How to Measure Your Neck
Learn the correct way to measure your neck circumference for dress shirts, formal shirts, and suit jackets. This measurement determines your collar size.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Stand straight with shoulders relaxed and head facing forward
Wrap the measuring tape around the base of your neck where your collar would naturally sit
The tape should rest on your collarbone in front and the base of your neck in back
Keep the tape snug but not tight - you should be able to slip 1-2 fingers between the tape and your neck
Read the measurement where the tape meets, keeping the tape level all around
Round up to the nearest half inch (1.3 cm) for dress shirt sizing
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- âś—Measuring too high up the neck instead of at the base
- âś—Pulling the tape too tight, resulting in an uncomfortable collar
- âś—Not keeping the tape level, causing uneven measurement
- âś—Measuring over a shirt collar instead of directly on skin
Professional Tailor Tips
- âś“For dress shirts, add 1-2 fingers of space for comfort - this is your "comfort allowance"
- âś“If between sizes, always size up for dress shirts
- âś“Measure in the morning when your neck is at its normal size
- âś“Take the measurement 3 times and use the average for accuracy
What Neck Size Am I? Collar Size Quick Reference
In dress shirts, the collar size is the shirt size. When a shirt says “16/34”, the 16 is the collar (neck circumference in inches) and the 34 is the sleeve length. Round up to the nearest half inch when measuring.
| Neck Measurement | Collar Size | General Size |
|---|---|---|
| 14" | 14 | XS |
| 14.5" | 14.5 | S |
| 15" | 15 | S/M |
| 15.5" | 15.5 | M |
| 16" | 16 | M/L |
| 16.5" | 16.5 | L |
| 17" | 17 | L/XL |
| 17.5" | 17.5 | XL |
| 18" | 18 | XXL |
| 18.5"+ | 18.5+ | XXXL+ |
Always round up to the nearest half inch. A 15.25" neck should buy a 15.5" collar. Collar fit varies between brands — European shirts often run tighter than American cuts.
Other Measurements You May Need
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