US T-Shirt Size Guide: Toddler to 3XL
US apparel sizing from 2T to adult 3XL, why youth sizes vary so much between brands, and how to convert if you are ordering from outside the United States.
The one method that actually works
Every size chart on this page is a starting point, not an answer. Licensed character shirts are made by dozens of different manufacturers under licence, and there is no shared standard between them — a youth large from one brand can be two inches wider across the chest than a youth large from another.
The reliable method is to measure a shirt that already fits. Lay it flat, smooth out the wrinkles, and measure straight across from armpit to armpit. That number, doubled, is the chest measurement. Then measure from the centre of the collar seam straight down to the hem for the length. Compare those two figures against the listing's own measurements — most Amazon apparel listings include them, and where they do, they beat any generic chart including this one.
If a listing gives no measurements at all, that is itself information. Established licensees almost always publish them.
US children's sizing
American children's sizing runs on age, which is convenient and slightly misleading — it assumes an average build for that age, and children are not averages. The T suffix means toddler.
| US size | Typical age | Chest (in) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2T | 2 years | 20–21 | Cut wide through the hips for nappies |
| 3T | 3 years | 21–22 | Usually the last size with a wider neck opening |
| 4T | 4 years | 22–23 | Overlaps with XS (4/5); 4T is the more generous cut |
| XS (4/5) | 4–5 years | 22–23 | Youth sizing starts; slimmer than 4T |
| S (6/7) | 6–7 years | 24–25 | The most commonly stocked children's size |
| M (8) | 8 years | 26–27 | Widest brand-to-brand variation begins here |
| L (10/12) | 10–12 years | 28–30 | Often overlaps with adult XS |
| XL (14/16) | 14–16 years | 31–33 | Frequently comparable to an adult small |
Chest figures are the garment measured flat and doubled, not the child's body measurement. Allow two to four inches of ease over the body measurement for a comfortable fit.
US adult sizing
Adult licensed tees are usually unisex unless the listing says otherwise. A unisex cut is a straight-sided men's fit, which many people find boxy; listings described as women's, juniors' or contoured are cut with a narrower shoulder and a taper at the waist.
| US size | Chest (in) | Length (in) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 31–34 | 27 | Often shares a pattern with youth XL |
| S | 34–37 | 28 | |
| M | 38–41 | 29 | The most produced size, so the widest design choice |
| L | 42–45 | 30 | |
| XL | 46–49 | 31 | |
| 2XL | 50–53 | 32 | Licensed ranges thin out noticeably above XL |
| 3XL | 54–57 | 33 | Frequently a separate listing rather than a size option |
Ordering from outside the United States
This site quotes US sizing because it quotes amazon.com. If a link sends you to your local Amazon, the sizing shown there will normally be converted for you — but the conversions are approximate, and children's sizing in particular does not map cleanly.
| US youth | UK / IE age | EU height (cm) | AU age |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS (4/5) | 4–5 yrs | 104–110 | 4 |
| S (6/7) | 5–6 yrs | 116–122 | 6 |
| M (8) | 7–8 yrs | 128 | 8 |
| L (10/12) | 9–11 yrs | 140–146 | 10 |
| XL (14/16) | 12–13 yrs | 152–158 | 12–14 |
European children's sizing is by height in centimetres rather than age, which is more accurate. If you know the child's height, use the EU column and ignore the age columns entirely.
Where sizing goes wrong most often
- Assuming youth L and adult S are interchangeable. They are usually similar in chest and quite different in length — youth cuts are shorter.
- Buying a size up for a child to grow into. Print-on-demand and licensed graphics are positioned for the size they are printed on; an oversized tee puts the graphic in the wrong place.
- Ignoring the fabric. A 100% cotton tee will shrink on a hot wash; a poly-cotton blend largely will not. See the fabric guide.
- Trusting the model photo. Listing photography is frequently styled with the shirt clipped at the back.
- Overlooking women's-cut listings sold under the same product name. Check whether the listing says unisex, men's, women's or juniors.
Common questions
Do licensed character T-shirts run small?
There is no consistent answer, because they are made by many different licensees. As a rough pattern, officially licensed adult tees from established apparel brands run close to standard US sizing, while cheaper unbranded prints more often run small. Always check the listing's own measurements.
What is the difference between 4T and youth XS?
They cover roughly the same age but are cut differently. 4T is a toddler pattern — wider through the hips, shorter in the body. Youth XS (often labelled 4/5) is a slimmer, longer cut. If a four-year-old is tall for their age, youth XS usually fits better.
Are unisex and men's sizes the same thing?
In practice, usually yes. Most licensed T-shirts described as unisex use a straight-sided men's pattern. If you want a narrower shoulder and a waist taper, look specifically for listings described as women's, juniors' or contoured fit.
How much will a cotton T-shirt shrink?
A 100% cotton tee that has not been pre-shrunk can lose three to five per cent of its length in a hot wash and tumble dry, which is about an inch on an adult shirt. Listings described as pre-shrunk or ring-spun combed cotton shrink considerably less. Washing cold and drying flat largely avoids the issue.