A measurement chart is a document that clearly maps out the exact garment dimensions to ensure consistent sizing. For t-shirts, these dimensions dictate everything from shoulder seam placement to how the fabric drapes against the body. Creating t-shirt measurement charts might seem complex at first glance.
The process requires attention to detail and understanding of how garments work on the body. We have put this guide together to break down everything needed to develop a professional measurement chart from scratch to ensure your manufacturers can accurately produce exactly what you need.
The journey begins with a base size. Think of this as the foundation - every other size stems from these initial measurements. Most brands use either Medium or Large as their base. Large often works better since it sits comfortably in the middle of a standard XS-2XL range.
Each measurement point plays a crucial role in how a t-shirt fits and feels. Here's what needs measuring:
Body Measurements:
Detail Measurements:
If you want to see a visual explanation for how to correctly get these measurements, check out a video we posted to our TikTok here
Setting up a base size is one of the most fundamental stages of creating a T-shirt measurement chart, or any measurement chart for that matter. A base size is simply the main sample size that designers use as their starting point. It's the size they perfect first, before creating any other sizes.
Think of it like a master template. For example, if size Large is your base size, you'll create this single size first with all its exact measurements. Once that Large fits perfectly, you'll use those measurements to calculate all other sizes (like Small, Medium, XL) by adding or subtracting specific amounts from each measurement.
Most brands choose either Medium or Large as their base size. Large often works better because:
To create a full measurement chart, You will use a method called grading, which involves applying a set of increments to each size starting from a single "base" size. Think of grading as a way to scale the same T-shirt design up or down to fit a variety of body shapes, without needing to design each size from scratch. Starting with a base size, the designer adds or subtracts specific measurements—called increments—at key points like the chest width, body length, and sleeve length to ensure the T-shirt fits proportionally and comfortably across all sizes.
Let’s say the base size here is a large with a chest width of 61 cm (measured pit to pit). For this example, we have chosen to grade in increments of ±2.5 cm at the chest. So, as they go up in size, they’ll add 2.5 cm to the chest measurement; as they go down, they’ll subtract 2.5 cm. This consistent grading rule allows the design to scale predictably across sizes.
Here’s how it plays out across a T-shirt size chart:
The result is a smooth, proportional transition from one size to the next:
This is something that is not spoken about too often but is absolutely essential to have clearly added to your measurement chart. Simply put, tolerance is the acceptable range of variation allowed for each measurement on a finished garment. This small range accounts for minor differences that can happen during manufacturing, like fabric stretching, cutting inconsistencies, or slight shifts in stitching.
Typically, the tolerances are discussed with the factory before agreeing on them as many manufacturers have their own tolerances set within their terms.
Tolerance is typically given as a plus or minus (±) value, such as ±0.5 cm. This means that if a T-shirt's chest measurement is specified as 61 cm, the final product could measure anywhere from 60.5 cm to 61.5 cm and still be considered within acceptable limits or 'tolerance'.
Here is a quick example:
Tolerance helps ensure consistency across garments while allowing for the natural variations that occur in mass production. This flexibility is crucial for quality control, as it helps maintain uniformity in the size and fit of each item without requiring absolute precision, which is often impractical and costly.
Success lies in understanding how measurements work together. Some key relationships:
Before finalizing any measurement chart:
A completed measurement chart includes:
Translating your t shirt measurements into an easy to read size guide is a crucial part of ensuring your customers can identify the right size prior to making an order. Generally speaking, most people don't really understand more complex measurements like armhole depth or neck opening so displaying your entire measurement chart to customers can actually do more harm than good as it can cause confusion. Not only that but if you have worked super hard to create the perfect fitting t=shirt, you don't really want to go displaying an entire measurement chart for all of your competitors to see.
Instead, you can simply provide the key measurements needed to get a general guide on how your sizing works. For many customers, body length and chest width will be enough but if you want to provide extra reassurance, you could add the sleeve length and shoulder.
Take these steps to create your first chart:
Remember, consistency matters more than specific numbers. While these measurements serve as a solid starting point, they can be adjusted to match different styles or fits while maintaining the same grading principles.
Creating measurement charts takes practice, but understanding these fundamentals provides the framework needed to develop professional specifications that work across an entire size range.
To help brands speed things up, we have created a completely free T-shirt measurement chart generator right here.