Jersey Sizing Compared: Football, NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA
Updated 15 September 2026 · by the Jersey Pro Center team
Quick answer
Fit differs by sport, not by brand. Football shirts are the trim silhouette and an authentic cut runs smallest — size up. NFL jerseys are cut to layer over a hoodie, so they run largest. NBA jerseys are long and boxy through the body. MLB jerseys are button-front and roomy in the chest. NHL jerseys are the bulkiest of all, built to go over pads. NCAA jerseys follow the sport they belong to. Across all of them, if you are between sizes, take the larger one — and check the size guide before ordering.
One size chart does not fit five sports. Here is how each jersey is actually cut, and what to order in each one.
Why one size chart does not fit five sports
A football shirt and an NHL jersey are both called a jersey and both come in a size L, and they will fit you completely differently. That is not an inconsistency, it is the point: each one is cut for what happens on the field or the ice. Here is what that means when you are standing in front of your closet.
| Sport | How it fits | Buy if you want it fitted | Buy if you want it roomy | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Football shirt standard / fan cut |
Trim through the body, sits close to the shoulder | Your usual size | One size up | Football shirts |
| Football shirt authentic cut |
Closest fit of anything we sell | One size up | Two sizes up | Real Madrid · Chelsea |
| NFL | Cut to layer over a hoodie — the roomiest everyday fit | One size down | Your usual size | Chiefs · Bills |
| NBA | Long in the body, wide at the armhole, sleeveless | One size down | Your usual size | Lakers · Celtics |
| MLB | Button-front, roomy in the chest, straight hem | Your usual size | One size up | Yankees |
| NHL | Bulkiest of all — built to sit over protective gear | One size down | Your usual size | Oilers |
| NCAA | Follows its sport — football and basketball cuts differ | Your usual size | One size up | Iowa Hawkeyes |
The three questions that get sizing right
Football shirts: the two cuts you have to tell apart
This is where most sizing mistakes happen, because the same club shirt exists in two cuts. The standard fan cut is relaxed and true to size. The authentic cut is tapered and close to the body — if you buy your usual size in an authentic-cut shirt, expect a fitted look, and if you are between sizes, go up.
Authentic-cut shirts we hold right now: Real Madrid 2026-27 away, Manchester City 2025-26 home, Chelsea 2026-27 home match, Juventus 2026-27 home, PSG 2025-26 third.
Kids, womens and baby sizing
Kids football shirts run on age brackets rather than chest measurements, so if a child is between brackets, go up — they will grow into it within a season. Womens cuts are shaped through the waist and run slightly smaller in the shoulder than the equivalent mens size. Baby and mini kits are stocked at Real Madrid, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Juventus.
NFL: the one jersey people buy too big
NFL jerseys are designed to go over a hoodie on a cold stadium day. That is great if you are layering and slightly baffling if you are not. If you plan to wear yours over a t-shirt, consider sizing down; if you plan to wear it in January, your usual size is right.
Chiefs jerseys Bills jerseys Eagles jerseys
NBA: long, boxy, and meant to be
Basketball jerseys are cut long with wide armholes because they are worn over shorts and a compression layer. A size down gives you a cleaner streetwear silhouette; your usual size gives you the authentic on-court drape. Both are correct — it depends whether you are wearing it to play or to wear.
Lakers jerseys Celtics jerseys
MLB, NHL and NCAA
MLB jerseys are button-front with a straight hem and a roomy chest — true to size, size up only if you want to layer. NHL jerseys are the bulkiest thing we sell, cut for protective gear; size down unless you are layering. NCAA jerseys follow whichever sport they belong to, so check whether you are looking at a football or a basketball cut before choosing.
Yankees jerseys Oilers jerseys Iowa Hawkeyes
Still not sure?
Measure a shirt you already own and love, lay it flat, and compare it against the chart on our size guide page. And remember the 30-day returns — a wrong size is an inconvenience, not a disaster.
Open the size guide Mens Womens Youth Kids
Common questions
Do football shirts run small?
Standard fan-cut football shirts are true to size. Authentic-cut football shirts run small — size up, especially if you are between sizes.
Should I size up or down for an NFL jersey?
NFL jerseys are cut to layer over a hoodie. If you are layering, take your usual size. If you are wearing it over a t-shirt, size down.
How do NBA jerseys fit?
Long in the body and wide at the armhole. Size down for a cleaner streetwear fit, or stay at your usual size for the on-court drape.
Are NHL jerseys bigger than football shirts?
Yes, considerably. NHL jerseys are built to sit over protective gear and are the bulkiest we sell. Size down unless you are layering.
How do kids football shirt sizes work?
Kids sizes run on age brackets. If a child is between brackets, go up — they will grow into it within a season.
What if it still does not fit?
30-day free returns. Shipping is free over $57, otherwise a flat $7, and orders ship in 7-15 business days.
Jersey Pro Center ships fan-version football shirts, basketball and baseball jerseys, NHL and NCAA kits to the US, Canada, UK, EU and Australia. Free shipping over $57 · 30-day returns · Use code SUBSCRIBE10 for 10% off your first order.