HatSuggestions

Hats for small heads

Find your hat size

Head circumference

Wrap a soft tape measure around your head about 1/8 inch (3 mm) above your ears and eyebrows, where the hat band will sit. Keep it snug, not tight. No tape? Use a string and lay it along a ruler.

Hat size chart
Head circumference US hat sizeLetter size
up to 20 in (51 cm) 6 3/8XXS
20 1/8–20 3/8 in (51.1–52 cm) 6 1/2XS
20 1/2–20 3/4 in (52.1–53 cm) 6 5/8XS
20 7/8–21 1/4 in (53.1–54 cm) 6 3/4S
21 3/8–21 5/8 in (54.1–55 cm) 6 7/8S
21 3/4–22 in (55.1–56 cm) 7M
22 1/8–22 3/8 in (56.1–57 cm) 7 1/8M
22 1/2–22 3/4 in (57.1–58 cm) 7 1/4L
22 7/8–23 1/8 in (58.1–59 cm) 7 3/8L
23 1/4–23 1/2 in (59.1–60 cm) 7 1/2XL
23 5/8–24 in (60.1–61 cm) 7 5/8XL
24 1/8–24 3/8 in (61.1–62 cm) 7 3/4XXL
24 1/2–24 3/4 in (62.1–63 cm) 7 7/8XXL
24 7/8–25 1/8 in (63.1–64 cm) 8XXXL
25 1/4–25 1/2 in (64.1–65 cm) 8 1/8XXXL
25 5/8–25 7/8 in (65.1–66 cm) 8 1/44XL
26 in (66.1 cm) and over 8 3/84XL

A head of about 21 1/4 inches (54 cm) or less, a US 6 3/4 (S) or smaller, is small for off-the-shelf hats: most one-size hats and caps are cut for an average head of 22 to 23 inches and drop over the ears. Measure first, then look for makers that sell XS (6 1/2 to 6 5/8) and below, or for adjustable bands.

Then keep the hat in scale. A wide brim and a tall crown swamp a small head and narrow shoulders; a trilby, a pork pie, a cloche, a beret or a low-profile cap stays in proportion. A hat that is a little loose can be fixed with sizing tape behind the sweatband; one that is far too big cannot.

Hats that stay in scale on a small head

These styles come in small sizes or adjust, and keep their proportions on a smaller head.

Baseball cap

Baseball cap

An adjustable strapback takes in a small head better than most hats, and a low-profile cap with a shorter crown and brim keeps the cap in scale with the face.

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Beanie

Beanie

A fine-knit fitted beanie or a short fisherman beanie stays in scale on a small head; a chunky slouchy one swamps it.

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Fedora

Fedora

A fedora with a brim under 2 1/4 inches and a lower crown keeps a small head in proportion, and felt fedoras are widely sold in S and XS.

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Trilby

Trilby

The short brim and compact crown are in scale with a small head, and many trilbies are sold in S and XS. Worn back on the head, it never swamps the face.

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Flat cap

Flat cap

The flat cap's slim, close cut stays in scale on a small head, and fitted flat caps are widely made in S and XS.

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Beret

Beret

A beret takes in a small head well: the band holds and the crown can be shaped. Choose a smaller diameter so the crown does not swamp the face.

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Cloche

Cloche

A cloche is cut to hug the head, so in your real size it stays in scale with a small head and a slight frame.

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Take a front selfie

Look straight into the camera with your whole head in the frame, hair as you usually wear it, no hat. Even lighting works best.

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FAQ

What hat size is a small head?

A US 6 3/4 (S) or smaller: a head circumference of about 21 1/4 inches (54 cm) or less. XS covers 6 1/2 to 6 5/8, and some makers go down to 6 3/8.

How do I make a hat smaller?

Put foam sizing tape behind the sweatband, all the way round or just at the back. It takes up one or two sizes; more than that and the hat's proportions will be off anyway.

Can I wear a wide-brim hat with a small head?

Yes, if the brim stays in proportion to your shoulders: a medium brim of about 2 to 2 1/2 inches looks deliberate, while a 4-inch sun brim tends to swamp a petite frame.