Measure Your Head for a Wig Like a Pro

August 04 2025 , Von Mobiletone Limited , 6 min Lesezeit

Buying your first wig can feel stressful—too tight, too loose, slipping, or not sitting flat. This step-by-step guide shows you how to measure your head at home (circumference, front-to-nape, ear-to-ear, and more) so your wig fits comfortably and looks natural.

Measuring your head for a wig for the first time can feel intimidating:
“What if I measure wrong?” “Will my hair volume affect the fit?” “How tight should the tape be?”
Don’t worry—this guide walks you through it clearly, step by step, so you can measure confidently at home.

What you’ll need: a soft measuring tape (tailor’s tape), a mirror, clips/headband, and optionally an eyebrow pencil or eyeliner to mark reference points.

1) Prep first: measure with your hair the way you’ll actually wear a wig

Hair volume can change your measurements. The goal is to measure your head in the same “setup” you’ll use when wearing a wig.

Long/thick hair: twist into a low bun or flat braids, then secure with a wig cap
Short hair: smooth it down with a headband or clips
If you usually part your hair a certain way: keep it similar for consistency

Tip: Don’t pull the wig cap too tight—secure and smooth is enough.

2) The 5 key measurements that matter most

These five measurements are the most commonly used for wig sizing and comfort. If you can ask a friend to help, it’ll be quicker and more accurate—but you can also do it yourself with a mirror.

A. Head Circumference — the most important measurement

This number usually determines your wig size (S/M/L).

How to measure:

Start at your front hairline (just at or slightly above where your wig hairline will sit)
Wrap the tape around above the ears/temples
Go around the widest part of the back of your head (the occipital bone)
Return to the starting point

✅ Best-fit tip: the tape should be snug but not tight. You should be able to slide one finger comfortably under the tape.

B. Front to Nape

This helps ensure the wig cap length fits from front hairline to the back hairline.

How to measure:

From the center of the front hairline
Over the top of the head (straight back)
To the nape hairline (where your hairline ends at the back)

C. Ear to Ear (Across Forehead)

This affects how the wig sits across the front and whether it feels comfortable near the ears.

How to measure:

From just above your left ear (near the ear tab area)
Across the forehead hairline curve
To the same point above your right ear

D. Temple to Temple (Over Top)

This helps the top sit flat—no “floating” or tight pressure.

How to measure:

Start at the left temple near the hairline
Measure over the highest point of the head
End at the right temple near the hairline

E. Nape of Neck (Nape Width)

This affects how secure and flat the wig sits at the back of your neck.

How to measure:

At the nape hairline, measure straight across from left to right

3) The 4 most common mistakes (avoid these and you’re set)

Pulling the tape too tight → can lead to headaches and marks when wearing the wig
Measuring at uneven height → creates inaccurate circumference results
Not measuring with your “wig hair setup” → hair volume changes the fit
Only measuring circumference → two people can have the same circumference but different front-to-nape or nape width

4) How to record measurements: use one unit + measure twice

Use cm (or inches) consistently
Measure each point twice
If the two numbers are different, measure a third time and take the most consistent result

Use a simple format like this:

Circumference: ____ cm
Front to Nape: ____ cm
Ear to Ear: ____ cm
Temple to Temple: ____ cm
Nape Width: ____ cm

5) A quick comfort check (for a more confident fit)

After measuring circumference, keep the tape in position:

You can talk and swallow normally without pressure ✅
When you gently nod or turn your head, the tape doesn’t slide noticeably ✅

That usually means you’ve found a comfortable, wearable snugness.

FAQ

Q1: What if I’m between two sizes?
Choose the option that feels more comfortable (often slightly larger is easier to adjust). A wig that’s too tight is harder to wear and can lift at the hairline.

Q2: Will thick hair affect sizing?
Yes. That’s why measuring with your hair secured the way you’ll wear a wig is essential—especially for thicker hair.

Q3: I’m measuring alone and it feels inconsistent—what can I do?
That’s normal. If possible, ask someone to help with circumference and front-to-nape—those two are the easiest to measure inaccurately alone.

When your measurements are right, your wig feels more comfortable—and looks more natural. If you’d like, send me your five measurements and I can help you identify the best cap size range and what to watch for (especially around the nape and ear areas).