How to Measure Your Shirt Size Before You Order Custom Apparel

A custom shirt order does not come with a fitting room. The most reliable way to pick the right size is to measure yourself once and compare that number to the actual size chart on the product, rather than assuming your usual size from a different retail brand carries over exactly. Here is how to measure correctly and use that number to choose with confidence.

How to Measure Your Chest for a T-Shirt

1. Wrap a soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, typically just under the arms and across the shoulder blades.
2. Keep the tape level and snug but not tight. The tape should sit flat against the body without compressing it.
3. Take the measurement while wearing a well-fitting shirt, not bare-chested, to account for a small amount of natural ease.
4. Record the number in inches and compare it directly to the product's size chart rather than assuming your usual letter size applies.

Neck, Length, and Other Measurements That Matter

• Neck size matters mostly for polos and collared styles. Measure around the base of the neck where a collar would sit.
• Body length is measured from the highest point of the shoulder down to the desired hem. This matters most for tall or petite buyers deciding between a standard and tall-cut style.
• Sleeve length matters for long sleeve and quarter-zip styles, measured from the shoulder seam to the wrist.

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Why a Medium Is Not Always the Same Medium

Letter sizes (S, M, L, XL) are a brand's own translation of a chest measurement range, not a universal standard. A medium in one brand's cut can measure closer to another brand's small or large. This is exactly why checking the actual chest measurement against the specific product's size chart, rather than relying on a remembered letter size from a different shirt, prevents the most common sizing mistakes. The size chart guide breaks down how adult and youth scales typically map to age and body size.

Measuring for a Team or Group Order

For a team, family reunion, or company order, the safest approach is a two-step process: order one sample in a common size first, have someone physically try it on, then use that real-world result to guide everyone else's size selection. With single-piece printing, each person can then order their own confirmed size directly, which removes the guesswork a bulk case order would otherwise require upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to measure for a t-shirt?

Measure around the fullest part of your chest with a soft tape measure, wearing a well-fitting shirt, and compare that number in inches directly to the specific product's size chart.

Should I trust my usual size from other stores?

Not entirely. Letter sizes vary by brand, so a medium in one shirt is not guaranteed to match a medium in another. Chest measurement in inches is the more reliable comparison point.

How do I measure neck size for a polo?

Wrap the tape around the base of your neck where a collar naturally sits, keeping it snug but not tight.

What if I am between two sizes?

Size down for a fitted look, size up for a relaxed or looser fit. If in doubt, order one sample size first before committing a whole group order.