Your neck size is the single most important measurement for dress shirts. A "size 16" shirt means a 16-inch neck. Get this wrong and nothing else matters. Here is the professional method to get it right in under 2 minutes.
Neck size is the circumference of your neck measured at the base, just below the Adam's apple, where a dress shirt collar naturally sits. It is the primary sizing measurement for dress shirts -- when a shirt is labeled "16," that means it has a 16-inch collar.
Getting your neck measurement right is non-negotiable. A collar that is too tight chokes you, restricts blood flow, and makes you constantly tug at your collar. A collar that is too loose gaps open, looks unprofessional, and won't hold a tie knot properly. Whether you are buying off-the-rack from a department store or ordering a custom shirt from Nathan Tailors in Hoi An, your neck measurement is where everything starts.
Use this table to see where your measurement falls. These are general ranges -- always measure yourself for an accurate fit.
| Frame Size | Neck Size (inches) | Neck Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 14" - 14.5" | 35.5 - 37 cm |
| Medium | 15" - 15.5" | 38 - 39.5 cm |
| Large | 16" - 16.5" | 40.5 - 42 cm |
| XL | 17" - 17.5" | 43 - 44.5 cm |
| XXL | 18"+ | 45.5+ cm |
This chart maps your neck measurement to standard dress shirt sizes and approximate suit jacket sizes.
| Neck (in) | Shirt Size Label | General Size | Approx. Jacket Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14" - 14.5" | 14 / 14.5 | S | 34 - 36 |
| 15" - 15.5" | 15 / 15.5 | M | 38 - 40 |
| 16" - 16.5" | 16 / 16.5 | L | 40 - 42 |
| 17" - 17.5" | 17 / 17.5 | XL | 44 - 46 |
| 18" - 18.5" | 18 / 18.5 | XXL | 48 - 50 |
| 19"+ | 19+ | XXXL | 52+ |
Stand in front of a mirror. Wrap a flexible fabric measuring tape around the base of your neck, just below the Adam's apple. This is the exact spot where a dress shirt collar naturally sits -- not the middle of your neck, and not up near your jaw.
Finding the right spot: If you own a well-fitting dress shirt, button it all the way up. The tape should sit exactly where that collar band rests.
Make sure the measuring tape is level all the way around your neck -- not tilted up at the back or drooping in front. The tape should be snug against your skin but not tight. You should be able to breathe comfortably while the tape is in place.
Pro tip: Use the mirror to confirm the tape is level at the back. A common error is letting the tape ride up at the nape, which gives a smaller, inaccurate reading.
Read the number where the end of the tape meets the rest of the tape. This is your raw neck circumference. Now add 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) to that number -- this gives you your dress shirt collar size.
The extra half inch provides the ease you need so the collar is not pressed against your neck. The test: you should be able to fit two fingers between the buttoned collar and your neck comfortably.
Example: If your tape reads 15.5", your dress shirt size is 16". If it reads 16", your shirt size is 16.5".
The most common mistake. Measuring at the middle of the neck or near the jawline gives a reading that is 1-2 inches too small. Always measure at the BASE of the neck, where the collar sits.
A tight measurement leads to a shirt collar that chokes you. The tape should rest against your skin without compressing the flesh. Remember: you still need to add 1/2 inch on top of a snug reading.
The neck narrows significantly above the Adam's apple. Measuring here instead of below it can underestimate your collar size by a full inch, resulting in a shirt you literally cannot button.
Your raw neck measurement is not your shirt size. You must add 1/2 inch for a comfortable collar fit. Without this, you will buy a shirt that buttons but feels like it is strangling you.
Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the base of your neck, just below the Adam's apple, where a shirt collar naturally sits. Keep the tape level and snug but not tight. Read the measurement, then add 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) for your dress shirt collar size. You should be able to fit two fingers between the finished collar and your neck.
The average neck size for men is between 15" and 16.5" (38-42 cm). Most men fall in the 15" to 17" range. Small-framed men are typically 14"-14.5", medium frames 15"-15.5", large frames 16"-16.5", and XL frames 17"-17.5". Neck sizes of 18" and above are common for larger or more muscular builds.
You should be able to comfortably fit two fingers between the buttoned collar and your neck. This is roughly 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) of ease. A collar that is too tight restricts breathing and causes the fabric to pull at the button. A collar that is too loose gaps visibly and won't hold a tie knot properly.
Always measure just BELOW the Adam's apple, at the base of the neck. This is where a dress shirt collar naturally sits. Measuring above the Adam's apple or at the middle of the neck will give you a measurement that is too small, resulting in a collar that will not button comfortably or at all.
If your neck measurement falls between standard half-inch sizes (e.g., 15.75"), always round UP to the next half-inch size (16" in this case). A slightly loose collar is far more comfortable than a tight one and can be easily adjusted with a tie. For a perfect fit with no compromises, order a custom shirt from Nathan Tailors -- we make every shirt to your exact measurements.
Yes. Gaining or losing as little as 10-15 pounds can change your neck measurement by half an inch or more. The neck is one of the first places where weight changes become noticeable in terms of clothing fit. Re-measure your neck every 6-12 months or after any significant weight change to ensure your dress shirts still fit properly.
Now that you know your neck size, save your measurements with Nathan Tailors and get custom dress shirts and suits tailored to your exact specifications in Hoi An, Vietnam. No more guessing between sizes -- every collar made to fit you.
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