You wear an L in a T-shirt, an M in a shirt, and an XL in a sweatshirt. That’s normal, and exactly why the letter on the label will never tell you what size jersey to order. The only information that doesn’t lie is the measurements in centimeters.
The catalog on a single site may offer three very different fits: supporter, player, and retro. The difference between them is considerable. An S in a retro fit is wider than an M in a player version. Here’s how to decide in two minutes, using a tape measure, a jersey you already own, and the actual measurements in the store’s charts.
Take a jersey that fits you well, lay it flat, and measure its chest width from one armhole seam to the other. Compare that figure with the “chest” column in the size chart for the fit you’re interested in.
In a supporter fit, an S measures 49 to 51 cm laid flat. In a player version, the same S measures just 43 to 46 cm. In a retro fit, it measures 51 to 53 cm. Three identical letters, three different garments.
Why the letter on the label isn’t enough
A size is not a universal standard. It’s a convention specific to each manufacturer and, above all, to each fit. In football, three fits coexist on the same product pages, and they’re not intended for the same uses.
| Fit | Size S | Size M | Size L | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supporter | 49 to 51 cm | 51 to 53 cm | 53 to 55 cm | Everyday wear, stands, comfort |
| Player | 43 to 46 cm | 46 to 48 cm | 48 to 51 cm | Practical, close-fitting look |
| Retro | 51 to 53 cm | 53 to 56 cm | 56 to 58 cm | Collection, period straight fit |
Look at the first column: a retro S, at 51 to 53 cm, is wider than a player version M, at 46 to 48 cm. The difference is almost one and a half sizes. So ordering “your usual L” without checking the fit is like flipping a coin.
Last point to understand: these figures are measurements laid flat. Lay the jersey on a table and measure its width, not its circumference. To get the garment’s chest circumference, multiply by two. So a supporter-fit S measuring 50 cm corresponds to a jersey with a 100 cm circumference.
The reference jersey method
This is the most reliable method, and it requires neither a scale nor complicated calculations. Take a jersey, technical T-shirt, or polo shirt that fits you perfectly. You'll use it as a reference. Three measurements are all you need.
Once you have these measurements, find the closest matching row in the chart for the fit you want. If your reference jersey is 52 cm wide and fits you perfectly, you would choose an M in a fan fit, an XL in a player version, and an S in a retro fit. The same comfort, three different letters.
Measure your chest circumference with a soft tape measure, under your arms, without pulling it tight. Then allow 6 to 12 cm of ease for a fan fit, and 4 to 8 cm for a player version. Divide by two to compare with the chart column.
The three official charts
Here are the full measurements used in the store. Manufacturing tolerance is two to four centimeters, which is normal for mass-produced textiles: two jerseys in the same size may differ slightly.
| Size | Chest width laid flat | Jersey circumference | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 49 to 51 cm | 98 to 102 cm | 69 to 71 cm |
| M | 51 to 53 cm | 102 to 106 cm | 71 to 73 cm |
| L | 53 to 55 cm | 106 to 110 cm | 73 to 75 cm |
| XL | 55 to 57 cm | 110 to 114 cm | 75 to 77 cm |
| 2XL | 57 to 59 cm | 114 to 118 cm | 77 to 79 cm |
| 3XL | 59 to 61 cm | 118 to 122 cm | 79 to 81 cm |
| 4XL | 61 to 63 cm | 122 to 126 cm | 81 to 83 cm |
| Size | Chest width laid flat | Jersey circumference | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 43 to 46 cm | 86 to 92 cm | 66 to 69 cm |
| M | 46 to 48 cm | 92 to 96 cm | 69 to 71 cm |
| L | 48 to 51 cm | 96 to 102 cm | 71 to 74 cm |
| XL | 51 to 53 cm | 102 to 106 cm | 74 to 76 cm |
| 2XL | 53 to 56 cm | 106 to 112 cm | 76 to 79 cm |
| Size | Chest width laid flat | Jersey circumference | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| S | 51 to 53 cm | 102 to 106 cm | 71 to 74 cm |
| M | 53 to 56 cm | 106 to 112 cm | 74 to 76 cm |
| L | 56 to 58 cm | 112 to 116 cm | 76 to 79 cm |
| XL | 58 to 61 cm | 116 to 122 cm | 79 to 81 cm |
| 2XL | 61 to 64 cm | 122 to 128 cm | 81 to 84 cm |
These three charts are also available together on the page the store’s three official charts, which you can access at any time from a product page.
The selector: your fit, your chest, your height
First choose the fit, then enter your chest measurement taken under your arms. The result shows the recommended size and the measurements of the corresponding garment, so you can compare them with a jersey you already own.
Jersey measuring 98 to 102 cm around the chest and 69 to 71 cm in length. If you often wear a layer underneath, M is still comfortable.
Jersey measuring 102 to 106 cm around the chest and 71 to 73 cm in length. This is the most frequently ordered size in the catalog.
Jersey measuring 106 to 110 cm around the chest and 73 to 75 cm in length. A good balance between a relaxed fit and a streamlined look.
Jersey measuring 110 to 114 cm around the chest and 75 to 77 cm in length. Also check the length if you are over 1.90 m tall.
Jersey measuring 114 to 118 cm around the chest and 77 to 79 cm in length. Sizes 3XL and 4XL are also available in this fit.
Jersey measuring 92 to 96 cm around the chest and 69 to 71 cm in length. Go down to S only if you want a very snug fit.
Jersey measuring 96 to 102 cm around the chest and 71 to 74 cm in length. The slim fit is tighter around the armholes than the supporter version.
Jersey measuring 102 to 106 cm around the chest and 74 to 76 cm in length. Allow for this size even if you wear L in supporter fit.
Jersey measuring 106 to 112 cm around the chest and 76 to 79 cm in length. This is the largest size available in this fit.
2XL tops out at 112 cm around the chest. If your chest measures over 110 cm, the supporter fit in XL or 2XL will be much more comfortable.
Jersey measuring 102 to 106 cm around the chest and 71 to 74 cm in length. The straight cut already gives a relaxed fit on this body type.
Size S measures 102 to 106 cm around the chest, while M measures 106 to 112 cm. Choose S for a streamlined look, or M for a loose vintage feel.
Jersey measuring 106 to 112 cm around the chest and 74 to 76 cm in length. Note that reissues are often shorter than current jerseys.
Jersey measuring 112 to 116 cm around the chest and 76 to 79 cm in length. The thicker knit stretches very little with wear.
Jersey for a 116 to 122 cm chest and 79 to 81 cm length. The 2XL is available and fits up to a 128 cm chest.
Select a fit and chest measurement to see your size.
Three jerseys, three different fits to compare.
Between two sizes, how to decide
Your measurements may fall exactly between two rows in the chart. In that case, three factors will help you decide, and they always outweigh your general impression.
- How you’ll wear it: for playing, choose the smaller of the two sizes. For the stands or around town, choose the larger.
- What you wear underneath: if you wear a base layer or T-shirt, go up a size, especially with the player version.
- Shoulders: if you have broad shoulders for your chest measurement, go up a size. The armholes will feel tight before the chest does.
One last useful reference point: length. Above 1.85 m tall, jersey length becomes just as important as width. An XL supporter jersey measures 75 to 77 cm from the top of the shoulder to the hem, while an L measures just 73 to 75 cm. Two centimeters go unnoticed, but four are obvious as soon as you raise your arms.
Mistakes that skew your measurements
Never measure a jersey by pulling it flat. Stretch fabric can easily stretch by several centimeters, giving you a measurement that doesn’t match any row in the chart.
- Measure over a sweater. Take your chest measurement wearing a thin T-shirt, or even directly against your skin.
- Inflate your chest while measuring. Breathe normally, with your arms at your sides.
- Compare it with a garment from a different category. A sweatshirt and a performance jersey don’t have the same fit or fabric.
- Ignore the fit. This is the most common mistake: the same letter covers three very different fits.
- Relying on shrinkage. A polyester jersey washed at 30 degrees barely changes size, unlike cotton.
If you’ve still ordered one that’s too big, all is not lost: we explain the realistic options and their limitations in our article about the oversized jersey. For a broader overview, our guide to choosing the right jersey size complements this page.
Frequently asked questions
Lay it flat without stretching it, and measure the width from one armhole seam to the other. You can compare this directly with the chest column in the size chart. Multiply it by two to get the garment’s circumference.
Yes, significantly. A player version S measures 43 to 46 cm laid flat, compared with 49 to 51 cm for a fan fit. As a general rule, go one size up from your usual size.
Often one size down from your usual fan fit. Reissues have a wider, straight cut: a retro S measures 51 to 53 cm laid flat, which is more than a player version M.
Very little in polyester washed at 30 degrees on a gentle cycle. Don’t count on shrinkage to make an oversized jersey fit, and avoid the tumble dryer, which mainly damages the lettering.
That’s the normal manufacturing tolerance for mass-produced textiles. Two jerseys in the same size can differ slightly. If your measurement is near the threshold, this tolerance is a good reason to go up a size.
Two minutes, a tape measure, zero returns
Knowing your jersey size isn’t a guessing game. You just have to accept that the letter means nothing until you know what the fit is, then compare centimeters with centimeters.
Keep the measurements of your reference jersey somewhere: chest width, length, shoulder width. You’ll have them on hand for every order, and you’ll be able to buy a fit you’ve never tried without taking any risks.