How to Determine Football Helmet Size

Football helmets are designed to give head protection but work properly only if they are correctly fitted. Helmets can be bought in youth and adult sizes with a variety of safety components as well as face mask and chin strap options. Depending on the included components, each football helmet may fit differently. It is imperative that you try on the exact football helmet that you intend to wear to ensure that you are comfortable with the components and overall fit.

Things You'll Need

  • Cloth tape measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dampen your hair. This simulates how your head is when you are sweating. According to Dick's Sporting Goods, most helmet manufacturers recommend a short haircut during the football season as drastic changes in hair often require a new helmet fit.

    • 2

      Have a partner measure the circumference of your head at 1 inch above the eyebrows. Use the cloth tape measure and make sure that it remains level as it is looped around the head.

    • 3

      Compare your head size to helmet models. The helmets will only fit heads of certain sizes, so it is important that you get a helmet that falls in your range. The head size range for each helmet will be listed on the helmet box or on the paperwork that comes with the helmet.