Youth Shirt Size Chart: What Youth Small Through Youth Extra Large Actually Fit

The single most common question in youth apparel is some version of "what age is a youth medium." There is no single universal answer because every brand grades its youth sizing slightly differently, but the general pattern holds steady enough to plan an order around. Here is how youth sizing works across the pieces we print, and how to size a group order without guessing.

The General Youth Size to Age Map

Youth size	Typical age range	Typical height
Youth XS	4-5	about 39-43 in
Youth S	6-7	about 44-49 in
Youth M	8-10	about 50-54 in
Youth L	11-12	about 55-59 in
Youth XL	13-14	about 60-63 in

Treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Brands and even different garments from the same brand shift these ranges by a size or two. A kid on the tall or heavy side for their age usually fits better one size up.

Why Age Alone Is Not Enough

• Height varies more than age within a grade or age group. Two 10 year olds can differ by 6 inches.
• Build matters as much as height. A lean, tall 9 year old may need a Youth L for length even if the chest fits a Youth M.
• Hoodies and crewnecks run differently than tees. Fleece pieces are often cut a little more generous through the body than a fitted performance tee.
• Between-size kids should usually size up, especially for a piece that needs to last through a full season.

Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.

Sizing Our Youth Products Specifically

Across the Youth Airlume cotton tee, the Sport-Tek youth performance tee and long sleeve, the Gildan youth hoodie and crewneck, the Sport-Tek youth mesh shorts, and the Valucap youth baseball hat, sizing generally runs Youth XS through Youth XL or a close equivalent. The exact chart, with garment measurements in inches, is posted on every individual product page in the shop before checkout, so a parent or coach can measure the kid's current shirt and compare directly rather than relying on age alone.

Sizing a Group or Team Order Without Guessing

1. Send the size chart, not just a size-request field. Ask parents to measure height and chest rather than guess a letter size from memory.
2. Order one sample first for a brand-new program. Confirm the fit runs true before opening orders to the full group.
3. Expect some in-between kids. Build a size-up option into the order form so parents can flag it themselves.
4. Reorders are easy. Because there is no minimum order, a mis-sized shirt just gets reordered in the right size instead of sitting in a bin of wrong-size stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is a youth small shirt?

Roughly ages 6 to 7 as a general rule, though this varies by brand and by the specific garment. Check the exact chart on the product page for the piece you are ordering.

Is youth large the same as adult small?

No. A Youth Large is smaller than an Adult Small on nearly every brand. Kids who have outgrown a Youth XL usually move to an Adult XS or Adult Small, not down to an adult large youth chart.

What is the difference between youth small and youth medium?

Typically one to two years of growth and an inch or two of height and chest measurement. On a kid near the border, sizing up to medium usually gives more wear out of the piece.

Do hoodies and tees run the same size for the same kid?

Not always. Fleece pieces like the youth hoodie and crewneck often run slightly fuller through the body than a fitted performance tee from the same age range.