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Personal Care and Style
Fashion
Body Type and Fashion
Clothing Sizes
Body Measurements
How to Measure for a Dress Shirt Download Article Co-authored by Shelley Golden and Madeleine Criglow
Last Updated: August 24, 2025 Fact Checked
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Measuring for a Dress Shirt
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Dress Shirt Sizing
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This article was co-authored by Shelley Golden and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow. Shelley Golden is the founder of Shelley Golden Style based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of fashion and visual arts experience, Shelley has worked for The International Academy of Merchandise and Design in Chicago, the Wellesley Historical Society, and at Bloom formerly: Image For Success. Shelley is a certified Color Consultant from The Image and Color Institute International and a Color Specialist Member of Color Designers International (CDI). Shelley holds a BS in Textile and Business from Arizona State University and was rated a Top Pro of 2018 by Thumbtack. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 117,820 times.
Want to find your dress shirt size? Look no further—by taking your measurements at home, you can discover your perfect fit in minutes. The process is surprisingly easy and accurate, and we're here to help you every step of the way. After you take your measurements, we'll also provide everything you need to know about dress shirt sizing. Once you're done reading, you'll know how to find a dress shirt that fits well and matches your personal style.
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 2:
Measuring for a Dress Shirt
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1 Measure your neck just under your Adam's apple. Wrap soft measuring tape (tailor's tape) around your neck. To add some extra breathing room, place a finger underneath the measuring tape.[1]XResearch source This measurement will help you determine the perfect neck size for a well-fitting collar.
2 Measure your sleeve length from your neck to your wrist. Hold the top of the measuring tape against the middle of the back of your neck. From there, guide the rest of the tape over the top of your shoulder and down to just below your wrist. Measure along the curve of your arm with your elbow slightly bent.[2]XResearch source
This method might be a little easier with a friend's help. If doing this by yourself is too difficult, you can also try measuring the length of a long sleeve shirt that fits you well.
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3 Measure your chest at its widest point. With your tape measure parallel to the ground, place it on the widest part of your chest (usually just below your armpits). Then, wrap it around your back so that it makes a circle around your chest. As you wrap the measuring tape, relax and hold your body in a natural standing position.[3]XResearch source
Take a deep breath to make sure the measuring tape doesn't constrict (this will give you some breathing room in the chest).
4 Measure your natural waistline. Wrap the measuring tape around your waist (usually where your belly button is located). As you wrap the measuring tape around yourself, avoid sucking in your stomach and stand in a natural position.[4]XResearch source
Make sure the measuring tape has a close fit against your skin, but is not uncomfortably tight. To leave yourself some room, place a finger underneath the measuring tape.
Alan Flusser, Men's Image Consultant
Achieving an impeccable dress shirt fit begins with precise measurements. Have a partner carefully measure key points like your neck, chest, sleeve length, and shoulders using flexible tape. Stand naturally, neither overly rigid nor slouched. Record sizes rounded to the nearest quarter inch, allowing room to breathe. Comparing your dimensions to standard sizing charts also proves useful. However, nothing substitutes trying on shirts firsthand or having one tailored. An ideal fit combines comfort and style."
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Dress Shirt Sizing
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1 Compare your measurements to alpha sizing. Write down your measurements so you can choose a dress shirt that fits correctly. Alpha sizing is typically small, medium, large, and extra-large. If you have mismatched measurements (i.e. your arms fit a small but your waist fits a medium), consider opting for the larger size and visiting a tailor.[5]XResearch source Though the measurements vary slightly depending on the brand, they typically correspond to the following:[6]XResearch source
Small: neck size of 14–14.5 in (36–37 cm), sleeve length of 33 in (84 cm), chest size of 35–37 in (89–94 cm), and waist size of 29–31 in (74–79 cm).
Medium: neck size of 15–15.5 in (38–39 cm), sleeve length of 34 in (86 cm), chest size of 38–40 in (97–102 cm), and waist size of 32–34 in (81–86 cm).
Large: neck size of 16–16.5 in (41–42 cm), sleeve length of 35 in (89 cm), chest size of 41–43 in (100–110 cm), and waist size of 35–37 in (89–94 cm).
Extra-Large: neck size of 17–17.5 in (43–44 cm), sleeve length of 36 in (91 cm), chest size of 44–46 in (110–120 cm), and waist size of 38–40 in (97–102 cm).
2 Compare your measurements to numerical sizing. If a store uses numerical sizing, the size will be listed according to sleeve measurement and neck measurement. Compare the sizing to your sleeve and neck measurements, and try on a few sizes just to be sure.[7]XResearch source
A shirt that's size is listed as "16 / 34-35" has a neck measurement of 16 inches (41 cm) and a sleeve measurement of 34–35 inches (86–89 cm).
3 Pick a dress shirt in your desired fit. Aside from measurements, there are a few fit styles to choose from as well. The fit you pick ultimately depends on your personal style and how you feel in the shirt. In general, a classic fit will fit comfortably on average to large sizes (since this cut allows for more breathing room). A modern or slim-fit shirt will work well for those with a smaller build.[8]XResearch source Common fit options include:[9]XResearch source
Classic fit: Also known as traditional fit, this style offers some breathing room in the chest and a looser fit in the shoulders.
Modern fit: This style offers a more tailored look, as it fits closer to your chest than a traditional dress shirt.
Slim fit: This sharp style fits snugly across your chest and offers a more tailored fit in the shoulders, sleeves, and armholes. Shirts in this style will have a tighter fit in the waist as well.
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Tips
When you've found the perfect shirt, don't forget to iron it so that you look suave and put together.[10]X Expert Source Shelley GoldenPersonal Branding Image Consultant & Personal StylistExpert InterviewThanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you're having a dress shirt custom made, consider measuring your wrist size and measuring your shoulder width as well. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Many stores offer alpha sizing in extra-small and extra-extra-large if your measurements don't match up to small, medium, large, or extra-large. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about clothing measurements, check out our in-depth interview with Shelley Golden.
↑ Shelley Golden. Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist. Expert Interview
About This Article
Co-authored by: Shelley Golden Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist This article was co-authored by Shelley Golden and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow. Shelley Golden is the founder of Shelley Golden Style based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of fashion and visual arts experience, Shelley has worked for The International Academy of Merchandise and Design in Chicago, the Wellesley Historical Society, and at Bloom formerly: Image For Success. Shelley is a certified Color Consultant from The Image and Color Institute International and a Color Specialist Member of Color Designers International (CDI). Shelley holds a BS in Textile and Business from Arizona State University and was rated a Top Pro of 2018 by Thumbtack. This article has been viewed 117,820 times. 19 votes - 79% Co-authors: 6Updated: August 24, 2025 Views: 117,820 Categories: Featured Articles | Body Measurements In other languagesJapanese
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Shelley Golden Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist 19 votes - 79% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 6Updated: August 24, 2025 Views: 117,820
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Download Article Co-authored by Shelley Golden and Madeleine Criglow 
How to Measure for a T-Shirt 
How toMeasure a Man's Sleeve Length 
How toMeasure Chest Size 
How to Take Your Shoulder Measurements (With or Without Help) 
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Co-authored by: Shelley Golden Personal Branding Image Consultant & Personal Stylist This article was co-authored by Shelley Golden and by wikiHow staff writer, Madeleine Criglow. Shelley Golden is the founder of Shelley Golden Style based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 20 years of fashion and visual arts experience, Shelley has worked for The International Academy of Merchandise and Design in Chicago, the Wellesley Historical Society, and at Bloom formerly: Image For Success. Shelley is a certified Color Consultant from The Image and Color Institute International and a Color Specialist Member of Color Designers International (CDI). Shelley holds a BS in Textile and Business from Arizona State University and was rated a Top Pro of 2018 by Thumbtack. This article has been viewed 117,820 times. 19 votes - 79% Co-authors: 6 Updated: August 24, 2025 Views: 117,820 Categories: Featured Articles | Body Measurements In other languagesJapanese 
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1 Measure your neck just under your Adam's apple. Wrap soft measuring tape (tailor's tape) around your neck. To add some extra breathing room, place a finger underneath the measuring tape.[1] This measurement will help you determine the perfect neck size for a well-fitting collar. 
2 Measure your sleeve length from your neck to your wrist. Hold the top of the measuring tape against the middle of the back of your neck. From there, guide the rest of the tape over the top of your shoulder and down to just below your wrist. Measure along the curve of your arm with your elbow slightly bent.[2] 
3 Measure your chest at its widest point. With your tape measure parallel to the ground, place it on the widest part of your chest (usually just below your armpits). Then, wrap it around your back so that it makes a circle around your chest. As you wrap the measuring tape, relax and hold your body in a natural standing position.[3] 
4 Measure your natural waistline. Wrap the measuring tape around your waist (usually where your belly button is located). As you wrap the measuring tape around yourself, avoid sucking in your stomach and stand in a natural position.[4] 
Alan Flusser, Men's Image Consultant 
1 Compare your measurements to alpha sizing. Write down your measurements so you can choose a dress shirt that fits correctly. Alpha sizing is typically small, medium, large, and extra-large. If you have mismatched measurements (i.e. your arms fit a small but your waist fits a medium), consider opting for the larger size and visiting a tailor.[5] Though the measurements vary slightly depending on the brand, they typically correspond to the following:[6] 
2 Compare your measurements to numerical sizing. If a store uses numerical sizing, the size will be listed according to sleeve measurement and neck measurement. Compare the sizing to your sleeve and neck measurements, and try on a few sizes just to be sure.[7] 
3 Pick a dress shirt in your desired fit. Aside from measurements, there are a few fit styles to choose from as well. The fit you pick ultimately depends on your personal style and how you feel in the shirt. In general, a classic fit will fit comfortably on average to large sizes (since this cut allows for more breathing room). A modern or slim-fit shirt will work well for those with a smaller build.[8] Common fit options include:[9]