How To Measure Your Hat Size | Hat Size Chart

How to Measure Your Head

When it comes to finding the right hat, size matters. Properly measuring your head size will determine your hat size and ensure that you get the perfect fit. The best hat will not only look good, but it will feel good. Before you buy, try these easy-to-follow steps.

Items You Need

• Measuring tape
• OR ruler and a piece of string

Step 1

Wrap the tape measure (or string) around the largest part of your head until the two ends meet at the center of your forehead just above your eyebrows. Firmly hold the tape or string mid-forehead with your finger, not too tightly or too loose. The goal is to determine precisely where your hat will sit for the most comfortable fit. Take note of the measurement from your measuring tape and use it to find your corresponding size on the hat sizing chart below.

If you're using a ruler and string, proceed to step two.

Step 2

Take the string from your head, being careful to hold onto the end point so you have an accurate account of your head size. Measure the string with the ruler. Compare the measurement to the hat sizing chart below to find your corresponding size.

A Few Tips for Choosing a Hat Size

Size Up

If the measurement is in between sizes on the hat size chart, choose the next larger size. Hats can shrink with time from sweat, humidity, and washing, especially certain hat styles such as cotton baseball caps. Conversely, leather hats, straw hats, and felt hats can stretch a bit after use, but you should still go bigger if in between sizes. After all, a slightly roomier hat is much more comfortable and easier to pad than a hat that's too tight and gives you a headache.

Hat Sizing Is Not an Exact Science

Even though the hat sizes provided are standard across the USA, there are various factors that can affect the fit such as the hat maker, the material of the hat, and even how much hair you have.

We Fit All Sizes

Don't worry if you have a big head (we're not talking about your ego). We have large hats — otherwise known as big head hats — to help provide the perfect size for you from XXL to XXXL (many of our mens hats come in XL already).

Hat Sizing Chart for Adults

Hat Sizing Chart for Kids

Now that you've measured the size of your head, you can find your numeric size (inches and centimeters) and alpha size (One Size or S, M, L, XL, XXL, etc.).

For example, let’s say your head measures 23 inches, which is approximately 58 centimeters. According to the hat size chart, we can see that the right hat size for you is large and the fitted size is 7 1/4 to 7 3/8.

The Difference Between Mens Hats and Womens Hats

Mens hats are generally sized numerically or alphabetically, although there are some mens hats that come in one size fits most. These “one size” hats fit heads with a circumference of 21 1/2 inches to 23 inches or a medium to large.

Womens hat sizing is often one size fits most. This means that the style is made in a standard size with the ability to suit head sizes ranging from 21 1/2 inches to 22 1/4 inches in circumference. While actual hat sizes vary, many of these “one size” womens hats come in hat styles with an inner drawstring or band that can be adjusted to keep the hat in place.

The Perfect Fit

Much like other garments, hats can vary in size depending on the manufacturer. There will always be slight differences, sometimes even between two hats of the same size.

Tenth Street is committed to quality and we want you to love your purchase. Every hat is made to provide you with years of wearability, comfort, and style.

Once your head has been properly measured, you can determine which hat size you need. Whether you are buying a mens hat or womens hat, it’s important to check the fit.

When your hat arrives, make sure to try it on before wearing it out to confirm you have ordered the correct size.

Helpful Fit Tips

• The hat should sit comfortably at the center of your forehead, above your eyebrows — that is, unless you plan on wearing your hat high atop your head, backwards, or at a tilt.
• The hat should never sink down too far and cover your eyebrows or obstruct your vision.
• The sweatband inside the hat should fit securely without feeling restrictive or leaving lasting crease marks on your forehead.
• If the sweatband stitching leaves a slight mark on your forehead that quickly fades, this is fine as long as there is no feeling of tension — pain should never be part of wearing a hat.
• A good way to test a hat’s fit is to simply use your finger — if you can fit one finger between your head and the cap then you know you have the right size.

Hats With Inner Drawstrings

If your new hat is slightly large and feels a little loose, don’t worry. Most “one size” hats for men and women come with an inner drawstring that allows you to adjust the fit. These inner drawstrings are usually found stitched into the sweatband itself with an extended piece of string or ribbon that you can tug. Pull gently to adjust the fit, which can tighten the hat up to two sizes.  

Hats Without Inner Drawstrings

Many hats for men and women do not have inner drawstring sweatbands, instead featuring bands made of leather, elastic, or foam lining. If this is the case, you can still adjust the fit of the hat with sizing tape.

Easy to use and effective, hat sizing tape is a preferred method of adjusting hats because it maintains the shape of the sweatband and inner lining without any damage.

Unlike other hat sellers, Tenth Street provides two pieces of sizing tape free of charge with every purchase. Simply add a piece of the sizing tape underneath the sweatband at the front, back, or side. You will feel the foam mold comfortably to your head for a perfect fit.

How to Wear Your Hat

Now that you’ve gone through the steps of determining your correct hat size and know what criteria to consider when selecting a hat, let's talk about how you want to wear it. While there are set guidelines to follow when measuring your head and finding the right fit, not everyone will wear the same hat styles the same way. (That would be boring, anyway.) Whether worn backwards, at an angle, or just the good old-fashioned way, hats are a great way to express your personal style.

Traditional Hat Style

Wearing a hat in the traditional style is by far the most common for both men and women. Worn with the sweatband at the center of the forehead or sometimes a tad higher or lower, the consistent element is that the hat sits above the eyebrows. That said, don’t be afraid to mix it up a bit and play with angles. Try tilting the hat forward, to the right, or to the left for an added dash of swagger. This can work especially well with fedoras, newsboy caps, and vintage hats.

Halo Hat Style

As the name suggests, wearing a hat in the halo style creates an illusion of a halo at the back of your head. Rather than sitting at the center of your forehead, the hat is away from the face. Although it’s more popular with women, some men do rock the halo look, especially with pork pie hats. When wearing a hat halo style, it can be a challenge to keep it from falling off, so hats with drawstrings are a good option.

You Got This

Now that you've learned how to properly determine hat size and know what size hat you need, it's time for the real fun to begin. Take a look at our selection of mens and womens hats that come in a variety of colors, shapes, materials, and prices.

Whether it's a classic Panama hat, a fun pork pie hat, a stylish Stetson hat, or an informal flat cap, you can be sure that you'll be looking good and feeling good whenever you put it on.

Tenth Street Promise

We want you to love your fit, so we offer free returns on every order. We have a 30-day, hassle-free return policy and exchange policy as well as a one-year craftsmanship guarantee on our hats; we’ll replace your damaged hats for free within the first 12 months.

FAQ

Got questions about the best fit for you? We have answers. Check out the most Frequently Asked Questions.

Customer Service

We’re always here for you. Please email us at info@tenthstreethats.com or call us at 844-573-3186.