When your kids are transitioning out of the toddler years, there’s a small window of time when their clothes sizing gets a little confusing. When they’re about 5, for example, you’ll see some clothes marked as size 5 and others marked as 5T. Some stores have one or the other, some carry both and make you choose.
What’s the difference?
My oldest is 11 now and my youngest just turned 5, so I’ve run this particular gauntlet twice. Here’s what actually matters:
Size 5 and 5T are basically the same thing. The T still stands for toddler, meaning the clothes are cut with a little extra room in the seat for a diaper or pull-up. Once your kid is in regular underwear, size 5 is the move. If they’re still in pull-ups at night or not quite there yet, stick with 5T.
Size 5 can sometimes be just a smidge longer, for slightly taller children.
That’s the whole answer. But since brands are annoyingly inconsistent, here’s a quick reference if you’re shopping somewhere specific:
| Brand | 5T | Size 5 |
| Carter’s | 41.5–44″ / 37.5–42 lbs | 42.5–45″ / 42–46 lbs |
| Children’s Place | 41–44″ / 39–45 lbs | 41–44″ / 39–45 lbs |
| Old Navy | 42–45″ / 40–46 lbs | Listed as XS, same range |
| Gerber | 40–44″ / 39–43 lbs | Doesn’t carry size 5 |
One thing worth knowing: not every store carries both sizes. If you only see size 5 on the rack, that’s normal. A lot of brands skip 5T entirely and just go straight from 4T to 5.
My girls were both squarely in size 5 by the time they hit this range, no 5T needed. But every kid is different, and if yours is on the bigger side for their age, 5T might fit longer than you’d expect.
For more: 4T vs. 4 (the same question, one size earlier)
Hope this helps!