Find the right bike size for your child
Enter age or inseam — instant wheel-size recommendation, expert-backed.
How old is your child?
💡 Between sizes? Always size up — the bike lasts longer and still fits safely.
Recommended size
Balance Bike
Ages 1.5–3 · Inseam 10–14"
Ideal first bike — no pedals means kids focus entirely on balance and steering.
See our picks for this sizeAll sizes at a glance
Click any row to jump to that size in the tool above.
| Wheel | Bike type | Inseam | Age | Best for | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12" | Balance bike | 10–14" | 1.5–3 yrs | First-time riders & toddlers | See picks → |
| 14" | Balance or pedal | 14–17" | 2–4 yrs | Transitioning riders | See picks → |
| 16" | Pedal bike | 16–20" | 4–6 yrs | Most popular first pedal size | See picks → |
| 18" | Pedal bike | 18–22" | 5–7 yrs | Uncommon — check 16" & 20" too | See picks → |
| 20" | Pedal bike | 20–24" | 6–9 yrs | School-age riders, often with gears | See picks → |
| 24" | Pedal bike | 24–28" | 8–12 yrs | Pre-teens, multi-gear riding | See picks → |
| 26" | Pedal / junior MTB | 26–30" | 10+ yrs | Teens & junior mountain bikers | See picks → |
* Between sizes? Always go bigger — the bike lasts longer and still fits safely.
How to measure your child's inseam
-
1
Have your child stand barefoot against a wall, feet hip-width apart.
-
2
Place a thin hardback book between their legs, spine up, pressed gently into the crotch.
-
3
Mark the wall where the top of the book meets it, then measure from the floor to the mark.
-
4
Enter that number above. For a balance bike the child should reach the ground flat-footed; for a pedal bike a slight tiptoe bend is fine.