Finding the perfect shirt often begins with knowing your exact measurements. One of the key measurements is your shoulder width.
But how do you measure your shoulder width for a shirt? To measure your shoulder width for a shirt, stand upright. Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the distance from one shoulder to the other, across the back. Follow the natural curve of the shoulders.
In this blog, I'll dive into this in more detail. I'll provide perfect fitting tapered shirts right here at Tapered Menswear.
Shoulder Width vs Shirt Shoulder Measurement
One of the most common mistakes when buying shirts online is confusing your actual shoulder width with the measurements shown on a clothing size chart.
Your body shoulder width is measured across your upper back, between the natural ends of your shoulders.
A shirt's shoulder measurement, however, may refer to the distance between its shoulder seams or an individual shoulder panel, depending on the brand.
These measurements aren't always directly interchangeable.
Before choosing your size, check exactly how the retailer measures its garments.
This is particularly important for fitted shirts, where even a small difference in shoulder width can affect comfort and how the sleeves sit
What You Need to Measure Shoulders for a Shirt
Measuring your shoulder width requires a few basic items:
First get yourself a flexible measuring tape. This will contour to your body, providing a precise measurement. Avoid using rigid rulers or construction tapes.
Also it's handy to grab a well-fitted shirt (for reference). If you already own a shirt that fits well in the shoulders, you can use it as a benchmark. Compare your measurements with this shirt. It will help you understand what measurements work for you.
How to Measure Shoulder Width on a Shirt
If you already own a shirt that fits perfectly around your shoulders, measuring it can provide a useful reference when shopping online.
Lay the shirt flat on a table with the back facing upwards, smoothing out any wrinkles without stretching the fabric.
Locate the two shoulder seams where the sleeves join the body of the shirt.
Measure straight across the upper back from one shoulder seam to the other.
Keep the tape flat and record the measurement in centimetres or inches.
Compare this figure with the retailer's size guide, making sure both measurements use the same method.
If the brand measures individual shoulder panels rather than the full shoulder width, you'll need to use its specific measuring instructions.
How Do You Measure Your Shoulder Width For A Shirt?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to accurately measuring your shoulder width:
-
Stand in a Natural Position: Stand in front of the mirror with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your posture natural and relaxed. Your arms should be at your sides, and your shoulders should be in a neutral position, not hunched or pulled back.
-
Find the Points to Measure. Identify the end of one shoulder. This is where the shoulder's flat and vertical planes meet. Do this for both shoulders. These points are where you’ll place the ends of your measuring tape.
-
Position the Measuring Tape: Hold one end of the measuring tape at the point on one shoulder. Use your fingers to keep it in place. If you have a helper, ask them to do this step for you.
-
Extend the Tape Across Your Back. Stretch the measuring tape from one shoulder to the other. Put the tape at the top of your shoulders. This spot lines up with the bottom seam of a shirt's sleeve.
-
Keep the Tape Level: Make sure the tape is straight and level, not twisted. The tape should be in contact with your skin or shirt all along your back but not pulled tight. It should follow the natural curve of your shoulders.
Common Mistakes When Measuring Shoulder Width
Even a small measuring error can make a difference when choosing a fitted shirt.
The first mistake is measuring across the front of your chest rather than following the intended shoulder measurement method.
Another is pulling the tape too tightly, which can produce a smaller measurement than your natural shoulder width.
Raising your shoulders, standing unnaturally straight or wearing thick clothing can also affect the result.
It's also easy to confuse shoulder width with chest width, even though they describe different parts of the body.
For the most reliable measurement, keep your posture relaxed and ask someone to help.
Take the measurement twice and compare the results before using a clothing size chart.
How to Measure Shoulder Length for Shirt
While measuring shoulder width provides a great fit, understanding shoulder slope is equally vital. The slope of your shoulders affects how a shirt drapes over your body. To measure this, stand straight and have someone observe the angle from your neck to your shoulder point.
Knowing whether you have a steep, average, or minimal shoulder slope can guide custom adjustments, ensuring the shirt sits perfectly on your body. This added insight can prevent common fit issues like fabric bunching or an overly tight fit across the upper back.
Where To Measure Shoulders:
Should I Measure my Shoulders With or Without Clothes On?
Shoulder measurements should be taken topless or while wearing a very thin t-shirt. Thick clothing can add bulk around your shoulders, leading to a misleading measurement.
You dont want clothing to alter your natural shoulder shape. Loose clothes will change your measurements. Adding even a small amount of extra width due to clothing can result in a shirt that's too large in the shoulder area.
When a tailor measures someone, they prefer to measure over thin clothing. The thin fabric provides a barrier without compromising the accuracy of the measurement.
How Wide Should Shirt Shoulders Be?
The width of a shirt's shoulders should align with your natural shoulder line. The seam where the shirt sleeve attaches should sit exactly where the shoulder ends. That's where the arm begins.
The right shoulder width not only looks good but makes it comfortable too! Even if you have broad shoulders.
It allows for ease of movement while maintaining the shirt's structure. A fitted shoulder seam lies flat. It has no wrinkles or puckering. This ensures the fabric flows over the chest and back.
How Do You Know if Shirt Shoulders Are Too Wide or Too Narrow?
Your shoulder seams can reveal a lot about whether a shirt fits correctly.
| Fit Problem | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Shoulders too wide | Seams fall noticeably down the upper arms |
| Shoulders too narrow | Seams sit inside the natural shoulder line |
| Correct shoulder fit | Seams sit close to the natural shoulder edge |
| Upper back too tight | Fabric pulls when reaching forward |
| Excess shoulder fabric | Loose material gathers around the upper arms |
If your shirt feels restrictive when you reach forward, the problem may involve the upper back, chest or armholes rather than shoulder width alone.
For men with broad shoulders and narrow waists, choosing a shirt that fits the upper body without leaving excessive fabric around the stomach is particularly important.
What Shoulder Width is XL?
In general, an XL shirt accommodates a shoulder width of around 17 to 18 inches. But remember, sizing varies between brands, so it’s always best to check the specific brand’s sizing chart.
Does Shoulder Width Change With Muscle Growth?
Your skeletal shoulder width is largely determined by your bone structure, but developing your shoulders and upper back can change how clothing fits.
Exercises that develop the deltoids, trapezius and upper back can increase the amount of room you need in a shirt.
This means your usual size may start feeling restrictive even if your overall body weight hasn't changed significantly.
You might notice pulling across the upper back, tighter sleeves or limited movement when reaching forward.
If your physique changes through training, it's worth checking your chest, shoulder and arm measurements again.
Choosing shirts based on your current proportions is more reliable than continuing to buy the same size out of habit.
What if My Shoulder Measurements Fall Between Two Sizes?
If you find yourself in-between sizes, consider the fit you prefer. For a looser fit, go for the larger size, and for a more snug fit, choose the smaller size.
Should You Size Up if You Have Broad Shoulders?
Sizing up can provide additional shoulder room, but it also increases the dimensions elsewhere in the shirt.
This often means extra fabric around the waist, longer sleeves and a looser overall appearance.
If your shoulders are broad but your waist is narrow, a standard regular or slim fit shirt may not match your proportions.
Instead, look for a tapered fit designed to accommodate a wider upper body while narrowing towards the waist.
Always check the chest, shoulder and waist measurements together rather than selecting a size based on shoulder width alone.
If you're between sizes, prioritise comfortable movement and avoid choosing a shirt that pulls tightly across your shoulders or chest.
Shoulder Width Measurement Chart For Males
Below is our size chart for our dress shirts here at Tapered Menswear. This gives a good idea on shoulder width size.
| Size | Chest (in) | Waist (in) | Bicep (in) | Shoulder Width (in) |
| S | 20.1 | 16.3 | 7.1 | 8.3 |
| M | 21.1 | 17.1 | 7.3 | 8.7 |
| L | 22.4 | 18.3 | 7.5 | 9.1 |
| XL | 23.4 | 18.9 | 8.1 | 9.4 |
| XXL | 24.4 | 19.9 | 8.5 | 9.8 |
| 3XL | 25.4 | 20.9 | 8.9 | 10.2 |
| 4XL | 26.4 | 21.9 | 9.3 | 10.6 |
| Size | Chest (cm) | Waist (cm) | Bicep (cm) | Shoulder Width |
| S | 51 | 41.5 | 18 | 21 |
| M | 53.5 | 43.5 | 18.5 | 22 |
| L | 57 | 46.5 | 19 | 23 |
| XL | 59.5 | 48 | 20.5 | 24 |
| XXL | 62 | 50.5 | 21.5 | 25 |
| 3XL | 64.5 | 53 | 22.5 | 26 |
| 4XL | 67 | 55.5 | 23.5 | 27 |
Understanding how to measure your shoulder width is so important. It’s a simple process thats often overlooked. but has a significant impact on how you look and feel in your clothes.
This is especially true for mens shirts. You might find some that fit in the shoulders but sag at the waist. Sound familiar?
Tapered was born through this exact struggle providing our unique Tapered Fit Shirts.
Our TAPERED fit shirt has been developed by leading Tailors and industry experts to provide you with a revolutionary fit, you won’t ever need to take your shirt to a tailor again or give lots of different measurements.
Perfect for those seeking a muscular fit, or bespoke tailoring - ready to wear! For athletes looking for a perfect muscle fit shirt, considered the best shirts for a muscular build.
Enhanced Darts
Expertly tailored darts at the back, for the perfect fit.
Stretch Cotton
Super soft, breathable and allows complete freedom of movement.
Perfect for the office.
With our non obtrusive logo stitched subtly on the wrist makes our TAPERED Fit Shirt ideal for formal occasions.
