How to measure your head for the perfect hat fit
There's nothing worse than falling in love with a hat online, ordering it, and having it either perch awkwardly on top of your head or squeeze your temples like a vice. Hat sizing is not like clothing sizing - you can't just guess a medium and hope for the best.
The good news: measuring your head takes about 60 seconds, you only need to do it once, and once you know your size, ordering the right Andora hat is completely foolproof.
Here's exactly how to do it.
What you need
Not much. You have two options:
A flexible measuring tape - the kind used for sewing or body measurements. This is the most accurate method and what we recommend.
A piece of string or ribbon and a ruler - if you don't have a measuring tape. Wrap the string around your head, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler.
That's it. No special tools, no guesswork.
01 - Where exactly to measure
This is the part most people get wrong - and it's why their hats don't fit.
You're measuring the circumference of your head at the point where a hat would actually sit. That means: about 1 cm above your ears, across the middle of your forehead, and around the back of your head at the widest point.
This is typically just above your eyebrows at the front and just above where your head starts to curve inward at the back. Not the very top of your head, not around your temples - the mid-point where the hat band will rest.
If you're unsure, place a finger just above your ear and trace a line around your head at that height. That's your measuring line.
02 - How to measure
Stand in front of a mirror if possible - it makes it easier to check positioning.
Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your head at the line described above. Keep it level all the way around - not tilted up at the back or dipping down over your ears. It should sit parallel to the floor.
Pull it snug but not tight. You want the tape to sit flush against your head the way a hat band would - close enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it digs in.
Note the measurement where the tape meets itself. This is your head circumference in centimetres.
Measure twice to be sure. Head circumferences typically range from around 52 cm to 62 cm for adults. If your number falls outside this range, double-check your technique before assuming anything unusual.
03 - Reading the Andora size chart
Once you have your measurement in centimetres, find your size below:
XS - fits 51.6 to 53.5 cm S - fits 53.6 to 55.5 cm M - fits 55.6 to 57.5 cm L - fits 57.6 to 59.5 cm XL - fits 59.6 to 61.5 cm
One important detail: Andora hat sizes are labelled by the upper measurement of each range. So a hat labelled 55 cm has a true internal measurement of approximately 55.5 cm. This means the label runs slightly smaller than the actual size - always check the range, not just the number on the label.
04 - What if you're between sizes?
This happens more often than you'd think - heads don't always fall neatly into a single category. If your measurement lands right on the border between two sizes, here's how to decide:
If you're between sizes and you prefer a snug, secure fit - go with the smaller size.
If you're between sizes and you prefer a more relaxed, comfortable fit - go with the larger size.
Either way, all Andora hats come with adjustable drawstrings on the inside. This means you have a real range of adjustment built into every hat - not just a fixed internal circumference. The drawstring lets you fine-tune the fit to your exact head, which is a big part of why Andora hats feel so comfortable once you find your right size.
If you're still unsure after measuring, don't guess - contact us. Send your exact measurement in centimetres and we'll tell you directly which size to order. We'd rather take 30 seconds to help you get it right than have you receive a hat that doesn't fit perfectly.
You can also ask about hat fillers - small inserts that sit inside the band to take up a small amount of space if you've ordered a size that's very slightly too large.
05 - A few things that can affect your measurement
Hair thickness matters more than you'd expect. If you have very thick, voluminous hair and you typically wear your hat over it - measure with your hair down and styled as you'd normally wear it under the hat. If you wear your hair up or under the hat, measure with your hair up.
The same applies to braids, locs, or any updo that adds significant volume. Measure in the way that reflects how you'll actually wear the hat day-to-day.
Head shape also plays a small role. Most people have heads that are slightly oval rather than perfectly round - wider front to back than side to side, or vice versa. The circumference measurement handles this automatically, but if you have an unusually elongated or wide head shape and you're between sizes, it's worth mentioning when you contact us.
06 - What a good fit actually feels like
A correctly fitted Andora hat should sit level on your head without you having to hold it in place. It should feel snug enough that it stays put when you move, but comfortable enough that you could wear it for hours without thinking about it.
It should not leave a red mark on your forehead when you take it off. If it does, it's too tight - size up or loosen the drawstring.
It should not move around, tip forward, or slide back without prompting. If it does, it's too loose - tighten the drawstring or consider a hat filler.
The brim should sit roughly 1 to 2 finger-widths above your eyebrows. This is the classic position - low enough to frame your face, high enough to see where you're going.
07 - Sizing for gifts
Buying an Andora hat as a gift and you don't know the recipient's head size? A few options:
Ask them to measure their head using this guide and send you the number. Simple and foolproof.
If that ruins the surprise - size M (57.5 cm) is the most common size and fits the widest range of people. It's not a guarantee, but it's the safest guess if you have no other information.
If the size turns out to be wrong, Andora offers free exchanges within the EU within 14 days of receiving the order. So even if the first size isn't perfect, getting to the right one is straightforward.
Your quick-reference summary
Measure 1 cm above your ears, across the mid-forehead, around the widest point at the back. Keep the tape level and snug. Note the measurement in centimetres. Find your size in the chart. If between sizes, use the drawstring to fine-tune - or contact us and we'll help.
Ready to find your fit?
Now that you know your size, the only decision left is which hat to make yours.
