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Youth hat size chart

Pick an age or measure your child’s head to get the right youth hat size, including fitted youth fractions and brand ranges.

Hat size calculator

Your hat size
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Your head circumference
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Enter your head measurement to see your size in every system.

Kids hat sizes by age

Children’s heads grow fast in the first two years and slowly after that. A typical 8-year-old head is about 52.5 cm, still 4 to 5 cm short of adult size. Use the age chart as a starting point and measure whenever you can.

Kids hat sizes by age
AgecmInchesUS
Preemie 25 – 32 9.8 – 12.6 –
Newborn 32 – 36 12.6 – 14.2 –
0 to 3 months 35 – 40.5 13.8 – 15.9 –
3 to 6 months 39.5 – 43.5 15.6 – 17.1 –
6 to 12 months 42 – 47 16.5 – 18.5 –
Toddler (1 to 2 years) 45 – 49 17.7 – 19.3 –
2 to 4 years 47.5 – 51 18.7 – 20.1 –
5 to 8 years 50.5 – 53 19.9 – 20.9 6 ⅜ – 6 ⅝
9 to 12 years 52 – 55.5 20.5 – 21.9 6 ½ – 7
Teen 54 – 58 21.3 – 22.8 6 ¾ – 7 ¼
Adult woman 53 – 59.5 20.9 – 23.4 6 ⅝ – 7 ½
Adult man 55 – 60.5 21.7 – 23.8 6 ⅞ – 7 ⅝

Youth fitted hat sizes

Youth fitted caps such as the New Era Youth 59FIFTY come in 6 to 6 ¾ (48.2 to 53.9 cm). The largest youth size sits just below the smallest adult sizes, so a child with a 55 cm head needs an adult 6 ⅞, which has a deeper crown.

Youth fitted hat sizes
Fitted sizecmInches
6 48.2 19
6 ¼ 50.1 19 ¾
6 ⅜ 51.1 20 ⅛
6 ½ 52 20 ½
6 ⅝ 53 20 ⅞
6 ¾ 53.9 21 ¼

Brand youth sizes

Flexfit Youth fits 52 to 56 cm (6 ½ to 7). Nike kids caps are one size by age: baby (47 to 50 cm), toddler (50 to 53 cm) and little kids (52 to 55 cm), and older kids’ caps are one size for about 50 to 55 cm. Toddler snapbacks from most brands are adjustable and fit about 48 to 52 cm.

Brand youth sizes
SizeHead circumference (cm)Head circumference (Inches)US
Baby 47 – 50 18 ½ – 19 ⅝ –
Toddler 50 – 53 19 ⅝ – 20 ⅞ –
Kids 52 – 55 20 ½ – 21 ⅝ –

Fit tips

  • Buy for today’s measurement, not next year’s. A loose cap falls over the eyes and gets abandoned.
  • Adjustable snapbacks cover the widest age range for the least money.
  • Sun hats for babies should have a chin strap and a brim of at least 5 cm.

How to measure your head

  1. 1 Use a soft tape measure, or a string and a ruler.
  2. 2 Wrap it around your head where the hat will sit: about 1 cm (⅜ in) above your ears and across the middle of your forehead.
  3. 3 Keep the tape level and snug, not tight. Do not pull it in.
  4. 4 Read the number where the tape overlaps. Measure two or three times and use the largest value.
  5. 5 Type the number into the calculator, or find it in the chart.
How to measure

Frequently asked questions

What size hat does a 5 year old wear?

Most 5 year olds have a 51 to 53 cm head (20 to 20 ⅞ in). That is a youth fitted 6 ⅜ to 6 ⅝ or a Youth adjustable cap.

What size hat does a 10 year old wear?

About 52 to 55 cm (20 ½ to 21 ⅝ in), which is a youth 6 ½ to 6 ¾ or an adult 6 ⅞. Many 10 year olds fit adult Small.

What age is youth size hat?

Youth generally means ages 6 to 12, or a head circumference of about 52 to 56 cm. Toddler is 2 to 4 years and Child is 4 to 6.

What size is a toddler hat?

Toddler hats fit about 45 to 51 cm (17 ¾ to 20 in). Most are adjustable or stretch.

Related charts

All charts