Size charts for pet stores on Shopify
Breeds vary too much for size labels alone. Show the measurements behind each size, and how to measure the animal.
Pet products have no standard sizes. A "medium" harness from one brand can fit a different dog from another brand's medium, and breed is only a rough guide, since animals of the same breed can be very different sizes.
The only reliable way for an owner to choose is to measure their pet and compare the numbers with yours. A pet size chart should show those numbers, explain exactly where to measure, and give the full range each adjustable size covers.
What your size chart needs
Measurements, not breed names
Two dogs of the same breed can need different sizes. Base sizes on measurements such as neck girth, chest girth and length.
How to measure the animal
Explain where to measure, for example around the neck where the collar sits. Many pet owners follow the two-finger rule: you should fit two fingers under a collar.
Adjustable ranges
Collars and harnesses usually adjust. Show the full range each size covers.
What to measure, product by product
The measurements in each of our free templates for pet stores. Use them as a starting point, then replace the numbers with measurements from your own products.
Example: Dog Harness Size Chart
Open this template →Typical measurements from the template, in inches. Every brand fits differently, so measure your own products before you publish.
| Size | Chest Girth (in) | Neck Girth (in) | Back Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 13 | 9 | 8 |
| S | 18 | 12 | 11 |
| M | 24 | 16 | 14 |
| L | 30 | 20 | 18 |
| XL | 36 | 24 | 22 |
Measurements that matter
Common mistakes to avoid
Sizing by breed name
"Fits Labradors" helps until a shopper has a small Labrador or a large one. Use breed as an example at most, and base sizes on measurements.
Not saying where to measure
Neck girth at the base of the neck and halfway up can differ a lot. Say exactly where: where the collar sits, or around the widest part of the chest just behind the front legs.
A single number for adjustable products
Collars and harnesses adjust. Show the smallest and largest measurement each size fits, so owners can see where their pet falls.
Outside dimensions for beds
A bed's outer size includes the rim. Owners need the inside sleeping area to compare with their pet's length.
Checklist before you publish
- Sizes based on measurements, not breed names
- Where to measure each point, ideally with a drawing
- The adjustable range for each collar and harness size
- A note on leaving room, such as the two-finger rule for collars
- Inside dimensions for beds and crates
- Advice for pets between sizes
Free templates to start from
All size chart templates →
Set it up in Jotly
- 1
Create a chart from a template
Open Jotly in your Shopify admin, click Create Chart and pick a template, or start from scratch.
How to → - 2
Put in your own measurements
Edit the table, or import one from Excel, and choose the unit you measured in. Shoppers can switch between cm and inches.
How to → - 3
Assign it to your products
Assign the chart to products or collections on the Free plan, or to tags and vendors on the Global plan and above.
How to → - 4
Turn it on in your theme
Enable the Jotly app embed from the Settings page, then choose where the size chart button appears on your product pages.
How to →
How Jotly helps
Images and video
Add a how-to-measure drawing or video for each product. Videos, images and tables are included in the Free plan.
Learn more →Charts by product type
Assign one chart to your collars collection and another to harnesses. Assigning to collections is included in the Free plan.
Learn more →Button where you want it
Put the size chart button next to the size selector, below Add to Cart, or as a floating button.
Learn more →Common questions
Can I size collars by breed?
Breed is a starting point, but individual animals vary. A chart based on neck measurement, with an adjustable range for each size, is more reliable.
What should a pet bed size chart show?
The bed's inside dimensions, so owners can compare them with their pet's length when lying down.
Where do you measure a dog for a harness?
Around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, for chest girth, and around the neck where a collar would sit for neck girth. Keep the tape snug but not tight.
What if a pet is between sizes?
For adjustable products, choose the size whose range puts the pet's measurement nearer the middle, so there's room to adjust either way. For fixed sizes, the larger one is usually the safer choice.
Should pet size charts show cm and inches?
Yes. Owners measure with whatever tape they have at home, so a chart that switches between the two saves them converting.
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