Football Sizes by Age, Boots by Surface and Shin Pads Explained
In England, children use a size 3 football up to and including Under 11 (Year 6), a size 4 at Under 12 and Under 13, and a size 5 from Under 14 (Year 9), under The FA's FutureFit rules for the 2026/27 season. Older kids' football boots run from UK 1 to UK 6; most 8 to 14-year-olds wear UK 3 to UK 6, roughly EU 35.5 to 39 and 22 to 24.5 cm of foot. Measure first.
Football sizes by age
England Football, The FA's grassroots programme, changed youth formats under FutureFit from the start of the 2026/2027 season. The FA says size 3 balls are now used across primary school age groups up to and including Year 6. A size 4 ball is used in Years 7 and 8, where 9v9 is the largest format, and a size 5 ball comes in with 11v11 at Year 9. The match formats come from the FutureFit age-group guidance.
| Age group (school year) | Maximum match format | Ball size |
|---|---|---|
| Under 7 (Year 2) | 3v3 | Size 3 |
| Under 8 and Under 9 (Years 3 and 4) | 5v5 | Size 3 |
| Under 10 and Under 11 (Years 5 and 6) | 7v7 | Size 3 |
| Under 12 and Under 13 (Years 7 and 8) | 9v9 | Size 4 |
| Under 14 to Under 16 (Years 9 to 11) | 11v11 | Size 5 |
| Adults | 11v11 and most small-sided games | Size 5 |
What size football for Under 11, Under 10 and Under 9?
All three use a size 3 in England. Size 4 balls now arrive later than many parents expect, so if you bought a size 4 for an Under 10 last season, check with the coach which ball the club now trains with. Buy a size 4 in the summer before your child goes into Year 7.
These are the England Football rules. The football associations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland set their own youth formats. Futsal also uses its own low-bounce ball. If your child plays outside England or indoors, ask the club or league which ball to use.
Buying a ball for the garden or park
Buy the same size your child uses in matches so practice feels the same. A ball with a tougher outer cover lasts longer on concrete and tarmac, while a match ball is designed for grass or 3G. Keep it pumped to the pressure printed near the valve, using a pump with a gauge from ball pumps and inflators. You can browse balls in sports balls.
Kids' football boot sizes
Children's boots in the UK come in two runs of sizes. Younger children's sizes go up to 13.5, then the numbers start again at 1 for older kids. The "older kids" or "junior" sizes most families buy for 8 to 14-year-olds are UK 3 to 6. Those sizes overlap with the smallest adult sizes, so a UK 5 is a UK 5 whether it is sold as junior or adult. The difference is usually in the build, the width and the stud pattern, not the length.
The figures below are approximate. Each brand uses its own lasts, and EU and centimetre conversions can differ by half a size between makers, so check the manufacturer's chart for the boot you are buying.
| UK size | Approx. EU size | Approx. foot length |
|---|---|---|
| 10 (child) | 28 | 16.5 to 17cm |
| 11 (child) | 29 | 17.5cm |
| 12 (child) | 30 to 31 | 18.5cm |
| 13 (child) | 31.5 to 32 | 19 to 19.5cm |
| 1 (older kids) | 33 | 20 to 20.5cm |
| 2 (older kids) | 34 | 21cm |
| 3 (older kids) | 35.5 | 22cm |
| 4 (older kids) | 36.5 to 37 | 23cm |
| 5 (older kids) | 38 | 23.5 to 24cm |
| 6 (older kids) | 39 to 39.5 | 24.5cm |
How to measure your child's foot
- Do it late in the day, wearing the thick football socks they play in.
- Put a sheet of paper on a hard floor against a wall. Have your child stand on it with their heel touching the wall and their weight evenly on both feet.
- Mark the tip of the longest toe, which is not always the big toe, and measure from the wall to the mark in centimetres.
- Measure both feet and use the longer one. It is common for one foot to be a few millimetres longer.
- Find the size whose foot length matches or is just above the measurement. Do not size up by more than about 1cm to "grow into".
Children's feet can grow a size in a few months during growth spurts, so measure again before each new pair rather than going by the last box.
How football boots should fit
Boots should fit closer than school shoes or trainers, because a foot sliding around inside the boot means poor touch and blisters.
- Length: about a little finger's width (around 0.5 to 1cm) between the longest toe and the end of the boot when your child stands up. A thumb's width is the most to allow for growth.
- Heel: the heel should stay put when your child walks or jogs. If it lifts, the boot is too long or too loosely laced.
- Width: the widest part of the foot should sit at the widest part of the boot without the sides bulging or the little toe being pressed. Some boot ranges are narrow, so a child with wide feet may need a different model rather than a bigger size.
- Socks and pads: try boots on with match socks and the shin pads your child wears, especially pads with ankle guards, which take up room around the ankle.
- Laces or straps: laces give a more secure fit. Younger players who cannot tie a firm double knot may be better off with a hook-and-loop strap.
- Break-in: wear new boots for a training session or two before a full match.
Try new boots indoors on a carpet first so the studs stay clean while you check the fit. If a child keeps getting foot, heel or knee pain, speak to a GP or physiotherapist rather than just changing boots.
Boots by surface
Boot soles are labelled with short codes. Choose the one that matches where your child plays most, and check the venue's rules.
| Code | Sole | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FG (firm ground) | Moulded studs spread across the sole | Dry or slightly damp natural grass | The usual all-round choice for grass |
| SG (soft ground) | Screw-in studs, often six | Wet, muddy grass in a British winter | Not for hard ground; on 3G, check the venue's stud rules first. Check studs before each game |
| AG (artificial ground) | More, often shorter or hollow studs | 3G artificial turf | Designed for the grip and wear of long-pile turf |
| TF (turf) | Rubber outsole with many small studs | Older sand-filled astroturf, hard ground | Some 3G venues allow them only when dry, or not at all |
| IN/IC (indoor) | Flat, non-marking sole | Sports halls and futsal courts | No grip on grass and discouraged on 3G |
3G pitch rules
The FA's 3G football turf guidance says flat-soled trainers and astro trainers should be discouraged, and ideally banned, on 3G because they flatten the pile and compact the infill. It also notes that several manufacturers and operators do not recommend blades, and advises checking with each site which footwear it accepts. If your child trains on 3G midweek and plays on grass at the weekend, one pair of FG or AG boots that the venue permits is usually the most practical choice.
Shin pads: compulsory in matches
Shin pads are compulsory equipment under the Laws of the Game and must be covered by the socks. England Football's shin pad guidance for grassroots football says how much of the shin is covered matters. Very small "micro" or "mini" pads leave more of the shin unprotected and may increase the risk of injury. The guidance also advises looking for a CE mark, which shows the pads meet minimum safety standards.
- Choose pads that cover from just below the knee to just above the ankle.
- Pads with ankle guards suit younger players and stay in place; slip-in pads suit older players who prefer a lighter feel.
- Use sleeves or tape to hold slip-in pads still.
Browse shin pads, or the wider football and football and team sports departments for balls, boots and training kit.
Quick checklist
- Ball: size 3 up to Under 11, size 4 for Under 12 and Under 13, size 5 from Under 14 (England, 2026/27).
- Outside England, confirm the ball size with the club or league.
- Older kids' boots: UK 3 to 6, roughly 22 to 24.5cm of foot. Measure in match socks and check the brand's chart.
- Fit: about 0.5 to 1cm at the toe, a heel that stays put and no pinching across the width.
- Sole: FG for dry grass, SG for mud, AG for 3G, flat soles indoors. Check what your 3G venue allows.
- Shin pads: good coverage, CE-marked, fully covered by socks.
Frequently asked questions
What size football for under 11s?
In England, Under 11s use a size 3 ball in 7v7 under The FA's FutureFit rules from 2026/27. Size 4 starts at Under 12 (Year 7) and size 5 at Under 14 (Year 9).
What size are older kids' football boots?
Older kids' boots usually run from UK 1 to UK 6, with UK 3 to 6 covering roughly EU 35.5 to 39 and a foot length of about 22 to 24.5cm. Conversions vary by brand, so check the maker's chart.
How much room should football boots have?
About a little finger's width, roughly 0.5 to 1cm, beyond the longest toe, with a heel that does not lift. Allow no more than a thumb's width for growth, or control and comfort suffer.
Should I buy football boots a size bigger for a child to grow into?
No more than about 1cm of extra length. Boots that are too big slip at the heel, cause blisters and make the ball harder to control. Measure again before each new pair.
What boots should a child wear on a 3G pitch?
AG (artificial ground) or FG boots are usually the safest choice. The FA discourages flat-soled and astro trainers on 3G and advises checking each site's own footwear rules before you play.
Are shin pads compulsory in children's football?
Yes. Shin pads are compulsory under the Laws of the Game and must be covered by the socks. England Football advises CE-marked pads that cover a good part of the shin.