Don’t freak out the first time you bump into a sneaker term you don’t understand. It’s entirely regular and widespread among sneaker users. For instance, I was asking around what GS means in shoes a few days ago.
GS is a very common term you’ll often see in shoe sizing. It’s natural to get confused. Don’t worry, and all your confusion will come to an end today.
Let’s jump right into it.
What Does GS Mean In Shoes?
GS is short for ‘Grade School.’ How does that relate to shoe sizing, you ask? As the name suggests, these shoe sizes suit average grade school kids.
Another distinct feature of this size is that it’s gender-neutral. You will often see that sizing for men’s and women’s shoes differs. This rule doesn’t apply to grade school shoes. Both boys and girls are considered under the same size.
You’ll find the term ‘GS’ in particularly one shoe line, and that’s Air Jordan from Nike. Nevertheless, a few other brands now use the same word to size shoes for grade school kids.
GS Size Chart
I’ll be referring to Nike today since that’s the brand most people mention when asking about GS shoes. The chart below will help you get an idea about the measurement of GS shoe sizes.
| Measurement In CM | US Size | UK Size | EU Size |
| 22.5 | 3 | 3 | 35.5 |
| 23 | 4Y | 3.5 | 36 |
| 23.5 | 5Y | 4.5 | 37.5 |
| 24 | 6Y | 5.5 | 38.5 |
| 25 | 7Y | 6.5 | 40 |
If you or your kid’s shoe size isn’t on the chart above, don’t worry. There are sizes in between too. Nike also offers the sizes below.
| Measurement In CM | US Size | UK Size | EU Size |
| 22.5 | 3.5Y | 3 | 35.5 |
| 23.5 | 4.5Y | 4 | 36.5 |
| 24 | 5.5Y | 5 | 38 |
| 24.5 | 6.5Y | 6 | 39 |
Relevant Sneakers Terms
In addition to GS, you’ll also come across some abbreviations you may be unfamiliar with. For example, the ‘Y’ used in the GS sizing chart stands for Young. Not everybody knows that.
The age guide by Nike will consist of other letters. For example, if you go lower than the ‘Y’ range, you’ll find the letter ‘C.’ It stands for the word ‘Child,’ and the shoes are suitable for children under nine.
You may also stumble upon the term ‘BG,’ somewhat related to grade school. BG stands for boys’ grade school. The difference between BG and GS is that BG shoes are for kids with wider feet and GS shoes are for kids with narrower feet.
Another common term you can come across when fishing through Jordan shoes is ‘PS,’ which stands for Preschool. ‘GG,’ on the other hand, is a term used for girls grade school, much like boy’s grade school. These shoes are more suitable for girls in grade school.
GS Vs. PS Shoes
Many people confuse these two sizes. Sure, they’re both for kids. However, they’re pretty different from one another.
For instance, PS stands for Preschool, whereas GS stands for Grade School. You can guess from the names that these shoes are designed for different age groups. Besides, adults with small feet can often wear GS-sized shoes, which is not valid for PS shoes.
You’ll also notice that PS shoes are less popular than GS shoes. As for the width, as obvious as it sounds, PS shoes are comparatively narrower.
GS Vs. BG Shoes
Boys’ grade school shoes are not very different from grade school shoes, except for one or two features. For starters, BG shoes are comparatively wider than GS shoes. Kids with narrower feet will feel more comfortable in GS sizing, whereas kids with more extended feet should go for BG shoes.
Another difference between these two is the target market. BG is intended for boys, whereas GS shoes are gender-neutral shoes. Any boy or girl can go for GS shoes. Nevertheless, BG shoes will be more suitable for boys in grade school.
GS For Adults
GS shoes are not equal to Men’s shoes. However, if you go up enough, size 7Y, for example, it can fit many adult feet. If someone has tiny feet and he feels comfortable in GS size, then so be it.
If you’re an adult and fit in GS shoes, you’ll be getting another benefit. GS shoes are comparatively cheaper than men’s shoes. Of course, you’ll have to compromise the quality a bit, but that’s hardly noticeable. If you’re having a hard time finding a narrow shoe size for yourself, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t consider a GS shoe size.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How to measure shoe size?
Outline your feet on a blank page and then measure the length from the heel to the largest toe. Make sure that you measure your larger foot (yes, our feet differ in size from one another). Match the measurement with a size chart to get the perfect shoe size.
If your chosen brand doesn’t have half-shoe sizes, make sure you go for a size up. For example, if you’re a size 5.5, choose 6 instead of a 5.
Q. Can adults wear GS-size shoes?
Size 7Y in GS sizing is almost similar to men’s size 7. There’s one difference, though. GS shoes are narrower when compared to men’s size. So, if you have regular-size feet, you may want to avoid going for a GS-size shoe.
Final Words
Not knowing something can often lead to wasting a bunch of money for no reason. That’s why I always suggest performing thorough research before getting anything. Even if you’re buying from somewhere that promises a full refund or exchange, think of all the time you’ll be wasting if the size isn’t right.
It’s never a pretty scene to wait for a pair of shoes and end up getting the wrong size. Know your shoes, learn about the terms, and keep yourself updated about the sizing. This way, you’re guaranteed not to end up with anything that you didn’t want in the first place.
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Hi! Mahmudul Kabir here, FootInsider’s chief editor with a bucket of experience in the footwear industry. In essence, he mostly writes about all footwear goods. Mahmud has years of expertise in the footwear industry and is a Chief Editor. Along with our in-depth analyses, his thorough knowledge of the footwear sector and consumer insights are reflected in several opinion pieces on the athletic footwear market.