MEASUREMENT GUIDE · SHOULDER WIDTH
How to Measure Shoulder Width Alone
— Locate Your Acromion & Count Spans
Shoulder width is one of the hardest measurements to take by yourself — you can't see your own back, and a tape measure needs two people. But with the hand span method, you can get an accurate reading in 2 steps, no help needed.
Step 1 — Locate Your Acromion (Shoulder Tip Bone)
STEP 01
Find both shoulder tip bones across your upper back
Use one wide hand span across the back of your neck to find both shoulder tips (acromion processes — the bony protrusions at the very end of your shoulders). These are the reference points for your shoulder width measurement.
STEP 02
Count spans from left shoulder tip to right
With your pre-measured hand span (T1), count how many spans fit from your left shoulder tip to your right shoulder tip. Count the final partial span too. That's your shoulder width in spans.
💡 As shown in the image "STEP 2: Measure Self-Span" — place your thumb on the left acromion and span across to the right, counting as you go.
Spans × your span cm = Shoulder Width
e.g. 2.3 spans × 18cm = 41.4cm
Why Shoulder Width Matters
Shoulder width is the single most important measurement for tops. Jackets, coats, and shirts all depend on the shoulder seam landing exactly at your shoulder tip. Too short and movement is restricted; too long and the garment drapes awkwardly.
Average adult male shoulder width: 40–46cm. Female: 35–41cm. But the same height can mean very different shoulder widths depending on body type — which is exactly why knowing your number matters for online shopping.
💡 Shoulder width = straight-line distance between both acromion tips. Not the curved measurement over the front. Measure straight across.
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