How to Measure Shoulder Width

Measure Back (Standard) Shoulder Width

Ask someone for help. Since standard shoulder width measurements are taken along the upper portion of your back, another person will actually need to take this measurement for you. If you cannot find anyone to help you take this measurement, use the “Measure Shoulder Width with a Shirt” method, instead. That method can be performed by yourself and usually produces an accurate result.

Wear a shirt that fits well. While not strictly necessary, a tailored dress shirt is ideal since you can use the seams of the shirt to help guide the tape measure. If you do not have a tailored dress shirt, any shirt that fits correctly in the shoulder area will work. You do not need to measure the shirt when using this method, but a good shirt can provide helpful guide points.

Stand with your shoulders relaxed. Your back should be straight, but your shoulders need to hang naturally in a relaxed position.

Locate the shoulder points. These points are actually marked by your acromion bones, which can be found at the upper tips of your shoulders. These two points should also be the points at which the shoulder meets the arm, or the points at which the shoulder begins curving down into the arm. If you are wearing a dress shirt that fits your upper body correctly, you can use it as a guide. The shoulder seams on the back of your shirt will usually match up with your actual shoulder points. If your shirt does not fit perfectly, use your knowledge of how loose or snug the shoulder fit is and adjust your two end points accordingly to make improvements.

Measure the space between your shoulder points. Have your helper position the end of the tape measure flat against your back at the first shoulder point. Your helper should then measure up and over the curve of your shoulders, across your back, then back down to the outside edge of the other shoulder point. Keep in mind that you should be measuring across the broadest part of your shoulders. This usually lands out roughly 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) below the neckline. The tape measure will not be horizontally straight during this measurement. It must bend at a gentle curve along with your shoulders. EXPERT TIP David Reeves David Reeves Bespoke Tailor David Reeves is a Bespoke Tailor and the Founder of Reeves: Modern English Tailoring, based in New York City. David has been in the bespoke tailoring business for over 25 years and specializes in designing and creating custom, high-end suits. David has worked with influential names in the United Kingdom and the United States such as Richard James of Savile Row, Prada, Commes Des Garcons, and Timothy Everest. David Reeves David Reeves Bespoke Tailor Accurately measuring shoulder width is vital for proper tailoring. Precisely measuring shoulder width is so important in tailoring — it's about understanding the individual's unique body, not just numbers. Specific measurements like point-to-point cater to body type for impeccable fit. This accounts for important variations like shoulder blades.

Write it down. This measurement is your shoulder width. Mark it down and save it for your records. Standard shoulder width can be used for both men's and women's attire, but it is most often used for men's tailor-fit dress shirts and blazers. Shoulder width essentially measures the width of the yoke of your ideal shirt size. You will also need this measurement when determining the best possible sleeve length for a shirt or blazer.

Measure Front Shoulder Width

Ask for help. Even though this measurement is taken across the front of your body, making it easier for you to handle the tape measure yourself, your shoulders and arms should still hang as naturally as possible during this process. As a result, asking someone else to take the measurement for you is advised. Note that if you are only asked for "shoulder width" and not specifically for "front shoulder width," you should use your measurement for "back shoulder width." Back shoulder width is the standard measurement, while front shoulder width is much less common. Your front shoulder width will usually be close to or the same as your back shoulder width, but there can be slight differences based on age and weight. Certain conditions, like scoliosis and osteoporosis, can yield more dramatic differences.

Wear the right sort of shirt. For a front shoulder width measurement, look for a tailored shirt that has a wide neckline or consider wearing a shirt with straps. This measurement deals with the supporting points of your shoulders rather than their truth width. As such, a shirt that illustrates how far these supporting points are is better than a snug shirt with a standard or high neckline.

Stand with your shoulders relaxed. Your back should be straight and your chest should be out. Keep your shoulders loose and relaxed, with your arms hanging comfortably at your sides.

Locate the correct shoulder points. Use your fingers to gently press into the flesh along the top of your shoulder and look for the mass where your shoulder bones come together. This is your front shoulder point. Repeat the same process on your other shoulder. Ideally, each shoulder point should land in roughly the same area as a back shoulder point, just to the inside of where your arm starts dropping off. Your weight and age can alter this position, though, so these points do not always match up. Your front shoulder point will actually end up being at the outermost solid portion of your shoulder where your shoulder is capable of supporting a neckline or strap. You might be able to use your shirt as a guide. If the straps or neckline of your shirt are about as wide as they can be without slipping off your shoulders, they are approximately aligned to your front shoulder width. The inner point of each strap or each side of the neckline will match up with your front shoulder points.

Measure across the front of your body. Ask your helper to lay the end of a tape measure flat against one shoulder point. Your helper should then extend the tape measure across the front of your body, following the natural curve of your shoulders, until it reaches the opposite shoulder point. The tape measure will not be horizontal or parallel to the floor. Instead, it must bend subtly along with the natural bend of your shoulders.

Write down the measurement. This is your front shoulder width measurement. Write it down and save it for future reference. Front shoulder width can technically be used for both men's and women's attire, but it is most commonly used when designing or tailoring women's attire. This measurement is typically used when designing or tailoring necklines. Your front shoulder width is the maximum width a neckline can be without falling off your shoulder. This measurement also makes it easier to space straps on bodices in a way that will prevent them from slipping off your shoulders.

Measure Shoulder Width with a Shirt

Find a shirt that fits well. A tailored dress shirt is your best option, but any shirt that fits your shoulders correctly will work as long as that shirt has sleeves. The accuracy of this measurement depends entirely on the shirt you choose to measure, so make sure you pick a good one. For the sake of accuracy, use a shirt that fits in the shoulder area as correctly as possible. If you want a looser fit, you can always add 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so to the measurement after you take it. This measurement can be substituted for your back or standard shoulder width measurement. Do not use it to substitute for your front shoulder width measurement, though. Since this measurement is not quite as accurate as one measured across your actual shoulders, you should only use this option if you are unable to use the traditional method of measurement.

Lay the shirt flat. Place the shirt on a table or other flat working surface. Smooth it out so that the material lies as flat as possible. For the sake of consistency, you may want to keep the back facing up as you measure. This does not matter much, though, since the location of the shoulder seams will almost always be the same on both the front and back of you shirt.

Locate the shoulder seams. The shoulder seams are the points at which the sleeves meet the torso portion of the shirt.

Measure from seam to seam. Place the end of the tape measure at the top of one shoulder seam. Bring the tape measure straight across the top of the shirt until it meets the top of the second shoulder seam. The tape measure should lie flat and horizontal across the shirt. It should also be aligned parallel to the bottom of the shirt.

Write down your results. This measurement is your shoulder width. Consider marking it down and saving it in your records. While not quite as accurate as a shoulder width measurement taken from your actual shoulders, this measurement will almost always provide a close enough approximation to your true shoulder width. This measurement is most commonly used for tailored men's pieces, but it can be used for both men's and women's tops.