How to Measure for ATV Helmet Size? | Tape Method That Works

Getting the right ATV helmet size comes down to one number: head circumference. A helmet that fits correctly should feel snug around your head and cheeks with minimal movement when you shake your head side to side, up and down. The measuring part takes about a minute; the important part is matching your measurement to the exact size chart of the helmet brand you plan to buy, since sizing varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Measuring Your Head for a Helmet

You’ll need a soft, flexible tape measure. If you don’t have one handy, a piece of string or a shoelace works fine — just wrap it around your head, mark the meeting point, and lay it flat against a ruler or metal tape measure.

Here’s the simple method that works across ATV, dirt, UTV, and off-road helmets:

1. Wrap the tape around your head at the widest point — roughly 1 inch above your eyebrows and just above your ears.
2. Keep the tape level all the way around. Don’t let it angle up or dip down at the back.
3. Pull it snug but not tight. It should sit against your head without squeezing or leaving gaps.
4. Take the measurement at least twice. If the numbers differ, use the larger reading.
5. Write down the number in inches or centimeters, depending on which unit the brand’s chart uses.

Shoei’s guide recommends moving the tape slightly up and down to find the largest measurement around your head, then choosing the size closest to that number. If you wear a balaclava or head sock while riding, put it on before measuring — that changes the fit, and you want your helmet sized for real riding conditions.

Matching Your Measurement to a Size Chart

Every helmet brand publishes its own sizing chart, and those charts differ. A 23-inch head might map to a Medium in one brand and a Large in another. So always pull up the size chart on the specific product page of the helmet you want, not a generic one.

Brands also differ on what to do when you fall between sizes. Bell Racing’s guide says to use your largest head measurement and match it to the chart. Shoei says if you’re between two sizes, try the smaller one first, because a helmet that’s slightly snug will break in, while one that’s too loose never gets better. Polaris takes a more practical view: measure at your head’s widest point to get “in the ballpark,” then try on a few helmets to zero in on the perfect fit.

Whichever brand you’re considering, check its exact chart — don’t assume one rule applies across the board.

Fit Check After the Helmet Is On

Getting the measurement right is half the job. The other half is confirming the helmet actually fits once it’s strapped on:

• Shake your head side to side and up and down. The helmet should move with your head, not slide or shift independently.
• Expect snug contact around your cheeks — the pads should press gently but not hurt.
• Check for pressure points or hot spots after wearing it for a few minutes. Discomfort or pinching means the shape isn’t right for you, even if the circumference seems correct.
• If significant wiggle or painful pressure appears, the size or shape is wrong.

Measuring mistakes usually come from four places: wrapping the tape too high or too low, pulling it too tight or leaving it loose, measuring just once, and trusting age-based sizing instead of an actual measurement. Kids’ helmets are a prime example — children’s heads grow at different rates, so measuring beats guessing every time. If you’re shopping for a young rider, our rundown of top-rated youth ATV helmets for growing riders can narrow the field before you measure.