How to Measure a Man's Sleeve Length

Co-authored by Mia Danilowicz

Last Updated: August 22, 2024

Every man needs to know their sleeve measurements to buy a new dress shirt or have one custom made. It only takes a few minutes to find out your sleeve length with the help of a friend and a flexible measuring tape. You can also measure the sleeves of a shirt you already know fits you perfectly and then buy another shirt with the same measurements!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Vinyl Measuring Tape

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1
Get a friend and a flexible measuring tape to measure your sleeve length. You will need someone to measure your arm length for you while you stand still. Use a vinyl tailor’s measuring tape that will follow the contours of your arm, not one of the metal tape measures that are typically used for construction or household projects.
- You can buy a vinyl measuring tape at a sewing store or order one online.
- If you don’t have a flexible tape measure, you can use a piece of string and then measure the length of it with a regular metal tape measure or ruler.^{[1]
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  Expert Source
  
  Mia Danilowicz
  Master Tailor
  
  Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}
Make sure you have plenty of space where you are standing. Remember your friend needs to have room to stand beside you to measure your sleeve length.^{[2]
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3
Face your elbow out to the side with your hand on your hip. Bend your arm at a slight angle. Hold still in this position until your friend is done measuring your arm.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor

Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}
- If you measure your arm without slightly bending it you may end up with a sleeve that is too short and uncomfortable.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Mia Danilowicz
  Master Tailor
  
  Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}
4
Measure from the middle of the back of your neck to your wrist. Have your friend hold the measuring tape at the back of your neck, and lay it along the top of your shoulder and down the outside of your bent arm down to your wrist where you want your shirt cuff to hang. Read the tape measure to determine your sleeve length.
- Make sure the tape measure lays flat on the outside of your arm and goes straight down to your wrist to get the correct sleeve length measurement.
- If you're measuring the length for a sleeve that you're sewing, start measuring at the top of the shoulder, then go down around the elbow to the wrist bone.^{[5]
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  Expert Source
  
  Mia Danilowicz
  Master Tailor
  
  Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.}
5
Record the measurement you got to the nearest 1/4 inch (0.6 cm). Round down or up as you normally would. Take this measurement with you when you shop for new dress shirts.^{[6]
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- For suit jacket sleeves, subtract an additional 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) so the sleeve will be the correct length and allow your shirt cuff to pop out from underneath.
- Always try on shirts when you go shopping, even though you have your measurements, as different brands and types of shirts can fit differently.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Measuring the Sleeve of Your Shirt

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1
Lay the shirt out flat with the back side up and one sleeve out straight. Use a hard surface like a table or the floor, button up the shirt and lay it out as flat as possible. Smooth the sleeve out to the side as flat as you can.^{[7]
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- If you are right-handed, measure the right sleeve. If you are left-handed, measure the left sleeve.
- Make sure to measure a shirt that fits you well so that you get proper measurements that you can use to buy dress shirts.
2
Place the end of a tape measure in the middle of the neck below the collar. Press a finger down on the measuring tape with your non-dominant hand to hold it in place. The tape measure will start at the seam underneath the collar where it is sewn on to the shirt.^{[8]
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- Check inside the collar to see where the tag is and line the tape measure up with it if you aren’t sure where the middle is.
3
Pull the tape measure flat along the sleeve to the end of the cuff. Measure across the top of the shoulder and down the top edge of the sleeve. Make sure the tape measure is as taut as it can be.^{[9]
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- Use a flexible vinyl tape measure like the ones that tailors use to get the most accurate measurement. Use a piece of string if you don’t have one and then measure it with a regular tape measure or ruler.
- You can buy a tailor’s tape measure at a sewing store or online.
Read the tape measure and record the number. Now you have the length of the shirt sleeve for future reference!^{[10]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I measure my arms without tape?

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.

Mia Danilowicz

Master Tailor

Expert Answer

Yes! If you don't have a measuring tape, use a piece of string to measure your sleeve length. Then, use a ruler or metal tape measure to find the length of the string.

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Question

Where do you start measuring for a shirt sleeve?

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.

Mia Danilowicz

Master Tailor

Expert Answer

That depends on the type of sleeve you're making. However, in general, start at the top of the shoulder, then measure down around the elbow and to the wrist bone.

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Question

How do I hold my arm when I'm measuring sleeves?

Mia Danilowicz
Master Tailor
Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.

Mia Danilowicz

Master Tailor

Expert Answer

It's best to have your elbow slightly bent when you're taking a sleeve measurement. Your sleeve will ride up a little when you bend your arms, and if you take your sleeve measurement with your arm straight, your sleeve might end up being just a bit too short.

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