How to Measure Your Head for a Wig That Actually Fits

Quick answer

Measure your head with a soft, flexible tape measure, keeping it snug but not tight against your hairline. The three measurements that matter most are circumference, front-to-back (ear to ear over the crown), and ear-to-ear across the forehead. Write them down in inches, then match them to the wig cap size range, not the length or style.

What you need before you start

A fabric tape measure gives the most accurate reading because it follows the curve of your head. If you only have a rigid ruler, use a piece of string or a shoelace, mark the length, then lay it flat against the ruler. Pull your hair back the way you plan to wear it under the wig. If you have long hair, braid it flat or pin it close to your scalp so the tape sits against your head, not on top of a bun.

• Soft tape measure or string plus a ruler
• Mirror or a second person for the back measurement
• Hair clips or a headband to keep hair flat
• Pen and paper to record numbers

Measure circumference first

Start at your natural hairline at the front, just above your forehead. Guide the tape around the side of your head, above your ears, and around the back at the base of your skull where the head curves inward. Bring it back to the starting point. Keep the tape level all the way around. Most people find the average wig cap size falls between 21 and 22.5 inches, but your own number is what counts.

• Do not pull the tape tight enough to dent your skin.
• If the tape slips, restart rather than guessing.
• Measure twice and use the larger number if they differ.

Measure front to back over the crown

Place the start of the tape at your front hairline, then run it straight back over the top of your head to the nape at the bottom of your hairline. This tells you how deep the cap needs to be. A cap that is too short will ride up at the back, and one that is too long will bunch at the nape. Ask someone to help read the number at the back so you do not twist the tape.

• Keep the tape centered, not off to one side.
• Do not follow the natural part line, which can angle the tape.
• Record the number in inches.

Measure ear to ear across the forehead

Start at the top of one ear where it meets your head, run the tape across your forehead at the hairline, and finish at the top of the other ear. This is the width measurement. It affects how the lace front or part sits and whether the cap feels pinched at the temples. If you wear glasses, take this measurement with them on so the arms do not push the tape outward.

• Keep the tape flat against the forehead.
• Do not measure across the eyebrows, which is too low.
• Write down the number next to the other two.

Measure for a topper base

A topper does not need a full circumference. Instead, measure the area you want to cover. Place the tape at the front of your hairline and measure back to the point where you want the topper to end. Then measure side to side across the widest part of the thinning area. Compare those two numbers to the base dimensions listed for the topper. If the base is larger than your thinning area, it may feel bulky; if it is smaller, the clips can pull.

• Use a mirror to check the back edge.
• Mark the front and back points with a clip before measuring.
• Round up to the nearest half inch for a safer fit.

Read the wig size chart correctly

A wig size chart lists ranges, not exact matches. If your circumference is 21.5 inches, you may fit a cap listed as 21 to 22.5 inches. Check the cap size range on the product page before ordering. Some wigs, like the Madeline style, list a 21 to 22.5 inch cap, while the Yuki style lists 20.5 to 22.5 inches. Those ranges overlap, so your other measurements help you choose. A fixed middle part also affects where the cap sits, so compare the part placement to your natural part.

• Circumference is the first filter.
• Check front-to-back depth if you have a long or short face.
• Look at the parting type, because a fixed part cannot be moved.

Your measuring routine, step by step

1. Prep your hair: Pull hair back flat with clips or a headband. If you have long hair, braid it close to the scalp. Checkpoint: the tape should touch your head, not sit on top of hair.
2. Measure circumference: Run the tape from your front hairline around above the ears and back to the start. Keep it level. Checkpoint: snug, not tight. If it leaves a mark, loosen and remeasure.
3. Measure front to back: Go from front hairline over the crown to the nape. Ask for help reading the back. Checkpoint: the tape stays centered, not angled to one side.
4. Measure ear to ear: Go from the top of one ear across the forehead to the top of the other ear. Checkpoint: keep the tape at the hairline, not across the eyebrows.
5. Measure topper base if needed: Measure front to back and side to side across the thinning area only. Checkpoint: round up to the nearest half inch.
6. Compare to the size chart: Match your numbers to the cap range listed on the product page. Check parting type too. Next step: if you are between sizes, choose the larger range and use the adjustable straps or combs to fine-tune.

Cap sizes in our catalog

• Brown with Blonde Highlights Wavy Lace Front Synthetic Wig Madeline: Cap Size: 21"-22.5" This range fits many average adult head sizes, so it is a reasonable starting point if your circumference falls between 21 and 22.5 inches.
• Ash Brown Root Ash Creamy Blonde Straight Lace Front Wig Yuki: Cap Size: 20.5"-22.5" A slightly wider range than some caps, which can help if your measurements sit near the smaller end of average or if you are between sizes.