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Measuring kids’ head circumference & hat size by age – with chart

Which hat size does your child need at 1, 2 or 3 years? And does last winter’s hat still fit? Kids’ heads grow fast in the first years – and every child at their own pace. That’s why your child’s head circumference is the most important measurement when you want to buy a hat or cap. Before you order, it’s worth measuring the head circumference – unless you’ve recently been to one of your child’s check-ups and have a current measurement. Here we show you how to measure correctly, and our chart shows which Soulbuddy size roughly matches which age for caps and beanies.

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Measure head circumference

To best measure your child's head, you can simply use a soft tape measure and wrap it around their head. Make sure the tape measure runs straight above the ears and the widest part of the head.

Tip: Please make sure to use a soft tape measure, which is also used for sewing. Metal tape measures can injure a child's head when measuring head circumference and are not suitable for measuring round shapes due to their material.

If you don't have a soft tape measure at hand, then use a thread. Wrap the thread around the child's head as described above and note or mark the two points where the thread meets. Lay the thread on a ruler or a metal tape measure and read the length. And that's your child's head size.

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Kids' Hat Sizes – What to Consider When Choosing a Hat

Your child’s cap or hat must fit well on the head and should never pinch or cut in. Our caps for kids and adults are adjustable at the back – so you can adjust the cap to your child’s head and it fits for a while as they grow.

KIDS M: for toddlers approx. 1–2 years
KIDS L: for kids from approx. 2 years
ADULT: one size for teens and adults

Here are the caps for toddlers (KIDS M), the caps for kids from 2 years (KIDS L) and the kids beanies. You’ll find all measurements in the Soulbuddy size chart.

Want to measure your child’s head circumference to find the right hat or cap size? With a soft tape measure it only takes a moment. Here we show you step by step how it works – and which size usually fits kids aged 1, 2 and 3.

Measuring head circumference in kids: step by step

Use a soft tape measure: Take a sewing tape measure or a piece of string – not a metal tape measure.
Position it correctly: Place it once around the head, above the ears and around the widest part of the back of the head.
Don’t pull too tight: The tape should lie flat without cutting in.
Read the value in cm: If you use string, mark where the ends meet and measure the length with a ruler.
Find the size: Compare the value with the chart below or with our cap size chart. If it falls between two sizes, choose the larger one.

Little tip: toddlers rarely sit still for long. Measure twice, for example while reading a story or at mealtime – that makes the result more accurate.

Kids hat size chart: ages 1, 2 and 3

The chart below shows which Soulbuddy size roughly fits which age and which head circumference each size is designed for according to our size chart. Age is only a rough guide – what counts is always the measured head circumference.

Age (approx.)	Soulbuddy size	Head circumference snapback / performance	Head circumference trucker / sports / dad hat	Head circumference beanie
1 year	KIDS M	45–49 cm	44–48 cm	45–49 cm
2 years	KIDS M or KIDS L	45–49 cm (M) / 49–54 cm (L)	44–48 cm (M) / 48–53 cm (L)	45–49 cm (M) / 49–54 cm (L)
3 years	KIDS L	49–54 cm	48–53 cm	49–54 cm
Teens & adults	ADULT One Size	55–60 cm	54–60 cm	55–62 cm

Hat size at 1 year

At around one year, most toddlers fit our size KIDS M – for beanies and caps. It’s designed for toddlers approx. 1–2 years. You’ll find all styles in caps for toddlers (KIDS M).

Hat size at 2 years

Around the second birthday is the transition between KIDS M and KIDS L. That’s why it’s especially important here: measure your child’s head circumference before you order. If the value falls between two sizes, choose the larger one – a cap can be adjusted tighter with the closure. From approx. 2 years KIDS L usually fits – here are our caps for kids from age 2.

Hat size at 3 years

At three years, KIDS L usually fits. This size is designed for kids from approx. 2 years and goes up to 54 cm head circumference for snapback caps and beanies. If your child’s head is already bigger, take a look at the ADULT size.

Beanie or cap: are the sizes the same?

The size names are the same for caps and beanies, but the head circumferences differ slightly by model. For trucker, sports and dad hat caps, the kids sizes are 1 cm lower than for snapback, performance and beanie. The ADULT beanie fits up to 62 cm head circumference, the ADULT caps up to 60 cm. For winter, you’ll find all colors in our kids beanies.

Kids’ head size: why head circumference matters more than age

When buying hats or caps, always go by your child’s actual head circumference in cm, not just the age ranges. These are only approximate and can vary a lot, because kids’ heads grow very quickly in the first years – and each at a slightly different pace. Most age ranges are based on the data and measuring methods of the WHO (World Health Organization) for kids’ head circumference.

Our KIDS M and KIDS L caps have an adjustable snapback closure at the back. So you can adjust the cap to your child’s head and it grows with them for a while.

How to tell the hat no longer fits

The hat keeps sliding up or no longer covers the ears.
A clear mark stays on the forehead after taking it off.
The cap sits on top of the head even though the closure is fully open.
Your child keeps pulling the hat off because it pinches.

Then it’s time for the next size. You’ll find our kids caps and beanies in every size in the overview Kids caps & beanies.

A matching look for big and small

Want to order for big and small at once? With our Mix & Match Bundle Builder for caps & beanies you choose the style, color and size for each piece yourself and save up to 25 %.

FAQ about kids’ head circumference and hat size

How do you measure head circumference correctly?

With a soft tape measure or a piece of string, once around the head – above the ears and around the widest part of the back of the head. Read the value in cm.

Is head size the same as head circumference?

Yes. When people talk about a kid’s head size, they almost always mean the head circumference in cm – exactly the value you measure with the tape measure and compare with the chart.

What hat size does a 1-year-old need?

Usually KIDS M. For our beanies, this size is designed for a head circumference of 45–49 cm.

What hat size does a 2-year-old need?

At Soulbuddy, KIDS M is designed for approx. 1–2 years and KIDS L for kids from approx. 2 years. So at age 2 either can fit – the measured head circumference decides.