A fedora should feel snug but not tight: it should grip your head with light, even pressure all the way round, stay put when you nod or walk in a breeze, and never leave a red mark or ache. It should sit level on the widest part of your head, roughly a finger’s width above your eyebrows and the tops of your ears, without resting on your ears.
Key takeaways
- Snug, even pressure is right; a pressure point or headache means it is too tight.
- The hat should sit about a finger’s width above your brows and ears.
- Measure around the widest part of your head in centimetres to find your size.
- US fitted size is head circumference in inches divided by π; UK sizes run 1/8 smaller.
- If you are between sizes, go up and add hat sizing tape.
How tight should a fedora be?
A well-fitting fedora feels secure without squeezing. You should notice the sweatband touching your forehead and the back of your head, but you should not feel it pressing at any one spot. After 15 minutes of wear, it should still be comfortable.
A simple check is to slide a fingertip between the sweatband and your forehead. If it goes in with light resistance, the fit is about right. If you cannot get it in at all, the hat is too tight. If your whole finger slips in easily and the hat moves when you turn your head quickly, it is too loose.
Signs your fedora is too tight
- A red line on your forehead when you take it off.
- A dull headache after wearing it for a while.
- The hat rides up and perches on top of your head.
- Pressure at the temples or the back of the head.
Signs your fedora is too loose
- It slips down towards your eyebrows or rests on your ears.
- A light breeze lifts it.
- It spins slightly when you turn your head.
- You keep adjusting it to keep it level.
Where should a fedora sit on your head?
A fedora should sit on the widest part of your head, which for most people runs across the forehead just above the eyebrows and around the back above the ears. The front edge of the brim usually sits about a finger’s width, or roughly 1 to 2 cm, above your brows.
The hat should not rest on your ears. If it touches them, it is either too big or pulled down too far. Equally, it should not sit high on the crown of your head like a cap balanced on top, which usually means it is too small.
Should a fedora be tilted?
Tilt is a style choice. Wearing a fedora level is the classic, understated way. A slight forward tilt or a small angle to one side gives a more relaxed look. Whatever angle you choose, the fit should still feel secure.
How do you measure your head for a fedora?
You need a soft tape measure. If you only have string, wrap it round your head, mark it and measure the string against a ruler.
- Find the widest part of your head. Place the tape across your forehead about 1 cm above your eyebrows and around the back, just above your ears.
- Keep the tape level and snug. It should sit flat against your skin without pulling tight.
- Read the measurement in centimetres. This number is also your EU hat size.
- Measure twice. Take a second reading to confirm, and use the larger figure if they differ.
- Convert to US or UK sizing if needed. Use the formula below or our hat size chart.
If you wear your hair thick or in a bun, or often wear a hat over a hood or headband, measure with your hair styled the way you usually wear it.
How do hat sizes convert between US, UK and EU?
Hat sizes follow a set formula. The EU size is simply your head circumference in centimetres. The US fitted size is your head circumference in inches divided by π (about 3.14). UK sizes are 1/8 smaller than US sizes for the same head, so a 57 cm head is a US 7 1/8 and a UK 7.
| Head (cm) / EU size | US size | UK size |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 6 7/8 | 6 3/4 |
| 56 | 7 | 6 7/8 |
| 57 | 7 1/8 | 7 |
| 58 | 7 1/4 | 7 1/8 |
| 59 | 7 3/8 | 7 1/4 |
| 60 | 7 1/2 | 7 3/8 |
| 61 | 7 5/8 | 7 1/2 |
Many fedoras are also sold in letter sizes such as S, M, L and XL. These cover a range of head sizes and vary between makers, so always check the measurements given for the specific hat. For a full conversion table, see our hat size chart, or the main size guide for clothing and accessories.
What if you are between hat sizes?
Go up to the larger size. A hat that is slightly big can be made smaller with hat sizing tape, a thin foam strip that sits behind the sweatband. A hat that is too small is much harder to fix.
- Buy hat sizing tape. It usually comes in a roll or pre-cut strips with an adhesive back.
- Fold the sweatband down. Gently turn the leather or fabric band inwards so you can see where it is stitched to the hat.
- Place the tape behind the band. Start at the back of the hat, where extra thickness is least noticeable, and add more around the sides if needed.
- Try it on and adjust. Add or remove tape a little at a time until the hat feels snug and even.
Will a fedora stretch or loosen with wear?
A felt fedora may ease a little as the sweatband and felt warm and shape to your head, but you should not rely on this. Buy a hat that already fits comfortably, rather than one that feels tight in the hope it will loosen.
Straw fedoras generally give very little. Tight straw hats can crack if you force them, so a straw hat needs to fit well from the start. If a felt hat is only slightly tight, a milliner or hat shop may be able to stretch it professionally.
Why does a fedora feel tight at the sides but loose at the front?
This is usually about head shape rather than size. Heads vary from round to long oval, and hats are shaped to fit a typical oval. If your head is rounder than average, a hat may pinch at the sides while leaving space front and back.
A size up with sizing tape at the front and back can help. Some hat shops can also reshape felt hats with steam and a shaping tool to follow your head more closely.
Quick fit checklist before you buy
- It sits level, about a finger’s width above your brows.
- It does not touch the tops of your ears.
- It stays in place when you nod and turn your head.
- It feels comfortable after 15 minutes of wear.
- There are no red marks when you take it off.
Once you know your size, you can find our fedora in the shop.
FAQs
Should a fedora cover your ears?
No. The brim should stay clear of your ears. If it covers or rests on them, the hat is too big or worn too low.
What size fedora is 57 cm?
A 57 cm head is EU size 57, US 7 1/8 and UK 7. If a hat uses letter sizes, check which range includes 57 cm.
Is it better for a fedora to be slightly big or slightly small?
Slightly big. Sizing tape can take up a small gap easily, but there is no simple fix for a hat that squeezes your head.
How do I stop my fedora blowing off?
First make sure the fit is snug. On very windy days, a hat with a chin cord or a small clip is more secure, or you can carry the hat by the brim.
Do women’s and men’s fedoras fit differently?
The sizing system is the same. Women’s styles may have narrower brims or different proportions, but you measure and choose the size in exactly the same way.