Most 11 year olds wear youth medium or youth large depending on brand and build. At 11, many kids are just starting a growth spurt, so the right size depends more on current chest measurement and height than on age alone.
Shirt Sizes for 11 Year Olds by Brand
| Brand | Youth Medium Chest (in) | Youth Large Chest (in) | Best Fit for Average 11yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan | 30-32 | 32-34 | Youth Medium or Large |
| Bella+Canvas | 28-30 | 30-32 | Youth Large |
| Comfort Colors | 30-32 | 32-34 | Youth Medium or Large |
| Next Level | 28-30 | 30-32 | Youth Large |
| Hanes | 30-32 | 32-34 | Youth Medium or Large |
At 11, the gap between youth medium and youth large is only about 2 inches of chest and 1 inch of body length, so the two sizes overlap for a lot of kids. Boxy brands like Gildan and Hanes run a size larger than slim brands like Bella+Canvas, which is why the same 11 year old can measure medium in one shirt and large in another.
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Who Fits What at Age 11
The average 11 year old in the United States is about 4 foot 9 and weighs around 80 pounds. That puts most of them right at the medium to large split, which is exactly why this age is harder to size than younger or older kids.
Lean build (4'7" to 4'11", under 75 lbs): Youth medium in boxy brands (Gildan, Hanes). In slim brands like Bella+Canvas, size up to youth large so the shirt is not too snug through the chest.
Average build (4'7" to 5'0", 75 to 90 lbs): Youth medium in boxy brands, youth large in slim brands. This is the most common 11 year old order by far.
Stocky or athletic build (4'9" to 5'1", over 90 lbs): Youth large across all brands. Move up to youth XL only if the chest measures over 34 inches.
Growth Spurts and Sizing at Age 11
Eleven is a pre-growth-spurt age for a lot of kids. It is common for a child to jump two sizes between the start and end of a school year, especially between 4th and 5th grade. If you are ordering a shirt that needs to last a season, size up when the measurement falls right on the line between medium and large.
It is also normal for the same child to be a medium in Gildan and a large in Bella+Canvas. If you are ordering across multiple brands for a family or a small group, measure the chest first rather than relying on the age chart alone. For the full breakdown of how youth sizes map to kids sizes, see our youth size to kids size conversion chart.
Sizing for Team Orders With 11 Year Olds
Team rosters at age 11 typically split close to 50/50 between youth medium and youth large, with a couple of youth XLs mixed in for early developers. A typical team of 15 breaks down roughly: 6 youth medium, 7 youth large, 2 youth XL.
Do not guess on a roster this size. Run a quick measurement check or a sample try-on session before placing the order. For the full team ordering formula, see our how many shirts to order guide.
What size shirt does an 11 year old wear?
Most 11 year olds wear youth medium or youth large. Boxy brands like Gildan and Hanes fit most average 11 year olds in a medium. Slim brands like Bella+Canvas usually need a youth large for the same child. Lean builds can stay in medium across most brands. Stocky or athletic builds should go straight to youth large.
Is an 11 year old a youth medium or youth large?
It depends on brand and build. An average 11 year old (4'9", 80 lbs) fits youth medium in boxy brands and youth large in slim brands. The chest difference between the two sizes is only about 2 inches, so borderline measurements should round up, especially if the shirt needs to fit through a growth spurt.
What size shirt should I order for an 11 year old's growth spurt?
Size up. Many 11 year olds gain a full size or more within a school year. If the current chest measurement is close to the top of the medium range, order a youth large instead so the shirt still fits several months later.
Related Sizing Guides
- What Size Shirt for a 10 Year Old?
- What Size Shirt for a 12 Year Old?
- What Size Shirt for a 9 Year Old?
- What Size Shirt for a 13 Year Old?
- Youth Size to Kids Size Conversion Chart
- What Size Is Youth Medium?
- What Size Is a Youth Large?
- How Many Shirts to Order for a Team
Ordering Shirts for 11 Year Olds?
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