"Size down in Carter's" is one of the most repeated pieces of parenting advice on the internet. It's everywhere — forums, blogs, gift guides. And unlike the equivalent advice for H&M or Old Navy, Carter's generous reputation is partially backed by the data. When we compared Carter's waist measurements against Carter's, Old Navy, H&M, Gap Kids and Cat & Jack at the same height, Carter's had the highest waist upper bound of the five brands at the kids size range.
But generous waist does not mean the garments are too long, and that's where the "size down" advice goes wrong. A child who is the right height for Carter's 5 should buy Carter's 5. The generous waist just means more room to grow in the body before the length runs out. Sizing down because of waist room means buying a garment that will be too short before the waist ever becomes an issue.
There is one genuine exception, and it's worth knowing: Carter's snug-fit sleepwear runs smaller than regular Carter's by design. That one does require sizing up.
Find your child's Carter's size
Enter your child's measurements and we'll show the right size — plus how long it will last.
Size recommendations are based on official brand size charts and are provided as a guide only. Fit may vary by item, style, and individual child. Outgrow is not responsible for sizing decisions made based on these recommendations.
Does Carter's Run Big? What the Data Shows
When we compared Carter's published waist measurements against four brands that parents shop alongside Carter's at the same child height, Carter's had the highest waist ceiling of any of them. At 112cm, Carter's 5 has a waist range of 55.5–58.5cm. H&M 116 tops out at 59cm, but Cat & Jack sits at 52.7cm, Old Navy at 57.2cm, and Gap Kids at 56cm. Carter's generous waist is real.
The important distinction is what generous waist actually means for buying decisions. Carter's 5 covers a child from 108–114cm by height. A child who is 112cm tall and needs Carter's 5 by height should buy Carter's 5 — full stop. The generous waist just means their trousers won't feel tight as they grow through the bracket. Sizing down to Carter's 4 means buying a garment sized for a child up to 108cm, which will be too short before the body measurements ever cause a problem.
The Sleepwear Exception: Always Size Up for Carter's Pajamas
This one is real and worth knowing. Carter's snug-fit pajamas are cut smaller than regular Carter's clothing — not as a sizing quirk, but by design. US federal regulations require children's sleepwear to either be made from flame-resistant fabric or be snug-fitting. Carter's snug-fit pajamas use the tight fit as the safety mechanism.
In practice: a child in Carter's 4T daywear typically needs Carter's 5T pajamas. The "snug fit" label on the packaging is the signal to size up. Loose-fit Carter's sleepwear (made from flame-resistant fabric) follows regular sizing. Check the label before assuming.
Carter's Label System: What the Tags Actually Mean
Carter's uses several overlapping label systems and the duplicates cause genuine confusion.
4-5 and 5 are the same garment
Both labels cover 108–114cm with identical weight ranges (18–20kg). Carter's prints both on the tag. If you see either label on a garment, it is the same item. Don't let the "4-5" label make you think it's a size down from "5."
6 and 6-6X share the same height range
Both cover 114–122cm. The 6-6X label is Carter's nod to the traditional American "6X" sizing convention — slightly longer in the torso and legs for taller children at that height, but covering the same bracket.
The 86–88cm gap
Carter's 24M ends at 86cm and 2T starts at 88cm. There is no Carter's size for a child at exactly 86–88cm. If your child is in this narrow range, 2T is the right direction — the waist adjustment available on most Carter's toddler bottoms handles the small body size difference.
Carter's publishes no hip data
Unlike H&M, Old Navy and several other brands, Carter's does not publish hip measurements for any size. This limits how precisely a size finder can match bottoms — height and waist are the only available data points for every Carter's bottom.
One Child, Five Brands — How Carter's Compares
The same boy from our comparison series: 112cm tall, 19.5kg, 53.5cm waist, 58.5cm hip. Carter's has the most generous waist ceiling of the five brands — and yet it gives the shortest wear time for this child. That apparent contradiction is explained by weight: Carter's weight ceiling for size 5 is 20kg, and at 19.5kg this child is almost there.
| Brand | Size | Waist target | Wear time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H&M | No match | 110: 56–58cm | 116: 58–59cm | — | Child's 53.5cm waist falls between H&M brackets. |
| Carter's | 5 | 55.5–58.5cm | ~3 months | Fits. Waist 2cm below floor but within tolerance. Most generous waist ceiling of the five — limited here by weight approaching 20kg. |
| Old Navy | XS (5) | 57.2cm | ~5 months | Good fit. Child 3.7cm below target with room to grow. Limited by height. |
| Gap Kids | XS (5 yrs) | 56cm waist, 65cm hip | ~4 months | Height fits. Hip 6.5cm below target — loose through the seat. Limited by height. |
| Cat & Jack | No match | 52.7cm waist | — | Child's 53.5cm waist exceeds Cat & Jack's ceiling. Too broad for this size. |
Child profile: boy, 112cm / 44in, 19.5kg / 43lbs, 53.5cm waist, 58.5cm hip. Wear time based on Outgrow longevity data. Carter's hip not published — body fit unvalidated for hip.
For a full explanation of why the same child gets different results across these brands, see our cross-brand sizing research. See also our complete kids clothing size chart comparing 36+ brands side by side.
Carter's Tops Size Chart (Boys & Girls)
Boys and girls tops share a single chart throughout. Carter's tops use height and weight only — no chest measurement is published. From the kids range onward Carter's uses both numeric labels (5, 6, 7) and alpha labels (XS, S, M) on the same garment.
| Label | Height (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 5 lbs | 0–43 | 0–2.3 |
| Preemie | 43–46 | 0–2.7 |
| NB | 46–55 | 2.7–4 |
| 3M | 55–61 | 4–5.7 |
| 6M | 61–69 | 5.7–7.5 |
| 9M | 69–72 | 7.5–9.3 |
| 12M | 72–76 | 9.3–11.1 |
| 18M | 76–81 | 11.1–12.5 |
| 24M | 81–86 | 12.5–13.6 |
| 2T | 88–93 | 13.2–14.1 |
| 3T | 93–99 | 14.1–15 |
| 4T | 99–105 | 15–17 |
| 5T | 105–112 | 17–19.1 |
| 4 | 102–108 | 15–18 |
| 4-5 / 5 ⚑ | 108–114 | 18–20 |
| 6 / 6-6X ⚑ | 114–122 | 20–23 |
| 7 | 122–131 | 23–27 |
| 8 | 131–136 | 27–32 |
| 10 | 136–142 | 32–39 |
| 12 | 142–147 | 39–44 |
| 14 | 147–151 | 44–50 |
⚑ 4-5 and 5 are identical garments — same height and weight range. ⚑ 6 and 6-6X share the same height range 114–122cm.
Carter's Bottoms Size Chart — Standard (Boys & Girls)
Carter's does not publish hip measurements for any size. Waist and height are the only available size chart data points for bottoms.
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 0–46 | 30.5–35.6 | 0–2.3 |
| NB | 48–55 | 39.1–42.1 | 2.3–3.6 |
| 3M | 55–61 | 43.0–46.0 | 3.6–5.7 |
| 6M | 61.0–67.3 | 45.5–48.5 | 5.7–7.5 |
| 9M | 67.3–72.4 | 46.5–49.5 | 7.5–9.3 |
| 12M | 72–77 | 48.5–51.5 | 9.3–11.1 |
| 18M | 77.5–82.5 | 50.0–53.0 | 11.1–12.5 |
| 24M ⚑ | 82.5–86.4 | 51.8–54.8 | 12.5–13.6 |
| 2T ⚑ | 88–93 | 51.8–54.8 | 13.2–14.1 |
| 3T | 93–98 | 53.1–56.1 | 14.1–15.4 |
| 4T | 98–105 | 54.3–57.3 | 15.4–17.2 |
| 4 | 102–108 | 54.3–57.3 | 16.8–17.7 |
| 5T | 105.4–112.0 | 55.5–58.5 | 17.2–19.1 |
| 5 ⚑ | 108–114 | 55.5–58.5 | 17.7–20 |
| 6 / 6-6X ⚑ | 114–122 | 56.9–59.9 | 20–22.2 |
| 6X-7 | 122.0–131.0 | 58.2–61.2 | 22.2–25 |
| 8 | 131.0–136.0 | 60.7–63.7 | 25–28.1 |
| 10 | 136.0–142.0 | 62.0–65.0 | 28.1–33.6 |
| 12 | 142.0–147.0 | 64.5–67.5 | 33.6–39 |
| 14 | 147.0–151.0 | 69.5–72.5 | 39–45.4 |
⚑ 24M ends at 86cm, 2T starts at 88cm — no Carter’s size covers 86–88cm. ⚑ 5T and 5 overlap at 108–112cm with different waist ranges. ⚑ 4-5 and 5 share identical measurements.
Slim Fit (Boys & Girls)
Carter's Slim (S suffix) is meaningfully narrower than Standard — at size 5, Slim waist is 50.7–53.7cm versus Standard 55.5–58.5cm. A genuine 5cm difference worth trying for lean children who find Standard too roomy.
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4S | 101.6–108.0 | 49.4–52.4 | 14.5–16.3 |
| 5S | 108.0–114.3 | 50.7–53.7 | 16.3–18.1 |
| 6S | 114.3–121.9 | 51.9–54.9 | 18.1–20.4 |
| 7S | 121.9–130.8 | 53.2–56.2 | 20.4–24 |
| 8S | 131.0–136.0 | 55.7–58.7 | 24–28.1 |
| 10S | 136.0–142.0 | 56.9–59.9 | 28.1–34 |
| 12S | 142.0–147.0 | 59.5–62.5 | 34–40.8 |
| 14S | 147.0–151.0 | 62.0–65.0 | 38.6–45.4 |
Boys Bottoms — Husky
Husky (H suffix) provides substantially more waist room. At size 8H the waist is 68.4–71.4cm versus 60.7–63.7cm Standard — a 7–8cm difference.
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4H | 101.6–108.0 | 60.9–63.9 | 17.2–19.5 |
| 5H | 108.0–114.3 | 63.3–66.3 | 19.5–21.8 |
| 6H | 114.3–121.9 | 64.5–67.5 | 21.8–24.9 |
| 7H ⚑ | 122.0–131.0 | 66.5–69.5 | 27.2–31.8 |
| 8H ⚑ | 131.0–136.0 | 68.4–71.4 | 31.8–37.2 |
| 10H ⚑ | 136.0–142.0 | 72.2–75.2 | 39.5–45.4 |
| 12H | 142.0–147.0 | 76.1–79.1 | 45.4–52.2 |
| 14H | 147.0–151.0 | 79.8–82.8 | 51.3–59 |
⚑ Sizes 7H, 8H, 10H have different waist measurements from the equivalent girls Plus sizes.
Carter's Girls Bottoms — Plus
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4P | 101.6–108.0 | 60.9–63.9 | 17.7–20 |
| 5P | 108.0–114.3 | 63.3–66.3 | 19.5–21.8 |
| 6P | 114.3–121.9 | 64.5–67.5 | 21.8–24.9 |
| 7P ⚑ | 122.0–131.0 | 68.4–71.4 | 27.2–31.8 |
| 8P ⚑ | 131.0–136.0 | 69.5–72.5 | 31.8–37.2 |
| 10P ⚑ | 136.0–142.0 | 70.9–73.9 | 39.5–45.4 |
| 12P | 142.0–147.0 | 76.1–79.1 | 45.4–52.2 |
| 14P | 147.0–151.0 | 79.8–82.8 | 51.3–59 |
⚑ Sizes 7P, 8P, 10P differ from equivalent Husky boys measurements — store as separate entries.
Carter's Kids Shoe Size Chart
Carter's shoes use plain US numbers (4–13) then Y suffix for big kid sizes (1Y–4Y). The chart ends at 4Y. Foot length progression is irregular — not consistent fractional inch increments.
| US Size | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 10.8 |
| 5 | 12.1 |
| 6 | 13.0 |
| 7 | 14.0 |
| 8 | 14.6 |
| 9 | 15.6 |
| 10 | 16.5 |
| 11 | 17.1 |
| 12 | 18.1 |
| 13 | 19.1 |
| 1Y | 19.7 |
| 2Y | 20.6 |
| 3Y | 21.6 |
| 4Y ⚑ | 23.1 |
⚑ The 3Y to 4Y jump is 1.5cm — the largest step in the chart. Carter’s chart ends at 4Y.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carter’s run big?
Yes — Carter’s genuinely publishes more generous waist measurements than most comparable brands at the same height. But this means there is more room to grow in the body within a size, not that the garment is too long. Use your child’s height to find the right Carter’s size and let the generous waist work in your favor. Sizing down means buying a garment that will be too short before the waist ever becomes a problem.
Why does Carter’s sleepwear run small?
Carter’s snug-fit pajamas are cut smaller to comply with US federal flammability regulations for children’s sleepwear. The tight fit is the safety mechanism. Always size up one for Carter’s snug-fit pajamas — a child in Carter’s 4T daywear typically needs Carter’s 5T pajamas. Loose-fit Carter’s sleepwear uses flame-resistant fabric and follows regular sizing.
What is the difference between Carter’s 24M and 2T?
Carter’s 24M is cut for babies still in diapers with extra room in the seat. Carter’s 2T is cut for toddlers who are potty training or trained and has a slimmer seat. There is also a genuine 2cm height gap — 24M ends at 86cm and 2T starts at 88cm, leaving no Carter’s size for a child exactly between 86 and 88cm.
What is Carter’s 6X size?
6X is a traditional American size that shares the same height range as Carter’s 6 (114–122cm). Both labels appear on Carter’s tags at this size. It is intended for taller children who have outgrown the proportions of a 6 without yet filling out a 7.
What is the difference between Carter’s Slim and Standard?
Carter’s Slim (S suffix — 5S, 6S etc.) is meaningfully narrower in the waist than Standard. At size 5, Slim waist is 50.7–53.7cm versus Standard 55.5–58.5cm — nearly a 5cm difference. Slim is worth trying for lean children who find Standard too roomy in the waist despite the height fitting well.
Is Carter’s the same as OshKosh B’gosh sizing?
Yes — Carter’s owns OshKosh B’gosh and the sizing is essentially identical. A child in Carter’s 3T will fit OshKosh 3T. The brands differ in style rather than size.