June 2nd, 2021Your customers are online shoppers and will not be able to try on your wigs before a purchase to ensure that the fit is right and appropriate. It is very important that each customer you have know precisely how to measure their head size for a wig.
An ill-fitting wig will mean the wearer will have difficulties wearing the wig properly, or the wig will be so tight as to cause headaches. This will mean the wig will lie in a closet or in a room never worn. Worse, you will lose customers.
These are not situations you want your customers to be in at any time. You want your customers happy.
On the other hand, a properly fitting wig will make the customer feel better about themselves and their purchase decision. This means a high potential for return customers and shared information with friends.
Each measurement taken is necessary for the best overall fit. The more accurate and precise the measurements then the better the fit will be for the wig. Most first time wig customers assume the circumference – area around the head – is the only measurement necessary. This is not the case. Multiple head measurements, taken more than one time, is actually the best decision.
This guide will provide you the information to give your customer base the general knowledge they will need for making wig purchases.
Wig measurements and individual companies
Each individual wig company will have its own head size for small, medium and large. The differences could be minor enough where the fit will not make that much of a difference, but there is always the chance this will not be the case.
Average and/or medium – The majority of wigs
Anywhere from 95 to 97 percent of all wigs manufacturered and sold in standard businesses and online are going to be of the medium size. This means the wig’s circumference – the measurement of the head around its largest part – will be approximately 21 ½ to 22 ½ inches.
It would make sense for you to carry the bulk of your wig inventory in this range. Additionally, wigs that are adjustable with straps, which can be adjusted approximately 1 ½ inches on average, are recommended as inventory.
Materials to collect
This is not rocket science by any means but giving your customers precise materials and instructions on how to measure their head cannot be overlooked. The process should not take more than just a few minutes when everything is collected and ready.
Sourcing Nova recommends your customers have the following on hand for precise head measurements:
· Fabric tape measure or flexible measuring tape
· Wig cap (Recommended, but not necessary)
· Hair clips
· Pencil/Pen
· Paper
· Friend (Again, optional, but helpful)
A word about measuring tape
The best measuring tape to use is the soft sided type used to measure for clothing and alteration. It is often made of cloth or highly flexible plastic.
Lacking one of these, the customer can still take measurements with another sort of measuring tape or even a ruler. The only exception is they will need a length of string approximately 24 inches long.
If the customer is measuring with the string, here is how to do it:
· Tie an overhand knot about one inch in from each side of the string. Two knots in total.
· The knots will be the starting point for measurement.
· Simply wrap the string around the head to the knot.
· Mark the point where the string begins to double back onto itself. This is the distance needed.
· Make note of the measurement on the paper.
Prepping the head and hair to measure
It is very important that the customer lie their hair as flat as possible against their head. This is why a wig cap is a good idea as it will flatten the hair as much as possible for the head measurements to be accurate and precise.
If the customer does not plan on using a wig cap, securing the hair as close to the scalp as possible with pins is necessary. Long hair should be braided and tucked under. If possible, coating short hair with a gel or similar product to have the hair lie flat is recommended.
This process is exactly the same as if the customer is putting on their wig.
Finding the hairline edge
The customer’s hairline starts above the brow-bone on the bottom of the eyebrow and goes up. The customer should place the four fingers on the bottom of the brow-bone and the forehead. Where the top of the last finger lies is the beginning of the hairline. This is where head measurements should be taken. Marking this point in some way is a good idea.
At this point, the customer is ready to measure.
Taking head measurements for the wig
It is a strong recommendation for the customer to take several measurements and do so at different times of the day. Sourcing Nova recommends measuring four to five different times for the best results.
While it is important to get accurate and precise measurements, absolute precision is not necessary. Many wigs have adjustable parts to accommodate small changes in head size. Besides, the amount of hair on a customer head could vary depending on if the hair is cut or allowed to grow. As long as the measurements are relatively close, the customer will have good measurements for their wig choices.
There are seven total measurements to take. The seventh measurement is optional.
First measurement – The circumference of the head
Measure the circumference of the head as follows:
Step one: Start at the center of the forehead with one side of the tape measure or string.
Step two: Slide the tape measure around the perimeter of the head, going just above the ear, under the nape, the back of the head where hair meets skin and back again to the center of the head.
A note about the nape
The bottom of the wig needs to lie just above the nape. Bending the head back, and noting where the skin pinches slightly is the nape. This is the exact point the customer is looking for and measuring. Marking this point is important. If measured to this point correctly and the customer moves their head back, the wig will not move while worn.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ or full inch if necessary. 21 ¾ inches would round up to 22 inches. The average circumference of the head is 22 inches.
Second measurement – Ear to ear over the top of the head
Measure ear to ear over the top of the head as follows:
Step one: Place one end of the tape measure at the point between the ear and scalp where the two meet.
Step two: Pull the tape across the top of the head to the exact same spot on the other side.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ inch or full inch if necessary. 10 ¼ inches would round up to 10 ½ inches. The average ear to ear measurement is 11 inches.
Third measurement – Front of the head to the nape of the neck
Measure the front of the head to the nape of the neck as follows:
Step one: Place the tape on the center of the forehead. (Use the four finger techique from above. Mark the point between finger two and three for the precise center point.)
Step two: Pull the tape over the top of the head directly down the center until reaching the nape. The tape should be at the base of the hairline in the center of the head.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ inch or full inch if necessary. 13 ¾ inches would round up to 14 inches. The average forehead to nape measurement is 13 ½ inches.
Fourth measurement – Ear to ear around the front of the head
Measure the ear to ear around the front of the head as follows:
Step one: Start at the point where the ear meets the head, close to the base of what would be a side-burn.
Step two: Pull the tape across the front of the head across the hairline and forehead to the same spot on the other ear.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ inch or full inch if necessary. The average ear to ear around the front of the head is 11 ½ inches.
Fifth measurement – Temple to temple around the back of the head
Measure the temple to temple around the back of the head as follows:
Step one: Start at the temple, and close to the eyebrow. Use the edge of the eyebrow as a point of reference.
Step two: Pull the tape across the back of the head and around to the other temple. Go around the widest point of the head.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ inch or full inch if necessary. The average temple to temple around the back of the head is 14 inches.
A note about this measurement
This particular measurement is often overlooked when learning how to measure a head for a proper wig fitting. Be sure your customer takes this measurement for the best possible fit.
Sixth measurement – The nape of the neck from ear to ear
Measure the nape of the neck from ear to ear as follows:
Step one: Start with the measuring tape at the bottom of an ear lobe or at the bone behind the ear.
Step two: Pull the tape across the hairline base, across the nape, to the other ear.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ inch or full inch if necessary. The average nape of the neck around the hairline of the head is 11 ½ inches.
Seventh measurement (Optional) – The length of the nape
Measure the length of the nape as follows:
Step one: Start with the measuring tape at the point of the nape that meets bare skin.
Step two: Pull the tape across the base of the nape, to the point on the opposite side.
Step three: Record finding on the paper, rounding up to the next ½ inch or full inch if necessary. The average nape of the neck 5 ½ inches.
Find the perfect wig
The customer is done at this point with the measurements and should have fairly accurate recordings. As Sourcing Nova posted previously, there are several wig manufacturers and will have different wig sizes. However, most wig sizes will fall into very general categories. Like we said previously, 95 – 97 percent of all customers will be a medium or average head size based on the circumference measurement – anywhere between 21 ½ to 22 ½ inches.
The better, higher quality wigs will often have straps and combs as part of the wig lace cap. These will help the wig owner attach the wig to the wig cap or natural hair.
A word about body frames
While the vast majority of people will have an average or medium head size, a body frame and amount of hair may change the size of wig best suited for the customer. Here are Sourcing Nova’s recommendations for wig customers of body sizes that fall outside of the average
· Petite frame – A petite bodied wig customer with hair of medium length should consider the small or petite size of wig. Customers with longer hair or thick hair can consider going up a full size to a medium.
· Large frame – A larger bodied wig customer with full hair of medium length could possibly wear a large size of wig. Customers with little to no hair can go down to the medium size.
Head size chart
For convenience, Sourcing Nova has compiled all of the measurements into the following chart for ease of use and understanding. All size measurements are in inches.
| Child | Small | Medium | Large | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circumference | 19 – 20 | 21 – 21 ½ | 22 – 22 ½ | 23+ |
| Ear to ear | 11 ½ – 11 ¾ | 11 ¾ – 12 ½ | 12 ½ – 13 | 13+ |
| Front to nape | 13 ¼ – 13 ½ | 13 ½ – 14 | 14 – 15 | 15+ |
| Ear to ear front | 11 ¼ – 11 ½ | 11 ½ – 12 ½ | 12 – 13 | 13+ |
| Temple to temple | 13 ½ – 14 | 14 – 14 ½ | 14 ½ – 15 | 15+ |
| Ear to ear nape | 11 ½ – 11 ¾ | 11 ¾ – 12 ½ | 12 ½ – 13 | 13+ |
| Nape | 4 ¼ – 4 ½ | 4 ½ – 5 | 5 – 6 | 6+ |
Final thoughts
Sourcing Nova has worked hard to cover all of the important details about wigs, head sizes and how to take measurements. Is there anything we have forgotten, or you would like us to cover? Let us know in the comment section below. We love to hear from our customer base.
