Y
ou’ve designed eye-catching T-shirts, set up your online store, and even dabbled in ads. Yet, your sales barely trickle in while other brands—some with basic designs—dominate Google.
You tweak product titles, test different descriptions, and maybe even pay for SEO tools. Still, your shirts remain buried under a mountain of competitors. Sound familiar?
Here’s the real problem: thousands of potential customers search for t-shirts like yours every day but end up on your competitors’ sites instead. Why? Because they’re ranking for the right t shirt keywords—the ones that actually drive purchasing decisions.
That’s exactly what you’ll get today: 250 carefully researched t-shirt keywords, including 96 easy-to-rank opportunities that could transform your business.
I’ve analyzed 5,000+ t-shirt-related keywords using enterprise-level SEO tools with over 8 million monthly searches. After crunching the numbers and removing irrelevant terms, I’ve distilled this massive dataset into 250 high-potential keywords across 16 strategic categories.
Better yet, I’ve identified 96 “Easy” competition keywords representing your fastest path to ranking success.
Why These Keywords Matter for Your T-Shirt Business
Before diving into the keywords, let’s be clear about why this matters. The t-shirt market is wildly competitive, with everyone from solo Etsy entrepreneurs to major retailers fighting for visibility. The difference between success and struggle often comes down to SEO efficiency—ranking for the right terms with the least effort.
After 20+ years in SEO (and helping dozens of apparel businesses climb the ranks), I’ve found that most t-shirt businesses make the same critical mistake: they target only the most obvious, high-competition keywords while completely overlooking valuable niche opportunities.
The result? They spend months or years trying to rank for impossible terms like “t-shirts” while ignoring phrases like “vintage band t-shirts” or “eco-friendly t-shirts” that could bring in ready-to-buy customers almost immediately.
The keywords I’m sharing today solve this problem by giving you a strategic mix of:
- High-volume general terms (for long-term growth)
- Medium-competition specialized terms (for mid-term results)
- Low-competition niche terms (for immediate wins)
1. General T-Shirt Keywords
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
t shirt | 60,500 | High |
tshirt | 49,500 | High |
tee | 49,500 | High |
t shirts | 40,500 | High |
t-shirt | 33,100 | High |
tshirts | 27,100 | High |
t-shirts | 14,800 | High |
tees | 14,800 | Moderate |
tee shirts | 12,100 | High |
white tee | 12,100 | Moderate |
tee shirt | 8,100 | High |
2. Custom T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
t shirt printing | 27,100 | Moderate |
tshirt printing | 22,200 | High |
custom t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
t shirt printing near me | 12,100 | Moderate |
tshirt printing near me | 8,100 | Easy |
t shirt maker | 9,900 | High |
make your own t shirt | 6,600 | High |
t shirt generator | 6,600 | Moderate |
t-shirt printing near me | 6,600 | Moderate |
t shirt printing machine | 5,400 | Moderate |
custom print t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
personalized t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
📍 IMPORTANT
This T-shirt keyword data offers valuable insights into search demand and market trends. However, simply copying and pasting these keywords won’t guarantee success. To see real results, you need to tailor them to your unique store and SEO strategy.
Here’s why:
Current Rankings – Whether you’re starting a new online store, have an established brand with moderate visibility, or are already ranking for several terms will determine your keyword strategy. New t-shirt businesses need a different approach than established companies already ranking for competitive terms.
Marketing Resources – Your available budget, team size, content creation capabilities, product photography quality, and link-building resources directly impact which keywords you can realistically target and how quickly you can build rankings.
T-Shirt Specialties – Your unique selling proposition shapes keyword selection. Are you primarily focused on graphic designs, custom printing, sustainable materials, vintage styles, or niche themes? Each specialty requires unique keyword strategies aligned with your brand identity and product strengths.
Product Focus – Your product lineup shapes your keyword strategy, but only you know which items drive your revenue. Whether it’s your premium blank t-shirts, custom designs, oversized fits, or specialty collections, your understanding of profit margins should guide which keywords get priority attention.
Competitive Landscape – Understanding who you’re competing against in search results—whether it’s major retailers, print-on-demand platforms, established niche brands, or local custom shops—influences your keyword selection and difficulty level.
Every t-shirt business has unique design aesthetics, production capabilities, and target audience dynamics that demand specific keyword targeting.
While these keywords provide a strong foundation for your t-shirt business’s SEO strategy, achieving meaningful rankings requires a deeper, customized approach that considers your particular market position and business model.
Done-For-You T-shirt Keyword Research
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3. Graphic & Design T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
graphic t shirts | 9,900 | Moderate |
graphic t shirt | 8,100 | Moderate |
printed t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
cool t shirts | 4,400 | Moderate |
printed t shirt | 4,400 | High |
design t shirt | 3,600 | High |
novelty t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
print t shirts | 2,900 | High |
streetwear t shirts | 2,400 | Easy |
print t shirt | 2,400 | High |
printed tee shirts | 1,900 | High |
4. Plain & Basic T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
white t shirt | 22,200 | Moderate |
black t shirt | 18,100 | Moderate |
black tshirt | 14,800 | Moderate |
white tshirt | 14,800 | Moderate |
white t shirts | 6,600 | Moderate |
black t shirts | 3,600 | Easy |
plain t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
plain t shirt | 3,600 | Moderate |
basic t shirts | 2,900 | Moderate |
blank t shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
plain white t shirt | 2,400 | Moderate |
basic tees | 2,400 | Moderate |
5. Color-Specific T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
white t shirt | 22,200 | Moderate |
black t shirt | 18,100 | Moderate |
blue tshirt | 8,100 | Easy |
red tshirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
pink tshirt | 3,600 | Moderate |
red t shirt | 4,400 | Easy |
blue t shirt | 3,600 | Moderate |
green tshirt | 2,900 | Moderate |
purple tshirt | 1,600 | Easy |
yellow tshirt | 2,400 | Moderate |
gray t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
orange t shirt | 1,300 | Easy |
6. Men’s T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
men’s t shirts | 9,900 | Moderate |
mens t shirts | 9,900 | Moderate |
men t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
men’s t shirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
mens t shirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
men’s tee shirts | 2,900 | Moderate |
men’s tees | 2,400 | Moderate |
mens tshirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
tall mens t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
mens tee shirts | 1,600 | Moderate |
mens tshirt | 1,300 | Moderate |
big and tall mens t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
7. Women’s T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
women’s t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
womens t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
women t shirts | 6,600 | Moderate |
women’s t shirt | 4,400 | Moderate |
womens t shirt | 4,400 | Moderate |
women’s tee shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
women’s tees | 1,900 | Easy |
women’s tshirts | 1,900 | Moderate |
womens tshirt | 1,600 | Moderate |
ladies t shirts | 1,600 | Moderate |
womens tee shirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
ladies tee shirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
8. Oversized T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
oversized t shirts | 27,100 | Moderate |
oversized t shirt | 14,800 | Moderate |
oversized tshirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
oversized tees | 5,400 | Easy |
oversized tee | 4,400 | Moderate |
oversized tshirts | 2,900 | Moderate |
oversize t shirt | 3,600 | Moderate |
oversized t-shirt | 1,600 | Moderate |
baggy t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
baggy t shirt | 1,300 | Easy |
baggy tee | 1,000 | Easy |
xxl t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
9. Vintage & Retro T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
vintage t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
vintage t shirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
vintage tshirt | 2,900 | Moderate |
retro t shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
retro t shirt | 1,900 | Moderate |
80s t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
vintage tee shirts | 1,600 | Moderate |
vintage tees | 1,300 | Moderate |
90s t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
retro tshirt | 1,000 | Moderate |
70s t shirts | 880 | Easy |
vintage style t shirts | 880 | Moderate |
10. Funny & Novelty T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
funny t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
funny t shirt | 6,600 | Moderate |
sarcastic t shirts | 1,900 | Easy |
meme t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
hilarious t shirts | 1,600 | Moderate |
novelty t shirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
funny tshirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
joke t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
sarcastic t shirt | 1,000 | Easy |
comical t shirts | 880 | Moderate |
humorous t shirts | 720 | Easy |
funny tshirt | 720 | Moderate |
10. T-Shirt Styles & Cuts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
v neck t shirts | 9,900 | Moderate |
v neck t shirt | 8,100 | Moderate |
long sleeve t shirts | 6,600 | Moderate |
long sleeve t shirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
crew neck t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
crew neck t shirt | 2,900 | Moderate |
pocket t shirts | 2,400 | Easy |
scoop neck t shirt | 1,900 | Easy |
crewneck t shirts | 1,600 | Moderate |
pocket t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
sleeveless t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
scoop neck tee | 1,300 | Easy |
11. Material-Specific T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
cotton t shirts | 6,600 | Moderate |
cotton t shirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
polyester t shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
cotton tshirt | 1,900 | Moderate |
merino wool t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
tri blend t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
linen t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
organic cotton t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
tri blend t shirt | 1,300 | Easy |
polyester t shirt | 1,300 | Moderate |
bamboo t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
wool t shirt | 880 | Easy |
12. Wholesale & Bulk T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
wholesale t shirts | 9,900 | Moderate |
bulk t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
wholesale t shirt | 5,400 | Moderate |
bulk t shirt | 4,400 | Moderate |
t shirts in bulk | 2,900 | Moderate |
wholesale tshirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
bulk tshirts | 1,900 | Moderate |
wholesale blank t shirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
t shirt wholesale suppliers | 1,000 | Moderate |
wholesale plain t shirts | 1,000 | Moderate |
t shirts wholesale blanks | 880 | Moderate |
t shirt lots | 720 | Easy |
13. Quality & Premium T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
quality t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
premium t shirts | 2,900 | Moderate |
high quality t shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
best t shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
quality t shirt | 1,900 | Moderate |
premium t shirt | 1,900 | Moderate |
best t shirt | 1,900 | Moderate |
heavyweight t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
heavyweight t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
durable t shirts | 880 | Easy |
luxury t shirts | 880 | Easy |
premium quality t shirts | 720 | Moderate |
14. Affordable T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
cheap t shirts | 8,100 | Moderate |
affordable t shirts | 4,400 | Moderate |
cheap t shirt | 3,600 | Moderate |
t shirt deals | 1,900 | Moderate |
discount t shirts | 1,900 | Easy |
inexpensive t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
affordable t shirt | 1,300 | Moderate |
cheap tshirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
t shirt sales | 1,000 | Moderate |
budget t shirts | 720 | Easy |
discount tshirts | 720 | Easy |
clearance t shirts | 720 | Easy |
16. T-Shirt Dresses
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
tshirt dress | 12,100 | Moderate |
t shirt dress | 12,100 | Moderate |
t-shirt dress | 8,100 | Easy |
tshirt dresses | 2,400 | Easy |
t shirt dresses | 2,400 | Moderate |
t-shirt dresses | 1,600 | Easy |
long t shirt dress | 1,300 | Easy |
oversized t shirt dress | 1,300 | Easy |
graphic t shirt dress | 880 | Easy |
tshirt maxi dress | 720 | Easy |
casual t shirt dress | 720 | Easy |
t shirt dress with pockets | 590 | Easy |
17. Holiday & Seasonal T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
halloween t shirts | 4,400 | Easy |
christmas t shirts | 3,600 | Easy |
holiday t shirts | 2,900 | Easy |
4th of july t shirts | 2,900 | Easy |
valentine’s day t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
st patricks day t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
halloween t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
christmas t shirt | 1,600 | Easy |
easter t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
thanksgiving t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
4th of july tee shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
holiday tshirts | 880 | Easy |
18. Family & Group T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
family reunion t shirts | 5,400 | Easy |
family t shirts | 3,600 | Easy |
family reunion t shirt ideas | 2,900 | Easy |
couple t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
matching family t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
group t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
team t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
reunion t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
matching couple t shirts | 880 | Easy |
family vacation t shirts | 880 | Easy |
family photo t shirts | 720 | Easy |
group event t shirts | 590 | Easy |
19. Athletic & Performance T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
performance t shirts | 4,400 | Moderate |
athletic t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
workout t shirts | 2,900 | Moderate |
performance t shirt | 2,400 | Moderate |
gym t shirts | 2,400 | Moderate |
sports t shirts | 1,900 | Moderate |
moisture wicking t shirts | 1,600 | Moderate |
fitness t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
athletic t shirt | 1,300 | Moderate |
dri fit t shirts | 1,300 | Moderate |
gym t shirt | 1,000 | Moderate |
compression t shirts | 880 | Moderate |
20. Sustainble & Eco-Friendly T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
organic t shirts | 3,600 | Easy |
eco friendly t shirts | 1,900 | Easy |
sustainable t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
organic cotton t shirts | 1,300 | Easy |
recycled t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
eco friendly t shirt | 880 | Easy |
sustainable t shirt | 880 | Easy |
environmentally friendly t shirts | 720 | Easy |
organic t shirt | 720 | Easy |
fair trade t shirts | 590 | Easy |
biodegradable t shirts | 480 | Easy |
ethical t shirts | 480 | Easy |
21. Multi-Pack T-Shirts
Keyword | Monthly Search Volume | Competition |
pack of t shirts | 3,600 | Moderate |
t shirt pack | 2,900 | Moderate |
multi pack t shirts | 1,900 | Moderate |
3 pack t shirts | 1,600 | Easy |
t shirt set | 1,300 | Moderate |
5 pack t shirts | 1,000 | Easy |
pack of white t shirts | 880 | Moderate |
2 pack t shirts | 720 | Easy |
multi pack tshirts | 720 | Moderate |
t shirts pack of 6 | 720 | Moderate |
value pack t shirts | 590 | Easy |
tshirt bundle | 480 | Moderate |
Skip the Costly Trial-and-Error Approach
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Final Thoughts
This deep dive into 5,000+ t-shirt keywords with over 8 million monthly searches equips you with a powerful foundation, but it barely scratches the surface. The search landscape for t-shirt businesses is remarkably nuanced, with distinct patterns that shift based on product offerings, target demographics, and seasonal trends.
Key Takeaways:
Niche categories outperform general terms. The data confirms what I’ve seen for two decades—businesses don’t win by targeting “t-shirts” (60,500 monthly searches); they win by dominating terms like “vintage band t-shirts” or “eco-friendly t-shirts” where buyer intent is crystal clear and competition is manageable.
Easy-win opportunities exist in surprising places. The 96 low-competition keywords I’ve identified span across functional categories (like “oversized tees” with 5,400 monthly searches) and highly specific niches (like “merino wool t-shirt” with 1,600 searches). These represent your fastest path to ranking success.
Intent signals drive conversion rates. Searchers looking for color-specific terms like “blue tshirt” (8,100 monthly searches) or style-specific phrases like “v neck t shirts” (9,900 searches) aren’t just browsing—they know exactly what they want. These searches convert at significantly higher rates than generic terms.
Seasonal opportunities create predictable traffic surges. The holiday and special event categories reveal patterns you can plan for months in advance, creating a reliable calendar of ranking opportunities throughout the year.
But here’s what 20 years in the trenches has taught me: every t-shirt market has its own unique fingerprint. The keywords that drive growth for a sustainable, eco-conscious t-shirt brand will differ dramatically from those that work for a custom printing service or vintage t-shirt curator.
Your brand identity, design aesthetic, production capabilities, and target audience create a unique set of market opportunities—and therefore unique search patterns—in your specific niche. The most successful t-shirt businesses I’ve worked with don’t just adopt generic keyword strategies; they dig deeper to understand the specific motivations driving their ideal customers.
Ready to transform your t-shirt website’s traffic and stop watching competitors steal your customers?
Order a custom keyword research package today for a data-driven strategy tailored specifically to your t-shirt business. I’ll analyze your products, market position, and competition to uncover high-converting keywords that drive qualified buyers—not just random visitors.
Your path to dominating the t-shirt search landscape starts with the right keyword foundation. Let’s build yours together.