How to Figure Out What Size Helmet I Wear

Helmets that fit are helmets that are comfortable to wear.

Trying to figure out what size helmet to wear can be confusing. A medium in one brand may seem smaller than a medium in another, and sizes vary from sport to sport. Knowing how to properly measure your head allows you to find the corresponding helmet size no matter who has made the helmet. Just match your measurement to the size guide on the packaging.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth tape measure

Instructions

1. Wrap a cloth tape measure around your head. Make sure the tape measure is lying flat and is positioned 1 inch above your eyes and ears and passes over the widest part of your head (when looking at your head in profile) in the back.

2. Record the measurement where the end of the tape meets the rest of it at the front of your forehead. You do not want the tape to overlap. Rather, note the exact point where they meet.

3. Consult the chart listed in the Resources section of this article to find the corresponding helmet size for many manufacturers, matching your measurement with the size designation (small, medium, large or extra large). Alternately, if you are in a store looking at potential helmets, turn over the packaging or label on the helmet and you should see a similar chart. Find your measurement to determine proper size.

Tips & Warnings

• Try on several helmets from different manufacturers that match your size to find the one that is most comfortable. Different makes of helmet will fit different shapes of heads more comfortably than others. If you plan to order a helmet online, it is worth a trip to a local store that carries the brand to try it on first. If you can't do that, make sure you are aware of the return policy of the site, so if you need to return it, you can.

• Always wear a helmet for any activity where there is a risk of impact injury to the head (whether from being struck by an object or falling). Not wearing a helmet can turn a simple incident into a potentially fatal accident.

References

• Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: Helmet Sizing
• IronHorseHelmets: Motorcycle Helmet Sizes

Resources

• ExtremeMotorSales.com: Size Chart by Manufacturer