A Guide for How to Measure a T-Shirt

8 min read

Having precise t-shirt measurements on your store is vital—it contributes to your store’s credibility and customer satisfaction.

T-shirt sizes vary a lot from brand to brand, and that’s often confusing for shoppers. That’s why “how to measure a t-shirt” is one of the most commonly asked questions.

Providing accurate measurements lets customers know exactly what they’re getting and reduces returns, enhancing overall business efficiency.

So, if you’re selling custom t-shirts online, knowing how to measure them properly is a must. Here’s a simple guide to help you do it right.

Key t-shirt measurements

Precise measurements are the foundation for a good fit. These measurements determine how the garment drapes on the body and how happy your customers will be with the shirts they get.

You can find the length and width measurements of each shirt in the size chart on its product page.

sizing chart on Printful catalog

Source: Women’s Fashion Fit T-Shirt on Printful catalog

Please note that product measurements are provided by our suppliers and may vary by up to 2″ (5 cm). We recommend ordering a sample of the shirts you want to sell and measuring them yourself.

When taking measurements, it’s important to lay the shirt on a flat surface so it doesn’t stretch or move around while you’re measuring.

Also, ensure you’re not pulling on the fabric because that will give you inaccurate numbers.

Here are the measurements people shopping online will appreciate and how to take them.

Length

length measurement

Source: Printful

To measure the length, lay out the shirt on a flat surface and measure the distance from the highest point of the shoulder down to the t-shirt’s bottom seam.

Width

chest (or width) measurement

Source: Printful

To get the chest width, measure from the bottom of one armpit to the other.

Additional measurements

The length and width are the key measurements. To enhance the shopping experience and ensure your customers get the right size, you can add the following additional measurements.

Waist

waist measurement

Source: Printful

Measure the waist area by placing your measuring tape from one outer edge to the other.

Hem

hem measurement

Source: Printful

To find out how wide the bottom seam is, measure from one side of the shirt to the other while dragging your measuring tape by the bottom hem.

Neck to shoulder

neck to shoulder measurement

Source: Printful

Measure from the middle of the neckline to the highest point of the shoulder, to the tip of the shoulder.

Shoulder width

shoulder measurement

Source: Printful

To get the shoulder width, measure the distance from one tip of the shoulder to the other.

A Guide for How to Measure a T-Shirt

Key t-shirt measurements

Length

Width

Additional measurements

Waist

Hem

Neck to shoulder

Shoulder width

Sleeve length