Neck Size Measurement Guide and Health Implications
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2019/06/14 - Updated: 2025/05/03
Publication Type: Charts, Graphs, Tables
Category Topic: Medical Calculators and Charts - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides a comprehensive guide on measuring neck size accurately, offering a detailed chart that converts neck measurements into standard collar sizes in both inches and centimeters. It emphasizes the health implications of larger neck circumferences, citing research that links increased neck size to higher risks of heart disease, insulin resistance, and sleep apnea. The article explains that fat deposits around the neck can produce inflammatory substances leading to plaque buildup in the carotid arteries, thereby affecting heart health. This information is particularly useful for individuals with disabilities or seniors who may require adaptive clothing; accurate neck measurements are crucial for comfort and proper fit. The inclusion of practical measuring tips and a printable chart enhances its utility for both personal health monitoring and clothing selection - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
The neck contains blood vessels and nerves that supply structures in the head to the body including part of the esophagus, the larynx, trachea, and thyroid gland, major blood vessels such as carotid arteries, jugular veins, and upper part of the spinal cord. In humans, the neck is defined as the part of the body that separates the head from the torso. Sensation to the front areas of the neck comes from the roots of nerves C2 – C4, and at the back of the neck from the roots of C4 – C5.
Main Content
How to Measure Neck Size
Place the measuring tape around the neck at the height where the collar would normally rest – just below your Adam's apple. Do not crane your neck out or squeeze your chin down. The tape should be resting lightly on the skin, not squeezing it.
Hold one finger under the tape measure to ensure some room for comfort. Don't pull too tightly to create unnecessary tension, just enough so that you are getting a true measurement. Make sure the tape is level and not being held at an angle.
If you measure your neck without a finger under the tape, then the dress shirt size should be 1/2 an inch larger. For example: if your neck measurement is 15" or 38 cm – then your dress shirt size should be 15½ inches or 39.5 cm.
Measuring Tips:
- If you don't have a measuring tape on hand, simply use a piece of ribbon or string and line it up against a ruler or yardstick.
- To measure an actual shirt collar that fits you and feels comfortable around the neck simply lay the shirt down on a flat service and measure from the center of the top collar button to the far end of the top collar buttonhole.
| Size | Inches | CM |
|---|---|---|
| XXXS | 14 | 36 |
| XXS | 14½ | 37.5 |
| XS | 15 | 38.5 |
| S | 15½ | 39.5 |
| M | 16 | 41.5 |
| L | 17 | 43.5 |
| XL | 17½ | 45.5 |
| XXL | 18½ | 47.5 |
| XXXL | 19½ | 49.5 |
| 4X | 20-20½ | 50.8 |
| 5X | 21 | 53.34 |
| 6X | 22 | 55.88 |
| 7X | 23 | 58.42 |
| 8X | 24 | 60.96 |
| 9X | 25 | 63.5 |
| 10X | 26 | 66.04 |
Each clothing brand has different ideas on the proper sizing – which means each brand will fit a little different from the next one. Male and Female Clothing Size Conversion Charts: Clothing conversion tables showing difference in American, Chinese, Canadian, European, UK, Australian, Italian and Japanese shoe and clothing sizes.
Handy Printable Neck Measurements Chart
Link Between Neck Size and Your Health
Most adult male neck sizes range between 14 and 19 inches (48.26 cm), with the average adult male neck circumference being around 15 inches (38.1 centimeters).
Like excess stomach fat, a large neck size is not good for your health. A recent study from Brazil showed that people with larger necks, especially males, may be at higher risk for heart disease. The study, analyzing nearly 4,000 men, researchers determined that the average adult male neck circumference is about 15". However, for every 1" increase in neck circumference, males were :
- 50% more likely to have high triglycerides.
- 32% more likely to have insulin resistance.
- 24% more likely to have raised blood pressure.
- 22% more likely to have low HDL, or good cholesterol.
According to study author Cristina Baena, Ph.D., fat deposits around your neck can produce inflammatory substances that lead to plaque buildup in the carotid arteries in your neck, which hampers your heart health. Note, men with thicker necks due to strong, developed trap muscles are not as likely to face the same risk factors. In addition, people with large neck sizes are vulnerable to sleep apnea as they have a more constricted airway, thus making it difficult for air to pass in and out of the lungs.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Understanding the correlation between neck size and health risks underscores the importance of regular measurements, especially for populations at higher risk, such as seniors and individuals with disabilities. Healthcare providers and caregivers can utilize this information to monitor potential health issues proactively. Moreover, accurate neck measurements are essential in the design and selection of adaptive clothing, ensuring both comfort and functionality for users. This resource serves as a valuable tool in promoting better health outcomes and quality of life - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.