Cat & Jack is Target's kids' clothing brand and one of the most shopped affordable labels in the US. The sizing question parents ask most is whether it runs small — and the answer from the data is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
When we compared Cat & Jack's published waist measurements against Carter's, H&M, Old Navy, Gap Kids and Zara at the same child height, Cat & Jack's standard numeric range had the narrowest waist target of the six brands. A child who gets a comfortable match at Carter's, Old Navy and Zara can get a hard no-match at Cat & Jack standard sizing at the exact same height — not because the garment is small in length, but because the waist target is the tightest in the group.
But the other half of the story is that Cat & Jack also offers the most comprehensive extended sizing of any affordable US kids' brand. Slim from size 5, Plus for girls from size 7, and Husky for boys from size 8. Understanding which range to shop is the thing most parents don't know — and it matters more for Cat & Jack than for almost any other brand.
Find your child's Cat & Jack 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 Cat & Jack Run Small? What the Measurements Show
Of the six brands we compared at 110–114cm height, Cat & Jack standard numeric sizing has the narrowest waist target at 52.7cm. Carter's publishes a waist range of 55.5–58.5cm at the same height. Old Navy targets 57.2cm. Zara targets 55cm. Gap Kids targets 56cm. H&M's floor sits at 58cm. Cat & Jack at 52.7cm is below all of them.
Because Cat & Jack publishes a single value rather than a range, there is no upward tolerance in our recommendation engine — a child whose waist exceeds 52.7cm is a hard no-match for the numeric 4. In practice a 0.8cm difference may be barely noticeable and the garment may go on, but we can't recommend a size where the child's measurement exceeds the published specification.
The Extended Sizing Most Parents Don't Know About
No affordable US kids' brand comes close to Cat & Jack's extended sizing range. Slim, Husky and Plus are all available from relatively young ages, genuinely cover different body types, and use meaningfully different waist targets — not just cosmetically different labels on the same garment.
| Fit | Available from | Waist vs Standard at size 5 | Designed for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slim | Boys & girls size 5 | 50.8cm vs 54.6cm standard — 3.8cm narrower | Lean children who find standard too roomy in the waist |
| Standard | Baby through size 18 | — | Average build |
| Husky (boys) | Boys size 8 only | 68.6cm at size 8 vs 61.0cm standard — 7.6cm wider | Broader boys who find standard too snug |
| Plus (girls) | Girls size 7 | 69.8cm at size 7 vs 59.7cm standard — 10.1cm wider | Broader girls who find standard too snug |
The waist differences are substantial. Husky at size 8 has a 7.6cm wider waist than Standard. Plus girls at size 7 has a 10.1cm wider waist than Standard. These are genuinely different garments for genuinely different body types — not marginal adjustments.
One Child, Six Brands — How Cat & Jack Compares
The same boy from our comparison series: 112cm tall, 19.5kg, 53.5cm waist, 58.5cm hip. His waist exceeds Cat & Jack's 52.7cm standard ceiling by 0.8cm — a hard no-match. He is also the second brand no-match in the table alongside H&M, but for the opposite reason: H&M rejects him because he is too slim for the bracket floor, Cat & Jack rejects him because he is too broad for the ceiling.
| Brand | Size | Waist target | Wear time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H&M | No match | 110: 56–58cm | 116: 58–59cm | — | Child too slim for 116 floor despite correct height. |
| Cat & Jack | No match | 52.7cm | — | Child's 53.5cm waist exceeds ceiling by 0.8cm. Opposite direction to H&M. |
| Carter's | 5 | 55.5–58.5cm | ~3 months | Fits. Most generous waist ceiling. Limited by weight. |
| Gap Kids | XS (5 yrs) | 56cm | ~4 months | Fits. Hip loose — 6.5cm below target. Limited by height. |
| Old Navy | XS (5) | 57.2cm | ~5 months | Fits. Child 3.7cm below target. Limited by height. |
| Zara | 116 | 55cm | ~8 months | Best result. Child 1.5cm below target. Limited by height. |
Child profile: boy, 112cm / 44in, 19.5kg / 43lbs, 53.5cm waist, 58.5cm hip. Wear time based on Outgrow longevity data.
Two no-matches from opposite ends of the waist spectrum is the clearest illustration of why brand reputation alone doesn't tell you whether a garment will fit. For the full methodology see our cross-brand sizing research. See also our complete kids clothing size chart comparing 36+ brands side by side.
Cat & Jack Boys Tops Size Chart
All measurements from official Cat & Jack size charts, verified April 2026. Single value measurements have no upward tolerance.
| Label | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 0.0–44.5 | — | 0.0–2.5 |
| Newborn | 45.7–50.8 | — | 2.7–3.6 |
| 0-3M | 52.1–59.7 | — | 4.1–5.4 |
| 3-6M | 61.0–64.8 | — | 5.7–7.3 |
| 6-9M | 66.0–69.8 | — | 7.5–8.8 |
| 12M | 71.1–77.5 | 48.3 | 9.1–10.4 |
| 18M | 78.7–82.5 | 50.8 | 10.7–11.8 |
| 2T | 83.8–90.2 | 53.3 | 12.0–12.7 |
| 3T | 91.4–97.8 | 55.9 | 12.9–14.5 |
| 4 | 109.2–114.3 | 58.4 | 16.8–19.5 |
| 5 | 114.3–119.4 | 61.0 | 19.5–22.7 |
| 6 | 119.4–125.7 | 63.5 | 22.7–26.3 |
| 7 | 125.7–133.3 | 66.0 | 26.3–29.9 |
| 8 | 133.3–137.2 | 69.8 | 29.9–33.6 |
| 10 | 137.2–142.2 | 73.7 | 33.6–38.6 |
| 12 | 142.2–151.1 | 77.5 | 38.6–44.0 |
| 14 | 151.1–157.5 | 82.5 | 44.0–49.4 |
| 16 | 157.5–162.6 | 85.7 | 49.4–55.3 |
| 18 | 162.6–167.6 | 88.9 | 55.3–60.8 |
Boys Tops — Slim
| Label | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Slim | 114.3–119.4 | 58.4 | 15.9–17.7 |
| 6 Slim | 119.4–125.7 | 60.3 | 18.1–20.0 |
| 7 Slim | 125.7–133.3 | 62.2 | 20.4–22.2 |
| 8 Slim | 133.3–137.2 | 64.1 | 22.7–25.9 |
| 10 Slim | 137.2–142.2 | 67.9 | 26.3–30.4 |
| 12 Slim | 142.2–151.1 | 72.4 | 32.7–36.3 |
| 14 Slim | 151.1–157.5 | 76.2 | 39.0–43.1 |
Cat & Jack Girls Tops Size Chart
| Label | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 0.0–44.5 | — | 0.0–2.5 |
| Newborn | 45.7–50.8 | — | 2.7–3.6 |
| 0-3M | 52.1–59.7 | — | 4.1–5.4 |
| 3-6M | 61.0–64.8 | — | 5.7–7.3 |
| 6-9M | 66.0–69.8 | — | 7.5–8.8 |
| 12M | 71.1–77.5 | 49.5 | 9.1–10.4 |
| 18M | 78.7–82.5 | 50.8 | 10.7–11.8 |
| 2T | 83.8–90.2 | 53.3 | 12.0–12.7 |
| 3T | 91.4–97.8 | 55.9 | 12.9–14.5 |
| 4 | 101.6–106.7 | 58.4 | 15.4–17.2 |
| 5 | 109.2–114.3 | 61.0 | 17.7–19.5 |
| 6 | 114.3–119.4 | 63.5 | 19.1–21.8 |
| 6X | 119.4–124.5 | 66.0 | 21.3–24.0 |
| 7 | 124.5–129.5 | 68.6 | 23.6–27.2 |
| 8 | 129.5–134.6 | 69.8 | 27.7–31.8 |
| 10 | 134.6–142.2 | 74.9 | 32.2–36.3 |
| 12 | 142.2–147.3 | 78.7 | 36.7–40.8 |
| 14 | 149.9–154.9 | 82.5 | 41.3–46.7 |
| 16 | 154.9–160.0 | 86.4 | 47.2–52.2 |
| 18 | 154.9–160.0 | 91.4 | 52.6–56.7 |
Girls Tops — Slim
| Label | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Slim | 109.2–114.3 | 52.1 | 15.9–17.7 |
| 6 Slim | 114.3–119.4 | 54.6 | 17.7–19.1 |
| 6X Slim | 119.4–124.5 | 57.1 | 19.1–20.9 |
| 7 Slim | 124.5–129.5 | 59.7 | 20.9–23.6 |
| 8 Slim | 129.5–134.6 | 61.0 | 23.6–27.2 |
| 10 Slim | 134.6–142.2 | 66.0 | 27.2–31.3 |
| 12 Slim | 142.2–147.3 | 69.8 | 31.8–36.3 |
| 14 Slim | 149.9–154.9 | 73.7 | 36.7–40.8 |
Cat & Jack Boys Bottoms Size Chart
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 0.0–44.5 | — | — | 0.0–2.5 |
| Newborn | 45.7–50.8 | — | — | 2.7–3.6 |
| 0-3M | 52.1–59.7 | — | — | 4.1–5.4 |
| 3-6M | 61.0–64.8 | — | — | 5.7–7.3 |
| 6-9M | 66.0–69.8 | — | — | 7.5–8.8 |
| 12M | 71.1–77.5 | 49.5 | 48.3 | 9.1–10.4 |
| 18M | 78.7–82.5 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 10.7–11.8 |
| 2T | 83.8–90.2 | 52.1 | 53.3 | 12.0–12.7 |
| 3T | 91.4–97.8 | 53.3 | 55.9 | 12.9–14.5 |
| 4 ⚑ | 109.2–114.3 | 52.7 | 61.6 | 16.8–19.5 |
| 5 | 114.3–119.4 | 54.6 | 64.1 | 19.5–22.7 |
| 6 | 119.4–125.7 | 56.5 | 66.7 | 22.7–26.3 |
| 7 | 125.7–133.3 | 57.8 | 69.2 | 26.3–29.9 |
| 8 | 133.3–137.2 | 61.0 | 72.4 | 29.9–33.6 |
| 10 | 137.2–142.2 | 64.1 | 76.2 | 33.6–38.6 |
| 12 | 142.2–151.1 | 67.3 | 79.4 | 38.6–44.0 |
| 14 | 151.1–157.5 | 72.4 | 84.5 | 44.0–49.4 |
| 16 | 157.5–162.6 | 74.9 | 88.3 | 49.4–55.3 |
| 18 | 162.6–167.6 | 77.5 | 92.1 | 55.3–60.8 |
⚑ Numeric size 4 waist (52.7cm) is narrower than T-size 3T waist (53.3cm) despite covering a taller child. This is the dual label discrepancy.
Boys Bottoms — Slim
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Slim | 114.3–119.4 | 50.8 | 59.7 | 15.9–17.7 |
| 6 Slim | 119.4–125.7 | 52.7 | 61.6 | 18.1–20.0 |
| 7 Slim | 125.7–133.3 | 54.0 | 64.1 | 20.4–22.2 |
| 8 Slim | 133.3–137.2 | 55.9 | 67.9 | 22.7–25.9 |
| 10 Slim | 137.2–142.2 | 58.4 | 71.8 | 26.3–30.4 |
| 12 Slim | 142.2–151.1 | 61.0 | 76.2 | 32.7–36.3 |
| 14 Slim | 151.1–157.5 | 64.8 | 81.3 | 39.0–43.1 |
Boys Bottoms — Husky
Husky starts at size 8 — 7.6cm wider waist than Standard at that size.
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Husky | 133.3–137.2 | 68.6 | 76.2 | 34.9–40.4 |
| 10 Husky | 137.2–142.2 | 72.4 | 80.0 | 40.4–45.4 |
| 12 Husky | 142.2–151.1 | 76.2 | 84.5 | 45.4–51.3 |
| 14 Husky | 151.1–157.5 | 81.3 | 89.5 | 51.3–58.1 |
| 16 Husky | 157.5–162.6 | 85.1 | 92.7 | 58.1–64.4 |
| 18 Husky | 162.6–167.6 | 88.9 | 96.5 | 64.4–70.3 |
Cat & Jack Girls Bottoms Size Chart
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | 0.0–44.5 | — | — | 0.0–2.5 |
| Newborn | 45.7–50.8 | — | — | 2.7–3.6 |
| 0-3M | 52.1–59.7 | — | — | 4.1–5.4 |
| 3-6M | 61.0–64.8 | — | — | 5.7–7.3 |
| 6-9M | 66.0–69.8 | — | — | 7.5–8.8 |
| 12M | 71.1–77.5 | 48.3 | 48.3 | 9.1–10.4 |
| 18M | 78.7–82.5 | 50.8 | 50.8 | 10.7–11.8 |
| 2T | 83.8–90.2 | 52.1 | 53.3 | 12.0–12.7 |
| 3T | 91.4–97.8 | 53.3 | 55.9 | 12.9–14.5 |
| 4 | 101.6–106.7 | 54.6 | 58.4 | 15.4–17.2 |
| 5 | 109.2–114.3 | 55.9 | 61.0 | 17.7–19.5 |
| 6 | 114.3–119.4 | 57.1 | 63.5 | 19.1–21.8 |
| 6X | 119.4–124.5 | 58.4 | 66.0 | 21.3–24.0 |
| 7 | 124.5–129.5 | 59.7 | 68.6 | 23.6–27.2 |
| 8 | 129.5–134.6 | 61.0 | 71.1 | 27.7–31.8 |
| 10 | 134.6–142.2 | 63.5 | 74.9 | 32.2–36.3 |
| 12 | 142.2–147.3 | 66.0 | 80.0 | 36.7–40.8 |
| 14 | 149.9–154.9 | 68.6 | 85.1 | 41.3–46.7 |
| 16 | 154.9–160.0 | 72.4 | 88.9 | 47.2–52.2 |
| 18 | 154.9–160.0 | 77.5 | 94.0 | 52.6–56.7 |
Girls Bottoms — Slim
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Slim | 109.2–114.3 | 50.8 | 52.1 | 15.9–17.7 |
| 6 Slim | 114.3–119.4 | 51.4 | 54.6 | 17.7–19.1 |
| 6X Slim | 119.4–124.5 | 53.3 | 57.1 | 19.1–20.9 |
| 7 Slim | 124.5–129.5 | 54.6 | 59.7 | 20.9–23.6 |
| 8 Slim | 129.5–134.6 | 55.9 | 62.2 | 23.6–27.2 |
| 10 Slim | 134.6–142.2 | 58.4 | 66.0 | 27.2–31.3 |
| 12 Slim | 142.2–147.3 | 61.0 | 71.1 | 31.8–36.3 |
| 14 Slim | 149.9–154.9 | 63.5 | 76.2 | 36.7–40.8 |
Girls Bottoms — Plus
Plus starts at size 7 — a 10.1cm wider waist than Standard at that size.
| Label | Height (cm) | Waist (cm) | Hip (cm) | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Plus | 124.5–128.3 | 69.8 | 78.7 | 28.6–32.2 |
| 8 Plus | 129.5–133.3 | 71.1 | 81.3 | 32.2–36.3 |
| 10 Plus | 134.6–138.4 | 72.4 | 83.8 | 36.7–40.8 |
| 12 Plus | 142.2–146.1 | 77.5 | 86.4 | 41.3–48.1 |
| 14 Plus | 149.9–153.7 | 81.3 | 91.4 | 48.5–52.6 |
| 16 Plus | 153.7–157.5 | 86.4 | 95.2 | 53.1–58.1 |
| 18 Plus | 153.7–157.5 | 90.2 | 99.1 | 58.5–64.4 |
Cat & Jack Shoe Size Chart
Cat & Jack uses US sizing for shoes. Toddler sizes use a T suffix. Measure foot length heel to longest toe while standing.
| Label | US | Foot length (cm) | Age guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3T (Toddler) | 3T | 10.9 | 9–12 months |
| 4T (Toddler) | 4T | 11.7 | 1–1.5 years |
| 5T (Toddler) | 5T | 12.5 | 1.5–2 years |
| 6T (Toddler) | 6T | 13.4 | 2–2.5 years |
| 7T (Toddler) | 7T | 14.2 | 2.5–3 years |
| 8T (Toddler) | 8T | 15.0 | 3–3.5 years |
| 9T (Toddler) | 9T | 15.9 | 3.5–4 years |
| 10T (Toddler) | 10T | 16.7 | 4–5 years |
| 11T (Little Kid) | 11T | 17.6 | 5–6 years |
| 12T (Little Kid) | 12T | 18.4 | 6–7 years |
| 13 (Little Kid) | 13 | 19.3 | 7–8 years |
| 1 (Big Kid) | 1 | 20.1 | 8–9 years |
| 2 (Big Kid) | 2 | 21.0 | 9–10 years |
| 3 (Big Kid) | 3 | 21.8 | 10–11 years |
| 4 (Big Kid) | 4 | 22.7 | 11–12 years |
| 5 (Big Kid) | 5 | 23.5 | 12–13 years |
| 6 (Big Kid) | 6 | 24.4 | 13–14 years |
| 7 (Big Kid) | 7 | 25.2 | 14–15 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cat & Jack run small?
Cat & Jack’s standard numeric sizing has the narrowest waist targets of the major US brands we compared. A child who fits comfortably at Carter’s, Old Navy and Zara may find no match in Cat & Jack standard sizing at the same height. However Cat & Jack also has the best extended sizing of any affordable US brand — Slim from size 5, Plus for girls from size 7, and Husky for boys from size 8. If standard is too snug, try Husky or Plus before switching brands.
What is the difference between Cat & Jack Slim, Standard, Husky and Plus?
Standard is the regular fit. Slim has a narrower waist and is available from size 5 for boys and girls. Husky (boys) starts at size 8 and has substantially more room in the waist and hips — 7.6cm wider than Standard at size 8. Plus (girls) starts at size 7 and is 10.1cm wider than Standard at that size. All use the same height brackets, only the waist and hip measurements change.
Why does Cat & Jack have no Husky for boys sizes 4–7?
Cat & Jack Husky starts at boys size 8. For boys between sizes 4 and 7 who need more waist room than Standard provides there is no Husky option. Carter’s or Old Navy, which have more generous standard waist targets at equivalent heights, may be better options for broader boys in this age range.
How does Cat & Jack compare to Old Navy and Carter’s?
Cat & Jack standard sizing has narrower waist targets than both Old Navy and Carter’s at the same height. At 110–114cm, Cat & Jack’s waist target is 52.7cm versus Old Navy’s 57.2cm and Carter’s 55.5–58.5cm range. A child who fits well at Old Navy or Carter’s may find Cat & Jack standard too snug in the waist.
Does Cat & Jack have adjustable waistbands?
Yes — Cat & Jack bottoms include adjustable waistbands on most styles, which is particularly useful given the narrow standard waist targets. The adjustable band extends the effective fit window and is one of the brand’s most practical features for parents whose children sit near the edge of a size.
What is Cat & Jack’s dual label system?
Cat & Jack sells clothing under two parallel label systems at similar heights — a T-suffix alpha system (XS, S) and a numeric system (4, 5, 6, 7). These have different waist targets despite covering similar heights. At around 112cm, XS has a 55.9cm waist target while the numeric 4 has a 52.7cm target — a 3.2cm difference. Knowing which label system you are buying from affects whether the garment fits.