Quick answer: Use the factory’s own size chart, compare it with a garment your customers already like, and confirm the fit on a sample before collecting final sizes.
Every factory and brand sizes slightly differently, so a size chart is not a formality: it is the contract between you, your customers and your manufacturer. This guide explains how sportswear sizing works and how to build a chart your customers can trust.
Quick answer
A sportswear size chart lists body or garment measurements (chest, waist, length, sleeve) for each size. For custom orders, use the manufacturer’s chart or give your own in your tech pack, choose the fit (slim, regular, oversized), add youth and women’s cuts if needed, and agree measurement tolerances (often about ±1 cm on main points). US and UK use the same letter sizes (S, M, L); EU often uses numbers.
Body measurements vs garment measurements
| Body chart | Garment chart | |
|---|---|---|
| What it measures | The person (chest around the body) | The garment laid flat |
| Who uses it | Customers choosing a size | Factories and quality inspectors |
| Example point | Chest circumference | Half chest, 2.5 cm below armhole |
Your online store needs a body chart; your tech pack needs a garment chart.
How to measure
- Chest: around the fullest part, under the arms.
- Waist: around the natural waist.
- Hips: around the fullest part (leggings, shorts).
- Inseam: crotch to ankle (leggings, joggers).
Size labels across markets
| Market | Common labels |
|---|---|
| USA / Canada | XS–3XL; youth YS–YXL |
| UK / Ireland | XS–3XL; women’s also 6–18; youth by age (e.g. 7–8 years) |
| EU | XS–3XL or numeric (e.g. 44–56 men, 34–46 women) |
| Australia | XS–3XL; women’s 6–18 |
Fits and cuts
- Slim / athletic fit: compression, fightwear, cycling.
- Regular fit: team jerseys, polos, training tops.
- Oversized / boxy: streetwear hoodies and tees.
- Women’s cut: tapered waist, shorter sleeves, different shoulder.
- Youth cut: shorter body and sleeves.
Tolerances
Garments are sewn by hand on production lines, so small variation is normal. Agree tolerances in writing (commonly about ±1 cm on chest and length, ±0.5 cm on small points) so quality checks are clear. See our quality control guide.
Related: how to collect team sizes, tech pack service, sample vs bulk.
From our factory floor in Daska, Sialkot
At Ravix Pro Industry we have manufactured sportswear and clothing since 2008. Design, pattern making, cutting, stitching, sublimation, screen printing, DTF, embroidery, quality control and packing all happen under one roof, so we control colour, fit and timing ourselves. Our advice in this guide comes from what we see on real orders every week: the questions buyers ask, the mistakes that delay production, and the details that make a sample match bulk.
Ready to start? Request a free quote or message us on WhatsApp with your design, quantity and sizes. MOQ from 30 pieces per design. We reply within 24 hours.
FAQs
Are US and UK sizes the same?
Letter sizes (S, M, L) are broadly the same; women’s numeric sizes and youth sizes are labelled differently.
Can you use my own size chart?
Yes. Send your measurements in your tech pack and we grade the pattern to match.
Do you make women’s and youth cuts?
Yes, in the same design as the men’s or unisex version.
What tolerance is normal?
Around ±1 cm on main measurements like chest and length is common in knitwear.
Sources
- Ravix Pro Industry pattern and grading department, 2008–2026.