How to Order the Right T-Shirt Sizes for Groups

Planning a group t-shirt order? Whether you’re organizing a company event, creating branded merch, or outfitting a team, one of the trickiest parts is choosing the right sizes.

How many smalls do you need? Should you include 3XL? What if you don’t know everyone’s size?

Good news—you don’t have to guess.

At Rush Order Tees, we’ve processed over 500,000 group orders, so we’ve created this guide to help you confidently order the right t-shirt sizes for your group—based on data, experience, and real-world tips.

Recommended Group T-Shirt Size Distribution

Here’s the standard size breakdown we recommend for large group t-shirt orders. This ratio covers most typical adult groups:

Small (S): 10%
Medium (M): 24%
Large (L): 32%
XL (XL): 24%
2XL (2XL): 10%

Quick formula: Use the 1 – 2 – 3 – 3 – 1 ratio (S–M–L–XL–2XL) to guide your initial order.

This distribution works well when you’re ordering for the general public, employees, customers, or event attendees without specific size information.

✅ Pro tip: When in doubt, size up. People are more likely to wear a shirt that’s a little too big than one that’s too small.

Factors That Affect Group Shirt Sizing

While the standard breakdown is a great starting point, other factors can influence your final size distribution.

👥 Group Size

For smaller groups, you may not need the full range of sizes. Stick to the basics:

XS and 3XL+ are usually unnecessary unless requested.
The 1–2–3–3–1 ratio is even more helpful when you don’t have size info.

For larger groups, include extended sizes (XS, 3XL, etc.) as needed.

🧵 Fabric Shrinkage

Different fabrics shrink differently after washing:

100% Cotton – Shrinks about 2–5%, especially if not preshrunk.
50/50 Blends, Tri-blends, Polyester – Shrink very little (if at all).

Tip: If you’re using 100% cotton shirts, consider rounding up a size for a more comfortable fit after washing.

Learn more in our guide: Polyester vs. Cotton vs. Blends: Choosing the Best T-Shirt Fabric

🧘 Event Type & Audience

Think about who will be wearing the shirts and why:

Casual events (BBQs, festivals, company picnics): Order more L–XL–2XL.
Fitness, wellness, or youth events (yoga retreats, school functions): Order more S–M.
Workforce orders (retail staff, contractors): Go heavier on standard L–XL sizes.

Also consider fit preferences—younger or fashion-conscious groups may prefer slimmer or more form-fitting styles.

👕 Unisex vs. Women’s vs. Men’s Cuts

Most group t-shirts are ordered in unisex sizes, which are based on men’s sizing. However, women’s cuts are designed differently:

Narrower shoulders
Shorter sleeves
Tapered waist and flared hips
Longer body length

If your group includes a significant number of women, consider offering both unisex and women’s fit options.

Some women prefer the looser fit of a unisex shirt—especially for casual or oversized styling.

Learn more in our guide: The Essential Women’s T-Shirt Fit Guide

How We Developed This Size Recommendation

Our sizing distribution comes from:

Historical sales data from hundreds of thousands of orders
Customer feedback and size return trends
Input from our experienced sales and production teams

The result? A reliable formula you can count on—regardless of your group’s size or purpose.

Best T-Shirts for Group Orders

When ordering for a group, you want shirts that are comfortable, reliable, and size-inclusive. Here are three of our top picks for group t-shirt orders:

✅ Gildan SoftStyle® Short Sleeve T-Shirt

Lightweight, ringspun cotton for a soft feel
Great for printing and available in many sizes and colors

✅ Next Level Cotton Blend T-Shirt

Fashion-forward, slim-fit option
Cotton/poly blend for softness and stretch

✅ Hanes Perfect-T T-Shirt

Classic fit and heavyweight feel
Excellent for staff shirts, giveaways, or repeat wear

Explore more options in our budget-friendly t-shirt catalog.

Ordering Group T-Shirts: Final Tips

Start with the 1–2–3–3–1 size ratio (S–M–L–XL–2XL)
Consider your audience, event type, and fabric
Offer women’s cuts when appropriate
Size up to avoid unwearable shirts
Use our customer support team if you’re still unsure—we’re happy to help

Ready to Order?

You can start your order online in minutes. Upload your design, choose your shirt, and we’ll handle the rest. Don’t forget to add a note if you need specific sizes, styles, or fit preferences—we’ve got your back.