We're constantly getting inquiries about which size tallit to buy. Here's a recent example:
I am looking for a tallit for my son's bar mitzvah and not sure of the size he would need. Alison K.
My guess is that Alison did not come across our Tallit Size Wizard.
Also, if you do a Google search for "YouTube bar mitzvah tallit sizes" you'll come across an amateur video we posted.
Here are the raw facts and figures:
- A size 24 tallit is designed to be worn resting on the neck, with all four corners in front, wrapping around the shoulders
- A size 36 tallit is designed to be worn resting on the neck, with all four corners in front, wrapping around the shoulders and upper arms
- A size 45 tallit is designed to be worn traditional-style, draping down the back, and is small, usually worn by people around 5' tall
- A size 50 tallit is just like a size 45, but is meant for people around 5'1" to 5'4"
- A size 55 tallit is another four inches longer and is meant for people around 5'4 to 5'6"
- A size 60 tallit is another four inches longer and is meant for people around 5'6 to 5'9"
- A size 70 tallit is another four inches longer and is meant for people around 5'9 to 6'
Note that some people will choose to go up a size (e.g. they want a long, elegant look for Shabbat use) or down a size (e.g. they like a smaller, more manageable tallit on their shoulders).
Also not that a few traditional black-striped, white-striped, Yemenite and Chassidic tallits also come in size 80 and sometimes even size 90.