Common adult starting points: left chest about 3.5–4 in wide, full front about 10–12 in, full back about 11–13 in, sleeve about 3 in. At 300 DPI, multiply inches by 300 to get pixels, so a 12 in design needs about 3,600 pixels across.
These are the sizes most shops and brands start from. They aren't rules, and a bold oversized print can look great, but they're a safe place to start.
T-shirt design size chart
| Placement | Adult width | Youth width | Where it sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Left chest | 3.5–4 in | 3–3.5 in | Over the heart, about 3–4 in below the collar |
| Full front | 10–12 in | 8–9 in | Centered, about 3 in below the collar |
| Center chest | 6–9 in | 5–7 in | Centered, a little higher than a full front |
| Full back | 11–13 in | 9–10 in | Centered, a few inches below the collar seam |
| Upper back (yoke) | 8–11 in | 6–8 in | Just below the collar |
| Back of neck | 1.5–3 in | 1.5–2 in | About 1 in below the collar |
| Sleeve | 2.5–3.5 in | 2–3 in | Centered on the outer sleeve |
| 2.5–3.5 in | 2–3 in | On or above the pocket |
Sizes in pixels (at 300 DPI)
| Print width | Minimum pixels wide |
|---|---|
| 3.5 in (left chest) | 1,050 px |
| 4 in | 1,200 px |
| 10 in | 3,000 px |
| 12 in (full front) | 3,600 px |
| 13 in (big back) | 3,900 px |
Height follows your design's shape. A square design 12 in wide is also 12 in tall, which can be too tall for a youth shirt. Our free print-ready checker shows a file's real DPI at any size.
Where each print goes
- Full front: the most common placement for brand graphics and event shirts.
- Left chest: clean and professional. Pairs well with a big back print. See DTF for t-shirts.
- Back: the most room on the shirt. Great for event lists, sponsors and big brand art.
- Sleeve and neck: small brand hits that make a shirt look finished.
Measure from the collar seam, not the top of the collar. It's the most common placement mistake.
Youth and kids
Youth shirts are narrower and shorter, so size the art down. A youth medium is roughly 16 in across the chest compared with about 21 in on an adult large. Toddler shirts need smaller still, often 6–7 in for a front print.
How to measure
- Lay the shirt flat and measure across the chest between the side seams.
- Leave a few inches of breathing room on each side.
- For tall designs, check height so the print doesn't hit the waist or hood.
- Mark the center with a fold or a T-square before pressing.
Templates and mockups
Our free mockup tool shows your design on a tee or hoodie at real scale, so you can see the size before you order. Full placement notes are in our DTF transfer size guide.
Every size for every shirt, on one sheet.
Build a gang sheetDesign size questions
What is the standard size for a t-shirt design?
A common full-front design on an adult shirt is about 10–12 in wide. A left chest logo is about 3.5–4 in wide, and a full back is about 11–13 in wide.
What size should a t-shirt design be in pixels?
At 300 DPI, multiply inches by 300. A 12 in wide design should be about 3,600 pixels wide. A 4 in left chest needs about 1,200 pixels.
How far down from the collar should a shirt design go?
A full-front print usually starts about 3 in below the collar on adult shirts. A back print usually starts a few inches below the collar seam.
Do I need a different size for youth shirts?
Yes. Size the art down for youth shirts rather than reusing adult sizes. Youth full fronts are often about 8–9 in wide.