Men’s T-Shirt Size Chart and Fit Guide | NovaTomato (2024)

The humble shirt is a true fashion staple for anyone's wardrobe. With various styles available and hundreds of designs to explore, a t-shirt can be a truly versatile garment, ideal for dressing up or down.

However, to get the most out of any t-shirt, you first need to ensure you're purchasing the perfect size. While that might seem like a simple process, the size of shirts can be difficult to navigate.

Size recommendations can vary drastically from one style of t-shirt to the next. What's more, in today's evolving digital world, it's not always possible to try a t-shirt on or measure for the correct size yourself.

This means consumers need to know how to navigate a T-shirt size chart effectively, and vendors need to understand how to clearly convey their sizing to people with different body shapes and style preferences.

Whether you're updating your wardrobe or creating a custom t-shirt store of your own, this Men's T-shirt size chart guide will offer the direction you need.

The Perfect Fit: How to Measure a T-Shirt

In the past, finding the perfect size t-shirt was often much simpler. Consumers could select garments in their regular sizes and try them on to ensure a great fit.

Unfortunately, in the age of e-commerce, it's difficult to know whether a product displayed online will be designed according to the size chart guidelines you're used to or not. Companies can use a variety of manufacturing processes that can alter the "standard" measurements of regular sizes.

That's why so many leading clothing vendors offer access to a T-shirt size chart on their website, where you can see measurements such as:

• Waist measurement
• Chest measurement
• Length (in the context of your entire body)
• Sleeve size
• Neckline inch or depth

Some companies can even offer recommendations to help you determine whether you should consider getting the next size up or down from your regular size, for a more comfortable garment.

To take advantage of these charts, consumers need to know how to measure their own body dimensions. Fortunately, the process is relatively straightforward. All you need is a flexible tape measure.

Using your tape measure, make a note of the following inch or centimeter sizes for:

• Chest and waist width:Measuring the width of your chest will ensure your new garment can fall comfortably over your torso. To calculate your chest width, encircle your tape measure around your body, just under your shoulder blades and armpits. To calculate waist size, drop the tape measure to just below your ribs, and record the width of your natural waist. If you want a body contouring fit, you’ll opt for a size closer to your exact measurements. Alternatively, you can go up in size for a more relaxed fit.
• Body length: Men's shirts can sometimes be a little shorter than women's or unisex shirts, so it's important to ensure you're getting something long enough for your needs. If you’re struggling to measure your own back, from the nape of your neck to your hips, you can use an existing shirt. Measure from the hem to the neckline seam. Remember, some companies offer tall sizes if you’re looking for more coverage.
• Sleeve length: If you want to make the sleeves on your new shirt as comfortable as possible, you'll need to measure the outer edge of your current favorite tee. Start on the edge of the shoulder, using the seam to guide your tape down to the end of the sleeve hem. Keep the tape parallel with the seam to ensure an accurate measurement.

Remember, when comparing your measurements to a company’s men’s T-shirt chart guide, the material and style of the item can make a difference to the fit. Some shirts are designed to be more fitted and restrictive, while others can be looser.

If you’re looking at a fitted t-shirt, or muscle shirt, and you want to ensure it’s loose enough, you might want to consider adding an extra inch or ½ inch to your measurements.

It's also worth considering extra factors when making your decision. For instance, knowing the difference between a boat neck and crew neck collar, and how comfortable you feel in each option will help you pick the most complimentary garments.

Size Guides for the Most Common Men’s T-Shirt Types

As mentioned above, the common men’s t-shirt size charts used by clothing businesses can vary for a number of reasons. Some companies follow different guidelines for sleeve measurements, arm length, and chest girth based on the standards present in the country where their products are manufactured.

Additionally, many companies produce t-shirts in a range of styles, that are intended to offer a specific type of fit. Muscle shirts and fitted tees are intended to be tighter around the body, while still enabling movements. Boxy and loose-flowing t-shirts are supposed to be a little more relaxed.

Some companies even produce clothing based on the preferences of their target audience. For instance, activewear brands appealing to customers with an athletic body shape may create clothing that isn’t quite as forgiving around the waist or chest.

Here’s a quick guide to the common size charts used for different types of men t-shirts in regions around the world.

Standard Fit

Standard fit shirts, otherwise known as “classic” or “regular” tees, are the most common in the fashion landscape. They're usually intended to fit well with your standard body measurements, offering a result that's neither too tight, nor too loose.

Standard t-shirts usually follow consistent guidelines, so you'll probably see the same adult size chart and youth shirt sizes used by multiple stores. These products are great if you're looking for a simple look that benefits any body type.

Keep in mind, standard fit shirts can come in a range of different styles, with varying sleeve lengths, collar sections, and neck cuts.

Slim/Muscle Fit

Similar to a woman's “fitted shirt”, a slim or muscle-fit t-shirt is intended to showcase your silhouette, and draw attention to your most attractive features. Some include slightly tighter sleeves to show off biceps, while others are only tighter around the body.

The measurements of these styles of shirts are often a little smaller than you would expect from a standard tee. If you don't like a tight body fit, or you have a broad chest or shoulders, you might want to move a size up.

However, the materials used might have a little more stretch to them.

Since fitted muscle tees are smaller than standard shirts, they can ride up a little during athletic activities. It's worth making sure your shirt is long enough to cover your body during movement. Plus, you'll need to check the bottom width of the hem, to ensure it can cover your hips.

Baggy/Oversize Fit

Popular among men hoping to create a relaxed, laid-back vibe, baggy and oversized fit t-shirts are designed to be a lot looser than their counterparts. They're great for people in search of comfort and can be ideal if you want to hide any excess weight around your waist or stomach.

Many oversized fit shirts aren't just looser around the chest; they're bigger in all areas, with larger sleeves and a longer length. This makes them a good choice for people with broader shoulders who want something with a lot of motion and flexibility.

If you're choosing a baggy shirt, you could consider going up or down a size depending on your measurements, to adjust your fit to your preferences.

Choosing the Right Men’s Shirt Size

Men's shirt sizing can be a little confusing. Depending on where you are in the world, the sizes and measurements used by different companies can often vary. That's why it's so important for fashion retailers to provide their consumers with plenty of guidance to help them find the right fit.

If you're creating your own custom men’s t-shirts for the evolving fashion industry, or you're selling shirts as influencer merch, it's important to find the right production partner, who can offer a range of size options to choose from. Here at NovaTomato, we offer transparent sizing information for all of the shirts and other garments we produce, so you can keep your customers informed.

You could even offer a wide variety of different waist, length, and chest sizes with your fashion-on-demand products, to address the needs of countless customers. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you develop the perfect clothing collection.

FAQs

Still have questions about men's t-shirt sizing? Here are some answers to common queries to help expand your knowledge.

How Should a Man's T-Shirt Fit?

Every man will have his own preferences when it comes to choosing the perfect “fit” for a shirt. However, in general, most men's t-shirts are designed to be comfortable and airy. You should have complete freedom of movement, even in a slim-fit shirt. Notably, men's shirts can be a little shorter than women's shirts, so always keep length in mind.

Is a Relaxed Fit T-Shirt Baggy?

Relaxed fit t-shirts don't have to be extremely baggy, but they're often a little looser than a standard or muscle shirt. They don't hug the body, which makes movement easier, and they're often a little more comfortable if you're looking for something laid-back.

What Muscles Make Shirts Fit Better?

A great shirt will fit well regardless of your muscles. However, if you want to really show off your figure within your shirt, it's often worth working on your pectorals and your biceps, to make the chest and sleeves of your shirt a little tighter.

FAQs

Still have questions about men’s t-shirt sizing? Here are some answers to common queries to help expand your knowledge.

How Should a Man's T-Shirt Fit?

Every man will have his own preferences when it comes to choosing the perfect “fit” for a shirt. However, in general, most men’s t-shirts are designed to be comfortable and airy. You should have complete freedom of movement, even in a slim-fit shirt. Notably, men’s shirts can be a little shorter than women’s shirts, so always keep length in mind.

Is a Relaxed Fit T-Shirt Baggy?

Relaxed fit t-shirts don’t have to be extremely baggy, but they’re often a little looser than a standard or muscle shirt. They don’t hug the body, which makes movement easier, and they’re often a little more comfortable if you’re looking for something laid-back.

What Muscles Make Shirts Fit Better?

A great shirt will fit well regardless of your muscles. However, if you want to really show off your figure within your shirt, it’s often worth working on your pectorals and your biceps, to make the chest and sleeves of your shirt a little tighter.