Youth XL Size Chart: Complete Measurements for Every Brand

If you've ever ordered a youth XL and had it show up looking nothing like you expected, you're not alone. Youth sizing is wildly inconsistent across brands, and a youth XL from Gildan fits completely differently than a youth XL from Bella+Canvas or Comfort Colors.

We print on all of these brands daily at The Loyal Brand, and we've measured them all. This is the definitive youth XL size chart with actual garment measurements so you know exactly what you're getting before you order.

What Does Youth XL Actually Mean?

Youth XL generally corresponds to kids' numeric sizes 18-20, fitting children roughly ages 14 to 18, or about 116 to 140 pounds. In terms of body measurements, youth XL typically fits a chest of 34 to 36 inches and a height range of 61 to 66 inches.

But here's where it gets complicated. Every brand interprets those ranges differently. Some brands run generous and relaxed. Others run slimmer and shorter. The actual garment measurements (the shirt itself, laid flat) are what matter, and those vary by 2 to 3 inches depending on the brand.

Youth XL Body Measurement Guide

Before looking at specific garment measurements, here's who typically fits a youth XL based on body size:

• Chest: 34 to 36 inches (measured around the fullest part)
• Waist: 28 to 30 inches
• Height: 61 to 66 inches (roughly 5'1" to 5'6")
• Weight: 116 to 140 pounds
• Numeric size: 18-20
• Typical age range: 14 to 18 years old

These are general guidelines. Kids grow at different rates, so always compare against the garment measurements below rather than relying on age or weight alone.

Youth XL Garment Measurements by Brand

These are actual garment measurements taken with the shirt laid flat. Chest width is measured 1 inch below the armhole from side to side. Body length is measured from the high point of the shoulder at the collar down to the bottom hem.

Gildan Youth Heavy Cotton (G500B / 5000B)

Gildan is the most commonly used blank in the custom apparel industry, and their youth XL runs true to size with a classic, relaxed fit. The 20-inch chest width gives plenty of room without being baggy. At 26.5 inches long, it's one of the longer youth XL options available, which means it works well for taller kids who are between youth and adult sizing.

Bella+Canvas Youth (3001Y)

Bella+Canvas runs noticeably slimmer and shorter than Gildan. The chest is nearly 2 inches narrower, and the body is over 2 inches shorter. This is a fitted, modern cut. If your kid prefers a looser fit or is on the taller side, Bella+Canvas youth XL might feel tight. Size up to an adult small in Bella+Canvas if you're on the fence.

Comfort Colors Youth (9018)

Comfort Colors falls right between Gildan and Bella+Canvas. The garment-dyed, ringspun cotton gives it a soft, broken-in feel from day one. Keep in mind that Comfort Colors can shrink slightly more than other brands because of the garment dyeing process, so if you're between sizes, go up.

Hanes ComfortSoft Youth (5480)

Hanes runs almost identical to Gildan in the chest at 20 inches, but it's actually the longest youth XL on this list at 27 inches. If length is your priority and you need full coverage for a taller kid, Hanes is a reliable pick. The ComfortSoft fabric is preshrunk, so what you measure out of the bag is close to what you'll get after washing.

Next Level Youth (3310)

Next Level takes a different approach. Their youth XL corresponds to a 14/16 numeric size instead of 18-20, which means it runs smaller than the other brands on this list. Next Level's youth line tops out earlier, so if you need the equivalent of an 18-20, you'll want to step into their adult XS or small instead.

Brand Comparison: Youth XL Side by Side

Here's the quick-reference table comparing all brands at a glance:

*Next Level measures differently and their XL maps to 14/16 rather than 18-20. Direct comparison is approximate.

The takeaway: Gildan and Hanes give you the most room and length. Bella+Canvas and Next Level run slimmer and shorter. Comfort Colors sits in the middle.

How to Measure for Youth XL

If you want to skip the guesswork entirely, grab a shirt that already fits well and measure it. Here's how:

Chest width: Lay the shirt flat on a table with no wrinkles. Measure straight across from side to side, about 1 inch below where the armhole seam meets the body. This gives you the half-chest measurement. Double it for the full chest circumference.

Body length: Keep the shirt face down. Measure from the center back of the neckline seam straight down to the bottom of the front hem.

Sleeve length: Lay the shirt face down. Measure from the center back of the neck to the outer edge of the shoulder seam, then along the outer edge of the sleeve to the cuff.

Compare those numbers directly to the garment measurements in the tables above. This is more accurate than using body measurements because it accounts for how much ease (extra room) you want in the fit.

Youth XL vs Adult Small: Is There a Difference?

This is one of the most common questions we get, and we wrote an entire post breaking it down. The short answer: yes, there's a difference, but it's smaller than most people think.

A typical adult small t-shirt measures about 18 inches in chest width and 28 inches in body length. Compare that to a Gildan youth XL at 20 inches wide and 26.5 inches long. The youth XL is actually wider in the chest but shorter in length. Adult sizing assumes broader shoulders and a longer torso, while youth sizing accounts for a wider range of body shapes with more room in the middle.

If you're caught between youth XL and adult small, the deciding factor is usually length. Need more length? Go adult small. Need more room in the chest and midsection? Youth XL might work better.

For the full breakdown with measurements across brands, check out our Youth XL vs Adult XS comparison.

Full Youth Size Chart (All Sizes, Gildan G500B)

Since Gildan is the industry standard, here's the complete youth size range for reference:

Each step up adds roughly 1.5 to 2 inches in chest width and 2 inches in body length. That consistent scaling makes it easier to predict how the next size up or down will fit.

Tips for Ordering Youth XL Custom Apparel

We've printed thousands of youth orders at The Loyal Brand, and these are the lessons that come up over and over:

Always order samples first if you're placing a bulk order. A $5 sample saves you from a $500 mistake. Every brand fits differently, and the only way to know for sure is to hold the shirt in your hands.

Account for shrinkage. Most preshrunk shirts (Gildan, Hanes) hold their size well through washing. Comfort Colors and garment-dyed shirts can shrink an additional 3% to 5% after the first wash. If you're borderline, size up.

Consider the print area. Youth XL shirts have a smaller printable area than adult shirts. If your design is large or detailed, it may need to be scaled down. Our team handles this automatically, but it's good to know going in.

For teams and groups, collect actual measurements. Don't just ask kids for their size. Kids and parents guess wrong all the time. Have everyone measure a shirt that fits and compare to the chart. This eliminates 90% of sizing issues on group orders.

When in doubt, size up. A slightly loose shirt looks and feels better than one that's too tight. Kids grow fast, and a shirt ordered a half size larger today still fits six months from now.

Which Brands Do We Carry?

We carry all five brands listed above and 53 more through our full apparel catalog. That includes Bella+Canvas, Gildan, Comfort Colors, Hanes, Next Level Apparel, Champion, LAT Apparel, Rabbit Skins (for toddlers and younger kids), and dozens of other brands across every category.

Whether you need youth XL t-shirts for a sports team, a school fundraiser, a family reunion, or just a few custom shirts for your kids, we can source the exact brand and style you want and customize it however you need.

Need Help Picking the Right Size?

Sizing shouldn't be stressful. If you're not sure which brand or size works best for your order, reach out to us. We've been doing this for over a decade, with 16,000+ customers and 4.9 stars across 340 Google reviews. We'll recommend the right blank, the right fit, and make sure your order comes out exactly how you want it.

Call us at 410-861-0633 or email john@theloyalbrand.com. We're based in St. Augustine, FL and ship nationwide.

You can also check out our other sizing guides:

• Youth Large vs Adult Small
• Youth Medium vs Adult Small
• Youth XL vs Adult XS
• Women's Small vs Men's Small