Length to Underarm | 15 in (38 cm) | 16 in (40.5 cm) | 16½ in (42 cm) |
| Upper arm | 9 in (23 cm) | 9¼ in (23.5 cm) | 9½ in (24 cm) |
| Armhole depth | 6½ in (16.5 cm) | 7 in (17.5 cm) | 7½ in (19 cm) |
| Waist | 25 in (63.5 cm) | 26½ in (67.5 cm) | 27½ in (69.5 cm) |
| Hips | 31½ in (80 cm) | 33 in (83.5 cm) | 35½ in (90 cm) |
Source: Craft Yarn Council’s www.YarnStandards.com standard body measurements. Body measurements, not garment sizes – add ease for the fit you want.
Frequently asked questions
What chest size is a 2 year old for knitting?
The standard child size 2 has a 21 inch (53 cm) chest.
Should I knit to the body measurement?
No – add ease. Most children’s sweaters add 2 to 4 inches (5–10 cm) to the chest measurement.
Size charts
- Knitting needle size chart
- Crochet hook size chart
- Knitting needle to crochet hook sizes
- Yarn weight chart
- Adult sweater size chart
- Hat, mitten and sock size chart
- Wraps per inch (WPI) chart
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