article

How to Measure for a Shirt

The most important thing when choosing a shirt is to get the right fit. A great fitting shirt works in all the right places to give you a smart look, a defined silhouette, and the confidence that comes from knowing you are impeccably dressed. Getting the best fit is easy once you know some of your basic measurements. From collar size to sleeve length, we will take you through the measuring process in order to find that perfect Charles Tyrwhitt shirt.

shop shirts
see our size guide

COLLAR SIZE

Measure your collar size by taking the tape measure and placing it flush around your neck. To get the most comfortable fit, place two fingers between the tape measure and the neck when measuring.

SLEEVE LENGTH

  • Step 1
    Start at the top of the centre back, just below the collar. Place the tape measure here and measure to the peak of the shoulder, then note down this measurement.
  • Step 2
    Next, place the tape measure at the peak of the shoulder, and measure down towards the elbow.
  • Step 3
    Measure from the elbow to just above the wrist bone, or wherever you prefer the shirt cuff to sit.
  • Step 4
    Finally, add these three measurements together to calculate your sleeve length.

UNDERSTANDING SHIRT MEASUREMENTS

SLEEVE

The measurement for the length of the sleeve starts at the middle of the collar from the back, down past the shoulder seam and to the end of the cuff.

SHIRT LENGTH

The shirt length isn’t taken from right at the top of your shirt as your shoulders, neck, and back fill that out a little. Instead, lay your shirt flat with the buttons done up, and measure from halfway down the collar right to the tail end.

COLLAR

Undo all the buttons and lay your shirt flat to measure the collar width. Place the tape around the base through where the top button is, not from collar tip to tip.

CUFFS

Open your cuff and lay it flat, measuring from the outer edge of the button or cufflink hole to the centre of the button.

SHOULDER LENGTH

Button up your shirt and lay the front facing down. This measurement runs from the top of the two shoulder seams, end to end. This is to be measured flat and is not a circumference measurement.

BOTTOM

Also known as the seat, this is the widest part of the shirt. Measure across from the end of the side seam to the other. This is to be measured flat and is not a circumference measurement.

WAIST

The waist measurement depends on how slim-fit and tapered, or classic and straight-cut your shirt is. Either way, measure across the narrowest part of the waist. This is to be measured flat and is not a circumference measurement.

CHEST

This measurement runs between the bottom of the sleeve seams, just at the armpit. This is to be measured flat and is not a circumference measurement.

Refer to our size guide table below to find your size

Our fit runs on the larger side - if you’re in doubt choose a slimmer fit

CLASSIC

Classic fit. +1.5 inches chest. +4 inches waist Our most generous fit, suitable for fuller frames or those who like a roomier fit.

SLIM

Slim fit Our regular fit. Suitable for most body shapes, close but not snug on most frames. Tapers gently through the waist.

EXTRA SLIM

Extra slim fit. -2.5 inches chest. -2.5 inches waist Our tightest fit. Suitable for slimmer body shapes or those who prefer a snugger, tighter fit.
in
cm
Expand Size Guide >>>
YOUR NECK BUY SHIRT SIZE YOUR CHEST (up to) SHIRT CHEST YOUR WAIST (up to) SHIRT WAIST AVAILABLE SLEEVE LENGTH
(Most Popular)
15.5 15.5 40 45.5 34 45 33 34 35
16 16 42 47.5 36 47 33 34 35 36
16.5 16.5 44 49.5 38 49 33 34 35 36
17 17 46 51.5 40 51 34 35 36 37
17.5 17.5 48 53.5 42 53 34 35 36 38
18 18 50 55.5 44 54.5 35 36 37 38
19 19 54 59.5 48 58.5 37 38
20 20 58 63.5 52 62.5 37
YOUR NECK BUY SHIRT SIZE YOUR CHEST (up to) SHIRT CHEST YOUR WAIST (up to) SHIRT WAIST AVAILABLE SLEEVE LENGTH
(Most Popular)
39.5 39 102 116 86 114 84 86 89
40.5 41 107 121 91 119 84 86 89 91
42 42 112 126 96 124 84 86 89 91
43 43 117 131 102 129 86 89 91 94
44.5 44 122 136 107 134 86 89 91 96
45.5 46 127 141 112 139 89 91 94 96
48 48 137 151 122 149 94 96
50.5 51 147 161 132 159 94
in
cm
Expand Size Guide >>>
YOUR NECK BUY SHIRT SIZE YOUR CHEST (up to) SHIRT CHEST YOUR WAIST (up to) SHIRT WAIST AVAILABLE SLEEVE LENGTH
(Most Popular)
14.5 14.5 36 40 30 37 32 33
15 15 38 42 32 39 32 33 34 35
15.5 15.5 40 44 34 41 32 33 34 35 36
16 16 42 46 36 43 33 34 35 36
16.5 16.5 44 48 38 45 33 34 35 36 38
17 17 46 50 40 47 34 35 36 37
17.5 17.5 48 52 42 49 34 35 36 38
18 18 50 54 44 51 35 37
YOUR NECK BUY SHIRT SIZE YOUR CHEST (up to) SHIRT CHEST YOUR WAIST (up to) SHIRT WAIST AVAILABLE SLEEVE LENGTH
(Most Popular)
37 37 91 102 76 94 81 84
38 38 96 107 81 99 81 84 86 89
39.5 39 102 112 86 104 81 84 86 89 91
40.5 41 107 117 91 109 84 86 89 91
42 42 112 122 96 114 84 86 89 91 96
43 43 117 127 102 119 86 89 91 94
44.5 44 122 132 107 124 86 89 91 96
45.5 46 127 137 112 129 89 94
in
cm
Expand Size Guide >>>
YOUR NECK BUY SHIRT SIZE YOUR CHEST (up to) SHIRT CHEST YOUR WAIST (up to) SHIRT WAIST AVAILABLE SLEEVE LENGTH
(Most Popular)
14.5 14.5 36 37.5 30 34.5 32 33
15 15 38 39.5 32 36.5 32 33 34
15.5 15.5 40 41.5 34 38.5 32 33 34 35 36
16 16 42 43.5 36 40.5 33 34 35 36
16.5 16.5 44 45.5 38 42.5 33 34 35 36
17 17 46 47 40 44.5 34 35 36 37
17.5 17.5 48 49 42 46.5 35 36
YOUR NECK BUY SHIRT SIZE YOUR CHEST (up to) SHIRT CHEST YOUR WAIST (up to) SHIRT WAIST AVAILABLE SLEEVE LENGTH
(Most Popular)
37 37 91 95 76 87.5 81 84
38 38 96 100 81 92.5 81 84 86
39.5 39 102 105 86 97.5 81 84 86 89 91
40.5 41 107 110 91 102.5 84 86 89 91
42 42 112 115 96 107.5 84 86 89 91
43 43 117 120 102 112.5 86 89 91 94
44.5 44 122 125 107 117.6 89 91

EXPLORE MORE

Shopping is secure with Charles Tyrwhitt.
We accept:
  • iDeal accepted
  • Visa accepted
  • American Express accepted
  • Mastercard accepted
  • Paypal accepted
  • Google Pay accepted
Our partners The Queen's Awards for Enterprise 2016, England Rugby, King's Trust, Fulham Football Club, New York Jets American Football Club, Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award

© 2026 Charles Tyrwhitt Shirts Ltd.

Bronze, The Forge – Bankside (level 5), 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ - Registered No. 2914928 - UK Vat No. 821 1491 60 - info@ctshirts.co.uk

nldefault