If you've ever bought a "3-month" outfit that didn't fit at 3 months, you're not alone — it's one of the most common reasons baby clothes get returned. The fix is simple: size by your baby's weight and height, not just their age. This guide gives you an instant calculator, the full age-weight-height chart, how much to buy in each size, and exactly when to move up.
- Age is a starting point; weight is the most accurate signal for baby clothing size.
- Sizes are ranges with overlap — a big newborn may skip Newborn and start at 0–3M.
- Size up for comfort, longer wear, and bulky items like snowsuits and outerwear (sleepwear is the exception — see below).
- Sizes vary by brand — always check the label's weight/height range, not just the age.
Baby Clothing Size Calculator
Baby clothing size chart by age, weight & height
Here is the full baby and toddler clothing size chart. Match your baby's weight first, then height, then age — if two disagree, choose the larger size for comfort and growing room. (Newborn covers birth to about 1 month, so the 0–3M size starts around 1 month.)
| Size | Age | Weight (lb) | Weight (kg) | Height (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preemie | preemie | up to 6 lb | up to 2.7 kg | up to 17" |
| Newborn | up to 1m | 6–9 lb | 2.7–4.1 kg | 17–21.5" |
| 0–3M | 1–3m | 9–12.5 lb | 4.1–5.7 kg | 21.5–24" |
| 3–6M | 3–6m | 12.5–17 lb | 5.7–7.7 kg | 24–26.5" |
| 6–9M | 6–9m | 17–21 lb | 7.7–9.5 kg | 26.5–28.5" |
| 9–12M | 9–12m | 21–25 lb | 9.5–11.3 kg | 28.5–30.5" |
| 12–18M | 12–18m | 25–28 lb | 11.3–12.7 kg | 30.5–32.5" |
| 18–24M | 18–24m | 28–30 lb | 12.7–13.6 kg | 32.5–34" |
| 2T | 24–36m | 30–33 lb | 13.6–15 kg | 34–36" |
| 3T | 36–48m | 33–36 lb | 15–16.3 kg | 36–38.5" |
| 4T | 48–60m | 36–40 lb | 16.3–18.1 kg | 38.5–41" |
These are clothing-fit ranges, not growth targets or medical advice — every baby grows differently. For questions about your baby's growth, ask your pediatrician.
How do baby clothing sizes work?
Baby clothes are sized in age bands — Newborn, 0–3M, 3–6M, and so on — but each band is really a weight and height range. Because babies grow at very different rates, two babies of the same age can wear sizes months apart. That's why the label always lists a weight range: it's the number to trust over the printed age.
After 24 months, sizing switches to toddler "T" sizes (2T, 3T, 4T). These are cut for a taller, more active toddler with room for a diaper, so a 2T fits differently from a 24-month piece even though the ages overlap.
Should you size up in baby clothes?
In most cases, yes. Babies grow fastest in the first year, and roomier clothes are more comfortable and last longer. Size up when your baby is in the top third of a weight range, for outerwear and snowsuits, and for brands known to run small.
How many clothes do you need in each size?
Babies go through 2–3 outfits a day, so plan around laundry every 2–3 days. The quantities below cover the busiest first-year sizes — buy the fewest in Newborn (many babies wear it only a week or two) and the most in 0–3M and 3–6M, the sizes they stay in longest.
| Size | Bodysuits | Sleepers | Outfits | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newborn | 4–6 | 4–6 | 2–3 | Buy light — many skip it |
| 0–3M | 7–10 | 6–8 | 4–6 | The workhorse size |
| 3–6M | 7–10 | 6–8 | 4–6 | Long-wear size |
| 6–12M | 6–8 | 5–6 | 4–5 | Add weather layers |
Do baby clothing sizes differ by brand?
Yes — sizing is not standardized, so a 3–6M from one brand can fit like a 6–9M from another. Always check the garment's stated weight and height range rather than the age on the front, and when a brand is known to run small, size up.
When should you move up a size?
Move up when outfits feel snug at the shoulders or thighs, when snaps strain at the crotch, when sleeves and legs ride up, or when your baby reaches the top of the current size's weight range. Re-check the fit every 4–6 weeks in the first year.
How do European (cm) baby sizes convert to US sizes?
European baby sizes are simply the child's height in centimeters — a size 62 fits a baby up to about 62 cm tall. That makes them easy to use: measure your baby's length, pick the number at or just above it, and go up if you are between numbers. Many Babbez pieces are labeled by age with the EU cm size alongside, so one table covers both.
| EU size (cm) | Closest US size | Approx. age |
|---|---|---|
| 50–56 | Newborn | 0–1 month |
| 56–62 | 0–3M | 1–3 months |
| 62–68 | 3–6M | 3–6 months |
| 68–74 | 6–9M | 6–9 months |
| 74–80 | 9–12M | 9–12 months |
| 80–86 | 12–18M | 12–18 months |
| 86–92 | 18–24M / 2T | 18–24 months |
| 92–98 | 2T–3T | 2–3 years |
How to measure your baby
Lay your baby flat on a blanket, gently straighten one leg, and measure from the crown of the head to the heel — that length in centimeters is the EU size to buy at or just above. For weight, the number from the most recent checkup is accurate enough; sizes are ranges, so precision to the ounce does not matter. Brand charts still vary, so check each label's own range exactly as you would with the US chart above.
Frequently asked questions
What size does a newborn wear?
Is baby clothing sized by age or weight?
What size comes after 24 months?
Should I size up in baby sleepwear?
What size is 80 in baby clothes?
Now you know the size — shop it.
Browse Babbez baby clothing by exact size, from Newborn to 4T.
Shop baby clothes by size →Related reading: Baby fabrics compared: cotton, bamboo and more · How many baby clothes you actually need · Size converter: US, UK and EU
This guide gives general sizing information to help you shop and reduce returns — it is not medical or growth advice. Every baby grows differently and clothing sizes vary between brands. Sizing reflects standard US baby and toddler apparel ranges. Sleepwear is a special case: under the U.S. CPSC flammability rule, non-flame-resistant baby sleepwear is required to fit snugly, so always follow the manufacturer's sizing and safety label. See our full medical disclaimer.
