How Do I Measure My Head for a Wig?

Measuring your head for a wig is not difficult, but the position of the tape matters. Start with the hair as flat as it will normally be under the wig, or wear the liner you usually intend to use. Avoid measuring over a bulky style that you would not wear under the cap.

For circumference, take the tape around the head following the hairline: across the front, above the ears, around the nape and back to the starting point. It should be snug but not pulled tight. Some manufacturers also use front-to-back and ear-to-ear-over-crown measurements.

Front-to-back runs from the front hairline over the crown to the nape. Ear-to-ear-over-crown travels over the top of the head from one ear area to the other. Take each measurement twice.

If the result changes significantly, check the tape position rather than choosing whichever number seems convenient. Finally, compare your measurements with the exact manufacturer's chart. Petite, average and large are not universal standards, and two caps with the same circumference can have different proportions.

Measurements are useful information, not a guarantee of fit.