Whether you’re buying a new shirt, fleece, jumper, or jacket, knowing your chest measurement can take much of the guesswork out of choosing a size.
The good news is that measuring a man’s chest is straightforward. All you need is a flexible tape measure and a couple of minutes. Getting it right, however, depends on where you place the tape, how tightly you hold it, and even how you stand.
So, here’s how to measure your chest properly and use the result to find clothing that fits comfortably.
How Do You Measure a Man's Chest?
For a quick chest measurement, wrap a flexible tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, passing it underneath your arms and around your back. Keep the tape level with the floor and comfortably close to your body without pulling it tight.
Stand naturally, breathe normally, and read the measurement where the two ends of the tape meet.
For the most accurate result:
- Measure over bare skin or a thin T-shirt
- Keep your arms relaxed by your sides
- Make sure the tape sits flat all the way around
- Don't puff out your chest or hold your breath
- Take the measurement twice to check it
- Ask someone else to help you
You can record your chest size in either inches or centimetres, although inches are commonly used for men's clothing in the UK.
How to Measure Men's Chest Size Step by Step
1. Stand Upright and Relax
Remove any bulky layers before you begin. Ideally, measure directly against your body or over a lightweight, close-fitting T-shirt.
Stand upright with your shoulders relaxed and your arms hanging naturally by your sides. There is no need to push your chest forwards, pull your stomach in, or stand differently from usual.
You want the measurement to reflect how your body sits naturally when you're wearing your clothes.
2. Find the Fullest Part of Your Chest
Wrap the tape around the broadest part of your chest. For most men, this will sit around nipple height, passing underneath the armpits and across the shoulder blades at the back.
You are measuring the full circumference of your chest rather than simply measuring from one side to the other.
If you're measuring yourself, standing in front of a mirror can make it easier to check that the tape is in the right position.
3. Keep the Tape Level and Comfortable
Check that the tape runs horizontally around your body and hasn't risen or dropped across your back.
It should sit close to your body without digging into your skin. Don't pull it tightly in an attempt to get a smaller measurement, but equally, don't leave it hanging loosely.
Keep breathing normally while you measure. Holding your breath or expanding your chest can alter the result.
4. Read Your Measurement
Read the number where the two ends of the tape meet and make a note of it in inches or centimetres.
It's worth taking the measurement once more to make sure you've got an accurate result. If the two measurements are slightly different, repeat the process again.
Once you're confident in the number, compare it with the size guide for the item you're looking to buy.
How to Measure Your Chest by Yourself
You don't necessarily need somebody else to help (although an extra pair of hands is a smart idea).
Simply stand in front of a mirror and bring the tape around your back before joining the ends at the front of your chest. Use the mirror to check that the tape hasn't twisted, risen, or dropped behind you.
Try not to lift your arms for too long while positioning it. Raising them can alter the shape of your chest and shoulder blades and make the final measurement less accurate.
How Does Your Chest Measurement Relate to Clothing Size?
Your body measurement and the actual measurement of a garment aren't the same thing.
Clothing needs additional room for movement, and some garments are deliberately cut more generously than others. A fitted shirt, for example, will sit differently from a country jacket designed to be worn over a jumper.
Sizing can also vary between products, so don't assume that a chest measurement automatically makes you the same letter size in every item.
When shopping for men's country clothing, compare your measurement with the size guide provided for the individual product. It's particularly useful when choosing more structured pieces such as men's shirts and men's jackets.
What If You're Between Sizes?
Start by checking the product's individual size guide and suggested fit, then think about how you intend to wear it.
For an outer layer that will regularly be worn over shirts, fleeces, or knitwear, a little extra room may be useful. For something designed to sit closer to the body, the fit will naturally be different.
Don't simply add extra inches to your own chest measurement. A well-designed garment should already include the appropriate amount of room for its intended fit.
Measuring the Chest of a Jacket You Already Own
If you already have a jacket that fits particularly well, measuring it can provide another useful point of comparison.
Lay the jacket flat, fasten it, and smooth out the fabric without stretching it. Measure straight across the chest from armpit to armpit.
Remember that this is a flat garment measurement, rather than your body circumference, so you’ll need to double it.
Common Chest Measuring Mistakes
Small errors can make a surprising difference to sizing. Watch out for:
- Measuring over thick clothing
- Pulling the tape too tightly
- Leaving too much slack in the tape
- Measuring too high or low on the chest
- Allowing the tape to slope across your back
- Holding your breath or pushing your chest forwards
- Assuming the same size will fit identically across every style
Men's Chest Measurement FAQs
Should you measure your chest in inches or centimetres?
Either works. If the size guide you're using lists measurements in inches, measuring in inches from the start makes comparison easier. Otherwise, record both so you have them to hand.
Where exactly should you measure your chest?
Measure around the fullest part of your chest, usually around nipple height, with the tape running underneath your arms and around your shoulder blades.
Should you breathe in when measuring your chest?
No. Breathe normally and keep your body relaxed. Taking an exaggerated breath in or out can change the measurement and make it inaccurate.
How often should you measure your chest?
You don’t need to do it every time you purchase something new, but it's worth checking again if your weight or body shape has changed or if you haven't measured yourself for a while.
A couple of minutes with a tape measure can make choosing your next size much easier, particularly when buying online. Once you've got an accurate chest measurement, keep a note of it and compare it with the individual size guide whenever you're shopping for a new top, layer, or jacket.
Explore our range of men’s country clothing and use the individual product size guides on each page to help choose the best size for you.
