Hats are a frequently overlooked gift category — and a frequently mis-sized one. An ill-fitting hat (too tight or comically loose) tends to get worn once and then abandoned in a closet, which is exactly why it's worth getting the size right.
How to Measure Head Circumference
Wrap a soft tape measure around the head, about 1.5 cm above the eyebrows and ears, at the widest point — this is roughly where a hat naturally sits. No tape measure? A piece of string works; just measure the string against a ruler afterward.
Hat Size Conversion Chart
| Head Circumference (cm) | US Size | UK Size | S/M/L |
|---|---|---|---|
| 54–55 | 6⅞ | 6¾ | XS |
| 56–57 | 7 | 6⅞ | S |
| 58–59 | 7¼ | 7⅛ | M |
| 60–61 | 7½ | 7⅜ | L |
| 62–63 | 7¾ | 7⅝ | XL |
| 64–65 | 8 | 7⅞ | XXL |
A Few Practical Notes
Structured hats like fedoras and structured caps run truer to the measured size, while knit beanies have natural stretch and are more forgiving. Fitted baseball caps (with no snapback or strap) need the most precise measurement, since there's no adjustability once purchased.
The Bottom Line
A quick measurement with string or a tape measure — taken once — removes all the guesswork from buying hats as gifts. It's a small thing, but it's the difference between a hat that gets worn every day and one that sits in a drawer.