Tall Mens Fashion Advice

How To Measure Torso Length For A Shirt: W/ Photos

Learn how to measure your torso.

Welcome to our guide on how to measure your torso length for a shirt.

This measurement will help you find the exact length you want a t-shirt, dress shirt or casual button-up shirt.

How To Measure Torso Length For A Shirt

What You'll Need:

  • Sewing tape measure
  • A friend
this is a sewing tape measure for measuring torso length for shirt
Sewing tape measure
this is a photo of a friend to measure torso length for a shirt
A friend

Total Time: 10 min

How To Measure Torso Length For A Shirt

1. Put tape on back of your neck to start measuring

Put the end of the tape at the base of the neck on your back where the top of your t-shirt would be. 

this is a photo of tall paul holding a measuring tape to the back of his neck

2. For a tucked in shirt

Run the tape measure to the top of your crotch for a tucked-in shirt. You need the shirt to be a little longer if you plan to tuck it in all the time. Hold the tape measure straight down from your shoulders; don’t follow your spine. Mark the measurement that’s just below your butt.

this is a photo of a measuring tape for a tucked in shirt

3. For an un-tucked shirt

Take a slightly shorter measurement for an un-tucked shirt. Run the tape measure down from your shoulders without bending in for your spine. Find the spot where you want your shirt to fall, and write down that measurement.

this is a photo of measuring tape for an un-tucked shirt

How to measure torso length for a shirt: quick tips

  • It’s hard to do this measurement yourself, as it runs down your back. It will be easier to have someone else measure to get an accurate measurement.
  • If you’re wearing a collared shirt, start at the bottom of the collar instead.
  • Grab a friend to help.

FAQ

The body length for a shirt is measure from the base of the neck (shirt neck line) down to where you want the shirt to end. Usually sitting between the top of your buttocks and the bottom of your cheeks, depending on the type of shirt and your style.

Your torso length is the length between the base of your neck and top of your hip bone. The length of your torso usually is the same as someone else the same height as you, worldwide.

Slide both of your hands down the ribcage to the top of your hip bones (aka the iliac crest). With index fingers pointing forward and thumbs pointing backward, draw an imaginary line between your thumbs. This spot on your lumbar is the bottom of your torso measurement.

Written and reviewed by
Tall Paul
Tall Paul
Paul Marlow, standing at an impressive 6'7 (201cm) and weighing 225lb (102kg), is a mental health speaker, fashion expert, and ex-athlete who excels at helping tall men find well-fitting clothing and teaching them how to style it effectively. As a model in the fashion and film industries, Paul shares his expertise in tall men's fashion, offering valuable advice on measurements, tailoring, and alterations. In addition, he founded Never Alone, an organization that provides mental health and therapy inspiration, and started the Mental Growth Newsletter to support those facing mental health challenges, drawing from his own experiences.

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