How to Fold Tshirts: 3 Techniques to Save Your Sanity (and Closet Space)

Let’s be honest. Folding a t-shirt (or tee, or tshirt, or however you spell this classic piece of everyday wear) shouldn’t feel like a boss fight. Yet somehow, it always ends in a pile of semi-folded cotton that topples the moment you open a drawer. Fear not! Whether you’re wrangling graphic tees, everyday shirts, or your partner's mysteriously multiplying laundry, we’ve got you covered with three folding methods that will turn you into a domestic legend.

Folding T-Shirts: Which Method Works Best?

While there are many methods, in this guide, you’ll learn

How to fold tshirts

 three different ways: the KonMari Method, the Speed Fold (aka Retail Fold), and the Military Roll. We’ll break down each technique step by step, offer pros and cons, and sprinkle in a little humor to help you avoid folding-related existential crises. By the end, you’ll be folding tshirts like a boss—or at least like someone who no longer lives in a t-shirt avalanche.

FoldingTshirts Method 1: The KonMari Method (a.k.a. Fold With Joy)

This method comes courtesy of Marie Kondo, queen of order and joyful drawer openings. It’s especially handy for graphic tee lovers who want to see every design at a glance.

Step-by-Step KonMari Folding Guide:

1. Lay your tshirt flat(face down).

2. Fold one side of the t-shirt inward, about a third of the way. Tuck in the sleeve.

3. Repeat on the other side. Now you’ve got a long vertical rectangle.

 

4. Fold the shirt roughly in half by bringing the bottom hem up towards the neck. Leave a couple inches of no overlapped fabric at the neck/shoulders.

5. Fold the bottom up toward the top in thirds. It should now resemble a compact burrito of order.

6. Stand it upright. It should hold its shape and file into a drawer like a book on a shelf.

 

pictured above: Watercolor Sunflower Bloom All Over Print T-shirt

Pros:

• Great for maximizing drawer space
• Lets you see every shirt without unfolding
• Satisfyingly tidy

Cons:

• Not the fastest method
• May be overkill if you're just folding gym shirts

Folding Tshirts Method 2: The Speed Fold (Retail Style)

Need to fold a t-shirt faster than you can say "graphic tee clearance sale"? Welcome to the Speed Fold—beloved by retail employees and late-night laundry warriors alike.

Step-by-Step Speed Folding Guide:

1. Lay your tee flat, face down. Smooth out the wrinkles.

2. Grab the shirt by the shoulder farthest from you and in the middle of the shirt straight down from the spot holding the shoulder.

3. While maintaining your hold on the shoulder of the tshirt, move that hand over the hand in the middle and pickup the bottom edge in the same line.

 

4. While still holding the shirt, pull the hand holding the center of the shirt from under the folded fabric towards you. Your shirt should be 2/3 folded.5. While still holding the shirt at the shoulder/hem and center, put the unfolded section on your surface and then fold the rest of the shirt over at the unfolded shoulder.

pictured above: Do It For the Plot T-shirt

Pros:

• Quick and easy
• Uniform stacks (great for shelves or open wardrobes)
• Works for any style of shirt, even oversized graphic tees

Cons:

• Doesn’t stand up in drawers
• Sometimes causes creases in the chest area (tragic for delicate prints)

Folding Tshirts Method 3: The Military Roll - Travel Ready (For Space Savers and Serial Packers)

Looking for how to fold a tshirt for travel, gym bags, or ultimate efficiency? The Military Roll is the answer. It turns your t-shirt into a tidy little sausage of cotton discipline.

Step-by-Step Military Rolling Guide:

1. Lay the t shirt flat, face up.

2. Fold the bottom 2-3 inches of the shirt inside out. This creates a pocket you’ll use later.

3. Fold one sides inward at the 1/3 mark. Then tuck in the sleeve.

 

4. Fold the opposite side in the same manner. Don't forget to tuck in the second sleeve. Sleeves should be flat.

4. Start rolling from the collar down to the hem. Keep it tight.

5. Flip the cuff over the rolled shirt to secure it. It should now hold together without unraveling.

pictured above: SMRT T-shirt

Pros:

• Saves the most space
• Great for travel and drawer Tetris
• Looks tidy even when tossed in a bag

Cons:

• Takes practice
• May wrinkle delicate fabric

How to Choose the Best Folding Method for Your Lifestyle

It depends on your lifestyle (and how likely you are to maintain it for more than three days):

• Use the KonMari Method if you want your drawers to look like a Pinterest dream.

• Try the Speed Fold for a no-fuss, everyday wear routine.

• Master the Military Roll if you travel, hoard graphic tees, or pack like a minimalist ninja.

And remember: the real answer to how to fold a tshirt is the one you’ll actually stick to. Consistency beats perfection—especially when your laundry pile is judging you silently from across the room.

Final Thoughts (and Folded Truths)

Learning how to fold tshirts might seem trivial, but the right fold can save space, reduce wrinkles, and even spark joy (we see you, KonMari disciples). Plus, it's a small act of order in an otherwise chaotic universe—and that counts for something.

Whether you're managing your everyday wear drawer or curating a collection of bold graphic tees, choosing the best way to fold a t-shirt (or tee, t shirt, or shirt) can make daily life just a little smoother.

So go forth, fold with confidence, and may your drawers stay neat and your sleeves never bunch.

Need a graphic tee to practice on? Browse our collections of whimsically weird, perfectly foldable tees that spark joy and conversation. Because life’s too short for boring shirts.

 

If you want to watch how to fold a graphic tee using of these folding techniques, check out the reels on our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok pages and follow for more tips and t-shirt info!