How to Measure for a T-Shirt

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Find your measurements to get the right fit every time

Co-authored by Seleh Rahman and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 21, 2023 References

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• Measuring a T-Shirt
|
• Measuring Your Torso
|
• Expert Q&A

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Whether you’re shopping online or in store, finding your correct size is something of an art. Taking measurements of a T-shirt you already own or of your own body can help you pick out the right size for you so you can buy a great-fitting shirt every time. We talked to professional tailor Seleh Rahman to help you do just that.

Things You Should Know

• Measure a T-shirt by laying it flat. Measure from the top to bottom hem to find the length, and from armpit to armpit to find the chest size.
• Measure yourself by standing up straight. Wrap a tape measure around your torso and under your armpits to find your chest size.
• Measure yourself from the base of your neck to the top of your hips to find your length, and across your shoulders to find your shoulder width.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Measuring a T-Shirt

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1. 1
   Find a T-shirt that fits you well. Make sure your shirt doesn’t conform to your body and doesn't pinch or pull at your sides. The sleeves of your shirt should gently hug your arms, but they shouldn’t be uncomfortably tight. Find a shirt that hits at your hip bones and feels comfortable overall.

   • Try to find a scoop neck shirt rather than a V-neck for an easier time taking measurements.
2. 
   2
   Lay your shirt down on a flat surface. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases in your shirt with your hands and make sure it is laying completely flat. If your shirt is super wrinkly, throw it in the dryer for 10 minutes to flatten it out.

   • Most T-shirts are made of cotton blends, so they won’t wrinkle as much as other materials.
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3. 
   3
   Measure the length of the shirt from top to bottom. Hold your tape measure at the top of the collar on the front of your shirt and bring it down to the hem. Mark the exact measurement in inches or centimeters on a piece of paper so that you don't lose track.

   • Depending on the brand you are buying and where it originates from, you may need to record your measurements in inches or centimeters. Check the sizing chart online to see how you should take your measurements.
   • Use a cloth measuring tape for the most accurate measurements.
4. 
   4
   Find the chest measurement by measuring from armpit to armpit. Line your measuring tape up with 1 armpit of your shirt, and then bring it across the chest to the other armpit. Write down the measurement on a piece of paper so that your shirt will fit you well across your chest.

   • This measurement ensures that your T-shirt won’t be too tight or revealing.
5. 5
   Measure from the collar to the end of the sleeve. Put your measuring tape at the end of the collar and bring it down towards the end of the sleeve. Angle the tape measure slightly so that it’s at a diagonal from the collar down, then write down your sleeve length on a piece of paper.
6. 6
   Compare your measurements to a sizing guide. Use your length, chest, and sleeve length measurements to look at a sizing guide online and find your size. Most T-shirts are sized in S, M, L, or XL, but they may have smaller or larger sizes depending on the brand. Many brands use their own measurements to dictate their sizes, so don't be alarmed if you are a medium in one brand an an extra large in another!

   • Although men’s and women’s sizes vary, if you use your measurements for the style of T-shirt you’d like, you can pick one that fits you well.
   • A small T-shirt usually has a chest measurement of 36 inches (91 cm), a length of 28 inches (71 cm), and a shoulder measurement of 16 inches (41 cm).
   • A medium shirt has a chest measurement of 40 inches (100 cm), a length of 29 inches (74 cm), and a shoulder measurement of 17 inches (43 cm).
   • A large shirt has a chest measurement of 44 inches (110 cm), a length of 30 inches (76 cm), and a shoulder measurement of 18 inches (46 cm).
   • An extra large shirt has a chest measurement of 48 inches (120 cm), a length of 31 inches (79 cm), and a shoulder measurement of 19 inches (48 cm).

   Tip: If you are in between sizes, go with a size up. It’s better to buy something that’s slightly too big than wear something too small.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Measuring Your Torso

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1. 1
   Stand up straight with your shoulders back and your head forward. Your measurements will come out much more precise if you are using good posture. Stand with your feet flat on the ground and push your shoulders back and down. Keep your chin straight and your eyes pointed forward.

   • Don’t lift your chin up too high, or you could be messing up your stance.
2. 2
   Wrap a tape measure around the fullest part of your chest. Find the fullest part of your chest by looking down and seeing which part of it sticks out the furthest. Wrap a tape measure around your entire chest until it meets up again at the front, and write down your chest measurement.

   • If you wear a bra, keep it on while you take your chest measurement.
3. 
   3
   Measure from the bottom of your neck to the top of your hips. Find a friend to help you take this measurement. Situate your measuring tape on your back at the bottom of your neck in between your shoulders. Bring the measuring tape down until it is in line with the top of your hips, and then write down your torso length.

   • You can find the top of your hips by placing your hands on your sides and feeling for the rounded hip bones on either side.
   • Try measuring from the bottom of your neck to about 3 in (7.6 cm) below your waistband.
4. 4
   Measure from 1 shoulder to the other on your back. Place your measuring tape on the top of your shoulder bone where your arm connects to your torso. Bring the measuring tape across your back until it hits the middle of your other shoulder, then write down that measurement.

   • Ask a friend to help you with this measurement as well so you aren’t contorting yourself.
5. 5
   Compare your measurements to a size chart. Take your chest, shoulder, and length measurements with you when you purchase a T-shirt, or compare your measurements to a size chart online. Find the size that lines up the most with your measurements to make your purchase, and remember that sizes can vary wildly between brands.

   • If you’d like your shirt to fit tight, keep your measurements exactly how you wrote them down. If you want your shirt to be loose, add 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) to each measurement and then compare it to the size chart.
   • If your chest measurement is 36 inches (91 cm), your torso measurement is 28 inches (71 cm), and your shoulder measurement is 16 inches (41 cm), choose a small T-shirt.
   • If your chest measurement is 40 inches (100 cm), your torso is 29 inches (74 cm), and your shoulder measurement is 17 inches (43 cm), choose a medium T-shirt.
   • If your chest measurement is 44 inches (110 cm), your torso is 30 inches (76 cm), and your shoulder measurement is 18 inches (46 cm), pick a large T-shirt.
   • If your chest measurement is 48 inches (120 cm), your torso is 31 inches (79 cm), and your shoulder measurement is 19 inches (48 cm), buy an extra large T-shirt.

   Tip: You can also use your measurements if you need to get a shirt tailored to your size.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  What measurements do you take for a T-shirt?

  

  Seleh Rahman
  Professional Tailor & Furrier

  Seleh Rahman is a Tailor, Furrier, and the Owner of Seleh de Federal Hill in Baltimore, Maryland. With over 45 years of experience, Seleh specializes in fur, alterations, and fashion illustration. Seleh studied Fashion Design and Tailoring at Bay College of Maryland. He holds certifications in fur, design, and tailoring.

  

  Seleh Rahman

  Professional Tailor & Furrier

  Expert Answer

  Get measurements for the neck, chest, sleeve, waist, and hip. Also, measure from the front left edge of the neck to about 3 in (7.6 cm) below the waist band.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
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  Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
• Question

  How long should the fabric from your shoulders be? Down to the elbow?

  

  Seleh Rahman
  Professional Tailor & Furrier

  Seleh Rahman is a Tailor, Furrier, and the Owner of Seleh de Federal Hill in Baltimore, Maryland. With over 45 years of experience, Seleh specializes in fur, alterations, and fashion illustration. Seleh studied Fashion Design and Tailoring at Bay College of Maryland. He holds certifications in fur, design, and tailoring.

  

  Seleh Rahman

  Professional Tailor & Furrier

  Expert Answer

  This part of a T-shirt should be largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer it to be shorter, while other folks like it when it runs all the way to elbow. It's up to you!

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Things You’ll Need

Measuring a T-Shirt You Already Own

• T-shirt
• Cloth measuring tape
• Pencil and paper

Measuring Your Torso

• Cloth measuring tape
• Pencil and paper

Tips

• T-shirt sizes often vary widely between brands. Don't be surprised if you're a small in one brand and a large in another!
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