How Should a Cowboy Hat Fit?

A cowboy hat should feel snug but not tight, sit just above your ears, and stay put in a light breeze without leaving a red line on your forehead. If you’re between two sizes, go with the bigger one, because a slightly loose hat can be adjusted and a tight one can’t.

Here’s how to measure, how to read the sizes, and how to tell when something’s off.

How do I know my cowboy hat size?

Measure your head. It takes about a minute.

1. Grab a soft tape measure. No tape? A piece of string and a ruler work too.
2. Wrap it around your head where a hat sits, across the middle of your forehead and just above your ears.
3. Keep it snug, with about one finger of wiggle room.
4. Measure twice. If you land between two numbers, write down the bigger one.

That number, in centimeters or inches, is what you match to a size chart. Wild Pony’s hat sizing guide walks through the same steps.

Cowboy hat size chart

Most cowboy hats use the same fractional sizes. Letter sizes (S, M, L) vary a little from maker to maker, so trust the number over the letter.

Can’t measure right now? As a starting point, most women land around 57 cm (a Medium) and most men around 59 cm (a Large). Still measure before you buy.

Is 7 3/8 a medium or a large?

Usually a large. A 7 3/8 fits a head of about 59 cm (23 1/8 inches), which is where most makers draw the line into Large. A 7 3/4 is about 62 cm and usually an XL.

Should a cowboy hat be slightly loose?

No. It should be snug enough to stay on when you turn your head or a breeze picks up, but it shouldn’t squeeze. A hat that’s a touch loose is easy to fix with a sizing strip or a felt insert behind the sweatband. A hat that’s too tight is a different story, which is why rounding up is the safer call.

Should a cowboy hat touch your ears?

It should sit just above them. If the brim rests on your ears or pushes them down, the hat’s too big. If it sits high on your head and never reaches ear level, it’s probably too small.

How can I tell if my cowboy hat is too small?

• It leaves a red line across your forehead after a few minutes.
• You get a headache or feel pressure at your temples.
• It sits high and pops up when you move.
• It feels fine at first, then gets tighter as the day warms up.

A hat that’s too small won’t get more comfortable with time. Try the next size up.

How can I tell if it’s too big?

• It slides down toward your eyebrows.
• It spins when you turn your head.
• The first gust of wind takes it.

A little too big is fixable: a sizing strip behind the sweatband takes up the gap. More than a size too big, and you’re better off with the right size.

Is a cowboy hat size the same as a fitted cap?

The numbers use the same scale, so a 7 3/8 cap and a 7 3/8 hat are meant for the same head. In practice, caps stretch and fit differently, so don’t copy your cap size. Measure, or get fitted in person.

Which way does a cowboy hat face?

The narrower end of the crown goes in front. On most hats you’ll also find a small bow on the sweatband inside, and that bow sits at the back.

Get fitted at Wild Pony Hat Bar

The easiest way to get the size right is to have someone measure you. At our La Cantera hat bar, we’ll measure you in person, then you build your hat out with a band, trim and branding. Every hat comes already shaped, and custom shaping is an add-on if you want an open crown styled your way.

Visit us at La Cantera or Basila Frocks, or start in the online hat builder with your measurement in hand. Hats start at $149 + customization.

Choosing between felt and straw first? Read felt vs straw: when to switch.

Frequently asked questions

How should a cowboy hat fit? Snug but not tight, sitting just above your ears, steady in a light breeze, and without leaving a red line on your forehead.

How do I know my cowboy hat size? Measure around your head across the middle of your forehead and just above your ears, then match the number to a size chart. If you’re between sizes, round up.

Should a cowboy hat be slightly loose? No, it should be snug. If it’s only a little loose, a sizing strip behind the sweatband fixes it.

How can I tell if my cowboy hat is too small? A red line on your forehead, a headache, or a hat that sits high and pops up are all signs it’s too small.

Is 7 3/8 medium or large? Usually large. It fits a head of about 59 cm.

Is a cowboy hat size the same as a fitted cap size? They use the same number scale, but caps stretch and fit differently. Measure rather than copying your cap size.