Getting the left chest logo size right is the difference between a shirt that looks professional and one where the logo looks like a sticker. The numbers below are the standard sizes embroidery shops use for polos, tees, button-downs, jackets and fleece, along with how to place the logo and how small text can go.
Standard left chest logo size and dimensions
Width is the number most shops and digitizers work from. A 3.5 in wide logo reads clearly from across a room without crowding the chest on a medium or large adult shirt, which is why it has become the default. Height depends on the logo's shape, so a square or round logo should be sized by height rather than width.
| Logo shape | Typical width | Typical height |
|---|---|---|
| Wide wordmark (name in one line) | 3.5 to 4 in | 1 to 1.5 in |
| Horizontal logo with icon | 3.5 in | 1.5 to 2 in |
| Stacked logo (icon above text) | 3 to 3.5 in | 2 to 2.5 in |
| Square or round badge | 2.75 to 3 in | 2.75 to 3 in |
A good rule: keep the height under about 3 in on a standard adult shirt. A round logo at 4 in across looks oversized, even though a 4 in wordmark looks normal.
Left chest embroidery size by garment
| Garment | Typical width | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Men's or unisex polo | 3.5 to 4 in | The most common placement of all |
| Men's T-shirt | 3 to 4 in | Lighter designs sew better on thin jersey |
| Button-down or dress shirt | 3 to 3.5 in | Keep clear of the button placket and any pocket |
| Women's polo or blouse | 2.5 to 3.5 in | Smaller and slightly higher (see below) |
| Youth shirt | 2.5 to 3 in | Scale down so the logo does not wrap under the arm |
| Quarter-zip, fleece or sweatshirt | 3.5 to 4.5 in | Thicker fabric can carry a slightly larger logo |
| Jacket, soft shell or vest | 4 to 5 in | Check zipper and seam positions before sizing |
| Scrubs or lab coat | 2.5 to 3.5 in | Often placed above a chest pocket |
If you order for a mixed run of sizes, most shops use one file for adult S to XL and a smaller file for youth and fitted women's garments. Very large adult sizes (3XL and up) can take a slightly bigger version. Each different size is a separate file, because density and pull compensation are set for the finished size.
Where to place a left chest logo
"Left chest" means the wearer's left, which is on your right as you face the shirt. The standard placement is measured from the high point of the shoulder, where the shoulder seam meets the collar.
- Find the high point of the shoulder on the wearer's left side, at the neck.
- Measure down 7 to 9 in. Use about 7 in on small sizes and about 9 in on XL and larger. This point marks the top of the logo or its center, depending on the shop's habit, so stay consistent across a run.
- Center it horizontally between the edge of the placket (or center front on a tee) and the side seam.
- Check it on a body or form. A logo that looks right flat can sit too low once the shirt is worn.
A clear plastic placement ruler or a printed paper template makes placement consistent across dozens of shirts, and it is quicker than measuring each one.
Men's vs women's placement
On women's fitted garments, the logo usually sits a little higher (about 6 to 8 in down) and a little closer to center, so it stays flat on the upper chest instead of curving over the bust. It is also often 0.5 in narrower than the men's version of the same order.
Kids and youth sizes
Youth shirts usually take a 2.5 to 3 in logo placed about 5 to 7 in down from the shoulder. A full adult-size logo on a youth small can reach the armhole seam.
Pocket logo size
Shirt pockets are typically 4.5 to 5.5 in wide, so a pocket logo usually runs about 2.5 to 3.5 in wide with at least 0.5 in clear of the pocket edges and stitching. Stitching through a sewn-on pocket also stitches it to the shirt, which closes the pocket in that area, so many shops place the logo just above the pocket instead, about 0.5 to 1 in over the pocket top. On garments where the pocket is embroidered before it is sewn on, the pocket can take the logo directly.
Minimum text size in a left chest logo
Text is usually the limiting factor at left chest size. Satin lettering needs a capital height of about 0.25 in (roughly 6 mm) to stay crisp, and about 5 mm is a practical floor on stable fabrics such as twill. Below that, letters fill in, especially lowercase e, a and s. On pique polos and fleece, which have more texture, go a little larger.
If your logo has a tagline or small secondary text, check its height once the full logo is scaled to 3.5 in wide. Often the tagline ends up at 3 mm or less and needs to be dropped for embroidery. Our guide to artwork for embroidery digitizing covers other design limits.
How size affects stitch count and price
A typical 3.5 in left chest logo runs roughly 5,000 to 10,000 stitches, depending on how much of it is filled. You can estimate yours with our stitch estimator. We price by finished size rather than stitch count: any design up to 4.5 in is $14, which covers almost every left chest and pocket logo. An additional size of the same design, such as a youth version, is $6.
Scaling a stitch file by more than about 20% changes how it sews, because density and pull compensation were set for the original size. That is why each size is digitized as its own file. Our left chest digitizing page covers how these small logos are built.
Know your size? Order a left chest file and see the price before you submit. You approve the proof before you pay.