A fitted hat has no adjustable strap or snap, so choosing the right size starts with finding an accurate head measurement. This guide explains the measuring process and how to use a fitted hat size chart to match that measurement to a hat size.
Key Takeaways
- To measure for a fitted hat, wrap a flexible measuring tape around your head just above the eyebrows and ears and around the widest part of the back.
- Use your head circumference in inches or centimeters to find the closest match on the brand’s fitted hat size chart.
- A fitted hat size chart matches head circumference with numbered fitted hat sizes, such as 7, 7 1/4, or 7 1/2. Because sizing can vary by brand, use the chart provided for the hat you buy.
- A fitted hat should feel secure without pressing uncomfortably against your head. If your measurement falls between sizes, consider the brand’s guidance, your hairstyle, and whether you prefer a snugger or looser fit.
- How you wear a fitted hat can affect the measurement you need. Measure along the spot where the hat’s inner band will naturally rest on your head.
Fitted hats come in set sizes rather than using an adjustable closure. That makes knowing how to measure for a fitted hat especially important when customers buy online and cannot make adjustments to make the hat more comfortable. They need to find the right fit the first time.
Having a clear measuring process helps shoppers compare their head circumference with the sizing information on your product page and make a more informed choice. It also gives you a consistent way to explain hat fit across product pages instead of only relying on size labels.
How Do You Measure for a Fitted Hat?
The steps below can help your shoppers find the right size for any type of hat, whether they’re looking for fitted caps or baseball hat sizes.
Use a Flexible Measuring Tape
Use a soft, flexible measuring tape, such as a tailor’s tape. It can curve around your head and sit flat against the skin, which makes it easier to measure the full circumference of your head accurately.
If you don’t have a flexible tape, use a piece of non-stretch string. Wrap the string around your head, mark the point where the ends meet, then lay it flat against a ruler or straight measuring tape to get the circumference of your head.
Position the Measuring Tape Around Your Head
Keep the tape level as it goes around your head. In most cases, you’ll run it around your head just above your eyebrows and ears and around the widest part at the back of your head.
If you normally wear a fitted hat higher or lower than this position, measure where the hat’s inner band will actually rest. Make sure to measure with your hair arranged the way you expect to wear it under the hat, especially if your hairstyle changes how much space the hat needs.
Because a fitted hat has a fixed size, the goal is to match the measurement to the way you plan to actually wear the hat.
Make Sure the Tape Is Snug, Not Tight
Pull the measuring tape close enough that it sits flat against your head, but don’t tighten it super tight. You don’t want it to press into your skin or compress your hair. A measurement that’s too tight will only lead you to buy a hat that feels uncomfortable.
Record Your Head Circumference
Read the number where the tape overlaps and write down the exact measurement. You can measure in inches or centimeters, depending on the size chart you plan to use.
Don’t automatically round up the measurement. You may have to do that later, but figure out your exact measurement at this point. Keeping the exact number gives you a better starting point when you compare it with a fitted hat size chart, especially if you fall close to the line between two sizes.
Measure More Than Once
It may seem silly to do so, but repeat the measurement at least once using the same tape position and tension. If the numbers are the same or very close, you have a reliable number you can use.
If the measurements differ, check that the tape is still level and sitting in the same place. Measure again and use the result that appears most consistently rather than choosing the smallest or largest number after one attempt.
How Do You Convert Inches To Hat Sizes?
Once you have your head circumference, compare it with the size chart for the fitted hat you want to buy. Fitted hat sizes often use numbers such as 7, 7 1/4, or 7 1/2 instead of small, medium, and large.
Hat Size Conversion Chart
The chart below shows an example of common fitted hat measurements. Treat it as a general example rather than a universal chart because brands and hat styles can use different sizing.
| Fitted Hat Size | Head Circumference (Inches) | Head Circumference (CM) |
| 7 | 22 | 55.8 |
| 7 ⅛ | 22 ⅜ | 56.8 |
| 7 ¼ | 22 ¾ | 57.7 |
| 7 ⅜ | 23 ⅛ | 58.7 |
| 7 ½ | 23 ½ | 59.6 |
| 7 ⅝ | 23 ⅞ | 60.6 |
| 7 ¾ | 24 ¼ | 61.5 |
| 7 ⅞ | 24 ⅝ | 62.5 |
| 8 | 25 | 63.5 |
To read the hat size chart, start with your measured circumference and find the closest matching row. For example, a head circumference of 23 1/2 inches, or about 59.6 centimeters, corresponds to a fitted hat size of 7 1/2 in this example.
Should You Size Up or Down for Fitted Hats?
If your head circumference falls between two fitted hat sizes, use the manufacturer’s size chart as your starting point. Then consider how you plan to wear the hat and how much room you want around your head before deciding to size up or down.
When To Size Up for a Fitted Hat
Sizing up may be the better option if your measurement falls between sizes and you prefer a more relaxed-fitting hat. It can also make sense if you have thick hair or regularly wear a hairstyle that adds volume under the hat.
Where you wear the hat matters, too. If you usually position it lower on your forehead or farther down around the back of your head, take your measurement along that same path. That gives you a circumference that better reflects how the hat will actually sit.
If your measurement is very close to the larger size on the chart, choosing that size can also help you avoid relying on a rounded-down measurement.
When To Size Down for a Fitted Hat
Sizing down may work better if your measurement falls between sizes and you prefer the hat to sit closer to your head. It may also be the better choice when your exact circumference is only slightly above the smaller size listed on the chart.
Before choosing the smaller size, check whether the brand provides fit notes for that particular hat. Crown shape, construction, and sizing can vary between styles, so the same head measurement may not always lead to the same choice across every product.
Are Fitted Hats Supposed To Be Tight or Loose?
A fitted hat should sit securely on your head without feeling restrictive. Once you have the hat on, evaluate the fit based on how it sits and moves rather than focusing only on the size printed inside.
Signs of a Properly Fitted Hat
A well-fitting hat should stay in its intended position as you move your head without sliding, rotating, or dropping lower than you want. The sweatband should make consistent contact around your head rather than feeling noticeably tighter in one area.
Pay attention to comfort after wearing the hat for more than a few minutes. Pressure concentrated around the forehead, temples, or back of the head can indicate that the size or shape is too tight for you. If the hat shifts easily or feels unstable, it may be too large.
The crown should also sit the way the style is designed to be worn. A hat that rides much higher or lower than expected can be another sign that the size isn’t working well for your head shape.
Help Shoppers Measure for a Fitted Hat With Kiwi Sizing
When you sell fitted hats online, shoppers need a clear way to choose the right size. Kiwi Sizing lets Shopify merchants create customizable size charts with measurement instructions, unit conversions, images, and other sizing content that shoppers can access while viewing a product.
Kiwi also offers personalized size recommendations that give shoppers more guidance than a static chart alone. Merchants can support international customers with translated sizing information and unit conversions.
Use Kiwi Sizing as your Shopify size chart solution to help shoppers measure for a fitted hat and choose the best size possible.
