Bella+Canvas youth runs slim. If you are used to Gildan or Hanes, expect Bella+Canvas to fit about one size smaller across the chest. The fabric is softer, the cut is more modern, and the sizing reflects that fitted style. Here is the complete breakdown.
Bella+Canvas Youth Size Chart
| Size | Chest (in) | Body Length (in) | Fits Ages | Fits Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YXS | 22-24 | 17.5 | 4-5 | 32-42 |
| YS | 26-28 | 19.5 | 6-7 | 42-52 |
| YM | 28-30 | 21.5 | 8-10 | 52-70 |
| YL | 30-32 | 22.5 | 10-12 | 70-90 |
| YXL | 32-34 | 24.5 | 14-16 | 90-115 |
Bella+Canvas youth shirts (3001Y) are the most popular choice for brand merchandise, retail-quality youth tees, and any situation where the shirt needs to look and feel premium. The fabric is a ringspun cotton that feels broken in from the first wear.
How Bella+Canvas Compares to Other Brands
| Brand | Youth XL Chest (in) | Youth XL Length (in) | Fit Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bella+Canvas | 32-34 | 24.5 | Slim, modern |
| Gildan | 34-36 | 25 | Boxy, generous |
| Comfort Colors | 34-36 | 25 | Relaxed, garment-dyed |
| Next Level | 32-34 | 24 | Slim, fashion-forward |
| Hanes | 34-36 | 25 | Traditional, boxy |
Bella+Canvas and Next Level are the two slim-fit brands. Next Level runs slightly shorter in body length. Gildan, Comfort Colors, and Hanes all run about 2 inches wider in the chest at the same labeled size.
This matters if you are switching brands on a reorder. If a team wore Gildan youth large last season and you switch to Bella+Canvas youth large this season, kids who were on the edge of that size may need to go up to youth XL in Bella+Canvas.
Who Should Order Bella+Canvas Youth
Bella+Canvas is the right blank when the shirt needs to look like something you would buy in a store, not something you were handed at a 5K. It is the go-to for brand merch, school fundraiser shirts that parents actually want their kids to wear, and any situation where the feel of the shirt matters as much as the print.
It is also the best choice for DTG printing. The ringspun cotton surface holds DTG ink with more vibrancy and detail than the open-end cotton used in Gildan Heavy Cotton.
Which Bella+Canvas Youth Size to Order
Because Bella+Canvas runs slim, size up if you are between sizes. A kid who wears Gildan youth medium comfortably might need Bella+Canvas youth large. Measure the chest and compare to the chart above rather than going by the size label alone.
For the transition from youth to adult sizing in Bella+Canvas, the gap is more pronounced than in Gildan. Bella+Canvas youth XL tops out at 34 inches in the chest, while their adult small starts at 34 inches. The overlap is tighter, which means getting the right size at the crossover point is critical. See our Youth XL vs Adult Small comparison for the full picture.
How does Bella+Canvas youth sizing run?
Bella+Canvas youth runs slim compared to Gildan and Hanes. Expect the chest to measure about 2 inches narrower at the same labeled size. The body length is slightly shorter as well. If you are used to a boxy fit, size up.
What size is Bella+Canvas youth XL?
Bella+Canvas youth XL measures 32 to 34 inches in the chest with a 24.5-inch body length. It fits most kids ages 14 to 16 weighing 90 to 115 pounds. It runs about 2 inches narrower than Gildan youth XL.
Is Bella+Canvas youth large the same as adult small?
No. Bella+Canvas youth large measures 30 to 32 inches in the chest with a 22.5-inch body length. Their adult small measures 34 to 36 inches in the chest with a 28-inch body length. They are not close. Check the Is Youth XL the Same as Adult Small guide for more details.
Related Sizing Guides
- Gildan Youth Sizing Guide
- Comfort Colors Youth Sizing Guide
- Hanes Youth Sizing Guide
- Next Level Youth Sizing Guide
- Nike Youth Sizing Guide
- What Size Is Youth Large?
- What Size Shirt for a 12 Year Old?
- Youth vs Adult T-Shirt Sizing Guide
Want Premium Youth Shirts for Your Brand?
If you want shirts your customers will actually keep wearing, Bella+Canvas is the blank to print on. We will help you pick the right style, get the sizing dialed in, and produce a shirt that represents your brand the way it should be represented. Start your order here.