3Y is common in the children’s shoe size chart and is equivalent to size 3 in the men’s shoe size chart. However, 3Y is considered the same as size 4.5 or 5 in women’s shoe sizes.
When it comes to picking the right shoe size, it is really difficult. You will not only see common numbers that indicate your shoe sizes, such as 7, 8, 9, 10, etc., in the US shoe sizing system, 38, 39, 40, etc., in the EU shoe sizing system, etc. Sometimes, you even bump into abbreviations, such as 3Y, 4Y, 6Y, 7Y, 5M, 6W, etc., on the shoe’s tag label. You might wonder what these letters mean?
I will only discuss the letter 3Y in this short article, though. So, what does 3Y mean in shoe size? In general, 3Y represents shoe sizes for kids. The letter Y, in this case, simply means youth. It is interesting that 3Y in shoe size can be converted into shoe sizes for adults, both women’s and men’s shoe sizes. But what will these conversions be? Keep reading to find them out, as well as how to convert kids’ shoe sizes to adult’s shoe sizes.
What Does 3Y Mean In Shoe Size?
The truth is that most shoe companies will have their own standard when it comes to shoe sizes. Of course, some brands might use the same shoe sizing chart. For instance, companies in the European region tend to use a similar chart for their shoes, but this shoe size chart will be completely different from Asian and the United States countries. That’s why we need a conversion chart.
Besides this, different shoe styles can also affect shoe sizes, which is true for both genders and ages. It becomes apparent that there is often a letter after the shoe size number marked on the shoes (such as 3Y, 4Y,6Y, 5M, 6E, 7W, etc.). Some might know these abbreviations’ meaning, while others might come across these for the first time. And you might wonder, “what does 3Y mean in shoe size, will 3Y be the same as size 3 in males’ or ladies’ shoe size?”
Generally speaking, Y stands for youth and is very common in kids’ shoe sizes, typically in Nike’s shoe size charts for children. Of course, other shoe brands might offer sizes in this range, but not really as common as Nike’s.
Simply put, 3Y represents size 3 in children’s shoe sizes. But what if you want to convert size 3Y to the equivalent size in men’s and women’s shoe size charts? Well, it is really simple. Continue to read to find its corresponding sizes.
What Does 3Y In Men’s Shoe Size Mean?
So, now you know that 3Y denotes size 3 in kids’ shoe sizes. However, what does 3Y in men’s shoe size mean? Well, you might be amazed to discover that the children’s shoe size chart in the United States is typically built based on the males’ shoe sizes. Put differently, 3Y is equivalent to size 3 in men’s shoes.
You probably know that there is a 1.5 size difference when it comes to men’s and females’ footwear sizes. Specifically, a lady who usually wears size 7 in a women’s shoe size chart tends to fit size 5.5 in a men’s shoe size chart. However, there is no variation between kids’ and men’s shoe sizes in this case. But you should remember that it is only applied when comparing shoe lengths, not shoe widths.
While kids’ shoe sizes are the same as shoe sizes for males, it is clear that a child’s shoe size is typically made for kids’ feet, and a man’s shoe size, of course, is produced to fit men’s feet.
So, let’s glance over the following conversion chart to know more about the kids’ and men’s shoe sizes when measured according to the US shoe sizing system.
| Men | Youth (Grade School) | Foot Length (Inches) | Foot Length (cm) |
| 5.5 | 5.5Y | 9.25 | 23.49 |
| 6 | 6Y | 9.375 | 23.81 |
| 6.5 | 6.5Y | 9.56 | 24.28 |
| 7 | 7Y | 9.68 | 24.58 |
| 7.5 | 7.5Y | 9.81 | 24.91 |
What Does 3Y In Women’s Shoe Size Mean?
As I already brought up, children and men have similar shoe size charts in length (obviously, each shoe size is specifically produced for kids’ and men’s feet). For example, size 3Y in children’s shoes is equivalent to size 3 in men’s sneakers.
However, if you compare size 3Y in a child’s shoe sizes with ladies’ shoe sizes, there will be a small difference in the shoe length. As a general principle, there is a 1.5-2 sizes difference between children’s and women’s shoe sizes. In particular, females’ shoe sizes will be 1.5-2 sizes larger than a child’s shoe size. And in this case, 3Y signifies kids’ shoe sizes, while it can be converted to size 4.5 or 5 in a pair of women’s shoes.
But it should be pointed out that there are different factors affecting the 1.5 or 2 sizes difference. These elements can be different shoe styles (like sneakers, boots, etc.) and the standards of each shoe company. You can see the table below that shows the equivalent sizes in women’s and kids’ shoe sizes in length.
| Women | Youth (Grade School) | Foot Length (Inches) | Foot Length (cm) |
| 7 | 5.5Y | 9.25 | 23.49 |
| 7.5 | 6Y | 9.375 | 23.81 |
| 8 | 6.5Y | 9.56 | 24.28 |
| 8.5 | 7Y | 9.68 | 24.58 |
| 9 | 7.5Y | 9.81 | 24.91 |
General Size Chart for Kids
One of the good ways to know your equivalent adults’ shoe sizes is to get to know children’s shoe sizes. Of course, this is true when you know the common rule of how to convert kids’ shoe sizes to adults’ sizes. And this rule has been explained above.
There will also be a detailed conversion chart of kids’, men’s, and women’s shoe sizes. But before going to that part, let’s have a look at the children’s shoe size charts down below.
| US – Kids | UK | EU | Heel-to-toe length (cm) | Heel-to-toe length (in) |
| 1C | 0.5 | 16 | 7 | 2.75 |
| 1.5C | 1 | 16.5 | 7.5 | 2.95 |
| 2C | 1.5 | 17 | 8 | 3.15 |
| 2.5C | 2 | 17.5 | 8.5 | 3.35 |
| 3C | 2.5 | 18 | 9 | 3.54 |
| 3.5C | 3 | 18.5 | 9.5 | 3.74 |
| 4C | 3.5 | 19 | 10 | 3.94 |
| 4.5C | 4 | 19.5 | 10.5 | 4.13 |
| 5C | 4.5 | 20 | 11 | 4.33 |
| 5.5C | 5 | 21 | 11.5 | 4.53 |
| 6C | 5.5 | 21.5 | 12 | 4.72 |
| 6.5C | 6 | 22 | 12.5 | 4.92 |
| 7C | 6.5 | 22.5 | 13 | 5.12 |
| 7.5C | 7 | 23.5 | 13.5 | 5.31 |
| 8C | 7.5 | 24 | 14 | 5.51 |
| 8.5C | 8 | 25 | 14.5 | 5.71 |
| 9C | 8.5 | 25.5 | 15 | 5.90 |
| 9.5C | 9 | 26 | 15.5 | 6.10 |
| 10C | 9.5 | 26.5 | 16 | 6.30 |
| 10.5C | 10 | 27 | 16.5 | 6.49 |
| 11C | 10.5 | 27.5 | 17 | 6.69 |
| 11.5C | 11 | 28 | 17.5 | 6.89 |
| 12C | 11.5 | 28.5 | 18 | 7.08 |
| 12.5C | 12 | 29.5 | 18.5 | 7.28 |
| 13C | 12.5 | 30 | 19 | 7.48 |
| 13.5C | 13 | 31.5 | 19.5 | 7.67 |
| 1Y | 13.5 | 32 | 20 | 7.87 |
| 1.5Y | 1 | 33 | 20.5 | 8.07 |
| 2Y | 1.5 | 33.5 | 21 | 8.27 |
| 2.5Y | 2 | 34 | 21.5 | 8.46 |
| 3Y | 2.5 | 35 | 22 | 8.66 |
| 3.5Y | 3 | 35.5 | 22.5 | 8.86 |
| 4Y | 3.5 | 36 | 23 | 9.05 |
| 4.5Y | 4 | 36.5 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 5Y | 4.5 | 37.5 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 5.5Y | 5 | 38 | 24 | 9.45 |
| 6Y | 5.5 | 38.5 | 24 | 9.45 |
| 6.5Y | 6 | 39 | 24.5 | 9.65 |
| 7Y | 6 | 40 | 25 | 9.84 |
When shopping for shirts for your growing child, it can be difficult to determine the right size. Our Youth Shirt Size Chart can help you find the right fit based on your child’s age, height, and chest measurements. Whether you’re shopping for t-shirts, button-downs, or jerseys, we have the sizing information you need to make informed purchases and ensure your child is comfortable in their clothes.
Is Kids’ Shoe Size 3Y The Same As Men’s?
It seems to be common to know that different shoe companies have their own shoe sizing standard, which leads to different shoe size charts for genders. Depending on separate shoe styles and brands, some might use the same shoe size chart, while others might have separate shoe sizes for adults and kids.
Let’s take Vans as an example. Since most shoes from Vans are designed for both women and men, they often use only one shoe size chart for both. On the other hand, Nike and Adidas will use different size charts for women’s shoes and men’s shoes.
However, when it comes to children’s shoe sizes, almost all companies use only 1 size to refer to both boys’ and girls’ feet sizes. In addition, children’s footwear sizes are typically built on the basis of men’s shoe sizes. To put it differently, size 3Y in the kids’ shoe size chart corresponds to size 3 in males’. But you should have in mind that the measurement is only true for shoe lengths, not shoe widths.
Is 3Y Children’s Shoe Size The Same As 4.5 Women’s?
The short answer is yes. 3Y in the children’s shoe size chart is the same as size 4.5 in the ladies’ shoe size chart. As you might or might not know, women’s shoe sizes are usually 1.5 or 2 sizes bigger than kids’ shoe sizes. Therefore, if you want to convert from a pair of female shoes to a kid’s size, simply subtract 1.5 or 2 sizes.
The opposite is also true. In other words, when you want to convert from kids’ shoe size to your corresponding ladies’ size, you will need to add 1.5 or 2 sizes to the children’s size. And the small variation between 1.5 and 2 sizes is dependent on each company and style (like boots, sneakers, etc.).
How to Convert from Kids’ Shoe Sizes to Adults’ Shoe Sizes?
Actually, it is very simple to convert from children’s shoe sizes to men’s or women’s shoe sizes. Typically, if you want to change your male’s shoe sizes to the equivalent kids’ size or vice versa, you don’t need to do anything. This is because children’s footwear sizes are specifically built-in reference to men’s shoe sizes in the US sizing system. For instance, if your men’s shoe size is 3, then its corresponding kids’ size will be 3Y.
Nevertheless, when it comes to women’s shoe sizes vs. kids’ shoe sizes, there is a slight dissimilarity. It is obvious that there will be differences in shoe widths, but I only talk about shoe length variations in this article. As a common rule, females’ shoe sizes are 1.5 or 2 sizes larger than children’s shoe sizes.
In other words, a woman who typically wears size 4.5 or 5 in a pair of female’s shoes will have her equivalent kids’ size 3Y. Nevertheless, it is still really important to measure your foot sizes again (both in width and length) to make sure you pick the most suitable size.
So, this is the general formula for anyone who wants to change their women’s shoe sizes to the equivalent kids’ sizes. You just need to minus a.5 or 2 sizes from your normal US female’s shoe size, then you will get your corresponding size in children’s shoes.
You can also use this formula for the opposite conversion. In other words, it also works when you want to convert from your child’s shoe sizes to your corresponding ladies’ sizes. In this case, simply add 1.5 or 2 sizes to your casual kids’ shoe sizes. For instance, a child’s 3Y size shoe tends to be the same as size 4.5 or 5 in a pair of women’s shoes.
Children’s Shoe Sizes to Adults’ Shoe Size Conversion Chart
According to the above common rule, you can subtract or add 1.5 or 2 sizes when you want to convert from your adults’ shoe sizes to kids’ shoe sizes and vice versa. Having said that, there are always exceptions, typically when it comes to shoe styles, companies, and foot types. These three factors are among the most common ones that affect the 1.5 or 2 sizes difference.
So, it is crucial to be flexible in various cases. For instance, size 3Y in kids’ shoe sizes can be corresponding to size 4.5 or 5 in women’s shoe sizes. But if your feet are smaller than usual, you might want to go down even 2 sizes from the child’s shoe sizes.
| US Youth/Kids Shoe Sizes | US Women Shoe Sizes | US Men Shoe Sizes | Foot Length (cm) | Foot Length (inches) |
| 13C | 1.5-2 | – | 7.375 | 18.73 |
| 13.5C | 2-2.5 | 0.5 | 7.5 | 19.05 |
| 1Y | 2.5-3 | 0.5-1 | 7.625 | 19.36 |
| 1.5Y | 3-3.5 | 1-1.5 | 7.875 | 20 |
| 2Y | 3.5-4 | 1.5-2 | 8 | 20.32 |
| 2.5Y | 4-4.5 | 2-2.5 | 8.25 | 20.95 |
| 3Y | 4.5-5 | 2.5-3 | 8.375 | 21.27 |
| 3.5Y | 5-5.5 | 3-3.5 | 8.5 | 21.59 |
| 4Y | 5.5-6 | 3.5-4 | 8.625 | 21.91 |
| 4.5Y | 6-6.5 | 4-4.5 | 8.875 | 22.54 |
| 5Y | 6.5-7 | 4.5-5 | 9 | 22.86 |
| 5.5Y | 7-7.5 | 5-5.5 | 9.25 | 23.49 |
| 6Y | 7.5-8 | 5.5-6 | 9.5 | 24.13 |
| 6.5Y | 8-8.5 | 6-6.5 | 9.67 | 24.56 |
| 7Y | 8.5-9 | 6.5-7 | 9.83 | 24.97 |
| 7.5Y | 9-9.5 | 7-7.5 | 10 | 25.4 |
| 8Y | 9.5-10 | 7.5-8 | 10.16 | 25.8 |
| 8.5Y | 10-10.5 | 8-8.5 | 10.33 | 26.24 |
| 9Y | 10.5-11 | 8.5-9 | 10.5 | 26.67 |
How Does The Children’s Shoe Size Conversion Chart To Adults’ Size Work?
In most cases, you don’t need to do any math when you want to convert from your men’s shoe sizes to your equal sizes in kids’ shoes. This is because children’s shoe sizes are specifically built in reference to males’ shoe sizes in the United States. So, it is easy to find that kid’s shoe sizes are usually the same as men’s shoe sizes. But you should note that this formula only works for shoe lengths. In the case of shoe widths, you need to be flexible depending on different elements.
For instance, if you usually wear size 8 in men’s shoes, then your corresponding size in a child’s shoes will be 8Y. However, if your feet are either smaller or wider than normal, the width will not be the same. And this is also applied when it comes to women’s shoe widths.
On the contrary, you will need to go down half of a size or 2 sizes if you want to find your similar kid’s sizes from your normal women’s shoe sizes. And when going up 1.5 or 2 sizes from your female’s shoe sizes, you will get your corresponding kid’s sizes.
And again, don’t assume that the above formula can be applied to shoe width conversion. Even when men and women might share the same foot length, their foot widths will not be the same. Some might have smaller feet, while other feet can be a little bit wider than normal.
When it comes to converting boys’ shoe sizes to men’s, you need a reliable guide that you can trust. Luckily, Hood MWR provides a detailed shoe size conversion chart that can help you find your perfect size, whether you’re shopping for your son or yourself.
Conclusion
So, what does 3Y mean in shoe size? I think that you now get your own answer to this question. In short, 3Y in kids’ shoe sizes can be translated into size 3 in men’s shoes. Nevertheless, it is equivalent to size 4.5 or 5 in females’ shoes.
And basically, there is no variation between men’s and kids’ shoe size conversion. But the difference between women’s and children’s shoe sizes will usually be between 1.5 and 2 sizes. But in some cases, you can increase or decrease this gap, let say 2 or 2.5 sizes, depending on your foot types, the sneaker styles you want, and even shoe brands.
