5.0 on Google · Trusted by 1,200+ Brands · Custom Clothing Manufacturer · Made in the USA
T-shirt sizes are expressed in two ways: body measurements (the chest circumference of the person wearing the shirt) and garment measurements (the actual width and length of the shirt when laid flat). Body measurements determine which size to order. Garment measurements determine how the shirt will actually fit. Both are needed for accurate size selection, and they are not interchangeable. A shirt with a garment chest width of 20 inches fits a body chest circumference of approximately 38–40 inches in regular fit. The garment measurement is always smaller than the body measurement it fits because the tape wraps around the full circumference while the garment width measures only the front half.
TLDR: Garment chest width x 2 = approximately the body chest circumference the shirt fits in regular fit. A garment width of 20 inches (Medium) fits a 38–40 inch body chest. A garment width of 22 inches (Large) fits a 42–44 inch body chest. Add 1–2 inches of garment width for relaxed fit; subtract 1 inch for athletic or slim fit at the same body measurement.
For branded apparel production, garment measurements are the specification that matters. Decoration placement (screen print center point, embroidery left-chest position, DTF transfer size) is set relative to the garment dimensions, not to the wearer’s body. A logo centered at 3.5 inches from the left edge of the garment lands in a consistent position across all sizes only if the garment chest width scales predictably between sizes. Most production blanks add 1–1.5 inches of chest width per size step; confirming this with the blank manufacturer before building artwork prevents placement drift across the size run.
Garment measurements below are taken from the shirt laid flat. Chest width is measured straight across the shirt from armhole seam to armhole seam, just below the sleeve. Body length is measured from the top of the shoulder seam (at the neck) to the bottom hem. These are the measurements used in production briefs, artwork placement specs, and blank comparison.
| Size | Garment Chest Width (in) | Garment Chest Width (cm) | Body Length (in) | Sleeve Length (in) | Body Chest Circumference (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 16–17 in | 40.6–43.2 cm | 26–27 in | 7–7.5 in | 32–34 in |
| S | 18 in | 45.7 cm | 28 in | 7.5–8 in | 34–36 in |
| M | 20 in | 50.8 cm | 29 in | 8–8.5 in | 38–40 in |
| L | 22 in | 55.9 cm | 30 in | 8.5–9 in | 41–43 in |
| XL | 24 in | 61 cm | 31 in | 9–9.5 in | 44–46 in |
| 2XL | 26 in | 66 cm | 32 in | 9.5–10 in | 47–49 in |
| 3XL | 28 in | 71.1 cm | 33 in | 10–10.5 in | 50–52 in |
| 4XL | 30 in | 76.2 cm | 34 in | 10.5–11 in | 53–55 in |
The garment chest width numbers above (18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28) double to give approximate body circumference fits (36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56). This formula works because a t-shirt is a tube: the front and back panels together equal the full circumference. The difference between the doubled garment width and the body circumference chart is the ease allowance, meaning the extra room built into the garment so it does not press against the body at rest. Standard regular fit adds 2–4 inches of ease over the body measurement across the full circumference.
Women’s fitted t-shirts use a narrower pattern than unisex shirts at the same chest size label. The garment is cut with waist shaping (a taper between the chest and hip) and a shorter body length to account for the proportionally shorter female torso relative to height. Women’s fitted and unisex shirts labeled the same size are not interchangeable: a women’s M fits a 35–37 inch body chest while a unisex M fits a 38–40 inch body chest.
| Size | Garment Chest Width (in) | Garment Waist Width (in) | Body Length (in) | Body Chest Circumference (in) | US Numeric |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 15.5–16 in | 13–13.5 in | 24–25 in | 31–33 in | 0–2 |
| S | 16.5–17 in | 14–14.5 in | 25–26 in | 33–35 in | 4–6 |
| M | 17.5–18 in | 15–15.5 in | 26–27 in | 35–37 in | 8–10 |
| L | 19–19.5 in | 16.5–17 in | 27–28 in | 38–40 in | 12–14 |
| XL | 20.5–21 in | 18–18.5 in | 28–29 in | 41–43 in | 16–18 |
| 2XL | 22–22.5 in | 19.5–20 in | 29–30 in | 44–46 in | 20–22 |
Slim fit and athletic fit t-shirts use the same size labels as regular fit but have narrower garment chest widths at each size. A slim fit M has a garment chest width of approximately 18–19 inches compared to 20 inches for a regular fit M. The waist tapers more aggressively in athletic fit than in slim fit, and the body length is shorter in athletic fit to prevent the hem from bunching when tucked into athletic shorts or pants.
| Size | Slim Fit Chest Width (in) | Athletic Fit Chest Width (in) | Regular Fit Chest Width (in) | Body Chest for Slim/Athletic (in) | Slim Body Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 17 in | 16.5 in | 18 in | 34–36 in | 27 in |
| M | 18.5 in | 18 in | 20 in | 37–39 in | 28 in |
| L | 20.5 in | 19.5 in | 22 in | 40–42 in | 29 in |
| XL | 22 in | 21 in | 24 in | 43–45 in | 30 in |
| 2XL | 23.5 in | 22.5 in | 26 in | 46–48 in | 31 in |
Oversized and boxy t-shirts add 3–6 inches of chest width over regular fit at the same body measurement. An oversized M fits the same body as a regular M but has a garment chest width of 22–24 inches instead of 20 inches. Wearers who want a true oversized look often size up one or two additional sizes on top of the oversized blank’s own sizing, which can push garment chest width to 26–28 inches on a body that measures in the regular-fit M range.
| Size | Garment Chest Width (in) | Body Length (in) | Shoulder Width (in) | Body Chest for Oversized Fit (in) | Drop Shoulder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 20–21 in | 27–28 in | 18–19 in | 32–36 in | Yes (1–2 in drop) |
| M | 22–23 in | 28–29 in | 19–20 in | 36–40 in | Yes (1–2 in drop) |
| L | 24–25 in | 29–30 in | 20–21 in | 40–44 in | Yes (1–2 in drop) |
| XL | 26–27 in | 30–31 in | 21–22 in | 44–48 in | Yes (1–2 in drop) |
Tall fit t-shirts add 2–3 inches of body length over the standard equivalent size without changing the chest width, shoulder width, or sleeve length significantly. They are designed for wearers whose torso length is proportionally longer than average for their chest size, typically men above 6 ft 2 in who find standard shirts ride up at the waist during normal movement. Tall sizes are available from LT through 4XLT at most commercial blank suppliers.
| Size | Garment Chest Width (in) | Body Length (in) | Extra Length vs. Standard (in) | Body Chest (in) | Target Height Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LT | 22 in | 32–33 in | +2–3 in | 41–43 in | 6 ft 1 in – 6 ft 4 in |
| XLT | 24 in | 33–34 in | +2–3 in | 44–46 in | 6 ft 2 in – 6 ft 5 in |
| 2XLT | 26 in | 34–35 in | +2–3 in | 47–49 in | 6 ft 3 in – 6 ft 6 in |
| 3XLT | 28 in | 35–36 in | +2–3 in | 50–52 in | 6 ft 4 in and above |
Youth t-shirt sizes are labeled by age group or by youth size labels (YXS through YXL), but garment measurements are the reliable reference for ordering. Age labels are starting points. A child at the upper end of a chest range for their age group should order the next youth size up. Youth garment measurements below are standard for most commercial blank suppliers.
| Youth Size | Age Range | Garment Chest Width (in) | Body Length (in) | Body Chest Circumference (in) | Adult Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| YXS / 2–4 | 2–4 yr | 11 in | 16 in | 21–23 in | None |
| YS / 6–8 | 5–8 yr | 13 in | 19 in | 24–26 in | None |
| YM / 10–12 | 9–12 yr | 15 in | 22 in | 27–30 in | Adult XS (approx.) |
| YL / 14–16 | 12–14 yr | 17 in | 25 in | 31–33 in | Adult XS/S (approx.) |
| YXL / 18–20 | 14–16 yr | 18 in | 26–27 in | 34–36 in | Adult S (approx.) |
T-shirt shrinkage after washing affects both body length and chest width. Shrinkage is a function of fabric content and whether the blank has been pre-shrunk. For branded apparel programs, shrinkage determines whether the size received by the end user matches the size ordered. A shirt that shrinks significantly after the first wash will feel one size smaller than intended after laundering.
| Fabric Content | Shrinkage After First Wash | Shrinkage After 5 Washes | Pre-Shrunk Version Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Cotton (not pre-shrunk) | 3–5% | 5–8% | Yes | A size M at 29 in length shrinks to approx. 27.5 in after 5 washes |
| 100% Cotton (pre-shrunk / ring-spun) | 1–2% | 2–3% | N/A (already pre-shrunk) | Standard for premium blanks (Bella+Canvas, Next Level, etc.) |
| 50/50 Cotton-Polyester | 1–2% | 2–3% | Yes | Polyester component resists shrinkage; blend is stable |
| 100% Polyester | Less than 1% | Less than 1% | N/A | Used for performance/activewear; dimensionally stable |
| Tri-blend (Cotton/Poly/Rayon) | 2–3% | 3–4% | Varies by blank | Rayon component adds softness but increases shrinkage vs. 50/50 |
A screen-printed graphic placed at 3 inches below the collar seam on a pre-wash blank will shift slightly closer to the collar after the shirt shrinks in length. On a 100% cotton non-pre-shrunk blank that shrinks 5% in length, a 29-inch body length shirt shrinks to approximately 27.5 inches, a reduction of 1.45 inches. A graphic placed at 3 inches from the collar on the pre-wash shirt sits at approximately 2.7 inches from the collar after washing, which is within acceptable placement tolerance. The concern arises on larger graphics that extend toward the hem: a graphic that starts 5 inches above the hem pre-wash may sit only 3.5 inches above the hem post-wash, which changes the visual proportion of the design on the body.
For branded t-shirt programs, the size chart must be confirmed against the specific blank being produced, not against a generic industry average. Different blank manufacturers produce shirts with different garment measurements at the same size label. Confirming the garment spec sheet before finalizing decoration placement prevents artwork rework across the full size run.
Left chest placement for branded t-shirt production is measured from the left edge of the garment (at the armhole seam) inward, and from the collar seam downward. Standard left chest center point is 3.5 inches from the left edge and 4 inches below the collar seam on an adult M. On a youth M (13 inches chest width), those measurements reduce to approximately 3 inches from the left edge and 3 inches below the collar seam to maintain visual proportion across the garment size.
Full front and full back print areas scale with garment width. The maximum print width for a full front design is typically garment chest width minus 2 inches (1 inch clearance on each side). On an adult M at 20 inches garment width, maximum full front print width is 18 inches. On a youth M at 13 inches garment width, maximum full front print width is 11 inches.
T-shirt blank specifications change when manufacturers update their patterns, introduce new fits, or revise their size run ranges between production seasons. The garment measurements in this guide reflect current production standards across common commercial blanks and are accurate reference points for planning. Actual garment measurements should always be confirmed against the specific blank being ordered before finalizing artwork placement specs.
Contact the MFG Merch team for a confirmed garment spec sheet tailored to the t-shirt blank, fit style, and size range you need. Simply provide your shirt style, fabric preference, fit type, quantity, and decoration method, and our team will send verified garment measurements along with a custom production quote.
A size medium t-shirt in regular fit has a garment chest width of 20 inches (50.8 cm), measured straight across the shirt from armhole seam to armhole seam when laid flat. This garment width fits a body chest circumference of approximately 38–40 inches. In slim or athletic fit, a medium garment chest width runs approximately 18–18.5 inches. In oversized fit, a medium garment chest width runs approximately 22–23 inches.
Body measurements are the dimensions of the person wearing the shirt, measured directly on the body. Garment measurements are the dimensions of the shirt itself when laid flat. A garment chest width of 20 inches doubles to approximately 40 inches of full circumference, which fits a body that measures 38–40 inches chest circumference because the extra 2–4 inches is ease, the built-in room that allows the shirt to move without pulling against the body. When a size chart lists measurements without specifying which type, check whether the numbers are in the range of garment measurements (16–30 inches for chest) or body measurements (32–55 inches for chest).
Yes. A 100% cotton t-shirt that has not been pre-shrunk shrinks approximately 3–5% in both chest width and body length after the first wash in warm water. A pre-shrunk cotton blank shrinks 1–2%. Polyester and 50/50 blends shrink less than 2%. For a size M at 29 inches body length, a 5% shrinkage produces a final length of approximately 27.5 inches. If consistent post-wash sizing is important, specify pre-shrunk blanks in the production order.
A t-shirt is true to size when its garment measurements match the expected dimensions for the size label based on the brand’s own size chart. The most reliable way to verify is to request the garment spec sheet from the manufacturer and measure an existing shirt of the same brand and size. If the existing shirt matches the spec sheet, the blank runs true to size. If the existing shirt is significantly narrower or shorter than the spec sheet indicates, the blank may have been mislabeled or may have shrunk from a previous wash.
For a general mixed-gender adult group, a standard size distribution is 5% XS, 15% S, 30% M, 30% L, 15% XL, and 5% 2XL. For a male-dominant group, shift the distribution toward L and XL by reducing XS and S. For a female-dominant group using unisex shirts, shift toward S and M because most women ordering unisex shirts size down one from their body measurement. For youth programs, collect individual size preferences from participants before ordering rather than estimating from age alone, because garment measurements vary by 2–3 inches of chest width within the same age bracket.
No. 2,666 with 121% Three-Year Revenue Growth MFG Merch has been named to the 2026 Inc. 5000, ranking No. 2,666 among America’s fastest-growing private
Artwork is finalized, a garment is selected, and a buyer is waiting for approval. The question isn’t whether to show something before production. It’s
A quote is on the table, the per-unit cost looks fine, and then there’s a line item for a set-up fee that nobody explained.
