There’s no denying it. As parents, we enjoy dressing our children in cute and trendy little outfits. With the many retail stores and ever-growing online market, there’s no short supply of adorable clothes to choose from. The issue often arises when you need to find the right size. At some point, you might be wondering what comes after 5T? When it comes to size 5 vs 5T, what are the differences? Read on to find out!
Meaning of 5T size
With the T sizes, the “T” stands for toddler, and the number before it usually refers to the age of the average little one that will fit into that size. So, when the size is 5T, it’s the toddler size for a toddler aged 5.
If your infant is still little and you’re just reading this article in preparation for future shopping, you might want to also read about comparing 2T vs 3T, as well as comparing 4 vs 4T. Both articles will save you a lot of frustration in finding the correct clothing size.
Is size 5T the same as 5?
No. Despite both being sizes for a 5-year-old, 5T and 5 are slightly different. Generally speaking, size 5 refers to clothing that’s longer and bigger than a 5T. The main reason for this is so that your little one can wear them longer.
So, as your little one turns 5, or even in the last few months of being 4, they’ll fit into a 5T. As they grow in their 5th year, they’ll be more comfortable in a size 5. Size 5 also comes with prominent gender differences in cut and style. The clothes no longer look like baby clothes, but like little boys or girls’ clothes.
Size 5T average measurements
While there’s no perfect mold that each age group fits into, there’s a general guideline that most children fit into. I’ve listed the average 5T measurements below.
| Weight | 39 – 45 lbs | 18 – 20 kg |
| Height | 41 – 44 inches | 104 cm – 112 cm |
| Average Waist | 22 – 22.5 inches | 56 – 57 cm |
Is 5T for 5-year-olds?
In the flow of sizes, 5T comes after both 4T and 4. For the most part, size 4 is regarded as a size between 4T and 5T. A 5T size is intended for children who are potty trained and don’t have to wear diapers.
These clothes are fitted at the waist and not so saggy in the bum area. They’re intended to be worn with underpants. So 5T can easily be for 5-year-olds or even bigger 4-year-olds who are potty trained.
Meaning of 6 size
Size 6 refers to the size of children’s clothing that comes after 5T. Size 6 is noticeably larger than 5T making it important to take your child’s measurements rather than just go according to their age. Some children might wear a combination of sizes, such as a size 5 shirt but a size 6 pants because they have longer legs.
Size 6 average measurements
With the minor differences between sizes, it can sometimes be difficult to pick the right size. What’s the real difference between 5T and 6? See the table below.
| Weight | 43 – 50 lbs | 20 – 23 kg |
| Height | 45 – 48 inches | 114 – 122cm |
| Average Waist | 22 – 22.5 inches | 56 – 57cm |
What size comes after 5T?
The most obvious answer is size 6. For most clothing brands, 5T symbolizes the end of toddler sizes and the start of “big kid” clothes. Since children grow at different rates, your little one might not wear a size 5 for very long. In some instances, some children move straight from 5T to 6. Smaller children, on the other hand, might wear a 5T when they’re 6.
In underwear
The first challenge is to find the right-sized underwear during or immediately after potty training. In general, when children outgrow size 5T clothing, boys usually move to underwear size 4 – 5 while girls will wear size 4 or 6 underwear.
In pajamas
Pajama dresses for girls would usually be the same size as the shirt you’re buying. For boys, you’d also use the same size as the shirts. So, if your little one is wearing a size 4 -5 shirt, that will be the size of the pajamas.
Sometimes you might have a pajama top that fits comfortably, the pants could be too long. Unfortunately, that’s not something that you can get around since they’re usually sold as a set based on the shirt size.
In pants (incl. jeans)
While size 5 pants are usually shorter than 5T sizes, they might also be snug in the bottom. This means you’ll probably move straight to size 6 pants for both boys and girls. When it comes to jeans, you could have two options, size 6 or a size labeled as “S” for small. Again, it depends on how fast your little one grows.
In shirts
Surprisingly enough, children who outgrow their 5T tops and shirts, might easily fit into a size 4/5 shirt. Some shirts and tops from some brands are usually the same lengths as their 5T options. They may just not be as wide around the middle, since there’s no need to cover a bulky diaper area.
5 vs 5T – Differences
While most stores carry both sizes, there are a few key differences. 5T pants tend to have more room in the bottom for diapers and pull-ups. This is so that your little one isn’t uncomfortable during potty training. Usually, regular size 5 clothes have longer legs and wider bottoms so that they can last longer.
5T vs 6 – Differences
When it comes to boys’ and girls’ clothes, size 6 tends to be more fitted around the waist and bottom than 5T. This is because there doesn’t have to be compensation for diapers. Pant legs might be noticeably longer to accommodate growing toddlers who tend to grow taller in this stage of development.
What size is after 6?
After size 6 you can expect to move on to size 7. Most brands don’t have a size 6T, while others do. If you find a size 6T it’s important to note that it’s similar to a size 5. The key difference between 6T and 6 will be the cut of the clothing. 6T is essentially designed for a toddler’s body.
How to know when your child needs to wear size 5T and larger
At the rate small children grow, it can sometimes be quite challenging to keep up with their sizes. Some of the signs that will help you know if your little one needs to move a size up are listed below:
- Children become unable to take tight clothes off
- Underwear appears tighter and possibly uncomfortable
- Pants tend to sit lower on their waists
- Arms and ankles sticking out of the shirts and pants more than they should
How to measure your child for wearing clothes
It’s important to measure your child correctly to get the right clothing size. Clothes shouldn’t be too big and can cause children to trip or fall when they’re running around developing their motor skills.
While measuring children for clothes, you might want to consider reading about how you can get your baby or toddler to wear a hat. If you’ve never measured toddlers for clothes, here are a few guidelines to make it a little easier!
Height
- Stand them against a door frame with their heels against the door frame
- Mark the top of their head on the door frame
- Use the tape measure to measure from the floor to the mark (it’s easier than trying to get a wild toddler to stand still for measuring)
- Height measurement is essential for pants and jeans
Waist
- A toddler’s waist is measured close to their belly button
- Make sure the tape measure isn’t too tight, remember that you want the clothes to have some leeway, or else they’ll only wear the pants for a few weeks
Chest
- Get your toddler to stand still with their arms relaxed by their side
- Measure the widest part of your little one’s chest under their arms
- Add a few centimeters so that the shirts and tops aren’t too tight
I’ve added a short clip to show you how easy it is to measure your little one for the right size clothing!
What comes after 5T in retail stores
As you search for the cutest, most unique outfits for your little one, you’ll soon find out that different brands and retail stores have different sizes under the 5T label. Another reason to always know your little one’s measurements.
Carter’s
Carter’s makes it much easier to transition into size 6 after size 5T because they use height and weight to determine the sizes in their kids and toddler ranges. If you take your little one’s measurements it’ll be very easy to find the perfect size.
Walmart
In Walmart the next size after 5T is a size 6 or a size S which refers to a size small. There’s a variety of sizing guides available to help you choose the right size based on your little one’s measurements.
Target
Parents who shop at Target will know that this retailer has its own brand of toddler and kids clothing called Cat & Jack. In this range, the size after 5T is size 6 or size S. Cat & Jack offers slim plus sizes for girls. There are also slim and husky sizes for boys. While the sizes are similar the real difference is the weight ranges.
Kohl’s
As with Target, Kohl’s has different brands with their own size guides. In general, the next size after 5T is size 6 or size M.
Old Navy
Old Navy is one of those retailers that stock a 6T option. That means children wearing a size 5T will either progress onto a size 6, 6T, or size S. If you shop at GAP for toddler clothes, you’ll be delighted to know that they use the same sizing guide. This is one of the few instances where your little one will wear the same size at both stores.
European Clothing Sizes
An extensive online market makes it possible for parents to dress their little ones in a variety of outfits not seen by everyone else on the playground. Many online stores make use of clothes in European sizes. If you’ve never bought clothes from a European store, it’s important to know that there’s a difference in sizes.
In general, European sizing is slightly smaller than US sizing. So, if your little one wears a size 5T, don’t assume they’ll fit in a 5T European. Some European online stores don’t feature the “T” sizes. The best option is always to compare your child’s actual measurements to those listed on the clothing sites.
| U.S Toddler Size | European Version |
| 4T | 98 – 104cm |
| 5 | 104 – 110cm |
| 6 | 110 – 116cm |
Wrap up
As your little one grows through the infant stages into toddlerhood, you’ll want clothes that will last through all the climbing, crawling, and playing. One of the best ways to make this process easier for everyone is to ensure that the clothes you choose are durable and fit comfortably. Taking proper measurements is key in this next phase!