How to Choose Youth Soccer Uniforms? | Fit-First Size Guide

Youth soccer sizing follows no universal rule. A child who wears a size 12 shirt from one brand might need a Youth Large from another, and the age labels on the tags rarely match the measurement tables underneath. The reliable way to choose a youth soccer uniform is to take four measurements—height, chest, waist, and inseam—then compare them against the specific brand’s chart for the jersey and shorts set you’re buying. This guide walks through the process and explains the numbers you’ll see on the major youth size charts.

Measure The Player Before The Uniform

Accurate measurements come first because youth sizes are tied to body dimensions, not age. U.S. Soccer’s official youth size chart, which the federation labels “For reference only,” lists sizes by height and chest-waist ranges rather than grade level. The same logic appears across club and manufacturer charts, all of which anchor their sizes to numbers you can measure at home.

Take these four measurements with a soft tape measure:

• Height: Have the child stand flat against a wall, then measure from the floor to the top of the head.
• Chest: Wrap the tape around the fullest part of the chest, keeping it level under the arms.
• Waist: Measure around the natural waistline, typically just above the belly button.
• Inseam: Measure from the top of the inner thigh down to the ankle bone for shorts length.

Write the numbers down in inches. Then find the chart for the exact brand and supplier your team uses, not a generic youth chart from another manufacturer. The variation between brands is significant, so the chart that matters is the one tied to the uniform set you’re ordering.

What The Major Youth Size Charts Actually Show

The size labels across charts line up roughly, but the measurement bands differ enough that age alone will mislead you. U.S. Soccer’s reference chart shows Youth Small (8) at a 52″ height with a 27″ chest and 23″ waist. Youth Medium (10-12) runs 55″-59″ in height with a 28″-30″ chest and 24″-25″ waist. Youth Large (14-16) spans 62″-64″ in height, a 32″-33″ chest, and a 26″-27 1/2″ waist. Youth XL (18-20) tops out at 66″-68″ in height with a 34 1/2″-36″ chest and 28 1/2″-29 1/2″ waist.

Club charts tell a similar story with slightly different numbers. Charlestown Youth Soccer Association’s sizing lists a Small jersey at a 28″-29.5″ chest and 24″-25″ waist, while a Large runs 33″-34″ chest and 28.5″-30″ waist. The Leominster Youth Soccer Association chart sizes youth shorts by waist bands like 22″/24″, 26″/28″, and 28″/30″. None of these match each other exactly, and that’s the point: the correct size for your child depends entirely on which chart you use.

Manufacturer charts add a height-weight layer. An Adidas uniform chart indexed by league athletics pairs Youth Small (6-8) with a 52″-54″ height and 66-75 lbs, and Youth Medium (10-12) with 55″-58″ and 76-85 lbs. Score Sports publishes both chest-waist ranges and body-width-length cut measurements, so you can compare a Youth Medium’s 17″ body width against your child’s actual torso instead of guessing from the age label.

Handle The Between-Sizes Decision And Team Orders

When measurements fall between two sizes, decide based on the uniform’s purpose. A jersey worn over a base layer with room to move calls for the larger size; a snug fit for a goalkeeper or a player who dislikes loose fabric calls for the smaller one. Youth uniforms shrink in the wash, so when in doubt about a cotton-blend kit, sizing up is the safer call.

Team ordering adds one more wrinkle: check whether the supplier uses youth-only sizing or a mixed chart that jumps from Youth Large into adult Small or XS. Some suppliers switch to adult ranges right after YL, which changes the measurement bands entirely. Knowing that before you order prevents a batch of uniforms that fit nobody.

Once you’ve matched your child’s measurements to the right chart, the choice narrows to style and budget. See our tested picks for the best youth soccer uniforms for a breakdown of the top-reviewed kits and how they fit.

FAQs

Should I size up in youth soccer uniforms?

Yes, when measurements fall between sizes or the jersey is cotton-blend. A larger size leaves room for a base layer and accounts for shrinkage in the wash. A snug fit works only for players who prefer a tight cut, but most youth kits fit better slightly loose.

Do youth soccer sizes match regular clothing sizes?

Not reliably. Youth soccer charts from U.S. Soccer, club associations, and manufacturers like Adidas and Score Sports all use different measurement bands for similar labels. A child’s regular size 10 shirt may correspond to a Youth Small, Medium, or Large depending on the chart you’re using.

What measurements do I need to size a youth soccer jersey?

Take the child’s height, chest, waist, and inseam. The chest measurement determines jersey size on most charts, while waist and inseam guide shorts sizing. Height helps confirm the overall fit, especially for brands that list height bands alongside chest ranges.