Each toddler size adds 1 inch of chest and 1 inch of length. That is the whole system. The age on the label is a guess about the average child; the inches are the fact.
The chart
Our toddler tee is made on a 3001T-style cotton blank. These are the manufacturer's flat measurements, in inches.
| Size | Chest (in) | Length (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 2T | 12 | 15.5 |
| 3T | 13 | 16.5 |
| 4T | 14 | 17.5 |
| 5T | 15 | 18.5 |
Chest is across the front, 1 inch below the armhole. Length is from the top of the shoulder to the hem.
How to measure a shirt that already fits
- Take a tee your child wears now without tugging at it.
- Lay it flat, smooth it out.
- Measure across the chest just under the arms. Double it if you want the full circumference, but the chart above uses the flat number.
- Measure from the top of the shoulder, next to the collar, straight down to the hem.
- Find the closest row in the chart. If the shirt you measured is between two rows, take the larger one.
The one rule
When in doubt, size up. A toddler tee that is an inch long looks like a normal tee. A toddler tee that is an inch short rides up when they lift their arms, and they will lift their arms. Kids also grow into a size faster than they grow out of one.
What 2T versus 24 months means
Brands that make both usually cut 24-month sizes for a baby who still wears a diaper: shorter, wider through the hip. 2T is cut slimmer and longer for a walking toddler. Our toddler tee starts at 2T, so it is the walking-toddler cut.
About the fabric
100% combed and ring-spun cotton at 4.2 oz, with side seams and a tear-away label. Cotton shrinks a little in the first wash, so wash cold and dry low, as on every product page. It is everyday wear, not sleepwear.
If it does not fit
You can exchange it for another size; the Returns page has the window and the steps. The adult charts are on the size guide.