Practical size of a Tallis Katan: [1]
The Tallis Katan is to be a minimum size of 1 Ama by 1 Ama [49 x 49 centimeters[2]] on each the front and the back side of the Tallis. This measurement does not include the neck hole of the Tallis, as will be explained next. Thus, the Tallis Katan is to be a total of two Amos [98 cm] long, excluding the neck hole, and one Ama [49 cm] wide. One is to beware to make the width of the Tallis a littler wider than the minimum width of one Ama.[3] [The custom in Lubavitch was for the Tallis Katan to contain a width of 54 cm.[4] Other traditions regarding the Chabad custom are also recorded.[5]]
Is the neck hole included in the size?[6] The neck hole is not to be included within the measurement of the Tallis.[7] Thus, one is to measure the 49 cm length required on each side from the edge of the hole on the front side of the Tallis, until its bottom, and from the edge of the hole on the back side of the Tallis until its bottom. By doing so one fulfills the Mitzvah according to all opinions.
Folded areas of the Tallis:[8] The folded areas of the Tallis Gadol and Katan is not included in its required size.[9] Thus all those which are careful to fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzitzis the entire day must be careful to constantly beware and supervise that at least one Ama of the width and length of the Tallis Katan is spread open and not folded. One is to also beware to have a little more space by the width of the Tallis Katan, in addition to the minimum size of one Ama, as it is difficult to ascertain that an exact measurement Tallis Katan will have its entire width spread open.
The size of the shoulders of the Tallis Katan:[10] One is to be careful by the Tallis Katan to make the shoulder area of the garment wide.[11] [See Q&A for the practical size. Some[12] however write that this requirement only applies according to the ruling of Admur in the Shulchan Aruch which holds that the shoulder area is part of the measurement of the Tallis Katan. However, according to the Siddur, the shoulder area may be of any size and the Tallis remains valid.[13]]
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Summary: The minimum size of the width of the Tallis Katan is 49 cm. One is to add slightly more to this minimum size. The minimum length of the Tallis is 49 cm on each side, for a total of 98 cm excluding the neck hole. The Tallis Katan must be worn in a way that this amount of size is spread open and covers the person. The folded areas of the Tallis are not included in the above size.
Q&A How wide must the shoulder area of the Tallis be? It must be slightly wide[14], at least 7.2 cm each.[15] Some[16] write each shoulder is to be 21 cm wide. Some[17] however rule that according to Admur in the Siddur there is no minimum size required.
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[1] Siddur Admur; Sefer Haminhagim p. 6 [English]; Artzos Hachaim 16 “so is the custom of Chassidim” in name of Siddur Admur; M”B 16:4 “Custom of Anshei Maaseh” in name of Artzos Hachaim regarding length [does not mention size of width]; Ashel Avraham Tinyana 16; Chazon Ish 3:3 [however according to his Ama it is to be 58 x 58 cm]; See Shiureiy Torah p. 264; Piskeiy Dinim 3:3; Tehila Ledavid 16:1
Background:
The Gemara and Poskim ibid do not mention and actual size of measurement for the Tallis and rather suffice with a general description of it needing to cover the body of a child. Nevertheless, later Poskim measured this size and concluded to give it a set measurement.
Other opinions: 1) Some Poskim rule it suffices for the Tallis to be one Ama by one Ama [in total] [Peri Haaretz 1 brought in Birkeiy Yosef 16:1 and Shaareiy Teshuvah 16; Chesed Lealafim 16:5; Many Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 16:2 agreed to this opinion; Shulchan Hatahor 16:1 states there is no need to be stringent that it be one Ama on each side] 2) Other Poskim rule the width must be at least 1.5 Amos. [See Lev Chaim 99] 3) Other Poskim rule it suffices for the Tallis Katan to be 3/4 of an Ama in length [36 cm] and half an Ama in width [24 cm]. [Peri Haaretz 1 in name of Derech Chochmah, brought in M”B 16:4 and Kaf Hachaim 16:2] Many however negate this opinion, stating it has no source from the Talmud. [Machatzis Hashekel 16; Artzos Hachaim 16; M”B ibid; Kaf Hachaim ibid concludes with this opinion] 4) Some Poskim conclude that at the very least it must be a total of one Ama in width on both sides and 3/4 of an Ama in length on both sides. [M”B 16:4; Rav Chaim Felagi in Mesamchei Lev; Ben Ish Chaiy Lech Lecha 12; Rav Poalim 2:6; Chazon Ish 3:31] 5) Some Poskim suggest that the Tallis Katan of today does not need to be any minimum size and is hence obligated in Tzitzis even if it does not meet the above sizes that are based on the Gemara. [See Aruch Hashulchan 16:5; Hisorerus Teshuvah 1:7; Igros Moshe Y.D. 3:52; Tzitz Eliezer 20:8; see also Eretz Tzevi 1:1; Halef Lecha Shlomo 1:4]
[2] Shiureiy Torah p. 249
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that an Ama is 58 cm. [Chazon Ish]
[3] The reason: As the Tallis Katan must be worn in a way that the width of the Tallis covers at least one Ama [49 cm] of the body. The folded area of the Tallis is not included in the above size. Thus, all those which are careful to fulfill the Mitzvah of Tzitzis the entire day must be careful to constantly beware and supervise that at least one Ama of the width is spread open and not folded in both the front and back. Due to this requirement, those that manufacture Tallis Katans are to beware to make the width of the Tallis a littler wider than the minimum width of one Ama, as it is difficult to achieve that the entire width of the Tallis remain flatly opened and not contain any folds. [Siddur Admur]
[4] Heard from Harav Eliyahu Landa Shlita
[5] Testimony that we follow Chazon Ish: The following testimony was given by Harav Gedlia Korf: In 1950, shortly after the passing of the Rebbe Rayataz, the Rebbe requested from me and a collegue to measure the Tallis Katan of the Rebbe Rayatz in order to verify the proper dimensions of the Tallis Katan. The Tallis Katan of the previous Rebbe was 64 cm in width, which is slightly more than the Shiur Chazon Ish [58 cm]. It was 127.5 cm in total length. This left approximately 49 cm from the bottom until the neck hole. The Rebbe explained that there is no need to be stringent for the Shiur Chazon Ish by the length, being some Poksim hole that the neck hole is included. The Rebbe asked for these measurements to be publicized. [Heard from Rav Gedalia Ganzburg]
Testimony of Gra”ch Naah: Rav Heshkeh Ganzburg writes in his diary that Reb Yoel told him that during the year of Aveilus that the Tallis Katan of the Rebbe Rayatz is smaller than the Shiur of the Chazon Ish, although needs to be measured for exact measurement. In general however, one is to rely on the Shiurim of the Grach Naah.
[6] Siddur Admur; M”B 16:4; Sefer Haminhagim p. 6 [English]
Other Poskim: Some Poskim rule the neck hole is included within the measurement. [Chazon Ish brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 16:3; Ashel Avraham Butchach]
[7] The reason: As this hole contains missing material and hence cannot be included within the length.
[8] Siddur Admur “This entire measurement of the width and length of the Tallis Katan needs to be entirely spread open, and clothe the person throughout its entire measurement, as the verse states “Asher Tichaseh Bah”. This teaches us that the above required measurement must cover the person and may not be folded or overlap in any amount, being that the folded and overlapping area is not included in the measurement.”
Other opinions: Some Poskim rule that the folded areas are included within the Shiur of the Tallis, being that the folded area is meant to be spread open, and hence it is not necessary to prevent the Tallis Katan from folding. [Beis Yaakov 106; Beir Heiytiv 16:1; Ben Ish Chaiy 16; M”B 16:4; See also Michaber 10:6; Admur 10:13; Tehila Ledavid 16:2; See Sheyikadesh Atzmo [Nachmanson-2015] 50:3] The world is not accustomed like this opinion of Admur in his Siddur. [Piskeiy Teshuvos 16:3]
[9] The reason: As the verse states “Asher Tichaseh Bah”. This teaches us that the above required measurement must cover the person and may not be folded or overlapping in any amount. [Siddur Admur; Tehila Ledavid 16:2] However see Tehila Ledavid ibid who questions this understanding, being that those words come to include the clothing of a blind person. He concludes with a Tzaruch Iyun.
[10] Admur 16:2; M”A 16 in name of Maharil 4:4 and Mateh Moshe 9
[11] The reason: In order so the empty space of one side of the shoulder and the empty side at the other side of the shoulder do not nullify the Tzitzis. [Poskim ibid] This is a rule brought in Eiruvin 10b and means that if there is more empty space at the two sides of the Eiruv than the Eiruv itself, then the Eiruv is invalid. ]See Admur 362:10] Seemingly, the intent of using this statement here regarding the shoulders is to say that the same applies here in the case of Tzitzis, that if the shoulder area is too narrow, then it is considered like non-existent, and it thus does not connect the two sides of the Tallis. Some Poskim however explain that this phrase was used as a mere euphemism, as in truth we never view the shoulder area as non-existent regarding it connecting the two sides of the Tallis. The true intent of this terminology is to say that since the Tallis Katan must have a minimum length, one should not make the shoulder area too narrow as otherwise that area will not have enough width of cloth to be included as part of the Shiur Tallis. [Machatzis Hashekel on M”A ibid; Aruch Hashulchan 16:4; implication of Ketzos Hashulchan Hosafos p. 86]
[12] Ketzos Hashulchan Hosafos p. 86
[13] The reason: As in the Siddur, Admur rules the neck hole is not included in the measurement of the Tallis Katan, and hence the shoulder area is not included in the measurement. For this reason, there is no need for the shoulder to be of a minimum measurement, as in any event it is not included in the measurement of the Tallis, and to affect the connection of the two sides, it suffices that it is even slightly attached. [Ketzos Hashulchan ibid]
[14] M”B 16:4; See Poskim in Kaf Hachaim 8:13
[15] Ashel Avraham 16; Kaf Hachaim 16:6
[16] Chazon Ish Igeres 10; Piskeiy Teshuvos 16:2 footnote 16
[17] Ketzos Hashulchan Hosafos p. 86