Baby & Kids Hat Size
Find the right hat size for a baby or child by age or head circumference. Beanies, sun hats, baseball caps.
How to measure a baby's head
Use a soft fabric tape. Wrap once around: 1 cm above eyebrows + over the back of the head (the occipital bump). Snug but not tight.
If no soft tape: use a piece of string, mark where it overlaps, lay it flat against a ruler.
Don't measure a newborn at the hospital — heads change shape in the first 2 weeks. Measure at the 2-week pediatrician visit.
What hat for what occasion?
Newborn (0–3 months)
A thin cotton beanie is essential — newborns lose heat through their heads. Avoid pom-poms and ties (suffocation risk in sleep).
Sun hats (3 months+)
UPF 50+ wide-brim or bucket. Chin strap (not tie) for security. Never use sunscreen on babies under 6 months — they need a hat instead.
Winter beanies
Fleece-lined or knit wool. Ear coverage matters. For babies in car seats: take the puffy winter hat OFF — it can interfere with car seat strap fit.
Baseball caps (toddler+)
Look for adjustable Velcro or snap-back (most kid caps are). Snug but allows ½ finger to slip between hat and forehead.
FAQ
What size hat for a newborn?
Most newborns are 33–38 cm (13–15 in) head circumference at birth, fitting "0–3 month" hats. By 3 months they're typically 40–42 cm.
My baby's head is bigger than the chart says — normal?
Head circumference varies a LOT in healthy babies. Pediatricians track growth percentile, but anywhere 3rd-97th percentile is fine. Just buy the size that fits, not what matches their age.
How quickly do babies outgrow hats?
VERY fast. A newborn hat lasts 2–6 weeks. By 1 year, they fit the same hat for ~3 months. By age 2+, hats last 6–12 months.
Should I size up?
Yes for purchases more than 1 month out. By a season earlier than needed for winter hats. Same year for sun hats (small head = better sun protection).