Men's Shirt Size Chart: XS to 5XL (US, UK, EU Conversions)
A men's medium at one brand fits a 38-inch chest. A medium at another fits a 42-inch chest. Same letter, four-inch difference. Here's the full chart, the conversions, and the rules for picking the right size when chest, neck, and sleeve disagree.
A men's medium at one brand fits a 38-inch chest. A medium at another brand fits a 42-inch chest. Same letter, four-inch difference.
That gap is why most men have a closet full of shirts in three different sizes, all bought from different brands, none of them quite right.
The fix is to ignore letter sizes when buying online and shop by actual measurements: chest, neck, sleeve. Once you know your numbers, every brand's size chart becomes a 10-second lookup.
This guide gives you the complete men's shirt size chart from XS to 5XL, the US/UK/EU/Asian conversions, and the rules for picking the right size when chest, neck, and sleeve disagree.
How Men's Shirt Sizes Actually Work
Three numbers determine a men's shirt size.
Chest circumference
Neck circumference
Sleeve length
Casual shirts use chest and length. Dress shirts use neck and sleeve. Both should fit the same body, but the labels are different.
Men's Shirt Size Chart (Casual Shirts and T-Shirts)
| Size | Chest | Waist | US Numeric | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32–34" / 81–86 cm | 27–29" / 69–74 cm | 34 | 34 | 44 |
| S | 35–37" / 89–94 cm | 30–32" / 76–81 cm | 36 | 36 | 46 |
| M | 38–40" / 97–102 cm | 33–35" / 84–89 cm | 38–40 | 38–40 | 48–50 |
| L | 41–43" / 104–109 cm | 36–38" / 91–97 cm | 41–43 | 41–43 | 52–54 |
| XL | 44–46" / 112–117 cm | 39–41" / 99–104 cm | 44–46 | 44–46 | 56–58 |
| XXL | 47–49" / 119–124 cm | 42–44" / 107–112 cm | 47–49 | 47–49 | 60–62 |
| 3XL | 50–53" / 127–135 cm | 45–48" / 114–122 cm | 50–53 | 50–53 | 64–66 |
| 4XL | 54–57" / 137–145 cm | 49–52" / 124–132 cm | 54–57 | 54–57 | 68–70 |
| 5XL | 58–61" / 147–155 cm | 53–56" / 135–142 cm | 58–61 | 58–61 | 72–74 |
These ranges are global averages. Specific brands run smaller or larger by 1 to 2 inches.
Men's Dress Shirt Size Chart (Neck and Sleeve)
Dress shirts use a paired sizing system: neck size + sleeve length. The label looks like 16/34, meaning a 16-inch neck and 34-inch sleeve.
| Neck | Letter Equivalent | Sleeve Range | Chest Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14" / 36 cm | XS | 32–33" | 32–34" |
| 14.5" / 37 cm | XS to S | 32–33" | 34–36" |
| 15" / 38 cm | S | 33–34" | 36–38" |
| 15.5" / 39 cm | S to M | 33–34" | 38–40" |
| 16" / 41 cm | M | 34–35" | 40–42" |
| 16.5" / 42 cm | M to L | 34–35" | 42–44" |
| 17" / 43 cm | L | 35–36" | 44–46" |
| 17.5" / 44 cm | L to XL | 35–36" | 46–48" |
| 18" / 46 cm | XL | 36–37" | 48–50" |
| 18.5" / 47 cm | XL to XXL | 36–37" | 50–52" |
| 19" / 48 cm | XXL | 36–37" | 52–54" |
Most American dress shirts are sold with neck/sleeve pairs. European dress shirts often list a single number (the neck in cm) and assume tailoring will handle sleeve length.
How to Use the Chart
Three steps.
Measure chest, neck, and sleeve
See the linked measurement guides below the chart for each.
Find the row that matches your numbers across all three columns
Read across — chest, neck, sleeve.
Order that size
If your numbers fall in different rows, go by the largest one. A size that is slightly too big in one dimension can be tailored down. A size that is too small in any dimension cannot be saved.
US, UK, EU, and Asian Sizing Differences
US and UK
EU
Asian sizing (Japan, South Korea, China, India)
Australia
Slim Fit, Regular Fit, Classic Fit: Same Letter, Different Sizes
Three fit types dominate men's shirts. The chart numbers above describe regular fit. Adjust as follows.
Slim fit
Athletic fit
Classic fit (or relaxed fit)
Read the brand's fit description before ordering
Brand-Specific Size Variations
Specific brands consistently run different from the chart.
- Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger: run roughly 1 inch larger in the chest than the standard chart. Size down if between sizes.
- Banana Republic, J.Crew, Theory: run true to standard or slightly slim. Match the chart.
- Uniqlo, Muji: Asian sizing. Run 1 to 1.5 sizes smaller than US labels. Size up.
- Italian luxury (Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana): run slim. Size up if between sizes.
- American workwear (Carhartt, Dickies): run roomy. Match the chart or size down for a fitted look.
When in doubt, search "[brand name] sizing" + "true to size" or "runs small" to get verified shopper feedback.
Five Mistakes That Wreck Men's Shirt Sizing
Buying by letter only on dress shirts
A "M" dress shirt could be a 15/33 or a 16/34 depending on the brand. Always check neck and sleeve numbers.
Trusting the t-shirt size on a dress shirt
Casual fit and dress fit use different cuts. T-shirt M does not equal dress shirt M.
Ignoring sleeve length
A perfect chest with a 1-inch-too-short sleeve looks worse than a slightly loose chest with the right sleeve.
Buying European brands without size conversion
EU 50 is not US 50. Always use the conversion chart.
Sizing up "just in case" for dress shirts
A dress shirt that is too big in the body can't be fixed without expensive tailoring. Match the chart precisely.
When to Size Up vs. Size Down
If your numbers fall between sizes:
- Casual shirts and t-shirts: size up if you prefer a relaxed fit, size down if you prefer fitted.
- Dress shirts: match neck size exactly. Round up sleeve to the next half size. The body of the shirt can be tailored.
- Polos and henleys: match chest size exactly. These cuts are unforgiving when the chest is too small.
- Sweaters and knits: size up. Knits stretch differently than woven shirts and benefit from a little ease.
FAQs
Why does the same size fit differently across brands?
No global standard for sizing exists. Each brand sets its own measurements based on its target customer. American mass-market brands run roomier than European or Asian brands.
Should I trust the brand's size chart or my measurements?
Both. Take your measurements. Then check them against the brand's specific size chart, not a generic chart. Brand charts are usually accurate to within half an inch.
My chest is one size and my waist is a different size. What do I order?
Go by chest. The waist of the shirt is less critical than the chest fit, and most shirts can be tailored at the waist for $10 to $15.
What if I am between two sizes consistently?
You probably are. Most men fall between standard sizes. The fix is brands that offer multiple fits (slim, regular, classic) so you can pick the cut that matches your body better than a single-size adjustment will.
Do men's shirt sizes change with weight loss or gain?
Yes. Chest, neck, and waist all change with weight. Re-measure every 6 to 12 months, or after weight change of 5 pounds or more.
How do I convert US shirt size to EU?
EU sizes for men are usually 6 to 8 numbers higher than US numerical sizes. US 38 = EU 46 to 48. US M = EU 50. Always check the brand's specific chart since EU sizing varies by country.
Save Your Numbers, Ignore the Letter
Three numbers are all you need to shop men's shirts online from any brand in any country.
- Chest circumference (inches and cm)
- Neck circumference (inches and cm)
- Sleeve length, Method 1 (center back to wrist)
Write them down once. Match them to the chart. Forget the letter on the label. The next men's shirt you buy fits on the first try. Stores running Tailor Size Guide let shoppers save these numbers and reuse them across every shirt in the store.
Need help measuring? See how to measure your chest, how to measure your neck, and how to measure sleeve length.
Selling men's shirts on Shopify?
Sizing returns are the silent killer of margin in apparel. Tailor Size Guide adds smart size charts and custom measurement forms to your product pages so customers find their right size in seconds and stop returning shirts.