Football Jersey Size Chart (Youth & Adult)
The sizing reference built for pads. Chest-over-pads measurements for youth and adult, the size-up rule for shoulder pads, game versus practice fit, and how to measure so you order right the first time.
A football jersey is sized to fit over shoulder pads, so measure the chest over the pads (or add 4 to 6 inches to a bare-chest measurement) and match it to the chart: youth sizes YS to YXL fit roughly ages 6 to 14, while adult S to 4XL cover skill players through linemen.
| Youth Size | Age | Chest Over Pads (in) | Player Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| YS | 6 to 8 | 30 to 32 | 45 to 65 |
| YM | 8 to 10 | 32 to 34 | 65 to 90 |
| YL | 10 to 12 | 34 to 36 | 90 to 110 |
| YXL | 12 to 14 | 36 to 38 | 110 to 135 |
Football is the only sport where the jersey has to clear a full set of shoulder pads, which is why football jerseys run wider than a normal shirt and why you size up. The numbers above are chest measurements taken over pads, not against the bare body. Get that one thing right and most sizing problems disappear.
Below you'll find full youth and adult size charts, the size-up-for-pads rule explained, the difference between game and practice fit, and how to measure properly. Whether you're ordering youth football uniforms for a pee-wee program or custom football jerseys for a high school varsity, this guide helps you order the right size the first time. For other sports, our youth jersey size chart covers the standard non-padded sizing.
Youth Football Jersey Size Chart
Sized to fit over youth shoulder pads, YS to YXL.
These chest measurements are taken over youth shoulder pads. If you measure a bare chest, add 4 to 6 inches before matching to the chart. Youth football pads are slimmer than adult pads, but they still add real bulk across the shoulders.
| Size | Age Range | Chest Over Pads (in) | Player Weight (lbs) | Bare Chest (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YS | 6 to 8 | 30 to 32 | 45 to 65 | 25 to 27 |
| YM | 8 to 10 | 32 to 34 | 65 to 90 | 27 to 29 |
| YL | 10 to 12 | 34 to 36 | 90 to 110 | 29 to 31 |
| YXL | 12 to 14 | 36 to 38 | 110 to 135 | 31 to 33 |
Pro tip: Youth pads vary a lot between brands and positions. A youth lineman in big pads may need to jump a full size over a skill player of the same weight. When a youth player is between sizes, size up. They will almost always grow into it before they grow out of it.
Adult Football Jersey Size Chart
Sized to fit over adult shoulder pads, S to 4XL.
Most high school and adult players wear adult sizes. These chest measurements are taken over pads. The "Best For" column is a general guide by position, since linemen wear bulkier pads and want more room while skill players often want a cleaner, closer fit.
| Size | Chest Over Pads (in) | Player Weight (lbs) | Best For (general) |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 38 to 40 | 130 to 160 | Skill players, smaller frames |
| M | 42 to 44 | 160 to 190 | QB, WR, DB, RB |
| L | 46 to 48 | 190 to 225 | LB, TE, RB |
| XL | 50 to 52 | 225 to 265 | DL, OL, bigger LB |
| 2XL | 54 to 56 | 265 to 300 | Offensive and defensive line |
| 3XL | 58 to 60 | 300 to 340 | Big linemen |
| 4XL | 62 to 64 | 340+ | Big linemen |
Position note: A 230-pound lineman and a 230-pound tight end may wear different jersey sizes. The lineman's larger pads and preference for room push him up a size, while the tight end may want a closer cut so the jersey doesn't get grabbed. Always size to the pads and the player's fit preference.
The Size-Up-for-Pads Rule
The single most important thing in football jersey sizing.
Every other sport sizes a jersey to the body. Football sizes it to the body plus a full set of shoulder pads. That changes everything. A player who wears an adult Medium t-shirt around school is usually a Large or even an XL in a game jersey once the pads go on.
The simple rule
Shoulder pads add about 4 to 6 inches to chest circumference. That is roughly one size up for skill players in lower-profile pads and two sizes up for linemen in bulkier pads. Measure over the actual pads the player will wear and you skip the guesswork entirely.
If you can't measure over pads
Take the bare chest measurement and add 4 inches for skill-position pads or 6 inches for lineman pads. Match that adjusted number to the chest-over-pads column in the charts above. This gets you very close when pads aren't on hand at sizing time.
Why too tight is a real problem
A football jersey that fits the bare body will not stretch over pads. Players end up with the jersey riding up, the pads exposed at the waist, and arm movement restricted on every throw, tackle, and block. It also rips. When the choice is between slightly loose and slightly tight, loose wins every time in football.
Game Jersey vs Practice Jersey Fit
They're cut differently, so order them differently.
Most programs run two football tops: a game jersey and a practice jersey. They are built for different jobs, so their fit is not the same even at the same labeled size.
Game Jerseys
Fit: Tailored to look clean over pads. Modern game jerseys, especially for skill positions, are cut closer through the body and sleeves so opponents can't grab a fistful of fabric. They still need to clear the pads across the shoulders, so you size to the pads, but the body is trimmer. Our custom football jerseys are cut to fit over all major pad brands.
Practice Jerseys
Fit: Looser, durable mesh pullover. Practice jerseys go on and off over pads many times a week, so they run roomier and are built to take abuse. A player often wears the same labeled size as their game jersey, but the practice top feels baggier. That extra room is a feature, not a sizing error.
Skill Players vs Linemen
Fit: Different priorities by position. Receivers, backs, and defensive backs usually want the tighter game cut so nothing flaps or gets grabbed. Linemen want more room to move and to clear larger pads, so they often go up a size from what their weight alone would suggest. Size to the role, not just the scale.
How to Measure for a Football Jersey
Two measurements, taken over pads, in under two minutes.
All you need is a soft measuring tape and the player's shoulder pads. If you don't have a cloth tape, use a piece of string and measure it against a ruler afterward. Always measure with the pads on if you possibly can.
Chest Over Pads
This is the measurement that decides the jersey size. Have the player put on the shoulder pads they will wear in games.
- Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the chest, over the pads, just under the arms
- Keep the tape level all the way around the back
- Keep it snug but not compressed into the pads
- Read the measurement and match it to the chest-over-pads column
Body Length
Length matters in football because the jersey has to cover the pads and stay tucked or in place during play.
- Measure from the top of the shoulder, at the pad, straight down the front
- Stop where the player wants the jersey to end (most tuck into the pants)
- Compare against the brand's length spec for that size
- For tall players, check that the size with the right chest also has enough length
No pads at sizing time?
If you're sizing a team before pads are issued, measure each player's bare chest and add 4 to 6 inches (4 for skill positions, 6 for linemen) to estimate the chest-over-pads number. Then match that adjusted figure to the charts above. It's not as exact as measuring over the real pads, but it gets the bulk order very close.
Tips for Ordering Team Football Jerseys
Advice from coaches and equipment managers who've done it.
Hold a Sizing Day in Full Pads
The single best way to avoid sizing problems is to measure every player with their game pads on. Set up a sizing station at an early practice and record each player's chest-over-pads number before you place the order.
Order Extra in Lineman Sizes
XL, 2XL, and up are the hardest to swap last minute. If your line is still growing or you expect call-ups, order a couple of spares in the big sizes so a late addition doesn't hold up the whole order.
Match the Jersey to the Pads
If your program is issuing new shoulder pads the same season, size the jerseys to the new pads, not last year's. A pad change can move a player a full jersey size, especially for linemen.
Request a Sample
Before a full team order, get a sample game jersey and try it over pads at a couple of positions. It confirms the cut and how the brand sizes over your program's pads. Secondslide offers samples for exactly this.
Account for Youth Growth
Youth players ordering in summer for a fall season should size up one. Kids grow over a summer, and a youth jersey that clears the pads in August needs to still fit in November.
When in Doubt, Size Up
A slightly loose football jersey looks fine and plays fine. A too-small one won't clear the pads at all. If a player is between sizes, go larger so the jersey fits over the gear on game day.
Once you've nailed sizing, design your team's look with custom football jerseys or a full youth football uniform package. Secondslide handles mixed-size orders from YS all the way to 4XL without any hassle. Just tell us who needs what and we'll make it work.
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Custom Football Gear from Secondslide
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Youth Jersey Size Chart
The all-sport youth jersey size chart with chest, height, and age ranges plus youth-to-adult conversions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size football jersey should I order?
Measure the chest circumference while the player is wearing their shoulder pads, then match it to the size chart. If you can't measure over pads, take a bare-chest measurement and add 4 to 6 inches. Football jerseys are cut to fit over pads, so a player who wears an adult Medium t-shirt often needs a Large or XL game jersey. When between sizes, size up so the jersey clears the pads.
Why do football jerseys run differently than regular jerseys?
Football jerseys are the one sport where the jersey has to fit over a full set of shoulder pads, not just the body. That extra bulk across the shoulders and chest is why football jerseys are cut wider and why you size up compared to a casual shirt. A jersey that fits great off the body will be far too tight once pads go underneath, so every football size chart is built around the chest measured over pads.
How much bigger should a football jersey be for shoulder pads?
Shoulder pads add roughly 4 to 6 inches to a player's chest measurement, and bulkier lineman pads can add more. That usually works out to one or two jersey sizes up from a player's normal shirt size. Skill players in lower-profile pads often go up one size, while linemen in larger pads go up two. Always confirm with a measurement over the actual pads the player will wear.
What's the difference between a game jersey and a practice jersey?
A game jersey is tailored to fit cleaner over pads for the on-field look, and many are cut tighter through the body, especially for skill players who don't want fabric to grab. A practice jersey is a looser, durable mesh pullover built to go on and off quickly over pads, day after day. Practice jerseys usually run roomier, so a player may wear the same labeled size in both but the practice top will feel looser.
Do youth football jerseys fit over shoulder pads?
Yes. Youth football jerseys are cut to fit over youth shoulder pads, but you still need to size for the pads, not the bare body. Measure your child's chest with their pads on and match it to the youth chart. Because kids grow and pads vary, going up a size is common for youth players. A youth jersey that fits the bare chest will be too tight once the pads are underneath.
How do I measure for a football jersey?
You need two measurements: chest over pads and body length. For the chest, put the shoulder pads on, wrap a soft tape around the fullest part over the pads, and keep it level. For length, measure from the top of the shoulder (at the pad) down to where the player wants the jersey to end. If pads aren't available, measure the bare chest and add 4 to 6 inches to estimate the over-pads number.
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