Explore state by state cost analysis of US colleges in an interactive article

How to Measure a Graduation Cap Size

How to Measure a Graduation Cap Size
Written By
Aletha Reil
Aletha Reil
Published: Oct 4, 2010
Updated: May 14, 2022
1 minute read

Even a bright student can be flummoxed by the simple task of ordering the right size graduation cap. Avoid the temptation to guess at your size just to get it done. Otherwise, you’ll be one of those graduates with an ill-fitting cap that falls off while marching and looks funny in graduation photos. Sizing for your graduation cap is easier than you may think, and it only takes a few minutes of your time. Once you determine your graduation cap size, you’ll be one step closer to receiving your diploma.

Place the measuring tape approximately 1 inch above your ears and measure the circumference of your head.

Record your measurement on a sheet of paper, rounding the number to the closest quarter inch.

Use a sizing chart to determine your graduation cap size.

Tip

If you fall between two sizes, you should err on the bigger size.

Tips

If you fall between two sizes, you should err on the bigger size.

Aletha Reil

Aletha Reil has a bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in creative writing from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y. She has been writing for more than three years and is currently working as a women's fitness columnist for a…

Sponsored
The Classroom Logo

The Classroom provides honest, relatable, step-by-step guidance for high schoolers applying to college and first-time undergraduate students.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.