How to Measure Your Head for a Wig

A wig that fits well stays put, looks natural at the hairline, and feels comfortable all day. Most fit problems, such as slipping, headaches, or a hairline that sits too far back, come from the cap size, not the style. The good news: measuring takes about five minutes.

What you'll need

  • A soft, flexible tape measure (the kind used for sewing)
  • A mirror, or a friend to help
  • Your hair flat: wear a wig cap, or pin your hair as you would under a wig

The three key measurements

1. Circumference

This is the most important number. Start at the center of your front hairline. Run the tape along the hairline, just behind one ear, around the nape of your neck, behind the other ear, and back to the start. Keep the tape snug but not tight.

2. Front to nape

Measure from the center of your front hairline, straight back over the top of your head, to the nape of your neck where your hair ends.

3. Ear to ear over the top

Measure from where your hairline meets the top of one ear, over the crown, to the same point on the other ear.

Finding your cap size

Most wigs come in an average cap, and many styles also come in petite or large. As a general guide:

  • Petite: a circumference of roughly 20.5 to 21.25 inches
  • Average: roughly 21.5 to 22.5 inches, which fits most women
  • Large: roughly 22.75 inches and up

Sizes vary a little between brands, so always check the size chart for the specific wig you're considering. If you fall between two sizes, the smaller size with its adjustable straps loosened often fits more securely than the larger one.

Using the adjustable straps

Most wig caps have adjustable straps or hooks at the nape. These let you fine-tune the fit by about half an inch either way. If you need to adjust them much more than that, a different cap size will usually be more comfortable.

Signs your wig doesn't fit

  • It slides back or rides up during the day: the cap is too large
  • You get headaches or pressure lines: the cap is too small
  • The ear tabs sit on top of your ears instead of in front of them: the cap is the wrong size or sitting too far back

Not sure about your measurements?

Send me your three measurements and the styles you like, and I'll tell you which cap size to choose. Ask Heather, or browse all wigs.

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