Head shape first
Western crowns come in regular and long ovals, and this matters more in felt than in caps: the correct circumference with the wrong oval still pinches. Look straight down: clearly longer front-to-back means long-oval.
Unofficial guide · not affiliated with Stetson
Stetson hat sizes, decoded
Western hats are sold on the standard fitted scale in fractions, with letter sizes popular where the exact fractions run out. Measure head circumference just above the ears, read the fitted fraction from the chart, then cross-check any letter size against the maker's own cm spans.
| US | UK | Head (cm) | Head (inches) | EU | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 5/8 hat size | 6 1/2 | 53.0 | 20 7/8 | 53 | S |
| 6 3/4 hat size | 6 5/8 | 53.9 | 21 1/4 | 54 | S |
| 6 7/8 hat size | 6 3/4 | 54.9 | 21 5/8 | 55 | S |
| 7 hat size | 6 7/8 | 55.8 | 22 | 56 | M |
| 7 1/8 hat size | 7 | 56.8 | 22 3/8 | 57 | M |
| 7 1/4 hat size | 7 1/8 | 57.7 | 22 3/4 | 58 | L |
| 7 3/8 hat size | 7 1/4 | 58.7 | 23 1/8 | 59 | L |
| 7 1/2 hat size | 7 3/8 | 59.6 | 23 1/2 | 60 | XL |
| 7 5/8 hat size | 7 1/2 | 60.6 | 23 7/8 | 61 | XL |
| 7 3/4 hat size | 7 5/8 | 61.5 | 24 1/4 | 62 | XXL |
| 7 7/8 hat size | 7 3/4 | 62.5 | 24 5/8 | 63 | XXL |
| 8 hat size | 7 7/8 | 63.5 | 25 | 64 | XXL |
| 8 1/8 hat size | 8 | 64.5 | 25 3/8 | 65 | XXL |
| 8 1/4 hat size | 8 1/8 | 65.4 | 25 3/4 | 65 | XXL |
Western fit specifics
Felt relaxes straw doesn't
Fur felt softens and settles slightly around the sweatband with wear, which is why sellers advise a firm (not painful) new fit. Straw cannot stretch without cracking — purchase straw to the exact measured size.
Hair under the brim
A structured western crown has more internal height: style your hair as you will wear it, measure over it, and re-measure each season or hairstyle change. A bun at the crown kicks the hat forward.
Western fit guide with more depth lives atcowboy hat size chart. Unofficial page — brand names belong to their owners; no logos are used.
Stetson sizing FAQs
What Stetson letter size matches my head?
Western houses commonly map letters onto the same fitted scale: S ≈ 6 7/8–7 1/8 (54.9–56.8 cm), M ≈ 7 1/8–7 3/8 (56.8–58.7 cm), L ≈ 7 3/8–7 5/8 (58.7–60.6 cm), XL above that. Exact band edges vary by style and year — the maker's own chart is the source of truth.
Do Stetson hats use the same size system as caps?
The numeric fractions do: a US 7 1/4 felt hat is cut for the same 57.7 cm head as a US 7 1/4 cap. The difference is that structured felts have no elastic band, so between sizes you size up or have the hat conformed to your head.
How should a Stetson cowboy hat sit?
Level, just above the ears, snug at the temples and comfortable across the front hairline. The standard western fit check: tilt your head down and nod lightly — the hat should stay put on its own, without you pinching the brim or adjusting the crown.
Can a Stetson felt hat be stretched smaller or larger?
Fur felt is the one hat material a milliner can genuinely resize: opening or closing a crown by a quarter to half a size is routine professional work. Straw does not stretch without cracking, so straw hats are bought to the exact measured size.
Is this page affiliated with Stetson?
No. Independent and unofficial: an explanation of how western hat sizing is typically sold by makers, written to help buyers identify their size. Check the maker's own size page before buying.