How to Measure a Shirt: Chest Width

Do you know that accurate chest measurement is as important in the case of men as it is for women? With the right chest measurements, you can easily find upper clothing items which only fit perfectly and comfortably. 

In other words, a shirt that is purchased as per your exact chest measurement could not only make your style game strong but also provide ease of movement. This, in turn, enhances both your efficiency and appearance. 

Thus, considering the importance of right chest measurements, today we're going to pen down the easiest and most authentic way to measure chest width. Also, the guide will walk you through the common mistakes to avoid getting accurate results. Give it a read! 

How to measure the chest width? 

• Measuring your body

Start with getting a flexible measuring tape or a cloth tape. Don't go with tape made up of rigid material like metal or wood as these can affect accuracy and make the whole procedure difficult. 

Besides tape, you'd also need to get help from the family of a friend who can assist in reading measurements, aligning the tape correctly, and maintaining the right posture. This, in turn, will not only reduce the chances of errors but also make the whole process quick and enjoyable. 

Once done, take off your upper body garments since clothes can add bulk and lead to inaccurate measurements. Once done, wrap the tape around the fullest part of your chest, which is right below your armpits. Make sure the tape is snug around your chest instead of being too tight or loose. 

Also, ensure that the tape is correctly positioned, parallel to the ground, and doesn't fold or twist at any point. Remember that you need to maintain your most natural posture while standing straight and leaving your arm relaxed on your sides. Do not flex your muscles or chest and note down the measurements. 

This measurement can be used as it is to get button-down shirts or formal shirts. However, when getting T-shirts or polo shirts, it's better to add about two inches to the measurement for a comfortable and relaxed fit. 

• Measuring from a shirt

To measure the chest width of a shirt, we use the half chest method. For this, you need to button up the shirt and lay it on a flat surface. Smooth out all the wrinkles from the top and underneath. 

Place one end of measuring tape at the armpit - on the seam which attaches the sleeve to the shirt's body. Stretch the tape to the other armpit seam and note the results. Multiply the noted measurement with two and that will be the chest width of your shirt. 

Mistake to avoid

To get accurate chest measurements, you need to avoid some common mistakes as follows;

• It's always best to measure your chest width directly on the skin, but if you're not comfortable, make sure you're wearing thin and well-fitted clothes. 
• The measuring tape should be tight enough to slide one finger underneath it. 
• Take more than one measurement and double-check the result for accuracy. 

FAQs

The term chest size is used for measurement which is taken from a shirt's front using the half chest method. On the other hand, chest width is measured by wrapping the tape around the entire width of the shirt when you are wearing it. 

Even though size charts vary for every brand, generally, a 34-36 inch chest corresponds to XS size. 

In the world  of men's fashion, a 40 inch chest size doesn't mean that the shirt has a 40” bust area. Instead, such a shirt is made to fit a 40” chest which means the bust area is slightly bigger.