Glossary
Sleeve length
The measurement from the center back of the neck to the wrist, used to size dress shirts and coats so cuffs land at the wrist bone, not mid-forearm.
Sleeve length is measured from the center of the back of the neck, across the shoulder, and down the arm to the wrist bone. It is the number that decides whether a dress shirt cuff sits neatly at the wrist or stops several inches short, exposing forearm every time you reach or raise an arm.
Regular sizing typically tops out around a 34 or 35 inch sleeve, which is often too short for anyone with long arms even if the neck and chest size fit fine. Tall sizing adds length to both the sleeve and the body of the shirt together, since a longer torso and longer arms usually go hand in hand, though not always in the same proportion.
When shopping, look for the sleeve measurement listed separately from the neck size, since some tall shirts add body length without adding much sleeve. A common mistake is buying a shirt one neck size up hoping for longer sleeves, which usually just adds bulk around the collar without fixing the cuff problem. Rolling short sleeves up permanently is a workaround, not a fix, and stretches out the fabric over time.