Most sizing problems in a team order come from one habit: guessing. A coach asks the players for their t-shirt size, rounds up for the tall ones, and finds out when the boxes arrive that the jerseys run differently.
Jersey sizes aren’t t-shirt sizes, and they aren’t the same from sport to sport or brand to brand. This guide covers how to measure, how jersey cuts differ by sport, and how to put together a size run that fits the whole team.
Why jersey sizes vary
A size chart is a list of body measurements, but each sport cuts the jersey differently around those measurements.
- Basketball jerseys are cut loose, with deep armholes and extra length, so a player’s usual size looks bigger than a tee.
- Soccer jerseys sit closer to the body. Some players like to size up for a looser fit.
- American football jerseys go over shoulder pads, so they’re cut much wider through the shoulders. Flag football jerseys are cut closer.
- Ice hockey jerseys are cut big, to go over pads, with a longer body.
- Cycling jerseys in a race fit are meant to be tight.
That’s why we cut every design to the chart for its sport, and why the sample matters.
How to measure
Use a soft tape and measure over a thin t-shirt, not over a hoodie.
- Chest: around the fullest part of the chest, under the arms, with the tape level.
- Waist: around the natural waist, above the belly button.
- Hips: around the fullest part of the hips, for shorts, pants and women’s cuts.
- Height: standing straight, without shoes.
Chest is the measurement that matters most for a jersey. If a player is between two sizes on the chart, the bigger one is usually the safer choice for basketball and football, and the smaller one for a close-fitting soccer or cycling jersey.
Adult sizes
| Size | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 31-34 | 79-86 |
| S | 34-38 | 86-97 |
| M | 38-42 | 97-107 |
| L | 42-46 | 107-117 |
| XL | 46-50 | 117-127 |
| 2XL | 50-54 | 127-137 |
| 3XL | 54-58 | 137-147 |
| 4XL | 58-62 | 147-157 |
| 5XL | 62-66 | 157-168 |
Youth sizes
Order youth jerseys by measurement, not by age. Two ten-year-olds can be two sizes apart, and the biggest youth sizes overlap the smallest adult ones.
| Size | Height (in) | Height (cm) | Chest (in) | Chest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YXXS | 42-46 | 107-117 | 22-24 | 56-61 |
| YXS | 46-50 | 117-127 | 24-26 | 61-66 |
| YS | 50-54 | 127-137 | 26-28 | 66-71 |
| YM | 54-58 | 137-147 | 28-30 | 71-76 |
| YL | 58-62 | 147-157 | 30-32 | 76-81 |
| YXL | 62-66 | 157-168 | 32-34 | 81-86 |
Women’s cuts
Women’s jerseys are cut narrower at the shoulders and shaped through the waist and hips. Measure chest, waist and hips, and use the women’s chart. Don’t size down in a men’s cut instead, because the shape is different, not only the size.
Sport by sport
Basketball
Players often wear their jersey one size bigger than their tee. Shorts are sized by waist, and many teams order the shorts a size bigger than the jersey for length.
Soccer
Most players take their normal size. Goalkeepers often go up a size for movement, and the keeper shirt is a separate style anyway.
American football
Size game jerseys to fit over the pads the team actually wears. If you can, measure one player in pads and compare with the chart.
Baseball and softball
Button-front jerseys are sized by chest. Pants are sized by waist and inseam, so collect both.
Volleyball
Jerseys are cut close. Spandex shorts are sized by hips.
Cycling
Race fit is tight by design. A rider who wants a little more room should take club fit rather than a bigger race size.
Building a size run for the team
A size run is the list of how many of each size you’re ordering. The best way to get it right is to collect a size from every player before you order.
- Use a roster. Our roster template on how ordering works has a row for each player’s name, number and size. One sheet, sent back with the design, covers it.
- Try the sample. When the sample arrives, have two or three players of different builds try it on. If it runs big or small against what they expected, tell us before bulk and adjust the run.
- Order a few spares. New players join mid-season. A few extra jerseys in your most common sizes, with no name, save a reorder for one player.
- Mix sizes freely. Sizes can be mixed however you need within the 50-piece minimum per style, at no extra cost.
When you can’t measure everyone
For a club with players spread across several teams, measuring everyone isn’t always possible. Ask each player to lay a jersey they already own and like the fit of flat on a table, and measure across the chest from armpit to armpit. Double it, and you have a chest measurement to compare with the chart.
Questions
Do polyester jerseys shrink?
Very little. Polyester holds its size in a normal wash. Wash cool and skip the hot dryer, and the jersey stays the size it arrived.
Should players size up?
For basketball and American football, many do. For soccer and cycling, most take their normal size. When in doubt, check against the sample.
How do I measure a child?
The same way as an adult: chest, waist and height, over a thin t-shirt. Then use the youth chart, not their age.
Can we use our own size chart?
Yes. Send your chart with the design and we’ll cut to it. Check the sample against your chart before bulk.
What if the jersey doesn’t fit?
That’s what the sample is for. Have players try it before bulk, and tell us what to change.
The size guide has every chart we use. When your sizes are ready, send us your design and roster for a price and lead time. You can also see how sizes work on our basketball uniforms and soccer uniforms pages.
