How to Measure a Man for a Suit Jacket

By: Melissa King

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Many formal events, such as weddings, dinner parties and job interviews, require a man to wear a suit. It doesn't matter how stylish a suit is, though, if it doesn't fit a man properly. The right suit gives a man a polished, put-together look, while one that's too big or too small looks sloppy and unprofessional. You can get a man's accurate suit size by measuring his chest and height.

Step 1

Ask the man to stand up as straight as possible with his arms pressed against his sides.

Step 2

Wrap a tape measure around the broadest part of the man's shoulders and upper-arm area. Take the measurement in inches. This is the over-arm measurement.

Step 3

Have the man lift his arms, then wrap a tape measure around his chest just below his armpits. This is the chest measurement.

Step 4

Subtract 7 inches from the over-arm measurement, then compare it with the chest measurement. Keep the larger of the two measurements.

Step 5

Measure the man's height from the top of his head to his feet. If the man is between 5-foot-4 and 5-foot-6, he needs a short suit. If he's between 5-foot-7 and 5-foot-11, he will need a regular suit. If his height is between 5-foot-11 1/2 to 6-foot-2 1/2, he needs a long suit. Men taller than 6-foot-3 require an extra-long or X-long suit.

Step 6

Consult a sizing chart to determine the exact suit size for the man. Find the man's height on the chart, and then look for his chest size to determine the suit size.