Shoulder width measurements are widely used when designing or making shirts, blazers, and other types of tops. Measuring shoulder width is a fairly easy and fast process.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Method One: Measuring Back Shoulder Width (Standard)
Step 1. Ask someone for help
Since the standard shoulder width measurement is taken along the top of your back, someone else will actually take the measurement for you.
If you can't find someone to help you take this measurement, use the "Measuring Shoulder Width with a Shirt" method. This method can be done by yourself and usually gives accurate results
Step 2. Wear clothes that are the right size
While not strictly required, formal shirts are best because you can use the seam lines to help with measuring with a tape measure.
If you don't have a formal shirt, wear anything that fits over the shoulders when worn. You don't have to measure the clothes when using this method, but good clothes can provide helpful pointers
Step 3. Stand with relaxed shoulders
Your back should be straight, but your shoulders should hang naturally in a relaxed position.
Step 4. Find the shoulder points
These points are marked by your acromion bone, which can be found at the top of your shoulder.
- These two points are also where the shoulder meets the arm, or the point where the shoulder bends to the arm.
- If you're wearing a formal shirt that fits your upper body, you can use that as a hint. The shoulder seam line on the back of your shirt will usually match your shoulder point.
- If your clothes don't fit perfectly, use your knowledge of how loose or tight your shoulders are and adjust both shoulder points to correct them.
Step 5. Measure the distance between the two shoulder points
Ask the helper to place the end of the measuring tape behind your back at the point of your first shoulder. Your gauge should measure along the groove of your shoulder, along your back, then back to the outer edge of the other shoulder point.
- Remember that you should measure the widest part of your shoulders. This is usually 2.5 to 5 cm below the neckline.
- The tape measure will not be perfectly straight at this measurement. The tape measure will bend slightly at your shoulders.
Step 6. Record the measurements
This size is your shoulder width. Bookmark and save as your notes.
- The standard shoulder width measurement can be used for both men's and women's clothing, but is more commonly used for the manufacture of formal shirts and men's blazers.
- Shoulder width essentially measures the width of your ideal shirt yoke size.
- You'll also need these measurements when determining a possible sleeve size for a shirt or blazer.
Method 2 of 3: Method Two: Measuring Front Shoulder Width
Step 1. Ask for help
Although this measurement is taken along the front of your body, making it easier for you to use your own tape measure, your shoulders and arms should depend as naturally as possible on this process. That's why it's highly recommended to ask someone to take the measurements for you.
- Keep in mind that if the requested measurement is “shoulder width” and does not specifically ask for “front shoulder width”, you must use the “back shoulder width” measurement. Back shoulder width is the standard measurement, while front shoulder width is not very common.
- Your front shoulder width will usually be close to or equal to your back shoulder width, but there may be slight differences based on age and weight. Certain conditions, such as scoliosis and osteoporosis, can make a pretty dramatic difference.
Step 2. Wear the right type of clothing
To measure the width of the front shoulder. Look for formal wear that fits well and has a large neckline or consider wearing clothes with shoulder straps.
This measurement relates to the buttock points on your shoulders rather than to the actual width. That way, clothes that reflect the distance of these help points will be better than wearing clothes that fit with a high or standard neckline
Step 3. Stand with relaxed shoulders
Your back should be straight with your chest out. Let your shoulders slack and relax, with your arms hanging comfortably at either side of your body.
Step 4. Find the correct shoulder point
Use your fingers to gently press your flesh over your shoulder and find the mound of your shoulder joint. This is the point of your front shoulder. Repeat the same process on the other shoulder.
- Ideally, each shoulder point should be in roughly the same area as the back shoulder point, just where your arm begins to hang. Weight and age can change this position, so the two points are not always aligned.
- Your front shoulder point will usually be at the outermost part of your shoulder, where your shoulder holds the neckline or shoulder strap.
- You can also use your t-shirt as a hint. If the shoulder strap or neckline of your garment is as wide as possible without sagging from your shoulders, then the size has been aligned with the approximate width of your front shoulder. The deepest point of each shoulder strap or each side of the neckline is in line with the point of your front shoulder.
Step 5. Measure along the front of your body
Ask a friend who helps you measure by attaching a measuring tape to one point of the shoulder. He should extend the tape measure along the front of your body, following the natural curve of your shoulder, until it reaches a new, opposite point.
The measuring tape will not be flat or parallel to the floor. However, the tape measure will bend slightly to follow the natural curve of your shoulder
Step 6. Record the measurements
This is the width of your front shoulder. Write it down and save it for future reference.
- The front shoulder width can technically be used for the manufacture of men's and women's clothing, but is generally used in designing or manufacturing women's clothing.
- This measurement is usually used when designing or creating a neckline. Your front shoulder width is the maximum width of the neckline without sagging from your shoulders. This size also makes it easier to distance the shoulder strap on the bandage to prevent it from slipping off your shoulder.
Method 3 of 3: Method Three: Measuring Shoulder Width Using a Shirt
Step 1. Find a shirt that fits your body
A shirt in your custom size is best, but anything that fits your shoulders will work as long as it has sleeves.
- The accuracy of these measurements depends on the clothes you choose to measure, so be sure to choose a good one. To be more accurate, wear clothes that fit best on the shoulders. If you want a looser fit, you can always add 2.5 cm or more to the measurement after you've measured it.
- This measurement can replace the back shoulder width measurement or the standard shoulder width measurement. However, do not use it to replace the front shoulder width measurement.
- Since this measurement is not as accurate as a direct measurement along your shoulder, you can use this option only if you are unable to do the traditional way of measuring.
Step 2. Spread the clothes
Lay the clothes on a table or other work surface. Flatten it so that the garment spreads out as smooth as possible.
For consistent results, you may need to do this with the back of the garment facing you when measuring. This doesn't really matter, as the location of the shoulder seams will remain the same on the front and back of your garment
Step 3. Find the shoulder seam
The shoulder seam is where the sleeves and the body of the garment are located.
Step 4. Measure from one seam to another
Place the end of the measuring tape over one shoulder seam. Bring the tape measure straight along the top of the garment until it meets the second shoulder seam.
The measuring tape should be flat and flat along the length of the garment. This band should also line up with the bottom edge of the garment
Step 5. Write down the results
The result of this measurement is your shoulder width. Consider marking it and keeping it in your notes.
- While not as accurate as a shoulder width measurement measured directly on your shoulder, it almost always gives a close approximation to the actual shoulder width.
- This measurement is mostly used for men's clothing of a specific size, but can also be used for men's and women's clothing.
