Unisex T-Shirt Size Chart: Chest, Length & Sleeve

A unisex t-shirt size chart lists the flat chest width and body length of each size, and for most popular blanks a size medium is 20 inches wide and 29 inches long. Unisex sizing is the standard men's-cut sizing sold as one size range for everyone. The chart below uses the measurements printed by the makers of the Gildan 5000, Bella+Canvas 3001 and Next Level 3600, so you can compare shirts before you buy a case or place a print.

Unisex t-shirt size chart (inches)

Measurements are taken flat, with chest width measured straight across the shirt, seam to seam, an inch below the armhole. Body length runs from the high point of the shoulder to the hem.

The Bella+Canvas 3001 and Next Level 3600 are listed with exactly these widths and lengths, and the Gildan 5000 follows the same pattern from size S. The Gildan 5000 has no XS in the adult unisex range, and the Next Level 3600 stops at 4XL. Individual blanks differ a little in sleeve length and neck, so check the chart for your exact style, such as the Gildan size chart guide, the Bella+Canvas size chart or the Next Level size chart.

What size is a medium in a unisex t-shirt?

A medium unisex t-shirt is 20 inches wide across the chest, laid flat, and 29 inches long, which is about 51 by 74 centimeters. That is the measurement for the Gildan 5000, Bella+Canvas 3001 and Next Level 3600. The same shirt fits a body chest of about 38 to 40 inches.

Size medium across popular blanks

Brands do not all cut a medium the same way. Here is how a size medium compares.

The Comfort Colors medium is slightly wider and shorter than the others, as our Comfort Colors size chart shows, and a sweatshirt is cut roomier than a tee. When you reorder, use the same style number. Swapping brands mid-order is the usual cause of "this size runs different" complaints.

Body chest size to shirt size

Add about 2 to 4 inches of ease to the body chest measurement to find the flat width you want, then halve the shirt's chest circumference. As a guide for the Gildan range:

The fastest way to size accurately is to lay a favorite tee flat, measure its width and length, and match those numbers to the chart.

How shirt size affects print placement

Shirt size sets how big the design should be. A transfer that is 12 inches wide suits a large adult tee, but it looks oversized on an extra-small. Use the placement size chart for design widths by size and the placement calculator to draw any transfer on any shirt. For children, see the youth t-shirt size chart.

Frequently asked questions

Is unisex the same as men's sizing?

Mostly yes. Unisex sizes use the traditional men's cut, which is straight through the body with a wider shoulder. Women's-specific styles are cut narrower at the waist and shorter in length, so a unisex medium usually fits a woman as a loose small to medium.

Does a unisex t-shirt run small?

Standard unisex tees such as the Gildan 5000 fit true to size with a boxy cut, so most people keep their usual size. Fashion-fit tees such as the Bella+Canvas 3001 are slimmer, and people who want a loose fit often size up one size.

How do I measure myself for a unisex t-shirt?

Measure around the fullest part of your chest with a soft tape, keeping it level. Compare the number with the body chest column, then check the flat width to make sure the shirt has a few inches of ease.

What is the difference between chest width and chest size?

Chest size is the measurement around your body, while chest width is the shirt's measurement flat across, which is half of its circumference. A 20-inch flat width means a 40-inch shirt circumference.

How tall is a size large unisex t-shirt?

A large is 30 inches long from the high point of the shoulder to the hem on the Gildan 5000, Bella+Canvas 3001 and Next Level 3600, with a flat chest width of 22 inches.

Another blank: American Apparel shirt guide.