How to Measure a Cowboy Hat: Tips, Size Guide, & Styles (2024)

Explore this Article

Co-authored byKathi Burns, CPO®and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: June 27, 2022References

Download Article

1. 1

   Wrap a soft tape measure around your head. Place the tape measure where you’d like the hat to sit—roughly above your eyebrows, above the ears, and a bit lower in the back.^[1]

   • If you have long hair, tie it back in a low, tight ponytail before measuring.^[2]
   • A string can be used instead of a soft tape measure; just make sure to mark it and measure it with a ruler or tape measure to find your head size.^[3]
2. 2

   Tighten the tape measure to how tight you’d like the hat to be. The tape represents the inside rim of the hat. Add some slack for a looser fit or tighten for a more snug fit.^[4]

   Advertisem*nt

3. 3

   Keep your finger on the tape measure where the tape meets the starting point. Unravel the tape measure and notice the inch number your finger is resting the closest to. This number is your head size or circumference.

   • Experts recommend measuring your head more than once to get an accurate measurement.^[5]
4. 4

   Compare your head size to a cowboy hat size chart. Each hat company has its own size guide, but they all follow a similar size range. Check the sizing guide of the hat company you’re looking to buy from to see what size you are in their hats.^[6]

   • 21 ¼ to 21 ⅝ in (54 to 55 cm): Size 6 ¾ and 6 ⅞ (Small)^[7]
   • 22 to 22 ⅜ in (55.9 to 56.8 cm): Size 7 and 7 ⅛ (Medium)
   • 22 ¾ to 23 ⅛ in (57.8 to 58.7 cm): Size 7 ¼ and 7 ⅜ (Large)
   • 23 ½ to 23 ⅞ in (59.7 to 60.6 cm): Size 7 ½ and 7 ⅝ (X-Large)
   • 24 ¼ to 25 in (61.6 to 63.5 cm): Size 7 ¾ and 7 ⅞ (2XL)
   • 25 ½ in (64 cm): Size 8 (3XL)

Advertisem*nt

Download Article

1. If you're in between hat sizes, it’s best to go for the larger size. You can always make a bigger cowboy hat tighter, but you can’t make a smaller hat bigger. All you have to do is stick a hat size reducer tape in the hat by following these steps:^[8]

   • Lift up the inner band of the hat (if your hat has one—not all do).
   • Stick the tape along the inside rim of the hat where your head and hat touch.
   • Cut off the excess tape and put on the hat.
   • Add an extra layer of tape in any spots where the hat’s loose.

Download Article

1. Pick a cowboy hat style that matches your personal style. There are hundreds of cowboy hat styles out there, and there are still so many being created! Each style has its own unique properties and functions. Check out these popular styles and see what you like most:

   • Cattleman: Two-rowed crease and squared rim^[9]
   • Brick: Rectangle crease squared rim^[10]
   • Pinch Front: Angled crease and downward, rounded rim^[11]
   • Gus: Tailored crease and taller end^[12]
   • Gambler or Telescope: Rounded crease and rim^[13]

Advertisem*nt

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question

Tips

3 votes - 100%