Unisex Graphic Tee Sizing Guide: How to Find Your Perfect Fit

To find your correct unisex graphic tee size, measure your chest circumference at its fullest point and match it to the garment's chest measurement, not your regular clothing size label. Unisex tees are sized by actual body measurement rather than the gendered sizing most people are used to, which is exactly why so many buyers end up between sizes without realizing why. Here is exactly how to measure yourself, read a size chart correctly, and pick the right fit the first time.

Why Unisex Sizing Works Differently

Gendered clothing sizing is built around different assumed body proportions for men and women, which is part of why the same label, a medium for example, can fit very differently across brands and categories. Unisex tees remove that assumption entirely and size purely off garment measurements, chest circumference, body length, and sleeve length, applied consistently regardless of who is wearing it.

This is actually more precise once you understand it, not less. Instead of guessing based on a size label that varies wildly by brand, you are matching your actual body measurement to the garment's actual measurement. The only extra step is knowing your own numbers, which takes about two minutes with a tape measure.

A unisex size chart is not a guess. It is a measurement, and getting your own number right makes the whole decision simple.

How to Measure Yourself for a Perfect Fit

1. Measure Your Chest Circumference

Wrap a soft measuring tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms and across the shoulder blades, keeping the tape level and snug but not tight. This single number is the most important one for choosing between sizes.

2. Measure Your Preferred Garment Length

If you have a well-fitting tee already, lay it flat and measure from the top of the shoulder seam straight down to the bottom hem. Compare that number against the length column on the size chart below.

3. Compare Against the Chart, Not the Label

Ignore what size you normally buy in gendered retail clothing entirely. Match your actual chest measurement to the chart below, since that is the number that actually determines fit in a unisex garment.

4. When Between Two Sizes, Size Up for a Relaxed Fit

If your measurement falls between two columns, sizing up gives a more relaxed, comfortable fit, while sizing down gives a closer, more fitted look. Neither is wrong, it comes down to personal preference.

The Full Unisex Size Chart

This is the actual size chart used across our Bella+Canvas 3001 unisex jersey tees, measurements in inches, representing finished garment measurements rather than body measurements.

Chest measurements represent full garment circumference, not body measurement. Actual measurements may vary up to 1.5 inches due to standard fabric cutting tolerances.

Relaxed vs Fitted: Choosing Your Preferred Look

For a true-to-size, classic fit, choose the size that matches your actual chest measurement exactly on the chart. This gives a balanced fit that is neither tight nor oversized.

For a relaxed, slightly oversized look, size up one size from your measured chest number. This is a popular choice for anyone who prefers a looser, more casual silhouette or wants extra room for layering.

For a closer, more fitted look, size down one size from your measurement, keeping in mind this will run noticeably tighter across the chest and shoulders than the standard fit.

Will the Fabric Shrink or Stretch Over Time?

Airlume combed cotton, the fabric used across our jersey tees, is a pre-washed cotton specifically chosen to resist significant shrinking and fading through repeated washing when cared for correctly. Following a cold wash and gentle cycle routine, the same care approach we cover in our guide on how to wash graphic tees so the print never cracks, keeps the fit close to true-to-chart for the life of the garment rather than shifting significantly after the first few washes.

Common Sizing Mistakes to Avoid

• Ordering your usual gendered size label - unisex sizing runs on different measurements entirely, so a medium in one context does not automatically translate to a unisex medium
• Measuring over thick clothing - measure directly over a well-fitting shirt or bra for the most accurate chest number
• Ignoring the length column - two people with the same chest measurement can have very different torso lengths, so check length if fit through the body matters to you
• Assuming every brand's chart is identical - always check the specific chart for the item you are buying rather than relying on memory from a different brand

The Bottom Line

Getting a unisex graphic tee to fit right the first time comes down to one simple habit, measuring your actual chest circumference and matching it against the real garment chart rather than guessing based on a gendered size label. Two minutes with a tape measure removes almost all of the guesswork, and once you know your number, every future order becomes a quick, confident decision instead of a gamble.

Measure once. Order with confidence every time after that.

Frequently Asked Questions