Buying ballet shoes online is faster and often cheaper than going to a specialist store — but it comes with real risks if you don’t know what you’re doing. Ballet shoes that fit incorrectly can affect a child’s technique, cause blisters, and need replacing much sooner than expected. With the right approach to measuring and size selection, you can shop online confidently and get the right fit first time.
Step 1: Measure Your Child’s Feet at Home
You’ll need a piece of paper, a pencil, and a ruler or tape measure.
- Place the paper on a hard floor and have your child stand on it with their full weight on that foot
- Trace around the foot, holding the pencil vertically — not at an angle
- Measure from the heel to the tip of the longest toe in centimeters or inches
- Also measure the widest point of the foot (across the ball)
- Repeat for the other foot and use the larger measurement
Measure feet in the afternoon or evening when they’re at their largest. Feet swell slightly during the day, just as they do after activity.
Step 2: Use the Brand’s Size Chart, Not General Shoe Sizes
Ballet shoe sizing does not match regular shoe sizing. A child who wears a size 2 in school shoes may need a size 1 or 1.5 in ballet shoes — or a size 3. Every brand has its own size chart, and you should use the chart provided by the brand you’re purchasing from, not a generic conversion table.
Most quality dancewear brands publish their size charts in centimeters and sometimes inches. Match your measured foot length to the corresponding ballet shoe size, then check the width column if available.
Step 3: Account for Growing Room
Ballet shoes are worn snug — but not painfully tight. The traditional fitting guideline is approximately one thumb’s width from the longest toe to the end of the shoe. For children who are growing quickly, buying with one size of growing room is common, but be aware that a shoe that’s too large will cause the foot to slide and won’t give the correct feedback during class.
If your child is between sizes, size up by one. If you’re buying for a child who seems to grow overnight, consider buying two pairs in different sizes at once.
What to Check in the Product Listing
Before adding a ballet shoe to your cart, confirm:
- Material — canvas, leather, or satin? Canvas is correct for most RAD classes
- Sole type — full sole or split sole? Check with your teacher which is appropriate
- Width options — narrow, medium, or wide? If your child has a particularly wide or narrow foot, check the brand offers this
- Color — pink is standard for girls; white or black for boys depending on the school
- Elastic or ribbons — most children’s shoes come with elastic; some come with ribbons instead. Check which your school requires
Common Mistakes When Buying Ballet Shoes Online
- Using regular shoe size without checking the brand’s chart — the most common error
- Ordering satin shoes instead of canvas — satin is for performance, not class
- Choosing the cheapest option without checking reviews — very cheap ballet shoes often have poor sole adhesion and fall apart quickly
- Not measuring both feet — fit to the larger foot
- Ignoring the return policy — check that the retailer accepts returns on unworn shoes in case the size is wrong
When to Go In Person Instead
For a child’s very first pair of ballet shoes, an in-person fitting at a specialist dance shop is strongly recommended. The fitter can assess foot shape, width, arch, and toe structure to find the best match. Once you know the brand and size that works for your child, repeat orders can safely be done online.
Frequently Asked Questions
My child’s feet are half sizes. How do I handle that when ordering online?
Most ballet shoe brands do not offer half sizes. When you’re between sizes, round up rather than down. A slightly larger shoe can be helped with a small cotton toe spacer or by tightening the elastic; a too-small shoe has no fix.
Can I order two sizes and return one?
Yes, as long as the retailer’s return policy permits unworn returns. This is a practical approach for children in a rapid growth phase. Keep the boxes and tissue, don’t remove the tags, and don’t let your child stand on a hard floor in both pairs before you’ve decided.
How quickly should I reorder when the current shoes feel snug?
As soon as the toes start touching the end. Don’t wait until the shoes are genuinely painful — by that point the child has likely been dancing in uncomfortable shoes for weeks.
Shop Ballet Shoes at ZoeDancewear
- Stretch Canvas Ballet Shoes — with full size chart
- Ballet Shoe Size Chart — length and width guide
- Where to Buy Ballet Shoes — in store vs online, pros and cons