How to Measure Kids for Hats: A Method That Works
Measuring a child takes about ten seconds, and most of the errors come from tape position rather than the child. We'll give you the method for any group order.
Wrap a soft tape around the head about a finger's width above the ears and across the middle of the forehead, keeping it level all the way round, snug but not tight, and over the hair as it's normally worn. That position matches where the sweatband sits inside the hat, which is the measurement that actually determines fit.
- A finger's width above the ears, mid-forehead. Where the sweatband sits.
- Level all the way round. A tilted tape reads short.
- Over the hair, not against the scalp. Measure the way the hat sits, with the hair in place.
- Made in the USA, no minimums. One hat is a real order.
The Method
- Use a soft tape. A tailor's tape is ideal. A strip of paper or string marked and then measured against a ruler works just as well.
- Position it above the ears. About a finger's width up, which is roughly where a cap's sweatband sits.
- Cross the mid-forehead. Not at the hairline and not down on the brows — the widest part of the forehead.
- Keep it level. Check the back is at the same height as the front. This is the single most common error.
- Snug, not tight. The tape should sit comfortably without compressing.
- Over the hair. Measure with the hair as the child normally wears it.
- Read to the nearest quarter inch, or half centimeter, and round up if between.
Take the measurement twice if the reading seems borderline. A second measurement catches a tilted tape, which is what causes most short readings.
A tilted tape is the most common measuring error and it always reads short, which produces a hat that is too small. Check the back of the tape is at the same height as the front.
Without a Soft Tape
Most households do not have one, and two substitutes work.
- String or ribbon. Wrap it around the head in the correct position, mark where it overlaps with a finger or a pen, then lay it flat against a ruler. As accurate as a tape if the marking is careful.
- A strip of paper. Same method. Slightly stiffer than string, which makes it easier to keep level and marginally harder to keep snug.
- What not to use. A rigid metal tape measure, which cannot follow the curve of the head and reads inaccurately. And a hat the child already owns, since you would be measuring the hat rather than the head, and it may not fit correctly to begin with.
Our guide to kids hat sizes by age covers what to do with the number once you have it.
Measuring a Child Who Will Not Sit Still
The practical problem, and a few things genuinely help.
- Do it from behind. A child facing you tends to move toward the tape. Standing behind them is faster and they can look at something else.
- Make it brief. Ten seconds, one attempt, then let them go. Repeated attempts make the next one harder.
- Let them hold the end. For younger children, giving them a job reduces resistance considerably.
- Measure while distracted. During a screen, a story or a meal is often easier than asking for cooperation.
- Do it while they are seated. Standing children move more.
For a very young child, measuring while they are asleep is legitimate and works well. The measurement does not change.
When You Cannot Measure at All
School programs, event giveaways and fundraisers often cover children you will never meet. Four strategies handle it.
- Order adjustable. A hook-and-loop or elastic closure covers two to three inches, which spans multiple age bands. This is the single most effective answer.
- Use age bands generously. Where a program covers a known year group, order for the band and add spares at the size above.
- Split the order across two sizes. One youth adjustable and one adult adjustable covers almost any school-age group.
- Weight toward larger. A slightly loose hat gets worn; a tight one does not. On an unmeasurable roster, skew the order up rather than down.
Our comparison at kids bucket vs beanie sizing covers two styles that behave differently here — knits stretch and forgive almost anything, while bucket hats have no adjustment at all.
Bucket hats for children have no adjustment and come in broad size bands, which makes them the least forgiving style for an unmeasured group. Knit beanies are the most forgiving.
- A tilted tape. It always reads short and produces a hat too small.
- Measuring against the scalp. The hat sits over hair.
- Using a rigid tape measure. It cannot follow the curve accurately.
- Sizing down when between sizes. Tight hats stop being worn.
What the Measurement Tells You
| Measurement | Centimeters | Likely size |
|---|---|---|
| 19–20 in | 48–51 | Youth XS / toddler |
| 20–21 in | 51–53 | Youth small |
| 20.5–21.5 in | 52–55 | Youth medium |
| 21.5–22.5 in | 55–57 | Youth large or adult small |
| 22.5 in and up | 57 and up | Adult adjustable |
Bands overlap deliberately. Where a measurement falls in two, adjustable covers both.
Youth sizing is not standardized between manufacturers, so treat this as a guide and check the specific blank's chart. Our note on custom kids and youth hats covers ordering, and youth and kids beanies covers the knit side where sizing barely matters.
What Measurement Does Not Tell You
Circumference is the main number and two other dimensions affect whether a hat fits well.
Head shape. Heads vary from round to oval, and two children with the same circumference can find the same cap sits differently. A rounder head fills a cap more at the sides; a longer one presses front to back. Adjustable closures absorb most of this and fitted caps do not.
Crown depth needed. How far down the head a hat should sit is a preference as much as a measurement, and it varies by style. A shallow cap on a child who wants coverage over the ears will feel wrong even at the right circumference.
Neither is something you can measure practically, which is another argument for adjustable styles and for accepting a hat that is close rather than chasing precision.
The useful conclusion is that circumference gets you to the right size band, and comfort in wear is what confirms the fit. For a group order, that means erring toward forgiving styles rather than exact ones.
Re-Measuring
Head growth slows with age, which changes how often a measurement stays useful.
- Under two. Measure each time. Growth is fast enough that a measurement from three months ago is out of date.
- Two to six. Good for roughly six months.
- Seven to ten. Good for about a year.
- Eleven and up. Good for a year or more, and close to adult size by the mid teens.
For a school program running annually, re-measuring each year is worth it for younger groups and rarely necessary for older ones.
What We Tell Customers Who Ask
If measuring a whole roster is impractical, order adjustable and skew toward the larger size. That combination handles almost every group without a single measurement.
Measuring saves money on fitted styles and barely matters on adjustable ones. If the budget or the time is limited, spend it on adjustable closures rather than on collecting measurements.
A hat a child can put on themselves gets worn considerably more. Hook-and-loop closures are easier for small hands than snapbacks, which matters below about age eight.
For a school or team program we would collect measurements where practical, order adjustable closures regardless, and add fifteen percent spare weighted toward the larger size.
We size up when a measurement falls between bands on a children's order, because a tight hat gets removed and a loose one gets adjusted. Free digital proof, free artwork setup on twelve or more, no minimums.
Kids hat sizes by age, youth medium hat size, kids bucket vs beanie sizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should the tape sit when measuring a child's head?
About a finger's width above the ears and across the middle of the forehead, level all the way round. That matches where a cap's sweatband sits.
What can I use if I do not have a soft tape?
String, ribbon or a strip of paper. Wrap it in the correct position, mark the overlap, then lay it flat against a ruler. A rigid metal tape does not follow the curve accurately.
Should I measure over or under the hair?
Over, as the hair is normally worn. The hat sits over hair rather than under it, and volume can add enough to change the size needed.
What if the measurement falls between two sizes?
Size up. A loose adjustable hat can be tightened; a tight one cannot be made bigger, and children abandon uncomfortable hats quickly.
How do I order for children I cannot measure?
Order adjustable closures and weight the quantities toward the larger size. A hook-and-loop or elastic back covers two to three inches, which spans multiple age bands.
How often should I re-measure a child?
Each time under age two, about every six months to age six, annually from seven to ten, and less often after that as growth slows toward adult size.
Is there a minimum order?
No. One hat is a real order, and artwork setup is free on orders of twelve or more.
Ten seconds, level tape, over the hair. Order custom kids and youth hats — start on the quick order page — adjustable closures that forgive an estimate. Free digital proof before production, free artwork setup on twelve or more, no minimums. Browse custom hats for kids.
Popular blank: Richardson 112 Snapback Trucker.
Related blanks: Yupoong 6606 Retro Trucker.
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