Online shoppers can’t try anything on. They can’t feel the fabric, slip on the shoe, or check if a ring will actually fit. So when your size labels just say “S, M, L,” a lot of people do one of two things: they guess, or they leave.
That guessing is expensive. According to Coresight Research and Alvanon (2025), roughly 70% of online apparel returns are driven by size and fit issues — making “it didn’t fit” the single biggest reason customers send products back. And returns aren’t cheap: they cost retailers about $30 for every $100 in returned merchandise (RILA Link Returns Panel, via Optoro).
A clear Shopify size chart tackles this at the source. It gives shoppers the measurements they need to choose the right size the first time — which means more confident purchases, fewer “what size should I get?” messages, and fewer returns landing back at your warehouse.
This guide covers everything you need: what a Shopify size chart is, where to put it, how to add one (three methods, including the native Shopify way), best practices, examples by product type, and how to decide between a manual setup and an app.
📌 Key takeaways before you dive in:
- A Shopify size chart shows body or product measurements on the product page, so shoppers can pick the right size before they buy.
- Size and fit drive about 70% of online apparel returns (Coresight & Alvanon, 2025), so a clear size chart targets the #1 cause of returns.
- You can add one three ways: manually in a product description, natively with metafields, or with a size chart app.
- For best results, place it near the size selector, keep it mobile-friendly, and use product-specific charts.
What is a Shopify size chart?
A Shopify size chart is a sizing guide shown on your store — usually on the product page — that helps shoppers compare body or product measurements before they buy. Depending on the product, it includes measurements like chest, waist, hips, length, inseam, foot length, ring diameter, or a pet’s neck and chest size.
Size charts come in a few common formats, and the right one depends on your products and your theme:
| Size chart format | Best for |
|---|---|
| Table | Apparel, footwear, accessories — anything with clean numeric measurements |
| Popup / modal | Product pages where you want to save space and keep the layout clean |
| Size guide tab | Stores with detailed product info that’s already organized in tabs |
| Image or video guide | Products that need “how to measure” instructions |
| Size recommendation widget | Stores that want to guide shoppers to a size based on their inputs |
| Dedicated size guide page | Larger catalogs that need one central place for all charts |
Most successful stores use a table inside a popup near the size selector — it’s scannable, mobile-friendly, and doesn’t clutter the page. (Tables also tend to be more SEO- and AI-friendly than images, because the text inside them can be read and indexed.)
Why size charts matter for Shopify stores
Size charts aren’t just a formatting nicety. They’re a conversion and customer-experience tool that affects real business outcomes. Here’s what a clear size guide does for your store.
It reduces sizing hesitation
When shoppers aren’t sure which size to pick, they hesitate — and hesitation at the size selector is one of the quietest conversion killers there is. A clear chart removes the guesswork by showing exact measurements, so people feel confident enough to add to cart.
It reduces size-related returns
Wrong-size purchases are the #1 driver of apparel returns. With online apparel and footwear return rates around 23.4% (Coresight & Alvanon, 2025) and ~70% of those returns tied to fit, giving shoppers accurate measurements before checkout is one of the most direct ways to bring returns down. For a real example, see how one store boosted conversions and reduced returns with a clearer size guide.
It improves fit confidence
Fit confidence means a shopper feels sure enough about their size to actually complete the purchase. Objective measurements — backed up by fit notes like “runs small” or “relaxed fit” — turn “I think this is my size?” into “yes, this is my size.”
It cuts down on support questions
If you’ve ever answered “does this run small?” or “what size should I order?” five times in a day, a size chart is your friend. A good guide answers these questions right on the product page, so your support team can focus on the harder stuff.
It makes your product page feel more professional
A polished, easy-to-read size guide signals that you’ve thought about the buying experience. That little bit of trust matters most at the exact moment someone is deciding whether to spend money with you.
The big picture: Returns reached an estimated $890 billion in the US in 2024 (NRF & Happy Returns), and online orders are returned at roughly double the rate of in-store purchases. You can't eliminate returns — but for fit-sensitive products, a good size chart targets the single largest cause.
Which Shopify stores need a size chart?
Any store selling size-based products should have one — especially if your products have multiple variants, international sizing, or fit that’s easy to get wrong. Here’s how it plays out across categories:
- Fashion & apparel — shirts, dresses, pants, jackets, hoodies, swimwear, activewear, uniforms. The classic use case, and the one where returns hurt most.
- Footwear — shoes, boots, sandals, sneakers. Shoppers need US/UK/EU conversions plus foot length in cm.
- Jewelry — rings, bracelets, necklaces, watches. Diameter and circumference matter, and getting a ring size wrong is a guaranteed return.
- Pet accessories — collars, harnesses, coats, pet apparel. Owners need to measure neck, chest, and back length.
- Kids & baby — sizing by age, height, and weight reduces a lot of confusion (and a lot of returns).
- International stores — anyone selling across regions needs unit conversion and clear US/UK/EU/AU equivalents.
Where should you display size charts on Shopify product pages?
A size chart should be easy to find before the shopper selects a variant or clicks “Add to cart” — that’s the exact moment they need it. Putting it too low on the page (or only in the footer) means most people never see it.
Here are the placements that work, and when to use each:
| Placement | Best for | Main benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Near the size selector | Apparel, footwear | Helps shoppers decide right where they choose |
| Popup / “Size Guide” link | Clean product pages | Keeps the layout tidy, one click to open |
| Product information tab | Detailed PDPs | Keeps sizing organized with other specs |
| Below the product description | Measurement-heavy products | Adds context as part of the product story |
| Dedicated size guide page | Large, multi-category catalogs | One central place for every chart |
The most reliable pattern: a short link like “Size Guide,” “View Size Chart,” “Find Your Size,” or “How to Measure” right beside the size selector, opening a popup with the chart.
Don't forget mobile. Most Shopify traffic is on phones, and a size chart that's tiny, cut off, or hard to close on a small screen creates the same friction it's supposed to remove. Make sure the popup opens cleanly, the table scrolls or stacks neatly, and the close button is easy to tap.
How to add a size chart to Shopify (3 methods)
There are three ways to add a size chart to Shopify, ranging from fully manual to fully automated. Here’s how each works, who it’s for, and the trade-offs.
Method 1: Add a size chart manually in the product description
The simplest option: paste a small table directly into a product’s description using the rich-text editor.
- Best for: very small stores with only a handful of products.
- Pros: free, no app, no code, quick for a single product.
- Cons: painful to manage at scale, easy to end up with inconsistent formatting, and you have to update every product by hand when sizing changes.
Method 2: Add a size chart with theme code (the native Shopify way)
Shopify doesn’t have a single one-click “add size chart” button, but you can build one natively using metafields and the theme editor. This is the method Shopify documents in its own Help Center, and it works well on Online Store 2.0 themes (like Dawn).
Here’s the high-level process:
- Create a size chart page. Go to Online Store → Pages → Add page and build your size chart table there.
- Create a page-type metafield. Go to Settings → Custom data → Products → Add definition, and set the type to Page. This lets you attach a size guide page to each product.
- Assign the chart to your products. On each product, use the new metafield to select which size chart page applies.
- Show it in your theme. In the theme editor, add a block (a popup or collapsible row) near the variant picker and connect it to the metafield using a dynamic source.
- Best for: stores with developer support or merchants comfortable in the theme editor.
- Pros: more design control, no monthly fee, matches your theme.
- Cons: requires an Online Store 2.0 theme that supports dynamic sources (vintage themes need custom Liquid code), you’re limited to one page per metafield, an unassigned product can show a blank popup, and you’ll need to maintain it after theme updates.
Method 3: Use a Shopify size chart app
A dedicated app handles charts, display rules, and design for you — no code required. This is the most common choice for growing stores because it scales without the manual upkeep.
- Best for: growing stores, fashion and footwear brands, global merchants, and anyone managing many products or product types.
- Pros: no coding, easy to manage many charts, templates to start fast, flexible display options (table, image, video, tab, popup), bulk CSV import, unit conversion, multi-language, and smart/AI size recommendations.
- Cons: a monthly subscription (though most apps, including MP Size Chart, have a free plan to start).
If you’re weighing your options, we compare the leading tools in the best Shopify size chart apps.
For example, MP Size Chart & Size Guide lets you create unlimited size charts, start from 30+ industry-specific templates, import in bulk via CSV, display charts as images/videos/tabs/tables, support 20+ languages with auto unit conversion, and keep everything organized on one auto-synced size guide page — all without touching theme code.
Native Shopify vs. a size chart app: which should you use?
Both can work — the right choice comes down to catalog size, how much variety your charts need, and how much time you want to spend maintaining them. Here’s a side-by-side.
| Factor | Native (metafields + theme) | Size chart app |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Free plan to paid (typically ~$7–$25/mo) |
| Setup effort | Moderate (metafields + theme editor) | Low (templates, no code) |
| Per-product charts | Manual, one page per metafield | Built-in display rules |
| Templates | Build your own | Ready-made (30+ in MP Size Chart) |
| Bulk management / CSV | Not supported | Supported |
| Unit conversion & languages | Manual | Automatic |
| AI / smart recommendations | Not available | Available |
| Maintenance after theme updates | You handle it | App handles it |
Quick rule of thumb:
- A handful of products, one or two simple charts, and a developer on hand? Native is fine.
- Many products, multiple categories, international shoppers, or you just don't want to manage code? An app will save you hours and scale with you.
What should a good Shopify size chart include?
A great size chart does more than list S/M/L — it gives shoppers everything they need to choose confidently. Aim to include:
- Clear measurements, not just labels. Bust, waist, hips, shoulder, length, inseam, foot length, ring diameter, pet neck/chest/back — whatever fits your product.
- Units that match your shoppers — include both inches and centimeters if you sell internationally.
- Size conversions — US, UK, EU, AU, and other regional sizes where relevant.
- Measurement instructions — a short “how to measure” so shoppers measure themselves (or the product) correctly.
- Visual examples — an image or short video where measuring isn’t obvious.
- Fit notes — tell people if an item runs true to size, slim, relaxed, oversized, or stretchy.
- Product-specific context — don’t reuse a dress chart for shoes or rings. Different products, different charts.
Shopify size chart best practices
Once you’ve got the basics in place, these practices help your size guide actually move the needle on confidence and returns.
- Keep it easy to scan. Too many columns overwhelm. Use clean formatting and readable type.
- Put it close to the buying decision. Near the size selector or add-to-cart — not buried at the bottom.
- Use product-specific charts. One generic chart for everything causes more confusion than it solves when sizing varies by category or supplier.
- Include body and garment measurements when useful. Body measurements help shoppers pick a size; garment measurements show the actual fit.
- Add visual measuring instructions. Show where and how to measure with an image or short clip.
- Support international shoppers. Automatic unit conversion and translated sizing remove friction for global customers.
- Test on mobile. Open, read, and close the chart on a phone before you call it done.
- Keep charts updated. When suppliers, cuts, or sizing standards change, update the chart so it stays accurate.
Size chart examples by product type
Different products need different measurements. Here are starting templates for the most common Shopify categories.
Apparel size chart example
| Size | Bust | Waist | Hips | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 86 cm | 68 cm | 92 cm | 60 cm |
| M | 90 cm | 72 cm | 96 cm | 62 cm |
| L | 94 cm | 76 cm | 100 cm | 64 cm |
Best for: dresses, tops, jackets, swimwear.
Footwear size chart example
| US | UK | EU | Foot length (cm) | Foot length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6 | 40 | 25.0 | 9.8 |
| 8 | 7 | 41 | 25.7 | 10.1 |
| 9 | 8 | 42 | 26.5 | 10.4 |
Best for: shoes, sandals, boots, sneakers.
Selling footwear internationally? See our shoe size conversion chart (EU/US/UK), plus men-to-women and women-to-men shoe size conversions.
Jewelry (ring) size chart example
| Ring size (US) | Diameter (mm) | Circumference (mm) | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 16.5 | 51.9 | L½ | 52 |
| 7 | 17.3 | 54.4 | N½ | 54 |
| 8 | 18.1 | 57.0 | P½ | 57 |
Best for: rings, bracelets, necklaces.
Pet size chart example
| Size | Neck | Chest | Back length | Weight range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S | 25 cm | 40 cm | 25 cm | 2–5 kg |
| M | 30 cm | 48 cm | 30 cm | 5–9 kg |
| L | 38 cm | 58 cm | 38 cm | 9–15 kg |
Best for: collars, harnesses, dog coats, pet clothing.
How smart size recommendations improve fit confidence
A traditional size chart shows measurements and lets the shopper figure out their size. A smart (AI-powered) size recommendation goes one step further: it suggests the right size based on inputs like height, weight, body measurements, or fit preference.
That helps in a few ways:
- It reduces decision fatigue — the shopper gets a clear “you’re probably a Medium” instead of a wall of numbers.
- It helps people who don’t know how to read a size chart (which is more people than you’d think).
- It supports better fit confidence, which is exactly what brings returns down.
This is where size guidance is heading. MP Size Chart includes AI-powered size recommendations for stores that want to go beyond static tables and give shoppers a more guided experience — especially useful in apparel and footwear, where fit is hardest to judge online.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using one generic chart for every product. Different products have different measurements — reusing a single chart creates exactly the confusion you’re trying to remove.
- Hiding the chart too low on the page. Shoppers need sizing help before they decide, not after.
- Showing only S/M/L with no measurements. Labels alone don’t tell anyone whether a Medium will actually fit.
- Forgetting mobile. A chart that’s unreadable on a phone is a chart most of your shoppers can’t use.
- Ignoring international sizing. Global shoppers need familiar units and conversions, or they’ll bounce.
- Letting charts go stale. Supplier and cut changes make old charts inaccurate — and inaccurate charts cause returns.
Final checklist: Shopify size chart setup
Before you publish, run through this:
- Is the chart easy to find on the product page (near the size selector)?
- Does it include exact measurements, not just labels?
- Are the units clear (and dual inch/cm if you sell globally)?
- Is it readable and easy to close on mobile?
- Does it match the product category?
- Are international conversions included where needed?
- Are measurement instructions clear?
- Does it support your store’s language needs?
- Is it easy to update later?
Conclusion
A Shopify size chart is more than a table — it’s a confidence tool. When shoppers understand sizing clearly, they choose faster, buy more confidently, and send fewer products back. For stores selling fashion, footwear, jewelry, pet accessories, or anything fit-sensitive, a good size guide is one of the highest-leverage improvements you can make to a product page.
You can start manually, build it natively with metafields, or use an app to do it at scale. Whichever path you choose, the goal is the same: give shoppers the information they need to get the size right the first time.
If you’d like to add flexible, customizable size charts without touching code — plus templates, CSV import, multi-language support, and AI size recommendations — try MP Size Chart & Size Guide. It’s free to start.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Shopify size chart?
A Shopify size chart is a sizing guide shown on your store that helps shoppers compare product or body measurements before choosing a size. It can appear as a table, popup, product tab, image or video guide, or a dedicated size guide page.
How do I add a size chart to Shopify?
You can add a size chart three ways: manually in the product description, natively using metafields and the theme editor, or with a Shopify size chart app. An app is usually easiest for stores with multiple products or categories because it scales without code.
Does Shopify have a built-in size chart feature?
Shopify doesn’t have a one-click size chart button, but it documents a native method using a Page plus a page-type metafield, displayed through the theme editor with dynamic sources. It works on Online Store 2.0 themes; older themes need custom code.
Where should I place a size chart on a Shopify product page?
The best place is near the size selector or add-to-cart area, so shoppers see it right when they’re choosing a size. You can also use a popup, a product tab, a section below the description, or a dedicated size guide page.
Do size charts reduce returns?
Yes — size charts help reduce size-related returns by giving shoppers accurate information before they buy. Since roughly 70% of online apparel returns are driven by size and fit (Coresight & Alvanon, 2025), clear measurements target the biggest cause of returns.
Do I need a different size chart for each product?
Not always. You can reuse one chart across similar products, but different categories — dresses, shoes, rings, pet harnesses — usually need their own charts because the measurements are completely different.
What should a good size chart include?
A good size chart includes size labels, exact measurements, units (ideally inches and cm), regional conversions, measurement instructions, and fit notes. Depending on the product, it may also include images or a short how-to-measure video.
Can I create a size chart without coding?
Yes. A Shopify size chart app lets you create and display size charts without editing theme code — most offer templates so you can start in minutes.
What’s the best Shopify size chart app?
The best app depends on your needs. Look for customizable charts, templates, CSV import, per-product display rules, mobile-friendly design, unit conversion, multi-language support, and smart/AI size recommendations. Compare options in What to Look for in a Shopify Size Chart App.
