Sport-Tek Polo and Tee Size Chart: A Sizing Guide for Bulk and Team Orders

The single most common support question on a custom apparel shop is some version of "what size should I order." A clear size chart, checked before the order goes in, prevents almost all of it. Here is how to read a Sport-Tek size chart, where to find it, and how to size a team or staff order before it ships.

How Sport-Tek Sizes Are Actually Measured

Sport-Tek pieces are sized primarily by chest width, measured flat across the garment one inch below the armhole and doubled. A letter size like Medium or Large corresponds to a specific chest-width range, and that range can shift slightly between the polo, the tees, and the layering pieces. This is why checking the chart matters more than trusting the letter label alone.

Size	Typical men's chest range	Typical women's chest range
S	34-36 in	32-34 in
M	38-40 in	35-37 in
L	42-44 in	38-40 in
XL	46-48 in	41-43 in
2XL	50-52 in	44-46 in

These ranges are typical for performance polyester styles; always confirm against the exact chart on the product page in your shop before a bulk order, since specific measurements vary slightly by piece.

Performance Fabric Fit Notes

• Performance polyester tends to run slightly more athletic than a cotton tee at the same labeled size. Buyers between sizes should generally size up if they want a looser fit.
• The youth tee and youth mesh shorts use a separate youth size chart, not a scaled-down adult size. Check the youth-specific chart, not the adult one.
• The women's cuts (Ladies' Moisture Wicking Tee, Ladies' Quarter-Zip Pullover, Ladies 3" Fitness Shorts) use their own fitted sizing, separate from the men's chart.

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Where to Find the Exact Size Chart

Each Sport-Tek listing in a Pro Shop links to the exact size chart for that specific piece and cut. Because the men's, women's, and youth versions use different blocks, always pull the chart for the specific piece a buyer intends to order rather than assuming it matches another item in the same shop. This applies to a Sport-Tek polo the same way it applies to a Gildan polo or any other apparel brand; see the Gildan polo size chart guide for a comparison across brands in the catalog.

Sizing for Team and Staff Orders

1. Send the size chart before collecting orders. Ask each person to measure their chest, not guess their normal size in a different brand.
2. Order one sample first for a fit check if the group is large enough (10+) to justify it.
3. Build in a short exchange window for the rare miss, and note it clearly when the order goes out.
4. Keep a running size log if you reorder the same piece yearly, so new members or hires can be sized against known past orders.

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

• Assuming a cotton tee size carries over to Sport-Tek polyester. Performance fabric fits differently even at the same labeled size.
• Assuming men's and women's sizes are interchangeable. The women's cut is fitted from a different block.
• Skipping the chart because "everyone knows their size." Most sizing complaints come from buyers who assumed instead of checked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sport-Tek sizes true to standard S-XL labels?

Roughly, but the exact chest measurement behind each letter size can vary by piece. Always check the specific chart on the product page.

Does performance fabric fit differently than cotton at the same size?

Yes, generally more athletic. Buyers between sizes who want a looser fit should size up.

Do youth Sport-Tek pieces use the adult size chart?

No, the youth tee, long sleeve, and mesh shorts use their own youth-specific chart.

How do I avoid exchanges on a bulk team order?

Send the size chart to each person before collecting orders and have them measure rather than guess, especially for anyone new to the brand.