Right size, first try
Children's clothes are sized by height in centimetres in the EU and by a short age-height code in the US, and both systems mean the same body measurement. A school backpack should weigh no more than 10-15% of the child's body weight, and rain gear is rated by the water column in millimetres. This reference collects the numbers you need to check before buying.
| What you are fitting | Number to check |
|---|---|
| Clothing, EU size 92 | Body height |
| Clothing, EU size 116 | Body height |
| Clothing, US 2T | Body height |
| Clothing, US 4T | Body height |
| Clothing, US size 6 | Body height |
| School backpack | Loaded weight |
| Backpack, ages 4-8 | Volume |
| Rain outerwear | Water column |
Read the centimetre range on the label and match it to the child's measured body height.
EU children's clothing is sized by body height in centimetres: size 92 fits about 87-92 cm, size 116 about 111-116 cm. The number in the size name is the upper end of the height range, so a child who measures 112 cm falls into size 116.
US toddler sizes map roughly to height: 2T fits about 84-91 cm, 4T about 99-106 cm and size 6 about 114-122 cm. The letter T marks toddler cuts; from size 6 upward the code drops the T.
Age labels are only a rough guide because children of the same age differ in height. A chest measurement in centimetres is the tie-breaker when two height ranges look close.
A loaded backpack should weigh no more than 10-15% of the child's body weight and sit with its bottom about 5 cm above the waist.
Pediatric associations advise that a loaded school backpack should weigh no more than 10-15% of the child's body weight. Weigh the backpack loaded, not empty: books, lunch box and water bottle all count.
The pack should sit with its bottom about 5 cm above the waist, with both shoulder straps used. A single-strap carry shifts the load to one side and is not a fitting method.
Backpacks for children aged 4-8 commonly hold 10-15 litres. Volume beyond what the week's school load needs adds weight for no reason.
Waterproofing is rated by the water column in millimetres: about 3,000 mm handles light rain, 10,000 mm heavy rain.
Outerwear waterproofing is rated by water column: about 3,000 mm handles light rain and 10,000 mm heavy rain. The water column figure states how much water pressure the fabric resists before it lets moisture through.
For everyday school use in a wet climate, the higher end of that range is the safer specification. For short walks in light rain, the lower figure is adequate.
Visibility is a separate rating from waterproofing. The European standard EN 17353 covers visibility clothing and reflective elements for non-professional use, including children's wear.
| What you are fitting | Number to check | Value or range | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clothing, EU size 92 | Body height | 87-92 cm | Upper end of the range is the size number |
| Clothing, EU size 116 | Body height | 111-116 cm | Match height first, chest second |
| Clothing, US 2T | Body height | 84-91 cm | Toddler cut, T in the code |
| Clothing, US 4T | Body height | 99-106 cm | Toddler cut, T in the code |
| Clothing, US size 6 | Body height | 114-122 cm | No T in the code from size 6 up |
| School backpack | Loaded weight | 10-15% of body weight | Pediatric advice for loaded packs |
| Backpack, ages 4-8 | Volume | 10-15 litres | Common capacity for that age band |
| Rain outerwear | Water column | 3,000 mm light / 10,000 mm heavy | Waterproof rating in millimetres |
Figures cited here come from pediatric sizing guidance, EU and US clothing size conventions, outerwear waterproofing ratings and the EN 17353 visibility standard.