How to Choose T-Shirt Size: Men's and Women's Charts in cm

To choose a T-shirt size, lay a T-shirt that already fits well on a flat surface. Measure straight across the chest just below the armholes, then measure from the top of the shoulder down to the hem. Pick the size on the supplier's cm chart that comes closest to those two numbers. Don't rely on the size letter alone. On widely used reference charts, a unisex Medium is about 51 cm across the chest, while a women's-cut Medium is about 49 cm across and roughly 8 cm shorter. For a team order, collect each person's size and cut. If you can't, split the headcount by cut and apply a size curve, using the formula below.

Why the size letter on its own isn't enough

There is no single global standard for T-shirt sizes. A Large from one brand can be a Medium from another, and a few things make the gap bigger:

• Grading differs by factory and market. Blanks made in the UAE, India and China may each follow a different size chart, even when they're labelled the same.
• Fit style changes everything. Regular, slim, oversized and women's cuts in the same letter size can be several centimetres apart in chest width and length.
• "Unisex" means men's proportions. Unisex T-shirts are cut on a men's pattern: a straight body, longer length, wider neck and longer sleeves. A women's cut is tapered at the waist, shorter, and has a closer sleeve.

So the only dependable reference is a measurement chart in centimetres for the exact garment you're ordering. Ask for it before anyone picks a size.

Method 1: measure a T-shirt that already fits (most reliable)

People find it easier to measure a T-shirt they own than to measure themselves, so this suits team orders best.

1. Choose a T-shirt the person likes the fit of, ideally plain cotton jersey and not a stretchy sports top.
2. Lay it flat and face-up on a table, smoothing out any wrinkles. Don't stretch it.
3. Chest width: measure straight across from side seam to side seam, about 2.5 cm below the armpits.
4. Body length: measure from the highest point of the shoulder, where the shoulder seam meets the collar, straight down to the hem.
5. Optional: measure sleeve length from the shoulder seam to the sleeve hem if sleeves matter, for example on uniforms worn with arm bands or name badges.
6. Find the size on the supplier's chart that comes closest on both chest and length. A difference of a centimetre or two is normal manufacturing tolerance.

If the person falls between two sizes, decide by length (tucked-in uniforms need more length) and by preference. In UAE heat, most people find a little extra room across the chest more comfortable than a close fit.

Method 2: measure the body

If nobody has a reference T-shirt to hand, measure the fullest part of the chest. Pass the tape under the arms and keep it level and snug but not tight. Then use a body-to-size guide like this one, based on standard unisex T-shirt charts:

Unisex size	Body chest girth (cm)
S	86–94
M	97–104
L	107–114
XL	117–124
2XL	127–135
3XL	137–145

If a measurement falls in a gap, for example 105 cm, go up a size for a regular fit.

Reference T-shirt size charts in cm

The tables below show garment measurements, not body measurements. The chest figure is the flat width across the T-shirt, so the full circumference is double that. Use them to see how sizes step up, not as the chart for your order.

Men's and unisex regular fit

These figures come from the Gildan 5000 Heavy Cotton, one of the most widely used plain T-shirt blanks. That makes it a good benchmark for a standard regular fit.

Size	Chest width, flat (cm)	Body length (cm)
S	46	71
M	51	74
L	56	76
XL	61	79
2XL	66	81
3XL	71	84
4XL	76	86
5XL	81	89

Each size adds about 5 cm of flat width (10 cm of circumference) and 2–3 cm of length.

Women's cut

This is a typical published reference chart for a women's-cut T-shirt:

Size	Chest width, flat (cm)	Body length (cm)
S	44	65
M	49	66
L	54	69
XL	59	71
2XL	64	72
3XL	69	74

Reading the two charts together

Compare the Mediums. The women's cut is about 2 cm narrower but around 8 cm shorter, and it's shaped through the waist. In practice a women's Medium is roughly equal to a unisex Small. Women who wear unisex T-shirts usually go one size down for a similar fit, or stay in their usual size for a relaxed look. That's why a women's size and a unisex size shouldn't share one column on your order form.

Men's, women's or unisex for a mixed team?

This is the biggest sizing decision for a mixed-gender order, and the right answer depends on how the T-shirts will be used.

Option	Advantages	Drawbacks	Best for
Unisex only	One style, one colour match, simplest ordering and print set-up	Boxy and long on many women; you'll need XS and S in larger numbers	One-day events, runs, giveaways
Separate men's and women's cuts	Better fit and look for everyone	Two styles to source; colours can differ slightly between fabrics; minimums may apply per style	Staff uniforms, brand launches, photographed events
Each person chooses their cut	Highest satisfaction and fewest exchanges	More admin when collecting sizes	Uniforms worn every day

Don't assume every woman wants the fitted cut. In UAE workplaces a looser, longer T-shirt is often the more comfortable and modest choice. Put the cut on the form as a question rather than deciding for people. If you're also kitting the team out in polos, the same logic applies. See our polo shirt size guide for the polo-specific measurements.

The size-split formula when you can't collect sizes

Sometimes you won't know who will wear the T-shirts: event giveaways, new-joiner stock, or a deadline that leaves no time for a form. In that case:

Quantity per size = headcount for that cut × size percentage, rounded to whole pieces. Then adjust the total and add a small buffer.

What published order data shows

Suppliers in the UK and US have published the size mix of their bulk orders. One UK printer's order history for unisex T-shirts shows Large as the most-ordered size at about 32%, followed by Medium at 28% and XL at 19%. The figures broadly agree across suppliers:

Size	UK printer, unisex T-shirts	US printer, mixed group	US printer, mostly-women event
S	10%	15%	30%
M	28%	25%	40%
L	32%	25%	20%
XL	19%	20%	10%
2XL	8%	10%	–
3XL+	3%	5%	–

Keep in mind that these numbers reflect UK and US customers. UAE teams vary widely by nationality mix, age and role, so treat any curve as a starting point and adjust it once you know your group. If the group is mostly young or the event is a sports activity, shift the curve one step smaller. For an older office team, add weight to L and XL.

A suggested starting curve

Unisex / men's cut	%	Women's cut	%
S	10%	XS	10%
M	28%	S	30%
L	32%	M	35%
XL	19%	L	15%
2XL	8%	XL	10%
3XL	3%

Worked example: a 60-person team

Say the team is 42 people in the unisex cut and 18 in the women's cut.

1. Unisex (42): S 4.2 → 4, M 11.8 → 12, L 13.4 → 13, XL 8.0 → 8, 2XL 3.4 → 3, 3XL 1.3 → 1. That adds up to 41.
2. Adjust the total: add the missing piece to the most common size, so L becomes 14. The total is now 42.
3. Women's (18): XS 1.8 → 2, S 5.4 → 5, M 6.3 → 6, L 2.7 → 3, XL 1.8 → 2. That adds up to 18.
4. Add a buffer: order roughly 5–10% extra, concentrated in M and L, the sizes people most often swap. Here that means about 3–6 extra pieces. For uniforms, the spares double as stock for new joiners.

Small orders

For groups under about 30, percentages produce awkward fractions. A simple 1-2-3-3-1 ratio across S, M, L, XL and 2XL is easier to work with. Then add women's-cut sizes separately if you're offering them.

How to collect sizes from your team

Collecting real sizes beats any formula. Do it in this order:

1. Choose the garment first. Agree on fabric, weight and fit, then get that garment's measurement chart in cm. If you're still weighing fabric options, the custom T-shirts range covers cotton, heavyweight, performance and oversized styles.
2. Arrange a size set if you can. For larger or repeat uniform orders, ask whether samples in a few sizes can be sent so people can try them on.
3. Send a short form. Ask for name, department, cut (unisex or women's), size, and optionally the chest width and length of a T-shirt they like. Set a firm deadline.
4. Set a rule for anyone who doesn't reply. Assign the most common size for their cut, or fill those places using the curve above.
5. Lock the list. Check the final breakdown against the quotation and the artwork proof before production starts. Changes after that point usually cost time.

Factors that change the right size

Fabric and shrinkage

100% cotton can shrink, usually by a few percent in the first washes; figures of about 2–5% are commonly quoted. Most of that happens in the first one to three washes. Pre-shrunk cotton, poly-cotton blends and polyester performance fabrics shrink very little. For cotton T-shirts that will be washed often and hot, choosing the larger size for people who are between sizes is sensible.

Fit style

• Oversized and heavyweight T-shirts are cut deliberately large. Anyone who wants a regular look should go one size down. Check the chart, because how much extra width is added varies a lot from style to style.
• Slim and performance fits sit close to the body. People who prefer room should go one size up.

Logo and print size across the size range

A front print sized for a Medium can look huge on a women's XS and small on a 3XL. If your size range is wide, ask whether the print can be produced in two sizes, or set the design width to suit the smaller end. Placement also changes with length: a print positioned 8 cm below the collar sits differently on a short women's cut than on a long unisex body. Our custom printing page covers the methods and how each one handles different sizes.

Checklist before you confirm the order

• A measurement chart in cm for the exact garment and fit, not a generic chart
• Separate columns on the size list for unisex/men's and women's cuts
• Every name has a size, or a fallback rule has been applied
• The size breakdown adds up to the total quantity on the quotation
• A buffer of 5–10% in M and L, especially for uniforms
• Fabric shrinkage considered for 100% cotton
• Print size and placement checked on the smallest and largest sizes

Request a quotation

If you're planning a team order, MISHAREN can source T-shirts through manufacturing partners in the UAE, India and China, from 25 pieces depending on the garment and branding method, with delivery across all seven emirates. Send your headcount, preferred fit and logo through the contact page. Ask for the garment's cm size chart with your quotation so your team can choose sizes with confidence.