It’s important to know kids’ helmet sizes to get a proper fit for their helmets. A helmet cannot fully protect your child’s head if it doesn’t fit properly. Kids’ helmets should not flap around on children’s heads; rather, they should remain firmly in place, even while children are moving.
Always have children wear proper helmets that meet leading international safety standards when riding bikes, skateboards, or scooters. A helmet that doesn’t fit properly won’t stay in place and won’t be able to provide proper protection in the event of an accident.
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to understand bike helmet sizes for kids, and it’s just as easy to measure the size of their heads for a helmet that’s the perfect fit.
Why Are Helmets Important For Kids?
Kids’ helmets should be snugly fitting and comfortable, not floppy or loose. A helmet doesn’t need to cover the entire surface of your kid’s head, but it needs to be securely fastened. Helmet sizing is important to ensure that your kid’s helmet fits correctly.
It is imperative that kids’ helmets must fit, because they are intended to protect your child’s head, and make sure that they are always protected. To achieve this, it needs to be measured and well-fitted.
Bike Helmet Size Chart
| Child’s Age | Size | Approx Head Size inches | Approx head size cm |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 3 years | X-Small / Infant | 17.5″ to 19.75″ | 44 to 50 cm |
| 3 to 5 years | Small / Toddler | 19″ to 20.5″ | 48 to 52 cm |
| 5 to 8 years | Medium/Child | 19.75″ to 21.25″ | 50 to 54 cm |
| 8 to 14 years | Large / Youth | 20.5″ to 22.25″ | 52 to 56 cm |
| 14 years+ | X-Large / Adult | 22.25″ to 24.25″ | 56 to 62 cm |
How Do Helmet Sizes Work?
Kids helmets come in many sizes. Some brands call them by different names, but there isn’t much difference between them. Whatever size you buy, it should fit well on your child’s head. Kids’ helmet sizes come in a variety of sizes, including toddler sizes, child sizes, youth sizes, but some may also call them XS, S, M, and L.
These sizes completely depend on the brand you are buying from, because some brands may market it differently, but the measurements will still apply.
The sizes are not always set in stone, but generally, the circumference of your child’s head will range from 44 cm to 56 cm in their first ten years. When they are twelve months, their head circumference will most likely be around 46 cm, which will be the start of toddler sizes.
At the age of two, their circumference should be around 48 cm, and 51 cm between the ages of three and five. Between the ages of six and ten, your child’s head will stop growing as fast, and the circumference should be around 53 cm.
From the age of eleven and upwards, the circumference should be around 56 cm. Once you know about these measurements, you can compare them to a size guide to find out how big the helmet should be.
What Size Should I Get?
To determine what size bike helmet to buy, you need to accurately measure your child’s head. There are a few ways you can do this, but they mostly involve a tape measure. You want to take a measurement at the back of your child’s head, where the top of his/her ears meets. This is called the nape of the neck.
If you find your child is between sizes, go with the larger option.
When measuring your child’s head, keep in mind that he/she might grow out of the helmet before reaching adulthood, so don’t expect him/her to use the same size forever. If you’re unsure about how to measure your child’s head, check out our guide to measuring kids’ heads.
How to Measure Your Child’s Head for a Helmet
This guide will help you measure your child’s head for a bike helmet.
Head circumference is important when choosing helmets for children. Helmets should be sized according to the child’s head circumference. This measurement can be taken using a tape measure or measuring tape. You can use a ruler too, but it might be difficult to read.
The most common way to measure a child’s head circumference is with a tape measure. Measure the distance around the back of the child’s head at the widest point of his/her forehead. You should be able to find this approximately an inch or two fingers above your child’s eyebrows..
Make sure to keep the tape measure straight across the top of the head, and do not stretch the tape measure out or let it sit unevenly or you could end up getting inaccurate results.
Once you have a measurement, compare this with the measurement examples given in the back of helmets or on a size guide.
Trying on the Child’s Helmet for Size
When trying on the helmet for accurate results, make sure any obstructions are away from the child’s head, and that the helmet sits firmly, rather than falling off. The helmet should not be positioned low, and should not be obstructing any viewpoints for your child.
Additionally, on the forehead it should be placed around two finger widths above the eyebrows of the child.
Once the desired helmet is on the head, tighten the dial at the back to ensure that the helmet is secure. Ask your child to shake their head back and forth before you have buckled it. This will act as a guide to see how tight it needs to be. Adjust the straps, and buckle your child into their helmet. You can adjust the chin strap for length, too.
Alternative Head Measurement Method for Helmets
Another method to measure a child’s helmet size is to use a tape measure to measure the earlobe to crown measurements. Start by taking the measurement at the crown of the child’s head (the highest point). Then take the measurement again at the earlobe.
Once you’ve got both numbers, add them together. That’s how you’ll find the correct size for your child’s helmet.
You’ll need to find the right spot to measure your child’s nape of the neck with a tape measure. Measure the distance from the center of one earlobe to the other. Take the measurement at the widest part of the earlobes.
Make sure that you’re using a straight edge like a ruler, and that you’re holding the tape measure level with your child’s head. Then add up all the numbers together. This gives you the circumference of your child’s head. This will make sure that the helmet will stay in place.
When adding the two measurements together, make sure that you get the number closest to the actual size of your child’s head. Don’t add more than one inch to each side.
It’s best to have someone help you measure your child’s head. They can hold the tape measure ensuring it remains even while you get the measurements.
After you have these measurements, divide the number you got by 2.5 to give you the approximate height of your child’s head (in inches). Take note of this number, because it will help you figure out which size to buy.
Measure your child’s head again, and compare the two numbers. If they differ more than 1 inch, then you know that your child has grown since last time. In this case, you’ll have to get another helmet. You can also use this to compare how often your child’s head is growing.
Final Thoughts
Helmets are necessary to protect children when they are riding bikes or scooters. Without helmets, injuries could be severe. It is pretty simple to measure your child’s head for a helmet. We hope you enjoyed this guide to kids’ bike helmets.
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