Hat Size Chart for Preemie through Adult {Free Printable}

Cyndi Byars created this amazing hat size chart with hat sizes ranging from preemie through adult. It’s a great resource for taking the guesswork out of sizing crochet and knitted hats. Whether you’re making a baby hat, preemie hat, child’s hat, or adult hat, you can use the measurements to customize your project to the size you need.

The 4-page printable includes a crochet hat size chart with average measurements for hats from preemie to adult. Even better, it includes templates for both the hat crown and height for each size. So instead of constantly measuring your work, you can simply compare it to the appropriate template as you crochet or knit.

Printable Hat Size Chart – Preemie Through Adult

If you’re looking for a hat sizing chart or a quick reference for crochet and knit hat sizes, this printable is a handy one to keep with your projects.

The chart includes average head circumference measurements by age, along with suggested hat circumference, crown diameter, and hat height. It covers everything from preemie and newborn sizes through adult sizes, making it useful for baby hats, children’s hats, and adult hats alike.

To download the free hat measurement guide, just click the image or the text below it.

Important: When printing the hat templates, be sure to select 100% or Actual Size in your print settings. Do not select “Fit to Page” or use scaling, or the templates may not print at the correct size.

(click here ->) Download the Hat Measurements Guide by Cyndi Byars

How to use the hat sizing Guide

Once you’ve downloaded and printed the guide, you’ll find a hat size chart by age along with a series of circular templates for determining the correct crown diameter and additional templates for hat height.

The measurements are based on average head circumferences for each age range. The chart then provides a suggested finished hat circumference, crown diameter, and hat height to help you choose the appropriate size.

Hat size measurements by age, including average head circumference, hat circumference, crown diameter, and hat height.

These measurements are a great starting point, but keep in mind that head sizes can vary quite a bit, especially for babies and children. If you’re able to measure the recipient’s head, that will usually give you the best fit.

For a quick reference, the chart can also help answer questions such as what hat size is appropriate for a 1-year-old, 2-year-old, or 5-year-old. Keep in mind, though, that children of the same age can have very different head sizes, so measuring the head whenever possible will give you the best fit.

How to Use the Crochet Hat Crown Size Templates

The circular templates make it especially easy to determine when you’ve increased your crochet or knitted hat crown to the right size.

Each circle represents the approximate crown diameter needed for a particular hat size. Simply work your increases until your flat circle reaches the diameter shown on the template.

For example, if you’re making a newborn hat, continue increasing until your flat circle measures approximately 3½–4 inches across or matches the newborn crown template.

This is particularly helpful when you’re adapting a pattern or creating your own hat. You don’t necessarily have to follow a specific number of rounds or stitches—just keep increasing until your crown reaches the correct diameter for the size you’re making.

Getting the Proper Hat Height

Once your crown reaches the appropriate size, stop increasing and continue working evenly until the hat reaches the recommended height.

The printable includes hat height templates for each size. For the newborn example above, you would continue working evenly until the hat reaches approximately 4½–5½ inches in height.

Using both the crown diameter and finished height together helps you create a hat with a better fit, whether you’re crocheting or knitting.

A Note About Preemie and Baby Hat Sizes

Baby and preemie hat sizing can be a little tricky because babies grow quickly and head sizes can vary. If you’re looking for a preemie hat size chart, the measurements above provide a helpful starting point for preemie and newborn sizes.

For a preterm baby, measuring the actual head circumference is the best way to determine the appropriate hat size whenever possible. If you’re making preemie hats to donate, however, the average measurements in the chart can help you choose a starting size.

The same is true for baby hats. A baby hat size chart can help you choose a starting size, but measuring the baby’s head will give you the most accurate fit.

Reader Tip!

Here’s a helpful tip from our readers: several have mentioned that they printed out and laminated the templates and then used a key ring to keep them together and handy in their project bags.

So smart!

Crochet and Knitted Hat Patterns to Try

Now that you have a hat sizing chart to help you determine the correct measurements, try it out with one of these free hat patterns. You can use the chart and templates to customize many hat patterns to fit a different age or size.

• Easy Crochet Hat Pattern … Great for Beginners!
• Easy Knit Hat Pattern for Beginners!
• Baby Hat Crochet Patterns … Newborn through 12 Months
• Mod Cluster Stitch Crochet Hat Pattern
• Little Sweetheart Child Hat Pattern
• O’Hara Hat Crochet Pattern

Whether you’re making a crochet hat, knitted hat, baby hat, or preemie hat, these measurements can help you adjust the pattern to the size you need.

Find Community

I would love to see your finished projects; share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, or the Petals to Picots Community.

A huge thank you to Cyndi Byars for sharing her Hat Size Chart with the Petals to Picots community!