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Dance Shoe Size Guide

Finding the right dance shoe size online is easy when you know two things: your street shoe size and the fit note for the shoe you want. Many children can wear adult dance shoes, and this guide shows you how.

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Step 1: Measure your foot

Use our printable size guide: Click here to download it.

  1. Print on US Letter paper at Actual Size (100%). Turn off Fit to Page.

  2. Check the box on the sheet with a credit or bank card to make sure it printed at the right size.

  3. Stand barefoot with the back of your heel on the heel line, and read the size at your longest toe.

  4. If your toe goes past the top mark, tape sheet A2 to sheet A1 at the join line.

  5. Measure both feet and use the longer one.

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No printer? Use a sheet of paper:

  1. Measure at the end of the day, barefoot.

  2. Stand on a sheet of paper with your heel against a wall.

  3. Mark the tip of your longest toe.

  4. Measure from the wall to the mark in inches or centimeters.

  5. Measure both feet and use the longer one.

  6. Find that length in the chart below to get your street shoe size.

DFW Kids-to-Adult Dance Shoe Size Guide.png

Step 2: Kids to adult sizes

Parents: many kids can wear adult sizes in dance shoes. Many styles come in adult sizes only, and children with a Child 13.5 foot or larger can usually wear them. The adult size is about 2 to 2½ sizes larger than the child size.

  • Child 13.5 = Adult 3  |  foot length 7¾ in (19.7 cm)

  • Child 1 = Adult 3.5  |  8 in (20.3 cm)

  • Child 1.5 = Adult 4  |  8⅛ in (20.6 cm)

  • Child 2 = Adult 4  |  8¼ in (21 cm)

  • Child 2.5 = Adult 5  |  8½ in (21.6 cm)

  • Child 3 = Adult 5 to 5.5  |  8⅝ in (21.9 cm)

  • Child 3.5 = Adult 5.5  |  8¾ in (22.2 cm)

Boys and men: Child and Youth sizes are the same for boys and girls, and many shoes listed in ladies' sizes are unisex. Boys can use this same chart. Men: add 1½ to your men's size to find the ladies' size. A men's 8 is about a ladies' 9.5.

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Step 3: Check the fit note on the shoe

Every shoe on our site tells you how it fits. Start with your street shoe size (or your child's adult size from the chart above), then follow the fit note:

  • Fits true to size: order your street shoe size.

  • Runs ½ size small: order ½ size up. A 6 becomes a 6.5.

  • Runs 1 size small: order 1 full size up. A 6 becomes a 7.

Dance shoes are made to fit closer to the foot than everyday shoes, so many of them run small.

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Example: Capezio 960 Roxy Tap Shoe

The Capezio 960 Roxy Tap Shoe comes in adult sizes starting at 4. Capezio recommends your street shoe size, which gives a very snug fit. We recommend ordering ½ to 1 full size up for a more comfortable fit. Here is what we recommend for a child:

  • Child 1 → order Roxy size 4 to 4.5

  • Child 1.5 → order Roxy size 4.5 to 5

  • Child 2 → order Roxy size 4.5 to 5

  • Child 2.5 → order Roxy size 5.5 to 6

  • Child 3 → order Roxy size 5.5 to 6.5

  • Child 3.5 → order Roxy size 6 to 6.5

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Still not sure?

Call us at (404) 256-9739 or email orders@dfwga.com and we will help you choose the right size. You can also visit our store in Sandy Springs, GA for a fitting.

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