Western & OutdoorElk City, Oklahoma
Your hat.
Your shape.
A crown sets the character. A brim finishes the look. Explore the profiles, find your starting size, and bring a clear plan to your hat shaper.
Start at the top.
Compare the front and top of each crown. The brim stays flat here so you can see the difference. The red marker indicates the front of the hat.
Open crown
Uncreased dome; the starting shape.
Cattleman
Center channel with two side creases.
Brick
Box-shaped center with side creases.
Minnick
Shallow center; small side dents.
Walker
Rounded top with small side dents.
West Texas Punch
Tall crown; pronounced side dents.
Gus
Center crease; front lower than back.
Cool Hand Luke
Oval top recess with side dents.
Teardrop
Tapered top recess; pinched front.
Telescope
Recessed top inside a continuous rim.
UN
American code; match the reference profile.
Names can vary by maker and shop. These drawings show the basic profiles; a reference photo and finished measurements help your shaper match the exact look. UN is kept as American Hat’s code.
Finish with the brim.
Choose the front outline and side lift. These front views use the same crown for comparison; confirm the rear curve with your shaper.
Flat
Level, unturned brim.
Round
Rounded front; gradual side roll.
J / George Strait
Crown-width front; medium sides.
Cool Hand Luke
Broad, square front; low sides.
U
Wide front; tighter U at back.
Showmanship
Narrow front; high, sharp sides.
West Texas Punch
Tall sides; tight U at back.
JB
Straight front; medium side lift.
SC
Low side lift; shallow front profile.
Brim length is the distance from the crown to the edge. Front flat width is the distance between the side bends. Record both for a repeatable shape. SC is shown using American Hat’s code.
Fit comes first.
Use this American Hat Company chart as a starting point, then try the actual hat. Other brands can differ.
1. Find your hat line
Wrap a flexible tape just above your eyebrows and ears. Keep it level, comfortably snug, and read it twice.
2. Check the size range
A comfortable fit should hold without squeezing. If you land between chart values, try the adjacent sizes with your shaper.
Enter your measurement to see its place on the American Hat chart.
Head shape matters too. Record the oval fit of the actual hat; a size number alone does not describe the fit.
| US hat size | Head / inches | Head / cm* |
|---|---|---|
| 6 1/2 | 20 1/4″ | 51.4 |
| 6 5/8 | 20 3/4″ | 52.7 |
| 6 3/4 | 21 1/8″ | 53.7 |
| 6 7/8 | 21 1/2″ | 54.6 |
| 7 | 21 7/8″ | 55.6 |
| 7 1/8 | 22 1/4″ | 56.5 |
| 7 1/4 | 22 5/8″ | 57.5 |
| 7 3/8 | 23″ | 58.4 |
| 7 1/2 | 23 1/2″ | 59.7 |
| 7 5/8 | 23 7/8″ | 60.6 |
| 7 3/4 | 24 1/4″ | 61.6 |
| 7 7/8 | 24 5/8″ | 62.5 |
| 8 | 25″ | 63.5 |
*Centimeters are converted from the manufacturer’s inch chart and rounded to 0.1 cm.
Make the color yours.
American Hat Company felt colors. Screen swatches are approximate; compare the actual felt before making the final choice.
- Evergreen
- Grenadine
- Midnight Blue
- Black Cherry
- Black
- Steel
- Chocolate
- Pecan
- Tuscan
- Silver Belly
- Natural
- Bone
- Silver Sand
- White
This color reference does not indicate Circle A inventory. Color, size, and quality combinations vary; check the current product before ordering.
Give your shaper a clear plan.
Capture the profile and measurements. These notes are a reference for a fitting; they do not place an order or reserve a hat.
Choose a crown + choose a brim
Use the shape tabs above to choose your combination.
