H&M kids size guide
Buy the height size. The cut is not small.
H&M sizes by height like every European brand: a 106 cm child wears 110. Measured against Carter's, Old Navy, Gap Kids and Cat & Jack, H&M's waists are actually the widest of the group.
So why does every forum say H&M runs small? Because H&M publishes unusually narrow 2 cm ranges per size where other brands allow 3 to 6 cm. A child can fall between two brackets, the bigger one gets bought, and the story spreads. Slim and average kids: take the height size. Broad-built kids: one size up in trousers.
What parents report
Parents on Reddit and Mumsnet overwhelmingly say 'size up at H&M'. The measured charts say the garments are not cut smaller; the brackets are just tighter. Both can be true, which is why measuring beats brand lore.
H&M kids measurements
| Size (cm) | US label | Height (cm) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 92 | 2T | 86–92 | 52–54 |
| 98 | 3T | 92–98 | 54–56 |
| 104 | 4T | 98–104 | 56–58 |
| 110 | 5T | 104–110 | 58–60 |
| 116 | 6 | 110–116 | 60–62 |
| 122 | 6X | 116–122 | 62–65 |
| 128 | 7 | 122–128 | 65–67 |
| 134 | 8 | 128–134 | 68–70 |
| 140 | 10 | 134–140 | 71–73 |
Two quick answers
Does H&M kids run small?
No. The cut measures wider than most US brands, but the per-size ranges are narrow, so between-sizes kids need to size up.
Which H&M size for a 4-year-old?
Most 4-year-olds wear 104 (US 4T). Measure height and round up: 105 cm means 110.
Source
Measurements from the manufacturer's own chart, checked August 10, 2026.