Size Guide
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Every Pearltee design is offered in eight sizes, from S to 5XL, on one unisex cut. That makes it easy to put a whole family or team in the same shirt, but it also means it is worth spending two minutes here before you order. This guide gives you the garment measurements for each size in inches and centimeters, shows you how to compare them with a T-shirt you already own, and explains what to do if you are between two sizes or ordering for someone else. If the fit is not right after all, you can exchange within 60 days of delivery.
The short version
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL and 5XL, in a unisex cut.
- The table shows measurements of the shirt, not of your body.
- Best method: lay a T-shirt that fits you well flat, measure it and compare.
- Between two sizes? Pick the larger one for a relaxed fit, the smaller one for a closer fit.
- Wrong size? Exchange it within 60 days of delivery under our Returns & Exchanges Policy.
Pearltee size chart
These are garment measurements for the unisex classic-fit T-shirt our size chart is based on. “Chest around” is the full circumference of the shirt at the chest, which is the same as the width laid flat multiplied by two. “Body length” is measured from the highest point of the shoulder, next to the collar, straight down to the bottom hem.
| Size | Chest around (in) | Chest laid flat (in) | Body length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 36 | 18 | 28 |
| M | 40 | 20 | 29 |
| L | 44 | 22 | 30 |
| XL | 48 | 24 | 31 |
| 2XL | 52 | 26 | 32 |
| 3XL | 56 | 28 | 33 |
| 4XL | 60 | 30 | 34 |
| 5XL | 64 | 32 | 35 |
| Size | Chest around (cm) | Body length (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 91.4 | 71.1 |
| M | 101.6 | 73.7 |
| L | 111.8 | 76.2 |
| XL | 121.9 | 78.7 |
| 2XL | 132.1 | 81.3 |
| 3XL | 142.2 | 83.8 |
| 4XL | 152.4 | 86.4 |
| 5XL | 162.6 | 88.9 |
Garments are cut and sewn by hand, so any individual shirt can differ from these figures by about half an inch (1–2 cm). If a product page lists its own measurements, for example for a different fit, the measurements on that product page apply to that shirt.
How to measure a T-shirt you already own
The most reliable way to choose a size is to compare our chart with a T-shirt that already fits you the way you like. Your body measurements tell you what you need; a favourite shirt tells you what you enjoy wearing.
- Pick the right shirt. Choose a short-sleeve T-shirt you wear often and like the fit of, not a stretched-out sleep shirt or a slim athletic top.
- Lay it flat. Put it on a table or the floor, front facing up, and smooth out wrinkles without stretching the fabric.
- Measure the chest. Measure straight across, from one side seam to the other, about one inch (2–3 cm) below the armpits. That is the “laid flat” figure; double it for “chest around”.
- Measure the length. Measure from the highest point of the shoulder, where it meets the collar, straight down to the bottom edge.
- Compare. Find the size in our chart whose figures are closest to your shirt. If your chest figure falls between two sizes, read the next section.
Say you wear a 2XL from another brand and you are not sure whether ours runs the same. Lay that shirt flat: if it measures about 26 inches across the chest and 32 inches long, our 2XL will feel very similar. If it measures 27 inches across, you are between our 2XL and 3XL.
How to measure your body
If you do not have a T-shirt to compare with, measure your body instead. Use a soft tape measure and keep it level and snug, but not tight.
- Chest: measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades, with your arms relaxed at your sides.
- Then add ease: a T-shirt needs room to move. For a regular, comfortable fit, choose a shirt whose “chest around” is roughly 2 to 4 inches (5–10 cm) larger than your body chest measurement. For a roomier fit, allow more.
For example, if your chest measures 42 inches around your body, the L at 44 inches will feel regular to close-fitting, while the XL at 48 inches will feel relaxed.
Choosing between two sizes
Being between sizes is common, especially across eight sizes. A few rules of thumb:
- Size up if you like a relaxed, broken-in look, plan to layer the tee over a long-sleeve top, or prefer extra length. Remember that the next size adds about one inch of length as well as four inches around the chest.
- Stay with the smaller size if you prefer a closer fit, are shorter in the torso, or will mostly wear the shirt tucked in.
- Think about the wearer’s habits. If someone always buys their T-shirts a size big, follow their habit, not the chart.
Fit notes for each part of the range
S to L
The smaller sizes suit a wide range of builds because the cut is unisex rather than tapered. Many people who usually wear a women’s M to L find our S or M comfortable; if you prefer a fitted look, compare your favourite tee’s chest width before choosing.
XL to 2XL
The most popular sizes for gift orders. If you are buying for someone and know only that they “wear large-ish”, XL is a sensible choice, and a size exchange is simple if needed.
3XL to 5XL
Our big-and-tall sizes keep the same design scale and quality as the rest of the range. Each step adds about 4 inches around the chest and 1 inch of length. If length matters more to you than width, compare the body length column carefully; if width matters more, focus on chest around. Customers who usually struggle to find fun graphic tees in 4XL and 5XL can order with confidence knowing that the exchange path is the same as for every other size.
Quick size finder by body chest
If you only know your body chest measurement, this table suggests a size for a regular fit. It is worked out from the garment measurements above, allowing about 2 to 4 inches of ease, so treat it as a starting point rather than a rule.
| Your body chest (in) | Your body chest (cm) | Suggested size |
|---|---|---|
| 32–34 | 81–86 | S |
| 36–38 | 91–97 | M |
| 40–42 | 102–107 | L |
| 44–46 | 112–117 | XL |
| 48–50 | 122–127 | 2XL |
| 52–54 | 132–137 | 3XL |
| 56–58 | 142–147 | 4XL |
| 60–62 | 152–157 | 5XL |
If your measurement sits on the line between two rows, or you like a looser fit, choose the larger size.
Shopping from Canada, Australia or New Zealand
Our sizes use the same letter labels in every country we ship to, and the measurements in this guide are the same wherever your order goes. Numeric sizes used for women’s clothing in some countries, such as an Australian size 12, do not translate directly to unisex T-shirt sizes, so measuring a shirt you own is especially useful. Because an exchange from outside the USA involves international postage for change-of-mind returns, it is worth taking an extra minute with the tape measure before ordering.
Size questions we hear often
Do your shirts run small or large? They follow the measurements in the chart above. Compared with fitted fashion tees, a unisex cut usually feels roomier through the body; compared with oversized streetwear, it feels regular.
Is the unisex cut suitable for women? Yes. It is straight rather than tapered at the waist. Many customers who prefer a fitted look go one size down from their usual unisex size; check the chest width first.
Will a size up make the shirt much longer? Each size adds about one inch of body length, so going from L to XL adds roughly one inch in length and four inches around the chest.
Can I mix sizes in one order? Of course. Add each size to the cart separately; they ship together.
Buying for someone else
Guessing a size for a gift is one of the hardest parts of buying a T-shirt. If you can, borrow one of their T-shirts for a minute and measure it. If you cannot, these tips help:
- Check the size label of a shirt they wear often, then compare it with our chart in the store rather than assuming brands match.
- When in doubt, go one size larger. A slightly roomy T-shirt still gets worn; a tight one usually does not.
- Gift recipients can exchange the size themselves within 60 days of delivery; see our Returns & Exchanges Policy.
Group orders: one design, many sizes
Ordering matching shirts for a reunion, a team or a holiday photo? Collect everyone’s size first and ask each person to check this chart against a T-shirt they own. Then place a single order with every size in it, so the shirts are packed and shipped together. If you spot a mistake within 24 hours of ordering, our Cancel or Change an Order page explains how to fix a size before it ships.
Common sizing mistakes to avoid
- Comparing body and garment numbers directly. A 44-inch body chest needs more than a 44-inch shirt to feel comfortable; always allow some ease.
- Measuring a stretched shirt. An old favourite that has been worn for years may have grown; measure a newer one if you can.
- Forgetting length. Taller customers often care more about length than width. Check the body length column before choosing.
- Assuming every brand matches. An XL elsewhere can be our L or our 2XL. The chart is the only reliable comparison.
Keeping the fit after washing
How you wash and dry a T-shirt affects how it fits over time. To keep the size and the print as close as possible to the day it arrived:
- turn the shirt inside out before washing;
- wash in cold water with similar colours;
- tumble dry on low, or better, hang it to dry;
- do not iron directly over the printed design;
- avoid bleach and fabric softeners on the printed area.
High heat in the dryer is the most common reason a T-shirt feels smaller after a few washes. If you are right at the edge between two sizes and you know you prefer the dryer, the larger size gives you a little extra margin.
If the size is not right
Every Pearltee shirt can be exchanged for another size within 60 days of delivery. For size exchanges, you pay the postage to send the shirt back and we ship the new size to you at our cost. If we sent a different size from the one on your order, the exchange is completely free. Start by emailing [email protected] with your order number and the size you need, or see the full steps on our Returns & Exchanges Policy page.
Still not sure?
Send us your measurements or the measurements of a T-shirt you like, and tell us how you like your T-shirts to fit. We will suggest a size within 1 business day. Write to [email protected], or browse our FAQs and the Help Center for more answers.