Western Hat Sizing Guide

Hats are easy to love online and easy to get wrong. This guide shows you how to measure your head, what crown and brim actually do for fit, and what to expect from each hat style. Every hat we carry lives in one place: the Western Hats collection.

The Short Version

Your fit comes from your head measurement and the hat's inner band. It does not come from the crown or the brim.
Measure in centimeters if you can. Most makers list head range in cm.
Some hats are sized and some adjust. A sized hat has no give, so measure before you order.
If you are between sizes, go up and tighten with hat tape. It is easier to take a hat down than to stretch one out.
Where a maker does not publish a measurement, we say so. We do not guess.

How to Measure Your Head

Use a soft tape measure. No tape? Use a piece of string, then lay it flat against a ruler.
Wrap it around your head about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above your eyebrows and just above the tops of your ears.
Keep the tape level all the way around and run it across the fullest part at the back of your head.
Snug, not tight. You should be able to slip one finger under it.
Measure twice. If the numbers differ, use the larger one.
Do your hair the way you will wear it under the hat. A thick braid or a bun at the back can add real room.

Head Measurement to Hat Size

This is the standard conversion used across most hat makers. It is general reference, so always check the sizing line on the listing too. Across our hats, makers publish head ranges from about 54 to 62 cm.

54 cm, 21 1/4 inches, US size 6 3/4
55 cm, 21 5/8 inches, US size 6 7/8
56 cm, 22 inches, US size 7
57 cm, 22 3/8 inches, US size 7 1/8
58 cm, 22 3/4 inches, US size 7 1/4
59 cm, 23 1/4 inches, US size 7 3/8
60 cm, 23 5/8 inches, US size 7 1/2
61 cm, 24 inches, US size 7 5/8
62 cm, 24 3/8 inches, US size 7 3/4

Crown and Brim: What Changes and What Does Not

The crown

The crown is the part that sits up over your head. A cattleman crown, a teardrop crown and a pinched crown all look different, but none of them changes your size. Crown shape changes the look and how much hat sits above your head. On our hats, crown heights run from about 4 to 4.7 inches. The size is set by the band inside, at the base of the crown.

The brim

The brim is the part that goes out. A wider brim gives you more shade and more presence, and it also adds weight and surface out front. Brims on our hats run from about 3 inches to just over 4 inches. On a wide brim, a snug, well-seated fit matters more, because a hat that sits loose tends to tip forward or catch the wind. If you are choosing between two sizes, this is one more reason to land on the snugger end.

The hat band

A hat band sits around the outside of the crown. It is decoration, so it does not change your size. Want to swap or add one? Browse our Hat Bands.

Fit by Hat Style

Cowboy and Cattleman Hats

Cream wool cowboy hat with a cattleman crown and curved brim

The classic: a creased crown with pinches at the front, a curved brim and a firm felt body that holds its shape. These are usually sized by head measurement, often in small to extra-large steps of about 2 cm, and some add an adjustable inner band for the last bit of fit. Check the sizing line and order by your measurement, not by your clothing size.

Rancher Hats

Woman wearing a red rancher hat with a wide brim

A rancher usually pairs a teardrop or pinched crown with a lifted or flat brim, a little more relaxed than a cattleman. Many have an adjustable sweatband or elastic inner band, so you get some room to fine-tune. If you sit between two sizes, start with the larger one and tighten.

Flat Brim and Boho Hats

Boho felt hat with a wide flat brim and a leather band

Wide, flat brims read as bold and photograph well. They are often sold as one size fits most with an adjustable inner liner. That works well for most heads, but if yours is on the small or large side, plan on using the liner and a little hat tape. Because the brim is wide, a snug seat keeps it from tipping forward.

Fedoras and Pencil Brim Hats

Khaki crushable wool fedora with a teardrop crown

These sit on the dressier side, with a narrower brim of around 3 inches and a rolled or sleek edge. Some have an adjustable band. Others, like a crushable fedora, are sized with no adjustment at all, so measure before you order and pick the size that matches your cm range.

Trucker and Baseball Caps

Woman wearing a black trucker hat with white embroidered lettering

Caps are the easiest fit. Most have an adjustable back and are sold as one size fits most, so exact head measurement matters less. Where a maker does not publish a head range, we say so on the listing.

How to Read the Sizing Line on a Listing

Sized. Fixed sizes with no adjustment. Measure and match your cm range.
Adjustable band. A sweatband or inner band that tightens a little. Pick the range that includes your measurement and fine-tune.
One size fits most. Built to adjust across a wide range. Fine for most heads, but if you are at either extreme, expect to use the liner or hat tape.
Range not published. Some makers do not share a head range for a size. When that happens we say so instead of guessing.

Between Sizes or Not Sure?

Go up a size and add hat sizing tape or a foam strip under the sweatband. This is how many people fine-tune a felt hat.
On an adjustable liner, start in the middle setting and tighten from there.
Check the fit with your head level. The hat should sit snug above your ears without leaving a deep red line when you take it off.
Wearing it with a ponytail or braid? Measure with your hair that way.