Leather Jacket Size Calculator for Men

Leather jacket sizes follow your chest measurement, but leather fits differently from a cotton or wool jacket. Leather is cut close to the body and has little stretch, so the size that’s right for you depends on what you’ll wear underneath. A man with a 40-inch chest wearing a T-shirt usually takes a medium; with a thick sweater underneath, a large.

Leather jacket size chart for men

Chest is your body measurement; sleeve runs from the shoulder seam to the wrist.

Size	US	EU	Chest (in)	Chest (cm)	Sleeve (in)
XS	34	44	34 to 35	86 to 89	25
S	36 to 38	46 to 48	36 to 38	91 to 97	25½
M	40	50	39 to 41	99 to 104	26
L	42 to 44	52 to 54	42 to 44	106 to 112	26½
XL	46	56	45 to 47	114 to 119	27
2XL	48 to 50	58 to 60	48 to 50	122 to 127	27½
3XL	52	62	51 to 53	129 to 135	28
4XL	54 to 56	64 to 66	54 to 56	137 to 142	28½

How to measure for a leather jacket

1. Chest: wrap a soft tape around the fullest part of your chest, under the arms, over a T-shirt. Keep it level and snug.
2. Sleeve: with your arm slightly bent, measure from the shoulder seam (where the shoulder ends) down to the wrist.
3. Shoulders: measure across the back from the tip of one shoulder to the other. Useful for checking a brand’s chart.

How should a leather jacket fit?

• Shoulders: the shoulder seam sits at the edge of your shoulder. This is the one thing a tailor can’t fix on leather.
• Chest: snug at first, with room to zip or button it over the layer you’ll usually wear. Leather softens and gives a little with wear, but it won’t grow a size.
• Sleeves: end at the wrist bone with your arms at your sides, and don’t ride far up when you reach forward.
• Length: most leather jackets end at or just below the belt. A biker jacket sits higher; a bomber gathers at the waist.

Should you size up in a leather jacket?

Size up when you plan to wear thick layers underneath or when you fall between two sizes. A leather jacket cut for a T-shirt will feel tight over a chunky sweater, and unlike a knit, leather can’t stretch to make up the difference. If you’ll mostly wear it over a T-shirt or a thin shirt, buy your true size for a cleaner fit.

Leather jacket styles and fit

Different styles are cut differently, so the same size can feel different. Biker and cafe racer jackets are cut closest to the body. Bombers are roomier through the body with a ribbed waistband; see what a bomber jacket is and how to wear one. For outfits built around a leather jacket, see the rugged look guide and how to wear all black.

Leather Jacket Size FAQs

Should a leather jacket be tight or loose?

A leather jacket should be snug but not tight: close across the shoulders and chest, with enough room to close it over what you usually wear underneath. Leather softens with wear but doesn’t stretch a full size.

What size leather jacket is a 40-inch chest?

A 40-inch chest usually wears a medium leather jacket (US 40, EU 50) over a T-shirt. With a thick sweater underneath, a large gives more room.

Do leather jackets stretch?

Leather jackets soften and give slightly with wear, especially at the elbows and across the back, but not by a full size. Buy the jacket to fit now, not to fit after it stretches.

Is leather jacket sizing the same as suit sizing?

Not quite. Suit jackets use the chest in inches with a length letter, such as 40R. Leather jackets usually use letter sizes, with the US number as a range. Use the suit size calculator for tailoring.