NHL Size Guide
The National Hockey League (NHL) produces official licensed apparel and jerseys designed for hockey fans and players worldwide. NHL sizing emphasises a comfortable, relaxed fit that accommodates layering—essential for both on-ice wear and casual fan merchandise. Whether you're selecting a replica jersey, authentic team apparel, or footwear, this guide ensures you find the perfect size across UK, US, and European systems.
How to Measure
- Chest: Wear a fitted t-shirt. Measure horizontally around the fullest part of your chest, keeping the tape measure parallel to the ground and snug (not tight).
- Back Length: Stand upright. Measure from the base of your neck (the prominent bone at the top of your spine) straight down to your desired hem length. For jerseys, this typically ends at the hip.
- Sleeve Length: With your arm relaxed at your side, measure from the centre back neck, across your shoulder, and down to your wrist bone. This ensures sleeves hit at the correct length.
- Waist: Measure around your natural waist (where your trousers normally sit) with the tape measure parallel to the ground.
- Foot Length (for shoes): Stand on a flat surface. Measure from your heel to the tip of your longest toe. Do this in the evening when feet are slightly swollen, and measure both feet—use the longer measurement.
- Compare your measurements: Use the tables below to match your measurements to the appropriate NHL size, then cross-reference with UK, US, and EU equivalents.
Men's Jersey & Clothing Sizes
| NHL Size | US Size | EU Size | Armpit to Armpit (inches) | Back Length (inches) | Sleeve Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XXS | XXS | 42 | 19.5 | 31.5 | 32.75 |
| XS | XS | 44 | 20.5 | 32.25 | 33.25 |
| S | S | 46 | 21.5 | 33 | 33.75 |
| M | M | 50 | 22.5 | 33.25 | 34.5 |
| L | L | 52 | 23.5 | 34 | 35.25 |
| XL | XL | 54 | 24.5 | 34.25 | 35.75 |
| XXL | XXL | 56 | 25.5 | 34.5 | 36.25 |
| 3XL | 3XL | 60 | 27.5 | 35.5 | 36.5 |
Men's Shoe Sizes
| UK Size | US Size | EU Size | Foot Length (cm) | Foot Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5.5 | 38 | 23.1 | 9.1 |
| 5.5 | 6 | 39 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 6 | 6.5 | 39 | 24.1 | 9.5 |
| 6.5 | 7 | 40 | 24.4 | 9.6 |
| 7 | 7.5 | 40–41 | 24.8 | 9.75 |
| 8 | 8.5 | 41–42 | 25.7 | 10.1 |
| 9 | 9.5 | 42–43 | 26.7 | 10.43 |
| 10 | 10.5 | 43–44 | 27.3 | 10.75 |
| 11 | 11.5 | 44–45 | 28.3 | 11.1 |
| 12 | 12.5 | 45–46 | 29 | 11.42 |
| 13 | 13.5 | 46–47 | 29.8 | 11.75 |
Women's Shoe Sizes
| UK Size | US Size | EU Size | Foot Length (cm) | Foot Length (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 35 | 20.8 | 8.19 |
| 3 | 5 | 35–36 | 21.6 | 8.5 |
| 4 | 6 | 36–37 | 22.5 | 8.87 |
| 5 | 7 | 37–38 | 23.5 | 9.25 |
| 6 | 8 | 38–39 | 24.1 | 9.5 |
| 7 | 9 | 39–40 | 25.1 | 9.87 |
| 8 | 10 | 40–41 | 25.9 | 10.2 |
| 9 | 11 | 41–42 | 26.7 | 10.5 |
| 10 | 12 | 42–43 | 27.6 | 10.87 |
| 11 | 13 | 43–44 | 28.8 | 11.37 |
Product-Specific Guidance
Replica & Authentic Jerseys
NHL jerseys are cut generously to allow layering underneath and movement during play. Replica jerseys (fan-style) fit closer to your body; authentic jerseys (game-worn construction) are roomier. Measure your chest and back length carefully. If between sizes, choose the larger size for comfort and layering capability. Pay attention to sleeve length—NHL sleeves should end near your wrist bone without extending past your palm. Ensure you measure with arms relaxed at your sides.
Hockey Trainers & Footwear
NHL-branded trainers and shoes follow standard UK, US, and EU conversions shown in the tables above. Hockey-specific footwear may feature reinforced toeboxes for durability. Always measure both feet in the evening when slight swelling occurs; purchase shoes to fit your larger foot. If you're between sizes, size up rather than down, particularly for athletic footwear. Check the brand-specific fit notes, as some NHL trainers may fit snug whilst others run loose.
Hoodies, Sweatshirts & Casual Wear
Casual apparel such as hoodies and sweatshirts typically follows the same chest and length measurements as jerseys. Many customers prefer a relaxed, oversized fit for everyday wear. If you enjoy a snug fit, choose your normal size; for a comfortable, layered look, consider sizing up. Sleeve length is equally important—measure from the centre back of your neck to your wrist to ensure the sleeves don't bunch or ride too high.
Sizing Tips
- Always measure, don't assume: Jersey and apparel fit varies significantly. Use a soft tape measure and take measurements over a fitted t-shirt. Compare your exact measurements (chest, back length, sleeve length) to the chart rather than relying on letter sizes alone.
- Layer-friendly sizing: NHL apparel is designed for hockey fans and players who may wear thermal layers underneath. If you plan to wear base layers, consider sizing up by one size to maintain comfort and movement.
- Sleeve length matters: Incorrectly fitted sleeves can ruin an otherwise perfect jersey. Sleeves should end at your wrist bone—not past your fingers or above your hand. Measure from the back neck centre down your shoulder to your wrist bone with your arm relaxed.
- Shoe sizing across regions: UK, US, and EU shoe sizes do not convert with a simple formula. Always cross-reference your foot length in centimetres using the conversion tables above. When unsure, measure your foot and match it to the foot length column.
- Size up for athletic shoes: If you are between sizes in hockey trainers or athletic footwear, choose the larger size. Athletic shoes need room for movement and prevent pinching during activity. Tight shoes can cause blisters and discomfort.
- Check for brand-specific fits: Different shoe manufacturers use different lasts (the mould that shapes the shoe), so a UK size 9 may fit differently between brands. Whenever possible, check user reviews or contact customer service about the specific fit of an NHL shoe model.
- Measure feet in the evening: Feet naturally swell during the day due to activity and gravity. Measure your feet later in the day or evening for a more accurate size, and allow for half a size of extra room in shoes to accommodate this natural swelling.
- Account for one slightly larger foot: Most people have one foot slightly larger than the other. Always purchase shoes to fit your larger foot to avoid discomfort and ensure proper support throughout the day.