Measuring guide
How we measure garments
We measure garments laid flat with an inch tape: widths straight across the garment, which is half the circumference, and lengths along it. Chest width is held to ±1 cm and every other point to ±0.5 cm. Below is each point we check on T-shirts, hoodies and shirts, with a photo from our sample room.
The method
Four rules behind every number
Flat on the table
The garment is buttoned or zipped, laid flat and smoothed without stretching. Rib cuffs, rib hems and stretch fabrics are measured relaxed.
Widths are half measurements
A width is taken straight across the flat garment, so it is half the circumference. A 21 in chest width is a 42 in chest all round.
Inches, with centimetres on request
Our tape reads in inches. Send your size chart in inches or centimetres; 1 in = 2.54 cm.
Tolerance
Chest width ±1 cm (about ±3/8 in). Every other point on this page ±0.5 cm (about ±3/16 in).
How to measure a T-shirt
Ten points, from chest width to the height of the neck rib.
Click to enlargeChest width
Tolerance ±1 cm (±3/8 in)
Straight across the front from armpit to armpit (pit to pit). Double it for the full chest.
Click to enlargeWaist width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the body at the waist, about halfway between the armpits and the hem, side to side.
Click to enlargeBottom width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the bottom edge, from one side to the other.
Click to enlargeBody length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the centre back neck, where the collar joins the body, straight down to the bottom edge.
Click to enlargeShoulder width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across from one shoulder seam to the other, where the sleeves join the body.
Click to enlargeSleeve length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the shoulder seam along the top fold of the sleeve to the sleeve hem.
Click to enlargeBicep width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the flat sleeve at the underarm.
Click to enlargeSleeve opening
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the sleeve hem, edge to edge, with the sleeve flat.
Click to enlargeNeck width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the neck opening, from one side of the collar to the other.
Click to enlargeCollar height
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
The height of the neck rib, from the seam to its edge.
How to measure a hoodie
Ten points. Body length runs from the back neck below the hood, and both rib heights are measured relaxed.
Click to enlargeChest width
Tolerance ±1 cm (±3/8 in)
Straight across the front from armpit to armpit (pit to pit). Double it for the full chest.
Click to enlargeWaist width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the body above the pouch pocket, side to side.
Click to enlargeBottom width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the hem rib, relaxed, from one side to the other.
Click to enlargeBody length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the centre back neck seam below the hood, straight down to the bottom of the hem rib.
Click to enlargeShoulder width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across from one shoulder seam to the other.
Click to enlargeSleeve length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the shoulder seam along the top fold of the sleeve to the end of the cuff.
Click to enlargeBicep width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the flat sleeve at the underarm.
Click to enlargeNeck width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the neck opening, from one side of the hood seam to the other.
Click to enlargeHem rib height
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the seam joining the rib to the body down to the bottom edge.
Click to enlargeCuff rib height
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the seam joining the cuff to the sleeve to the end of the cuff.
How to measure a shirt
Twelve points. Button the shirt and the cuffs before you lay it flat.
Click to enlargeChest width
Tolerance ±1 cm (±3/8 in)
Buttoned, straight across the front from armpit to armpit (pit to pit). Double it for the full chest.
Click to enlargeWaist width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Buttoned, straight across the body at the waist, side seam to side seam.
Click to enlargeBottom width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Buttoned, straight across the bottom of the shirt, side to side.
Click to enlargeBody length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the centre back, where the collar joins the yoke, straight down to the hem.
Click to enlargeShoulder width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Across the back from one shoulder seam to the other.
Click to enlargeSleeve length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the shoulder seam along the top fold of the sleeve to the end of the cuff.
Click to enlargeBicep width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Straight across the flat sleeve at the underarm.
Click to enlargeCuff width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Buttoned, across the cuff laid flat, from one edge to the other.
Click to enlargeHalf collar length
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Along the collar laid flat, as shown in the photo. This is half the collar length; double it for the full collar.
Click to enlargePlacket width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Across the front placket, from one edge to the other.
Click to enlargePocket width
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
Across the top of the chest pocket, from one edge to the other.
Click to enlargePocket height
Tolerance ±0.5 cm (±3/16 in)
From the top edge of the chest pocket down to its lowest point.
FAQ
Measuring questions buyers ask
Do you measure garments flat or around the body?
Flat. Every width on this page is taken straight across the garment laid on a table, so it is half the circumference: a 21 in chest width is a 42 in chest. If your size chart lists full circumferences, tell us and we read it that way.
What measurement tolerance do you work to?
±1 cm (about ±3/8 in) on chest width and ±0.5 cm (about ±3/16 in) on every other point on this page.
Do you measure in inches or centimetres?
Our tape reads in inches, and we work from size charts in either unit. 1 in = 2.54 cm.
My spec measures body length from the high point shoulder. Is that a problem?
No. Brands define some points differently, such as body length from the high point shoulder (HPS) instead of the centre back neck. Write the definition next to each point in your tech pack and we measure your samples to it.
Can I send measurements of a garment I already like?
Yes. Measure it flat the way this page shows and send the numbers with a photo of the tape on each point. That is often the quickest start when you do not have a size chart yet.
Why does my sample measure differently at home?
Usually the method: measuring around instead of flat, stretching a rib, or following the curve of a curved hem. Measure the way shown here; if a point is still outside the tolerance, send us a photo with the tape in place.
Putting measurements into a spec
Our free tech pack template has a measurements sheet with points of measure preloaded for eight garment types: tech pack template
Converting Asian sizes to US, UK or EU sizes: size chart converter
Start your production run
Send us your size chart
Inches or centimetres, flat or all round: tell us how it is measured and we sample to it.