Sleeve Fitting
Check whether your sleeve has the right ease for its style, and calculate width and length adjustments to get it right.
Enter your measurements
Measure your arm and the sleeve pattern piece to check ease and calculate any adjustments needed.
Garment style
Bicep (width)
Upper arm circumference, largest point
Sleeve width at widest point (× 2 if measuring half-piece)
Sleeve length
Shoulder point to wrist, arm slightly bent
Cap seamline to wrist seamline on pattern
How to measure bicep circumference
Relax your arm at your side. Wrap the tape measure around your upper arm at its widest point — usually just below the armpit crease. Don't flex. Take the measurement snug but not tight.
This is your body bicep. It typically runs 11–15" for most adults, though it varies significantly with build.
How to measure the pattern bicep
Lay the sleeve pattern flat. Find the widest horizontal measurement — this is usually about 1–2" below the cap seamline. If the sleeve is a single piece (no seam at the sleeve bottom), fold it in half and measure the folded width, then double it for the full circumference. If the pattern has front and back sleeve pieces, measure across both and add them.
The difference between this pattern measurement and your body bicep is the ease. For most garments, you want 1–3" of ease depending on style.
How to measure sleeve length
Body: With your arm relaxed and slightly bent, measure from the shoulder point (the bony tip of the shoulder) down the outside of the arm to your wrist bone.
Pattern: Measure along the sleeve from the cap seamline (not the cut edge) straight down to the wrist seamline, following the grainline.