How to Measure Hat Size for Babies and Kids
A hat that slides down over the eyes at the park, a toque that squeezes and leaves red marks on the forehead, an adorable beanie ordered online... that will never actually fit your little one's head. Sound familiar? Finding the right hat size for a baby or child isn't about guessing. It's about centimetres. And the good news: measuring your child's head takes no more than two minutes.
Here's everything you need to know to get it done without stress — and shop with confidence from here on out.
What You'll Need
Before you start, gather your supplies:
- A flexible measuring tape (the sewing kind)
- A mirror (helpful, but not required)
- A cooperative child — or a napping baby (the ideal window, let's be honest)
No flexible tape on hand? A piece of string or ribbon works perfectly well. Just lay it flat against a ruler afterward to get your measurement.
How to Measure: A Step-by-Step Guide
For Babies and Toddlers
Measuring a baby is always easier when they're calm or asleep. Here's how to do it:
- Wrap the measuring tape around the widest part of your baby's head.
- Position it about one finger-width above the eyebrows.
- Bring it around just above the ears.
- Make sure the tape crosses the most prominent point at the back of the skull.
- The tape should be snug but not tight — you should be able to slip one finger underneath.
- Note the measurement in centimetres.
For Older Children
Children 2 and up can stand for the measurement:
- Ask your child to stand up straight and look straight ahead.
- Wrap the tape around their head at the widest point.
- Keep it level, about one finger-width above the eyebrows.
- Read the measurement where the tape overlaps.
Pro tip: Turn the whole thing into a game by pretending you're fashion designers. Toddlers love it, and you get your measurement without any tears.
Reference Chart: What Measurement Matches What Age?
Use this as a general guide. Keep in mind that every child is different — some have larger or smaller heads than average, and that's completely normal. The actual measurement always takes priority over the age listed on the tag.
Babies (0 to 24 Months)
| Age | Head Circumference |
|---|---|
| Newborn | 33 to 35 cm |
| 3 to 6 months | 35 to 43 cm |
| 6 to 12 months | 43 to 46 cm |
| 12 to 24 months | 46 to 49 cm |
Toddlers and Children (2 to 14 Years)
| Age | Head Circumference |
|---|---|
| 2 to 4 years | 49 to 51 cm |
| 4 to 8 years | 51 to 53 cm |
| 8 to 12 years | 53 to 55 cm |
| 12 to 14 years | 55 to 58 cm |
Which Type of Hat for Which Measurement?
Not all headwear behaves the same way, even with the right measurement in hand. Here are a few key differences that matter when you're shopping.
Knit Toques and Beanies
Knit hats naturally have some stretch. That's their biggest advantage: they adapt to the shape of your child's head and are more forgiving of small measuring imprecisions. If your little one falls between two sizes, go with the larger one — there's room to grow into it.
Our girls' winter toques and boys' winter toques are designed with this in mind: soft, flexible materials that conform to the head without squeezing.
Structured Hats
Baseball caps, brimmed hats, and sun hats are more rigid and require a more precise fit. Many styles feature adjustable closures at the back or elastic at the nape of the neck, which gives a nice range of flexibility. Browse our selection of baby girl hats and bonnets and baby boy hats and bonnets to explore the options by age.
Worth noting: the Canadian Paediatric Society recommends on caringforkids.cps.ca that children wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect their face, neck, and ears during outdoor outings. A good fit means better protection, too.
Winter Hats with Ear Flaps
For winter hats, the goal is two-fold: cover the top of the head and protect the ears. Make sure the ear flaps actually reach your child's ears without the hat sliding down over their eyes. Our girls' winter accessories and boys' winter accessories include styles designed for serious northern winters — and the very real temperatures that come with them.
Four Tips for a Successful Measurement
- Pick the right moment. Morning, when your child is rested and in a good mood, tends to work best. Avoid hunger or fatigue windows.
- Measure twice. A single measurement can be off if the tape shifted. Take two or three and average them out.
- When in doubt, size up. Between two sizes, a slightly larger hat is easier to wear than one that's too tight — and your child still has growing to do.
- Write it down somewhere. Your phone notes app works perfectly. You'll always have it handy when shopping.
How Often Should You Re-Measure?
Children's heads grow fast, especially during the first two years of life. Here's a reasonable schedule to follow:
- Every 3 months for babies under one year old
- Every 6 months for toddlers between 1 and 3 years old
- Once a year for school-age children
- At the start of each season when refreshing winter or summer wardrobes
And of course, if a hat is starting to look too small or leaving marks, that's the sign it's time for a new one.
Solving Common Fit Problems
Even with careful measuring, a few situations can come up. Here's how to handle them:
The hat slides down over the eyes. It's probably too big. Try the size below, or look for a style with an adjustable drawstring.
Red marks appear on the forehead. The hat is too tight. Size up right away — discomfort will discourage your child from keeping it on.
The hat keeps coming off on its own. This can mean either too big or too small. Re-measure, making sure you're targeting the widest point of the skull.
One style fits, another doesn't. Completely normal. Cuts vary from one brand to the next. Refer to the Deux par Deux size guide to make sure you're ordering the right size based on your child's actual measurements.
Two minutes, a measuring tape, and the right habit: that's all it takes to make sure your child's hat stays exactly where it should — on their head, not at the bottom of the bag.