What Size Comes After 5T? {With Brand Size Charts!}
If your toddler is reaching the top of the T sizing scale, you may be wondering what size comes after 5T? Our comprehensive guide breaks down the transition from toddler to children’s sizes, including clothing size charts for many popular brands.
When it comes to childrens clothing, changing sizes is inevitable. It seems that as soon as parents figure out infant sizes, their child has moved on to toddler clothes. The switch from toddler sizes to kids sizes can be even more confusing.
There is no standard size guide for retailers or manufacturers when it comes to clothing. This can cause frustration for parents whose children fit into a different size at every different store.
In the United States, Great Britain, and Australia, kids sizes are typically measured by age. Other parts of the world use height and weight to determine sizes, which can be an easier system to navigate.
What is Size 5T?
For most retailers, size 5T is the largest toddler size available. For toddler clothing, the number of the size represents the average age that size fits.
The “T” indicates toddler since there is some overlap with clothing sizes for kids or youth. Size 5T is the size that an average 5-year-old would wear.
Since toddler and kids sizes are not standard across retailers, it is important to know your child’s measurements to determine the right size in each store.
What Size is After 5T?
For the majority of brands, size 6 comes after 5T. However, since each brand uses different measurements for their sizes, you might find that another size is better suited for your child’s body.
Some parents also choose to transition their children to kid sizes before they outgrow toddler sizes. Again, it is helpful to know your child’s measurements to determine the correct clothing size for each brand.
Additionally, once your child outgrows size 6, the sizes will start to differ between girls and boys. Around this age, girls and boys begin to grow at different rates, and their body structure becomes more differentiated.
Size 5T at Different Brands
| Brand | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) |
| Carter’s | 41.5-44 | 37.5-42 |
| Walmart | 42-44.5 | 38.5-42 |
| Old Navy/Gap | 42-45 | 40-46 |
| Cat & Jack (Target) | 43.5-44.5 | 37.5-42 |
| Little Co. (Kohl’s) | 41-42.5 | N/A |
| Children’s Place | 41-44 | 39-45 |
The Difference Between Toddler Clothing and Kids Clothing
You might assume that there is no difference between toddler clothing and kid’s clothing, that the sizes just keep going up. But most brands cut their clothing differently for toddlers and kids because their body shapes tend to be different.
Toddlers are usually boxy and plumper, and clothing reflects the usual toddler shape. Shirts are typically wider and shorter, and pants will usually taper in at the ankles.
Additionally, toddler sizes reflect the average age of the child in that size. Kid’s numerical sizes work the same way, but many parents find their child is rarely at the same age and size.
Every brand will have a different clothing size chart (see below!). Typically a letter size (XS, S, M, etc.) will encompass multiple number sizes. Due to this, letter sizes can have wider ranges between brands.
Size 5T vs 4
Size 4 is smaller than size 5T, even though it is a kids size and not a toddler size. It is the size for an average 4-year-old and will have a kid’s fit instead of a toddler’s fit. Size 4 usually fits between 4T and 5T.
There is no reason your child needs to remain in toddler sizes once they begin to fit in kids sizes. Many parents start using kids sizes when their child reaches size 4.
Difference Between 5 and 5T
Just like with size 4, size 5 is a kids size, and size 5T is a toddler size. The measurements are usually nearly identical. Size 5 will be slightly longer and slimmer to fit an older child’s body. Size 5T will be more square, as toddler clothing tends to be.
Some brands have a size 4/5, which also fits similarly to a size 5T. Usually, the tops will fit a little slimmer than size 5T, and the bottoms are slightly shorter.
Which is bigger 5T or XS?
For most brands, size 5T and size XS are similar. Size XS can often encompass multiple sizes, such as 4, 5T, and 5.
Difference Between 5T and 6
Since 5T is the largest toddler size for most brands, it is the largest clothing size available that has room for a diaper or pull-ups in the bottoms.
Once a child moves up to a size 6, parents may find that the hips are slimmer and the bottoms no longer taper off. Children also tend to grow taller as opposed to wider at this age, so tops are longer in length.
Size 6 is the next size up from 5T for most brands. This is the most common size that children will transition into when making the switch to kids sizes. A few clothing brands do offer size 6T, which fits between size 5 and size 6.
How to Measure Your Child for Clothing
While children at this age seem to be extra squirmy, getting accurate measurements of your child’s body can assure that you find the right size the first time. As much as they hate standing still for measurements, they will probably hate having to try on multiple sizes more.
The size charts for many popular brands are included later in this post, so have these numbers handy to see which size(s) your child fits in.
Chest
To measure your child’s chest, have them stand up straight and relax. They should not breathe in or out excessively; have them continue breathing normally. With a tape measure, measure around their chest at the fullest part, which is located under the armpit.
Waist
To measure your child’s waist, once again have them stand up straight, relax, and breathe normally. Measure around their abdomen at the natural waist (thinnest section), located near the belly button.
Arm Length
While standing, have your child relax their arms down by their size to measure arm length. Measure from the shoulder to just below the wrist bone.
Hip
To find your child’s hip measurement, have them stand up straight and relaxed. Measure around the widest part of their hips and bottom.
Inseam
To measure your child’s inseam, have them stand barefoot with their feet slightly apart. Measure from the top of the inner thigh to the floor with a tape measure.
Most children’s clothing brands do not include an inseam in their sizing guide. However, parents with especially short or tall children can find this helpful when shopping for pants.
Height
Height is a common measurement found in a company’s sizing chart. It is important to be aware of your child’s height when shopping for clothes. You will want to keep in mind length of pants and shirts to ensure they fit properly.
What Size Comes After 5T at Carter’s?
Most children will transition into size 6 after size 5T at Carter’s. Carter’s uses height and weight for their toddler and kid’s sizes, making it easy to transition your child based on these measurements.
However, since the sizes do not include more specific measurements, there may be some trial and error for children’s bodies that fit outside the “average” range.
Carter’s Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) |
| 5T | 42.5-44 | 37.5-42 |
| 4 | 40-42.5 | 34-38.5 |
| 5 | 42.5-45 | 38.5-43 |
| 4-5 | 42.5-45 | 38.5-43 |
| 6 | 45-47.5 | 43-48 |
What Size Comes After 5T at Walmart?
For most children, the next size after 5T at Walmart is size 6 or size S. Walmart offers a variety of sizing options, including different side guides for girls and boys, plus sizes, and slim sizes.
The measurements for size 5T are a height range of 42-44.5 inches and a weight range of 38.5-42 pounds.
Girls Walmart Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 4, 4/5, XS | 39-41.5 | 23 | 21 | 23 |
| 5, 4/5, XS | 42-44.5 | 24 | 21.5 | 24 |
| 6, 6/6X, S | 45-46.5 | 25 | 22 | 25.5 |
| 6X, 6/6X, S | 47-48.5 | 26 | 23 | 26.5 |
Boys Walmart Sizing Guide
| Size | Age (years) | Height (inches) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 4, 4/5, XS | 4-5 | 39-41.5 | 23 | 21 | 23 |
| 5, 4/5, XS | 5-6 | 42-44.5 | 24 | 21.5 | 24 |
| 6, 6/7, S | 6-7 | 45-47.5 | 25 | 22.5 | 25 |
| 7, 6/7, S | 7-8 | 48-49.5 | 26 | 23.5 | 26 |
What Size Comes After 5T at Old Navy?
The next size at Old Navy for most children is size 6, size 6T, or size S. Old Navy and Gap use the same size guide, so your child will fit in the same size at both stores.
Old Navy offers slim and plus sizes for girls and slim and husky sizes for boys.
Toddler Old Navy Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) | Waist (inches) | Inseam (inches) |
| 5T | 42-45 | 40-46 | 21-22 | 17.75 |
| 6T | 45-49 | 46-53 | 22.5 | 19.75 |
Gender Neutral Old Navy Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 5, XS | 45 | 23 | 21.5 | 23.5 |
| 6-7, S | 47.5-50 | 23.5-25 | 22 | 25-26 |
Girls Old Navy Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 5, XS | 42-45 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
| 6, S | 45-49 | 25 | 22.5 | 25.5 |
| 7, S | 49-53 | 26 | 23 | 27 |
Boys Old Navy Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 5, XS | 42-45 | 23.5 | 22.5 | 24.25 |
| 6, S | 45-48 | 24.5 | 23 | 25.5 |
| 7, S | 48-51 | 25.5 | 23.5 | 26.75 |
What Size Comes After 5T at Target?
Toddler and kids clothing size will vary at Target because they carry a variety of brands, including Carter’s, Levi’s, and Adidas. Target has its own brand of toddler and kids clothing called Cat & Jack.
For Cat & Jack, the next size after 5T is size 6 or size S. This brand offers slim and plus sizes for girls and slim and husky sizes for boys. Boys and girls sizes are similar except for their weight ranges.
Toddler Cat & Jack Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 5T, XS | 43.5-44.5 | 37.5-42 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
| 6, S | 45.5-46.5 | 42-48 | 25 | 22.5 | 25 |
| 6X (girls), 7 (boys, S | 47-48.5 | 48.5-54 | 26 | 23 | 26 |
Girls Cat & Jack Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 4, XS | 40-42 | 34-38 | 23 | 21.5 | 23 |
| 5, XS | 43-45 | 39-43 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
| 6, S | 45-47 | 42-48 | 25 | 22.5 | 25 |
Boys Cat & Jack Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 4, XS | 40-42 | 33-39 | 23 | 21.5 | 23 |
| 5, XS | 43-45 | 40-44 | 24 | 22 | 24 |
| 6, S | 45-47 | 45-49 | 25 | 22.5 | 25 |
What Size Comes After 5T at Kohl’s?
Like Target, Kohl’s carries various brands that will each have their own size guide. As an example of a popular brand, we have included the measurements for Little Co. by Lauren Conrad. The next size after 5T is size 6 or size M.
Little Co. Sizing Guide
| Size | Height (inches | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) | Hip (inches) |
| 5T | 41-42.5 | 22.5-23.5 | 21.5-22 | 23.5-24.5 |
| 4, S | 40-42.5 | 21-22.5 | 20.5-21 | 22.5-23.5 |
| 5, S | 42.5-44.5 | 22.5-23.5 | 21-21.75 | 23.5-24.5 |
| 6, M | 44.5-46.5 | 23.5-24.5 | 21.75-22.5 | 24.5-25.5 |
What Size Comes After 5T at Children’s Place?
At Children’s Place, the next size after 5T is size 6 or size S. After size 6; sizes begin to differ between boys and girls.
Children’s Place Sizing Guide
| Size | Age (years) | Height (inches) | Weight (pounds) | Chest (inches) | Waist (inches) |
| 5T | 5 | 41-44 | 39-45 | 22-23 | 22-22.5 |
| 4, XS | 3-4 | 38-41 | 35-39 | 21-22 | 21.5-22 |
| 5, S | 4-5 | 41-44 | 39-45 | 22-23 | 22-22.5 |
| 6, S | 5-6 | 44-46.5 | 45-50 | 23-24 | 22.5-23 |
| 6X, 7, M (girls) | 6-7 | 46.5-50.5 | 50-57 | 24-26 | 23-23.5 |
| 7, M (boys) | 6-7 | 46.5-49.5 | 50-58 | 24-25.5 | 23-23.5 |
What Size Comes After 5T in Underwear?
Underwear sizes do not follow clothing sizes for toddlers or kids. Most parents will first need to determine an underwear size when their child is in the middle of or completely done with potty training.
When children outgrow size 5T clothing, girls will move to size 4 or size 6 underwear, and boys will move to size 4-5 underwear.
Final Thoughts
Determining your children’s clothing size can be confusing, but a little research into size guides and measurements can make shopping easier.
When most children outgrow their size 5T clothing, they will transition into size 6. Or they may even need a larger size because children never stop growing.
We hope this guide helps you to navigate the transition from baby clothes to children’s clothes as you shop for your little one.
Looking for more tips for your little one? Head over to our Ages and Phases Section to see more topics.
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Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!