Key Takeaways
- Size to the brand, not your memory. A medium swings up to 5 inches across brands.
- Chest is the number that matters. Measure it, then match the brand chart above.
- Next Level runs smallest; Gildan and Comfort Colors run roomiest; Bella+Canvas is a slim modern cut.
- Between sizes? Size up for comfort, or set a fitted preference for a trim look.
- Order 2XL and 3XL for a real team, about 10 to 15 percent of adults need them.
Why T-Shirt Sizes Differ by Brand
The same labeled medium can vary by up to 5 inches in body chest across major brands. That is the difference between a shirt that fits and one that gets returned. The size finder above is brand-aware for exactly this reason: pick the brand you are ordering and it returns your size in that brand's real measurements. Here is how the majors compare:
- Bella+Canvas 3001. Slim, modern cut with a soft hand. Runs about an inch shorter than Gildan.
- Gildan 5000. Boxy, classic cut. Roomier through the chest at the same label.
- Next Level 3600. The slimmest of the majors. People used to Gildan should size up.
- Comfort Colors 1717. Garment-dyed and relaxes about a half size larger after the first wash.
- Champion T425. Mid-weight, athletic cut.
T-Shirt Size Chart by Brand
Body chest ranges in inches, by size, for the blanks we ship. Match your chest measurement to the brand you are ordering.
| Size | Bella+Canvas 3001 | Gildan 5000 | Next Level 3600 | Comfort Colors 1717 | Champion T425 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 31 to 33 | 31 to 33 | 30 to 32 | 31 to 33 | 31 to 33 |
| S | 34 to 37 | 34 to 36 | 33 to 35 | 34 to 37 | 34 to 36 |
| M | 38 to 41 | 38 to 40 | 36 to 39 | 38 to 41 | 38 to 40 |
| L | 42 to 45 | 42 to 44 | 40 to 43 | 42 to 45 | 42 to 44 |
| XL | 46 to 49 | 46 to 48 | 44 to 47 | 46 to 49 | 46 to 48 |
| 2XL | 50 to 53 | 50 to 52 | 48 to 51 | 50 to 53 | 50 to 52 |
| 3XL | 54 to 57 | 54 to 56 | 52 to 55 | 54 to 57 | 54 to 56 |
How to Measure for a T-Shirt
You need one number to get a t-shirt right: your chest. Wrap a soft tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, parallel to the floor. Keep it snug but not tight, over a thin layer, and measure twice. If you land between two numbers, use the larger one. For a tailored cut set the fit to fitted, for an easy drape set it to relaxed. To convert between unisex, men's, and women's, use our Unisex Size Chart and Converter.
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T-Shirt Size Chart FAQ
Measure around the fullest part of your chest, then match that number to your brand's size chart. Brands vary by up to 5 inches at the same label, so always size to the specific brand you are ordering. Use the finder above: pick the brand, set your chest, and it returns your size in that brand.
A medium can swing about 5 inches in chest across major brands. Next Level 3600 runs the smallest, Bella+Canvas 3001 is a slim modern cut, and Gildan 5000 and Comfort Colors 1717 run the roomiest. Pick the brand first, then size to its spec sheet, not your memory of another brand.
On a typical US unisex tee, a medium fits a body chest of about 38 to 41 inches. Gildan medium is closer to 38 to 40, while Bella+Canvas medium is 38 to 41. The finder above shows the exact range for your chosen brand.
Wrap a soft tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, parallel to the floor. Keep it snug but not tight, over a thin layer, and measure twice. If you are between two numbers, use the larger one.
On most modern catalog shirts, yes. Brands publish identical body measurements for their unisex and men's lines on most styles, so you can order the same size across the two labels.
Size up for a relaxed fit or down for a fitted look. Set the fit preference above to bias the recommendation. For a team order, ordering the larger size keeps more people comfortable.
On a typical tee, 2XL fits about a 50 to 53 inch chest and 3XL about 54 to 57 inches. Roughly 10 to 15 percent of US adults wear 2XL or larger, so include those sizes in a team run.
Yes. Women's cuts are tapered at the waist and shorter in the body, so a women's medium is not the same as a unisex medium. To convert between unisex, men's, and women's, use our Unisex Size Chart and Converter.
Last updated June 30, 2026
Sources and Further Reading
- Manufacturer spec sheets for Bella+Canvas 3001, Gildan 5000, Next Level 3600, Comfort Colors 1717, and Champion T425 drive the body chest ranges above.
- These match the Arklavo T-Shirt Size Chart, our published body-measurement reference.
- Confidence caveat: cuts vary by style within a brand. Always confirm against the specific product spec sheet and order a sample for large runs.