In this guide, we’ll be discussing how much a t-shirt weighs. We’ll be taking a look at the most popular brands and seeing the difference in weight.
The weight of a t-shirt can impact its look and feel so it’s important to know before making a purchase.
Also, t-shirts that weigh less could often mean thinner material which means it can be easier to rip. T-shirts that weigh heavier could be a thicker material which means they could be more durable.
For example, we use heavyweight cotton in our t-shirts which are around 6.5 ounces which makes them very durable and last a long time.
While often overlooked, t-shirt weight is an important factor to consider before making your next t-shirt purchase.
Let’s dive in.
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How Much Does a T-Shirt Weigh?
While t-shirt weight ranges from brand to brand, the average weight of a t-shirt ranges from 4.0 ounces to 6.0 ounces.
There are exceptions of course with heavyweight cotton weighing around 6.5 ounces, but the majority of shirts follow the weight range above.
There are many factors that influence t-shirt weight, let’s take a brief look at some of them now.
Factors That Influence T-Shirt Weight
We all know that not all t-shirts are created equal. But have you ever stopped to think about the factors that influence a t-shirt’s weight?
1. Fabric
There are two main types of fabric that are used to make t-shirts: cotton and polyester. Cotton is a natural fiber that is derived from plants. It is soft, breathable, and absorbent. Polyester is a synthetic fiber that is made from petroleum products. It is less absorbent than cotton and can often be cheaper to produce.
2. Type of T-Shirt
T-shirts come in a variety of weights, depending on the type of fabric they are made from. The three most common types of t-shirts are heavyweight, light heavyweight, and microweight.

Heavyweight T-Shirts
Heavyweight t-shirts usually weigh above 6 ounces and are made from thicker fabrics and are typically worn in colder weather. They are also less likely to shrink in the wash.
Midweight T-Shirts
Midweight t-shirts usually weigh around 5 ounces and are made from thinner fabrics and are typically worn in warmer weather. These can be seen as the go-to t-shirt for an average temperature day.
Lightweight T-Shirts
Lightweight t-shirts usually weigh less than 4.5 ounces and would feel softer and are usually worn on hotter days.
Microweight T-Shirts
Microweight t-shirts are made from the thinnest fabrics and are often used for activewear or as undershirts.
3. Size
T-shirt size also plays a role in how heavy the shirt is. A larger t-shirt will typically weigh more than a smaller one. This is fairly self-explanatory.
4. Manufacturer
The manufacturer of a t-shirt can also affect its weight. Some manufacturers use heavier fabrics than others, which will result in a heavier shirt.
5. Brand
The third factor that affects the weight of the t-shirt is the brand of the shirt. Some brands prefer to use heavier t-shirts while some prefer lighter ones.
Since it ranges from brand to brand, let’s take a quick look at some of the average weights based on a few popular brands
Fruit of the Loom | 4.5 oz. – 6 oz. |
Gildan | 4 oz. – 6.5 oz. |
American Apparel | 4 oz. – 6 oz. |
As you see, there isn’t much variation from brand to brand so it’s safe to say that the weight of a t-shirt ranges from around 4 oz. for their lightest shirts to 6oz. for their more heavyweight-type shirts.
Does Gender Affect the Weight of T-Shirts?
In general, you will find that t-shirts designed for males will be a bit heavier than t-shirts designed for females.
But this also factors into the types of shirts we mentioned above. Male shirts tend to be more midweight whereas female shirts tend to be more lightweight.
It’s also important to note that there is a wide range of weights and body types so it’s hard to give a definite answer.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can find a range between the average weight of t-shirts but it can very based on what we discussed above.
The best thing to do is to pay attention to the weight of the shirt when buying it and then this will give you an idea of whether the shirt is heavyweight, midweight, or lightweight.

Nate Torres is the founder of no clout. With an interest in streetwear, he decided to start this blog and share his love of streetwear with the rest of the world. Outside of running this blog, he also has interests in photography, music, and gaming.