Most 14 year olds wear youth XL or adult small depending on their build. At 14, kids are right in the transition zone between youth and adult sizing, which makes this one of the trickiest ages to buy shirts for. The right size depends on chest measurement and height, not just age.
Shirt Sizes for 14 Year Olds by Brand
| Brand | Youth XL Chest (in) | Adult Small Chest (in) | Best Fit for Average 14yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gildan | 34-36 | 34-36 | Youth XL or Adult S (depends on height) |
| Bella+Canvas | 32-34 | 34-36 | Adult S |
| Comfort Colors | 34-36 | 36-38 | Youth XL |
| Next Level | 32-34 | 34-36 | Adult S |
| Hanes | 34-36 | 34-36 | Youth XL or Adult S |
At 14, the chest measurements between youth XL and adult small overlap in most brands. The deciding factor is body length and height. Youth XL is 24-25 inches long. Adult small is 27-28 inches long. A 14 year old who is under 5 foot 6 usually fits youth XL proportions better. A 14 year old who is 5 foot 6 or taller needs the extra length of adult small.
For the complete breakdown of how these two sizes compare, see our Youth XL vs Adult Small guide. For the exact conversion, see our 14-16 youth in adults guide.
Who Fits What at Age 14
The average 14 year old in the United States is about 5 foot 4 and weighs around 115 pounds. That puts most of them at the upper end of youth XL or the lower end of adult small.
Lean build (5'0" to 5'4", under 100 lbs): Youth XL in boxy brands (Gildan, Hanes). The shirt will fit at the waist without excess length.
Average build (5'2" to 5'6", 100 to 130 lbs): This is the toss-up zone. Youth XL in boxy brands or adult small in slim brands (Bella+Canvas, Next Level). Try both if possible.
Athletic or stocky build (5'4" to 5'8", over 130 lbs): Adult small across all brands. The chest will fit properly and the extra body length will look right on a taller frame.
Large build (5'6"+, over 150 lbs): Adult medium. This 14 year old has outgrown the youth-to-adult transition entirely.
The Youth XL vs Adult Small Decision
This is the question every parent and coach faces with 14 year olds. Here is the simple rule:
Measure the chest. If it is 36 inches or less AND the kid is under 5 foot 6, stay in youth XL. If the chest exceeds 36 inches OR the kid is over 5 foot 6, go adult small.
When in doubt, go adult small. A slightly long shirt looks like a normal shirt. A too-short youth XL looks like something they outgrew. For the exact measurements and the complete transition guide, see our youth XL to adult small transition guide.
Sizing for Team Orders With 14 Year Olds
Teams with 14 year olds are the hardest to size because the roster splits between youth and adult. A typical team of 15 at this age breaks down roughly: 3 youth large, 5 youth XL, 5 adult small, 2 adult medium.
Do not guess. Run a try-on session with sample shirts or send a measurement form. People are wrong about their size 30% of the time. Measurements are wrong less than 15% of the time. For the full team ordering formula, see our how many shirts to order guide and our youth sports team sizing guide.
What size shirt does a 14 year old wear?
Most 14 year olds wear youth XL or adult small. The deciding factor is height and chest measurement, not age. A 14 year old under 5 foot 6 with a chest under 36 inches fits youth XL. A 14 year old over 5 foot 6 or with a chest over 36 inches needs adult small. In slim brands like Bella+Canvas, most 14 year olds need adult small.
Is a 14 year old youth XL or adult small?
It depends on build and height. An average 14 year old (5'4", 115 lbs) is right at the transition point. Youth XL and adult small overlap in chest width (34-36 inches) but differ in body length by 3 inches. Youth XL is the right call for shorter, leaner 14 year olds. Adult small is right for taller or broader 14 year olds.
What adult size does a 14 year old wear?
Most 14 year olds who have outgrown youth XL wear adult small. Some larger or taller 14 year olds wear adult medium. Do not skip from youth XL to adult medium. The gap in chest width (4-6 inches) is too large. Adult small is the proper bridge size.
Related Sizing Guides
- Youth XL vs Adult Small: What's the Difference
- What Size Is 14-16 Youth in Adults?
- What Size Shirt for a 12 Year Old?
- What Size Is Youth XL?
- Adult Small Size Chart
- Boys XL vs Men's Small
- Gildan Youth Sizing Guide
- Custom Shirts for Fall Sports Teams
Ordering Shirts for 14 Year Olds?
We handle the youth-to-adult transition on every team order. Tell us the age range and we will recommend the right size split. Start your order here.