Take this measurement with you when you shop for new dress shirts. To measure a dress shirts sleeve length start by spreading the dress shirt out on its front. Place one end of the measuring tape at the center of the back of the collar just below the collar band. Run the measuring tape over your shoulder and let it hang down to your hand. We will do that for you. Run the measuring tape along the yoke and down the sleeve to the end of the cuff.
To measure your neck size and sleeve length start by wrapping a measuring tape around your neck so its 1 inch above the base of your neck. How to measure sleeve length. Next find your first sleeve measurement by placing the end of the measuring tape right below the nape of your neck and measuring from that point to the stitching at the shoulder. Pull the sleeve firmly away from the dress shirt body. Place one end of the measuring tape at the base of the center of the back of the neck. More information on the european method.
For suit jacket sleeves subtract an additional 12 inch 13 cm so the sleeve will be the correct length and allow your shirt cuff to pop out from underneath. Then write down the measurement. Always slightly bend the elbow when measuring to allow for extra ease. Measure from the center back of your neck at your spine to the end of your shoulder at the top of your arm. In most cases the sleeve length varies from 32 inches 813 cm to 37 inches 94 cm and everything in between. Measure from your shoulder to just past your wrist bone to where you would like your shirt cuff to sit.
Some mostly taller people may have arm lengths over 39 inches 100 cm and should wear dress shirts with extra long sleeves. Measure to the center of the meaty part of your palm. Do not adjust for shrinkage. Round down or up as you normally would. Record the measurement you got to the nearest 14 inch 06 cm.