How to Measure Sleeve Length for Jacket
Men's Sleeve Length
How to measure sleeve length for jacket:
- Measure from the center back of your neck (at your spine) to the end of your shoulder
- Measure from your shoulder to just past your wrist bone to where you would like your shirt cuff to sit.
- Add the two measurements together and round up
This is How to Measure Sleeve Length for Jacket: Men’s Guide.
Hey guys, welcome to our article on helping you get that perfect fitting suit jacket.
Ideally, you’ll need help from another person to ensure you get the most accurate measurements. It is common to have a difference in length for each arm.
Depending on how significant that difference is, be prepared to have your sleeves altered. The sleeve length can be shortened or lengthened and these alterations are fairly common and inexpensive.
How to Measure Sleeve Length for Jacket
To learn how to measure sleeve length for a jacket for men, follow the steps below. Keep in mind, the sleeve length on your jacket will be shorter than the sleeve length of your shirt so we did a separate article to show you how to do that measurement properly.
- Measure from your spine in the center of the back of your neck, to the end of your shoulder, at the top of your arm.
- Let your arm hang relaxed, keep a slight bend in your elbow. Then Measure from your shoulder to just above your wrists, never past the heel of your palm, or where you would like your jacket sleeve to land.
- Add the two measurements together. You may need to round up to an available size unless you are having a suit jacket tailored to your exact measurements.
Note: If you keep your arm perfectly straight, you’ll end up with a sleeve that is too short, and you won’t have enough room for your arm to move comfortably.
We know that this wont be the only measurement you need in perfecting your wardrobe, so we created an in-depth list of clothing measurements for you.
Jacket Sleeve Length Size Chart
Sleeve Regular (5’8” - 6’2”)
| Size | Sleeve Length |
|---|---|
| S | 32 - 33 |
| M | 33 - 34 |
| L | 34 - 35 |
| XL | 35 - 36 |
Sleeve Long (6’1” - 6’3”)
| Size | Sleeve Length |
|---|---|
| LT | 36.5 - 37 |
| XLT | 37 - 37.5 |
| 2XT | 37.5 - 38 |
| 3XT | 38 - 38.5 |
| 4XT | 38.5 - 39 |
| 5XT | 39 - 39.5 |
| 6XT | 39.5 - 40 |
Sleeve X-Long (6’3” and above)
| Size | Sleeve Length |
|---|---|
| LT | 37 - 37.5 |
| XLT | 38 - 38.5 |
| 2XT | 38.5 - 39 |
| 3XT | 39 - 39.5 |
| 4XT | 39.5 - 40 |
| 5XT | 40 - 40.5 |
| 6XT | 40.5 - 41 |
How Jacket Sleeve Length Should Fit for Tall Men
As a tall man, you’ll likely need to do some research before going into a shop or ordering online to ensure they offer T (Tall) sizing. If you are shopping online, knowing your measurements will help you choose the right size. When you get the opportunity to try on your jacket, as a rule of thumb; a jacket sleeve should land just above your wrists, never past the heel of your palm.
Using a dress shirt and some quick visuals, you can get an idea of the proper fit of a jacket sleeve length for tall men fairly easily. Lay your arms at your sides in a relaxed position. You should not see more than 1.00” of the shirt sleeve cuff. You can also use the cuff buttons on your shirt for reference, the jacket sleeves should completely cover the buttons on the shirt cuff. Finally, the jacket sleeve length should never pass the heel of your palm.
Showing .25”-.50” of your shirt cuff, generally speaking, is the perfect balance between trendy and classic. Knowing how to measure sleeve length for a jacket for tall men, will help you achieve this balance, hopefully get you the right fit and save you time.
Once more, base your jacket sleeve length on where it lands when your arms are at your sides, relaxed, with a slight bend in your elbow.
How Much Can Your Tailored Clothing Garment be Altered by a Tailor?
If you are unable to find the right fit off the rack, even if they offer T (Tall) sizes, always check for the companies’ tailoring policies. If you’ve found a suit or a jacket you really like, knowing the companies’ tailoring policies can help you score that item, without compromise.
Some retailers work with local tailors, others have their own in-house tailors, either way there is always some wiggle room in the hem or seams to help with adjustments. Using the same tailor offered by the retailer, will increase your chances they have scraps of the same fabric, which will allow them to lengthen the sleeve of a jacket if you need to alter beyond what the hem will allow. On average, jacket sleeves lengths can be increased or decreased by up to .75”. Note that jackets with functioning buttons, might be more of a challenge for dramatic alterations.
Finally, altering the sleeve length of a jacket for tall men is a fairly common and an easy adjustment. If the retailor does not cover the cost, you can expect to spend $25-$45.
How to Measure Sleeve Length for Jacket FAQ
To measure your sleeve length start at the base of your neck and measure down your shoulders. Keeping your arms relaxed, measure down to your wrist. That is your sleeve length measurement.
The correct length of your jacket sleeve should end right above your wrist bone (or the hinge of your wrist.)
To measure your sleeve length for a winter jacket you want to follow the same exact steps as measure your sleeve length normally. Instead of stoping at your wrist bone you will stop 1 inch past it.
