How To Measure Shoulder Width
For Men
Knowing how to measure your shoulder width will be a valuable tool in getting sizing right for online shopping and also working with a tailor. These are three ways to find your shoulder width measurement:
- You can grab a friend to help
- You can use a shirt you own
- You can make marks on a wall
This is How to Measure Shoulder Width: A Men’s Guide.
In this blog I am going to show you three ways to measure your shoulder width. Knowing this measurement will help take the stress out of online shopping.
Other ways this may be worded:
- How to measure shoulder size?
- How to measure your shoulders?
- How to measure shoulder length?
- How to measure shoulders for clothing?
- How to take shoulder measurement?
How to Measure Shoulder Width
Measuring the width of your shoulders, whether you have help from a friend or you are doing it alone, is quick and easy.
There are 3 ways to measure shoulder width.
1. Use an Old Shirt
- Using a shirt from your closet, place your shirt on a flat surface with the back facing up.
- Smooth out the fabric of the shirt.
- Take a measuring tape and measure the distance from the outer edge of one seam to the outer edge of the other seam where the sleeves connect to the back body panel of your shirt.
2. Grab a Freind
- Grab a friend. Stand tall and make sure both your feet are flat on the ground.
- Pull the tape measure tight and lay flat along your back from the outer edge of your left shoulder joint to the outer edge of your right shoulder joint.
- You can use the seams of your shirt as a guide as well, measuring across your back from the seams where each of the sleeves attach.
- Allow the measuring tape to follow the natural shape of your back.
3. Use a Wall
- Stand against a wall with both feet planted flat on the ground and your head held high.
- Now with the pencil in your right hand reach across your left shoulder and mark a spot on the wall directly above your shoulder joint.
- Place the pencil in your left hand, reach over your right shoulder and mark a spot on the wall above your right shoulder joint.
- Last step, take your measuring tape and measure the distance between the two markings.
The need to know the exact size of specific parts of your body is important to get that perfect fit when ordering online. Allow our guide on how to measure clothes help you.
How do You Know if You Have Wide Shoulders?
The official term used to describe the width of your shoulders is called “biacromial breadth”. There are many factors that lend to your shoulder width; genetics, weight, body type and more.
So how do you know if you have wide shoulders?
Well, the average should width for males is 16.1 inches.
But to answer to this question is more a matter of perspective, but to get a general idea we can use garment standards.
Below is a size chart for off the rack and Tall (T) suit jackets to help you gauge, for yourself, if you have wide shoulders:
Regular Men's Size Chart
| Size | Chest | Waist | Neck |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 32 - 34 | 26 - 28 | 13 - 13.5 |
| S | 35 - 37 | 29 - 31 | 14 - 14.5 |
| M | 38 - 40 | 32 - 34 | 15 - 15.5 |
| L | 41 - 43 | 35 - 37 | 16 - 16.5 |
| XL | 44 - 46 | 38 - 40 | 17 - 17.5 |
| XXL | 47 - 49 | 41 - 43 | 18 - 18.5 |
Tall Men's Size Chart (6' 3" and up)
| Size | Chest | Waist | Neck |
|---|---|---|---|
| LT | 42 - 44 | 36 - 38 | 16 - 16.5 |
| XLT | 46 - 48 | 40 - 42 | 17 - 17.5 |
| 2XT | 50 - 52 | 44 - 46 | 18 - 18.5 |
| 3XT | 54 - 56 | 48 - 50 | 19 - 19.5 |
| 4XT | 58 - 60 | 52 - 54 | 20 - 21 |
| 5XT | 62 - 64 | 56 - 58 | 22 |
| 6XT | 66 - 68 | 60 - 62 | 24 |
Keep in mind, there hasn’t been any new official shoulder width (biacromial breadth) averages published in over 30 years and statistics show that men and women are getting taller and wider worldwide.
The CDC provides breakdowns of average height, weight, BMI, and other body measurements broken down by ethnicity, age, and height if you are looking for more information.
How do You Measure Your Shoulders by Yourself
A quick and easy way to measure your shoulders by yourself, all you’ll need is a wall, a pencil and a measuring tape.
Stand against a wall with both feet planted flat on the ground and your head held high. Now with the pencil in your right hand reach across your left shoulder and mark a spot on the wall directly above your shoulder joint. Place the pencil in your left hand, reach over your right shoulder and mark a spot on the wall above your right shoulder joint.
Last step, take your measuring tape and measure the distance between the two markings.
How do You Measure Shoulder and Waist Width
To measure your shoulder and waist width you will need a measuring tape, a pencil and a wall.
- Start by measuring you shoulder width.
- Stand against a wall with both feet planted flat on the ground and your head held high.
- With the pencil in your right hand reach across your left shoulder and mark a spot on the wall directly above your shoulder joint.
- Place the pencil in your left hand, reach over your right shoulder joint and mark a spot on the wall above your right shoulder joint.
- Last step, take your measuring tape and measure the distance between the two markings.
To measure your waist, don’t hold your breath and don’t suck in your stomach. Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your stomach and in line with your belly button. Make sure to keep the tape measure horizontal.
How do You Measure Shoulder Width for a Suit
To measure your shoulder width for a suit you’ll need assistance. Find a friend, a dress shirt or T-shirt and a measuring tape. Stand tall and make sure both your feet are flat on the ground.
Pull the tape measure tight and lay flat along your back from the outer edge of your left shoulder blade to the outer edge of your right shoulder blade. You can use the seams of your shirt as a guide as well, measuring across your back from the seams where each of the sleeves attach. Allow the measuring tape to follow the natural shape of your back.
How To Measure Shoulder Width FAQ
Yes you can measure your shoulder width from the front by following the exact same steps as you would using your back as the measuring focus. Due to the placement of the hands of the person doing the measuring, some people would not enjoy this way of measuring their shoulders.
Wide shoulders for men would be anything 18 inches and up. Average shoulder size in North America for a male is around 16 inches.
