Last updated: October 2026 · Reviewed at the start of every new season
Buying a kids football kit should be simple, but the sizes on the label — 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 — confuse almost every parent. Is a size 24 for a 10-year-old or an 8-year-old? Will a size 28 fit a 12-year-old? This guide explains exactly what each kids football kit size means, with real height and chest measurements, so your young fan gets a kit that fits now and still fits at the end of the season.
Quick answer: Kids football kit sizes run from 16 (around 2–4 years) to 28 (around 12–13 years). The number is a size code, not an age, so always choose by your child’s height first: size 16 fits 90–100 cm, 20 fits 110–120 cm, 24 fits 130–140 cm and 28 fits 150–160 cm. If your child is between sizes or growing fast, go one size up.
Table of Contents
What do kids football kit sizes 16 to 28 mean?
The numbers on a kids football kit are a supplier size code used widely across football kit manufacturing. They do not match a child’s age, which is why a “size 22” might suit an 8-year-old rather than a 22-month-old. Each step up — 16, 18, 20 and so on — adds roughly 10 cm of height and a few centimetres of chest room.
Because children of the same age can differ by 15 cm or more in height, the age printed on any chart is only a rough guide. Height is the most reliable way to choose, followed by chest measurement and weight.
Kids football kit size chart by height and age
These measurements come from the All Football Kits children’s size chart. “Shirt chest” is the measurement around the shirt itself, and “length” is from the top of the shoulder to the hem.
| Size | Approx. age | Height | Weight | Shirt chest | Shirt length | Shorts length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 2–4 years | 90–100 cm | under 15 kg | 70 cm / 27.3 in | 47 cm / 18.3 in | 30 cm / 11.8 in |
| 18 | 4–5 years | 100–110 cm | 15–25 kg | 74 cm / 28.8 in | 50 cm / 19.3 in | 32 cm / 12.6 in |
| 20 | 5–7 years | 110–120 cm | 25–30 kg | 78 cm / 30.4 in | 53 cm / 20.8 in | 34 cm / 13.4 in |
| 22 | 7–9 years | 120–130 cm | 30–35 kg | 82 cm / 32.0 in | 56 cm / 22.0 in | 36 cm / 14.2 in |
| 24 | 8–11 years | 130–140 cm | 35–40 kg | 86 cm / 33.6 in | 59 cm / 23.2 in | 38 cm / 15.0 in |
| 26 | 10–12 years | 140–150 cm | 40–45 kg | 90 cm / 35.0 in | 62 cm / 24.3 in | 40 cm / 15.8 in |
| 28 | 12–13 years | 150–160 cm | 45–50 kg | 94 cm / 36.8 in | 65 cm / 25.6 in | 42 cm / 16.5 in |
You can also view the printable chart on our size chart page.
Size by size: which kids football kit size do I need?
What age is a size 16 football kit?
Size 16 is the smallest kids football kit size and suits toddlers and young children of roughly 2 to 4 years, or 90–100 cm tall. It is a popular first kit and a lovely gift for a little one’s birthday.
What age is a size 18 football kit?
Size 18 fits children around 4 to 5 years old and 100–110 cm tall. Many parents buy this size for a child’s first season at a local kids’ club or school team.
What age is a size 20 football kit?
Size 20 suits children of roughly 5 to 7 years and 110–120 cm. If your child is at the top of the height range, consider size 22 so the shirt lasts the full season.
What age is a size 22 football kit?
Size 22 fits about 7 to 9 years and 120–130 cm. This is one of the most popular sizes, as it covers the age when many children start playing more regularly.
What age is a size 24 football kit?
Size 24 suits children of roughly 8 to 11 years and 130–140 cm tall. Height varies a lot in this age group, so measure before ordering.
What age is a size 26 football kit?
Size 26 fits about 10 to 12 years and 140–150 cm. Taller children in this range often move up to size 28.
What age is a size 28 football kit?
Size 28 is the largest kids football kit size and fits roughly 12 to 13 years, or 150–160 cm. Taller or broader teenagers usually move into adult XS or S next.
How to measure your child in 2 minutes
You only need a tape measure — or a piece of string and a ruler.
- Height: stand your child against a wall without shoes, place a book flat on their head and mark the wall. Measure from the floor to the mark.
- Chest: measure around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms, keeping the tape level and comfortable.
- Compare with a shirt they already wear: lay a well-fitting T-shirt flat, measure armpit to armpit and double it. That figure can be compared directly with the “shirt chest” column above.
If the height points to one size and the chest points to another, go with the larger size.
Should you size up a kids football kit?
In most cases, yes. Children grow quickly — often 5–6 cm a year — and a kids football kit is usually worn for a whole season. Sizing up gives you:
- A kit that still fits at the end of the season rather than half-way through.
- More room for a base layer underneath in cold weather.
- Comfortable movement for running, jumping and playing.
The exception is very young children, where an oversized shirt can be awkward to play in. For ages 2–5, choose the size that matches their height now.
Shop the new season for young fans. Browse our 2026/27 kids kits and the full kids football kits range — from Premier League and La Liga clubs to national teams, with free worldwide shipping.
What is included in a kids football kit?
A kids football kit typically includes a matching shirt and shorts, so your child gets the full matchday look in one purchase. Some sets also include socks — check the product description for each kit, as contents can vary between designs.
Buying the set rather than a shirt alone is usually better value, and it means the colours match perfectly for training, matches or just playing in the garden.
From kids sizes to adult sizes
Most children move from kids sizes to adult sizes somewhere between 12 and 14 years old. Here is a simple guide to the switch:
| If your child is… | Try |
|---|---|
| Under 150 cm | Kids size 26 or smaller |
| 150–160 cm, slim build | Kids size 28 |
| 150–165 cm, broader build | Adult XS |
| Over 165 cm | Adult S (see our adult football shirt size guide) |
Adult shirts are longer in the body and wider in the shoulders, so a slim teenager may still be more comfortable in the largest kids size.
International size equivalents (UK, EU, US)
We ship worldwide, so here is a rough guide for parents outside the UK. Always confirm with height and chest, as brands differ.
| Kids size | UK age label | EU height label | US youth size (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16–18 | 3–5 years | 98–110 | Youth XXS / 4–5 |
| 20 | 5–7 years | 116–122 | Youth XS / 6–7 |
| 22–24 | 7–10 years | 128–140 | Youth S / 8–10 |
| 26 | 10–12 years | 146–152 | Youth M / 10–12 |
| 28 | 12–13 years | 158 | Youth L / 14 |
Choosing the right kids football kit: 6 tips from parents
- Let them choose the team. A child is far more likely to wear (and love) a kit they picked themselves.
- Home kits are the safest gift. If you are not sure which design they want, the home colours are usually the favourite.
- Think about the season. For autumn and winter, size up so there is room for a thermal layer underneath.
- Buy two for active players. One for training, one for matches — it saves a lot of last-minute washing.
- Check the shorts length for taller children; the shorts column in the chart above helps.
- Keep the receipt details and order early before birthdays and Christmas, as worldwide delivery takes around 10–14 days.
Comfort and fabric for children
A good kids football kit is made from lightweight, breathable polyester that dries quickly after a muddy game. Look for soft seams, a comfortable collar and an elasticated waistband on the shorts. These details matter more for children than any technical feature.
Most kids’ kits are cut with a regular, relaxed fit rather than the slim cut of an adult match shirt. If you are curious about the difference, our guide to player version vs fan version shirts explains it in full.
Caring for a kids football kit
Kids’ kit gets muddy — that is the point. To keep colours bright and prints intact:
- Turn the shirt and shorts inside out before washing.
- Wash at 30°C with similar colours.
- Treat grass and mud stains before washing, not after.
- Avoid fabric softener and the tumble dryer.
- Hang to dry on a plastic hanger, away from direct heat.
For stain-by-stain advice, read our full guide on how to wash a football shirt.
Kids football kit sizes for girls
Girls’ football is growing fast at every level, and most kids’ kits are unisex. The same size chart applies to boys and girls, so choose by height and chest exactly as above.
Some girls prefer a slightly more fitted look, while others like the relaxed, classic cut. If your daughter likes a closer fit and sits between two sizes, choose the smaller one; if she likes room to move or wears a base layer, choose the larger.
Goalkeeper kits for kids
Young goalkeepers have slightly different needs. Keeper shirts are often worn with padded shorts or a long-sleeve base layer, so we recommend sizing up one size for a goalkeeper kit. Long sleeves also help protect elbows on hard or artificial pitches.
Bright goalkeeper colours make young keepers stand out — something they usually love. Browse our goalkeeper designs within the kids kits collection.
Retro shirts for kids
Retro shirts are not just for grown-ups. Many classic designs are available in kids sizes, so a child can match a parent’s or grandparent’s favourite shirt from a legendary season. Matching family shirts make brilliant photos on matchday and a thoughtful gift for a football-mad household.
Explore our retro football shirts and check each listing for available sizes.
5 sizing mistakes parents make
- Buying by age alone. Two children of the same age can be two sizes apart. Height is the better guide.
- Buying the exact size in September. By spring, a growing child may have outgrown it.
- Forgetting the shorts. Taller, slimmer children sometimes need the next size up for shorts length.
- Ignoring the base layer. Winter football means thermals underneath, which needs extra room.
- Switching to adult sizes too early. Adult shirts are longer and wider in the shoulders; size 28 often fits slim teenagers better.
Getting these right means your child’s kids football kit looks good, feels comfortable and lasts the whole season.
How many kits does a young player need?
For children who play once a week, one kit is usually enough. For those training twice a week plus a weekend match, two kits make life far easier — one can be in the wash while the other is in the kit bag. Many families choose a home kit and an away kit so their child has variety as well as a spare.
When is the best time to buy a kids football kit?
New club designs usually launch between May and September, and national team designs arrive in the months before a major tournament. Buying early in the season gives your child the most wear from their new kit, while buying a previous season’s design later in the year is a smart way to save money.
There are three peak moments when demand is highest:
- Late summer, before the new season and the return to school clubs.
- November and December, ahead of Christmas.
- Spring before a World Cup or European Championship, when every child wants their country’s shirt.
Order a couple of weeks ahead of birthdays and holidays to allow for worldwide delivery. Our guide to when new football kits come out explains the full release calendar.
Popular kids football kit picks
These are the clubs and countries young fans ask for most often:
- Arsenal Home Kids Kit 2026/27
- Liverpool Kids Kit 2026/27
- Manchester United Away Kids Kit 2026/27
- Real Madrid Kids Kit 2026/27
- England Home Kids Kit 2026/27
- Spain Home Kids Kit 2026/27 — the new world champions
- Argentina Home Kids Kit 2026/27
Looking for value? Our cheap kids football kits collection includes great designs at lower prices, and our guide to cheap football shirts shares more ways to save.
Kids football kit as a gift
A kit in their favourite team’s colours is one of the best presents you can give a young fan. If you are buying for someone else’s child, ask a parent for the child’s height — it is the single most useful number. If you cannot find out, choose by age and go one size up.
For more ideas, including retro shirts for parents and grandparents, see our football gifts guide.
Kit them out for the season. Shop 2026/27 kids football kits from just £24.99, in sizes 16 to 28 plus adult sizes, with free worldwide shipping on every order.
Frequently asked questions
What age is size 28 in football kits?
Size 28 usually fits children aged around 12 to 13 years, or 150–160 cm tall. It is the largest kids size before moving into adult XS.
What age is a size 24 football kit?
A size 24 kids football kit fits children of roughly 8 to 11 years, or 130–140 cm tall. Choose by height, as children of the same age vary a lot.
What size football kit for a 10-year-old?
Most 10-year-olds wear size 24 or 26. If your child is under 140 cm, choose 24; if they are over 140 cm, choose 26.
What size football kit for a 7-year-old?
Most 7-year-olds wear size 20 or 22. Under 120 cm, choose 20; over 120 cm, choose 22 so it lasts the season.
Do kids football kits come up small?
Kids kits are generally cut with a relaxed fit, but sizes vary between makers. Measuring your child’s height and comparing with the chart is the most reliable way to avoid a kit that is too small.
Should I buy a bigger size for my child?
For children over 5, buying one size up is usually sensible because they grow quickly and the kit will still fit at the end of the season.
This guide is reviewed every season so sizing advice stays accurate for 2026/27, 2027/28 and beyond. For more on youth football in England, visit The Football Association.
