How many shirts should I order of each size? Ordering t-shirts for a large group sounds simple until you have to decide how many shirts to buy in each size. Whether you are ordering shirts for an event, company, fundraiser, sports team, family reunion, or online resale, choosing the right size breakdown can help you avoid running out of popular sizes or getting stuck with too many leftover shirts.
That’s exactly why we built this handy t-shirt size breakdown calculator! We did our homework and created a formula based on the recommendations of top custom t-shirt printers, like VistaPrint, and even made adjustments for large groups of “mostly men” and “mostly women.”
Please feel free to use the t-shirt size distribution calculator and share a link to it online! We explain the formula under the calculator and offer a few tips for an accurate breakdown of each t-shirt size to order.
T-Shirt Size Breakdown Calculator
Enter the total number of adult unisex T-shirts you plan to order, then choose the audience that most closely matches your group.
Your Recommended Size Breakdown
| Size | Percentage | Shirts to Order |
|---|---|---|
| Total | 100% | 100 |
These estimates assume standard adult unisex T-shirts. Your ideal size breakdown may vary based on the audience, shirt brand, fit, and age distribution. Collect actual sizes whenever possible.
For a general adult audience wearing standard unisex T-shirts, the following size breakdown is a practical starting point:
Using this formula, a bulk order of 50 t-shirts would include the following size distribution:
- 5 Small
- 13 Medium
- 15 Large
- 12 XL
- 5 2XL
If your group is mostly men, those numbers will skew larger, and for a group of mostly women, the size breakdown will shift to smaller sizes.
Tip: Large is usually the safest size to order in the highest quantity, followed closely by Medium and XL. Small and 2XL are generally needed in lower numbers, although the ideal mix can vary depending on the group.
A Simple T-Shirt Size Ratio
Another easy way to calculate a bulk order is to use this ratio:
1 Small : 2 Medium : 3 Large : 2 XL : 1 2XL
For every 10 shirts ordered, that would mean 1 Small, 3 Mediums, 3 Larges, two XLs, and one 2XL.
This t-shirt size ratio works especially well for community events, employee shirts, promotional giveaways, school fundraisers, and other situations where you do not know everyone’s size in advance.
Adjust the Size Breakdown for Your Audience
Our t-shirt size breakdown calculator and the standard formula are helpful, but they should not replace what you know about your particular audience.
For example, a younger group may require more Small and Medium shirts. A group consisting primarily of adult men may need more Large, XL, and 2XL shirts. If the shirts are being sold as merchandise, customers may also prefer a slightly roomier fit, making Large and XL especially important.
The style and brand of the shirt matter, too. Some T-shirts have a slim or fitted cut, while others are intentionally oversized. Cotton shirts may also shrink slightly after washing. Check the manufacturer’s size chart and product reviews before finalizing your quantities.
Collect T-Shirt Sizes From Your Group, If Possible!
The most accurate approach is to ask participants or customers for their sizes before placing the order. This is especially useful for employee uniforms, race registrations, sports teams, conferences, and family events.
Even when collecting sizes in advance, consider ordering a few extras. Additional shirts can cover late registrations, exchanges, damaged items, volunteers, or unexpected attendees. A good rule is to order about 5% to 10% extra, concentrating those extras in Medium, Large, and XL.
Avoid Ordering Too Many Small Shirts!
One of the most common mistakes of ordering screen-printed shirts is buying equal quantities of every size. In most adult groups, demand is not evenly distributed. Large, Medium, and XL typically account for the majority of shirts, while Small and 2XL are ordered less frequently. That means most shirt resellers or event organizers are likely to have small shirts leftover!
There is no perfect T-shirt size breakdown for every large group, but the 10%-25%-30%-25%-10% formula provides a reliable breakdown for a large crowd. Adjust it based on your audience, the shirt’s fit, and any sizing information you can collect before ordering.
Bulk T-Shirt Order Size Breakdown FAQs
For adult unisex shirts, a good starting point is 10% Small, 25% Medium, 30% Large, 25% XL, and 10% 2XL.
Large is usually the most commonly ordered adult unisex T-shirt size, followed by Medium and XL.
For 100 shirts, consider ordering 10 Small, 25 Medium, 30 Large, 25 XL, and 10 2XL.
No. Most adult groups need more Medium, Large, and XL shirts than Small or 2XL shirts.
Order about 5% to 10% extra for late attendees, exchanges, volunteers, damaged shirts, or sizing mistakes.
For resale, prioritize Medium, Large, and XL. Large is often the safest size to stock most heavily.
I hope our t-shirt size distribution calculator was helpful for your large order. Thanks for stopping by PrettySweet.com!