The most common reason a good hat ends up in the back of a closet is simple: it doesn't fit. Too tight and it leaves a red line and a headache by lunch. Too loose and it slides over your eyebrows or takes off with the first gust of wind.
The good news is that measuring your head takes about a minute, and you only need a soft tape measure. Wrap it around your head where the hat will sit, about 1/8 inch above your ears and across the middle of your forehead, then match that number to a size chart. This guide walks through each step, explains how to read hat sizes in inches, centimeters and fitted sizes, and covers how each style should sit once it's on.
What You Need
- A soft tape measure, the cloth or vinyl kind used for sewing. A metal tape won't wrap around your head accurately.
- No tape measure? Use a piece of string or a phone charger cable, mark where the end meets, then lay it flat against a ruler.
- A mirror, or a friend to check that the tape is level.
How to Measure Your Head for a Hat, Step by Step
1. Find where the hat will sit
A hat doesn't sit on top of your head. It sits around it. The measuring line runs about 1/8 inch (3 mm) above the tops of your ears, across the middle of your forehead, and around the fullest part of the back of your head.
2. Wrap the tape
Start at the center of your forehead and wrap the tape around your head along that line, keeping it level all the way around. Check in a mirror that it hasn't slipped down at the back or ridden up over your ears.
3. Keep it snug, not tight
The tape should feel the way you want the hat to feel: firm contact all the way around without pressing in. If you can't slide a finger under it, it's too tight. If it moves freely, it's too loose.
4. Read it and measure again
Read the number where the tape overlaps. Write it down in both inches and centimeters if your tape has both, then measure a second time to confirm. If the two readings differ, use the larger one.
Tip: Measure with your hair styled the way you'll usually wear it. A thick head of hair, braids or a man bun can add a full size.
Hat Size Chart: Inches, Centimeters and Fitted Sizes
Hats are labeled three ways: head circumference in centimeters, head circumference in inches, or a traditional "fitted" size like 7 1/4. They all describe the same measurement.
| Head (cm) | Head (inches) | Fitted hat size |
|---|---|---|
| 54 | 21 1/4" | 6 3/4 |
| 55 | 21 5/8" | 6 7/8 |
| 56 | 22" | 7 |
| 57 | 22 3/8" | 7 1/8 |
| 58 | 22 3/4" | 7 1/4 |
| 59 | 23 1/8" | 7 3/8 |
| 60 | 23 1/2" | 7 1/2 |
| 61 | 24" | 7 5/8 |
| 62 | 24 3/8" | 7 3/4 |
| 63 | 24 3/4" | 7 7/8 |
| 64 | 25 1/8" | 8 |
The quick formula: divide your head measurement in inches by 3.14 to get your fitted size. A 22 3/4-inch head divided by 3.14 is about 7 1/4.
From fitted sizes to Small, Medium and Large
Most hats, including ours, are sold in letter sizes that cover a small range. Every Ferrecci hat page includes its own size chart, so always check the chart on the hat you're buying. As an example, our wool felt top hats run:
| Size | Head (inches) | Head (cm) | Fitted size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 21–21 1/2" | 53–55 | 6 5/8–6 7/8 |
| Medium | 22–22 1/2" | 56–57 | 7–7 1/8 |
| Large | 23–23 1/2" | 58–60 | 7 1/4–7 1/2 |
| XL | 24" | 61 | 7 5/8 |
| 2XL | 24 1/2"+ | 62+ | 7 3/4+ |
Structured caps like our White Captain Hat use their own chart (Small 55 cm, Medium 57 cm, Large 59 cm, XLarge 61 cm), which is listed on the product page.
Between Two Sizes? Go Up
If your measurement lands between sizes, choose the larger one. A hat that's slightly big can be fixed in seconds with hat sizing tape, a thin foam strip that sticks inside the sweatband. A hat that's too small can't be fixed at home.
Material matters too. Wool felt eases slightly as you wear it, so a felt fedora or top hat that feels firm on day one will settle in. Straw and structured caps don't stretch, so get those right from the start.
How Each Hat Style Should Fit
- Fedoras and Godfather hats: the brim should sit level, about one to two finger-widths above your eyebrows. You can tilt it slightly forward or to the side for style, but it should stay put without being held.
- Top hats: worn straight and level, sitting a little higher on the head than a fedora. A top hat that's too loose looks like a costume, so this is the style where an exact fit matters most.
- Derby hats and English hats: a firm, close fit around the crown, sitting level just above the eyebrows.
- Captain hats: the band should grip evenly all the way around, because on the water a loose cap ends up overboard. See our guide to what to wear on a yacht for styling ideas.
- Straw hats: comfortable rather than tight. Straw doesn't give, so if you're between sizes, size up and add sizing tape.
Signs Your Hat Doesn't Fit
- Too tight: a red line on your forehead, pressure at the temples, or the hat rising up off your head as you wear it.
- Too loose: the brim drops toward your eyebrows, the hat spins when you turn your head, or it lifts in a light breeze.
- Just right: you can slip one finger between the sweatband and your forehead, and the hat stays on when you nod or look down.
Common Measuring Mistakes
- Measuring too high. Measuring across the top of your forehead instead of the middle gives a number that's too small.
- Letting the tape tilt. If the tape drops at the back of your head, the reading comes out too large.
- Rounding down. When in doubt, always round up to the next size.
- Guessing from another brand. Sizes vary between makers, so measure instead of going by the size on an old hat.
Buying Hats for a Group
Ordering matching hats for a wedding party, band, court or crew? Have each person measure using the steps above and send you the number in centimeters. It's the easiest way to avoid exchanges. For group orders, call us at (213) 745-2322.
Hat Sizing FAQ
How do I measure my head for a hat without a tape measure?
Wrap a piece of string around your head about 1/8 inch above your ears and across the middle of your forehead, mark where it meets, then measure the string against a ruler.
What is the average men's hat size?
Most men measure between 22 and 23 1/2 inches (56–60 cm), which is a fitted size of about 7 to 7 1/2, or a Medium to Large in most brands.
Should a hat be tight or loose?
Snug but comfortable. You should be able to slide one finger between the sweatband and your forehead, and the hat should stay on when you nod.
What do I do if my hat is too big?
Add hat sizing tape, a thin foam strip that sticks inside the sweatband. It can take a hat down about half a size to a full size.
How do I convert inches to a fitted hat size?
Divide your head measurement in inches by 3.14. For example, 23 1/2 inches ÷ 3.14 is about 7 1/2.
Find Your Fit
A hat that fits is a hat you'll actually wear. Take one minute to measure, write the number down, and check it against the size chart on the hat you want. When in doubt, size up.
Ready to put your measurement to use? Shop all Ferrecci hats, from fedoras and top hats to derby hats and straw styles. Free shipping on orders over $150.
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