How to Measure Your Head for a Motorcycle Helmet
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Buying a helmet online? Follow our easy 3 step process and we’ll help you get the right size and fit for your head, without you ever leaving home.
Measure your head
Work out your head shape
Order your helmet and try it on at home
Choosing a helmet style
We’re going to assume you have this worked out already, but if you don’t, have a read of our The Ultimate Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide Malaysia to help you decide what type of helmet is going to be best for the riding you do.
Measuring your head size and shape
Working this out is easy. You just need two items.
A soft/fabric measuring tape (pita pengukur)
A mirror and your phone, or a friend
If you don’t have a measuring tape you can use a piece of string and a ruler.
What you’ll need to do
Check your head shape
Measure your head circumference
Check the helmet product page to confirm sizing and shape
Understanding Your Head Shape
Two helmets can be the same size but fit differently depending on head shape. The incorrect shaped helmet can feel tight at the temples but loose on your forehead, even when it appears to be the correct size.
Understanding your head shape will help you get a well fitting, comfortable helmet. You just need to combine this with your head size when shopping.
Checking your head shape
Flatten down your hair as much as possible, as it can hide your head’s shape. Then get a friend to take a photo of the top of your head. If no one is around you can reach above and take a selfie, but this is a bit harder to get right shot.
Look at your photo, is your head rounder or more oval shaped? A rounder profile = round oval head shape. Noticeably long and thin = long oval. Somewhere in between? = intermediate oval.
There are three main head shapes.
Round Oval: Head is roughly equal in width front-to-back and side-to-side; when viewed from above it appears more circular. If some helmets feel tight at your temples after you’ve worn them for a while you likely have a round oval head.
Intermediate Oval: Head is slightly longer front-to-back than side-to-side. The most common shape globally and the default shape most European and Japanese helmet brands are engineered around.
Long Oval: Noticeably longer front-to-back than side-to-side.
At SwiftMoto we include information on which head shapes a helmet will fit well on the product page to make finding the right fit easier.
How to Measure Your Head
1. Wrap a soft tape around your head, just above your eyebrows and ears and around the widest part at the back. Keep it level and snug without pulling it tight. A friend can help you check the position. Record the circumference in centimetres and repeat to check your reading.
If you don’t have a tape measure, use a piece of string and lay it against a ruler.
2. Take the measurement in centimetres (cm): Record it; this is the number you match to a helmet size chart.
Check the Product Page
Which Helmet Brands Suit Malaysian Head Shapes
Once you know your head shape, picking a brand and helmet that will be comfortable becomes much easier. But be aware that different models from the same brand can fit differently. Check the exact model's size chart and fitting information rather than choosing by brand name alone.
Not sure which model to try? Check the helmets size chart and fitting information, then contact us if you need help narrowing the options. You will still need to try the helmet on to confirm the fit.
Trying on your Helmet
When you’ve received your new helmet you need to check that it fits you well. We recommend putting on the supplied hair net from SwiftMoto, then your new helmet and leaving it on for 15-20 minutes.
Snug but not painful: Your helmet should feel firm against your head the whole way round. There should be no hot spots or points where the pressure is painful.
Movement check: Fasten and adjust the chin strap correctly. Gently turn the helmet from side to side. Your skin should move with the liner rather than the helmet sliding freely around your head. If it slips, stop and reassess the fit, size and model before riding.
Cheek-pad check: If your helmet has cheek pads, they should make firm, even contact without painful pressure.
Correct position: The helmet should sit just above your eye brows, without tilting back or sliding forward and obstructing your view.
Retention check: With the chin strap correctly fastened and your head tilted forwards, push up at the back with your hand. The helmet must not come off or slide forward over your eyes.
If your helmet feels fitted but comfortable when you first put it on, but then begins to get painful in one or two specific spots over 10-15 minutes, you probably have the wrong shaped helmet for your head.
Too Tight or Too Loose? Check out our helmet fit troubleshooting.
Symptom |
Potential Cause |
Solution |
Tight at temples, fine at forehead and back |
Round oval head in intermediate oval helmet |
Try a model with a more rounder interior shape. Recheck size and retention rather than automatically sizing up. |
Loose at sides, tight at front and back |
Intermediate oval head in round oval helmet |
Try a model with a more intermediate oval interior shape and check its size chart. Repeat the full fit and retention checks. |
Pressure on top of head |
Helmet is too small |
Size up |
Helmet wobbles around during the movement test |
Helmet is too large |
Size down |
It’s difficult to talk or you bite the inside of your mouth when talking, but is otherwise comfortable |
Cheek pads are too large |
Try fitting thinner cheek pads from the helmet manufacturer |
Helmet rocks forward and/or backward |
Helmet is too large |
Size down |
Feels snug/tight but isn’t painful |
A promising starting fit. If it also passes the movement and retention checks you’ve got the right size. |
Your helmet will break in over 15-20 hours of use and the foam padding will mold to your face and head, removing the tightness. |
You have 60 days from delivery to get your helmet back to SwiftMoto. As long as it has been tried on with the hair net supplied, and is returned in its original condition with its labels, stickers and tags, we’ll take it back and give you a refund, or exchange it for another size or brand. You can read our full returns policy here and our guide on how to try your helmet and be able to return it.
Break in time
New helmets should feel snug, not painful. Foam padding will break in with use, but don’t rely on this to fix pressure points, looseness or the wrong head shape.
Changing your cheek pads
Many helmet brands including HJC, Nolan and Shoei have removable cheek pads which can be swapped with different thicknesses. This is useful if the helmet fits well but is putting your cheeks under too much pressure or not enough.
Feels Good? Time to ride.
If you’ve worn your new helmet for 15-20 minutes, completed the checks above and it still feels good. You’ve found yourself the right fit. Put it on and take it for a ride.
Frequently Asked Questions
My head measures between two sizes, which should I choose?
Go with the smaller size. The foam padding compresses slightly during break-in. If it causes headaches or leaves red marks after 20 minutes, size up.
Saiz helmet saya M tapi helmet baru saya rasa ketat, kenapa?
New helmets are designed to feel snug. They break in over time. If it is painful after 15 minutes at any specific point, check the troubleshooting table above and check that the brand matches your head shape.
Does my head shape change which helmet brand I buy?
Yes, definitely. Read our guide above on working out your head shape before you buy.
My ears get folded over putting the helmet on
This is not unusual. A well fitting helmet may be tight to put on. If your ears get folded over, slide a finger up and gently ease them back into position. They should sit comfortably once the helmet is seated, persistent pinching or pain needs a fit check, not just more time wearing it.
I can’t figure out my headshape
ake sure your hair is flattened down and you have a good bird's eye view. If you’re struggling, get a friend to take a photo for you or reach out to our team at support@swiftmoto.shop or on WhatsApp at 017 617 2030
I wear glasses or sunglasses when I ride. Doesn’t that change the helmet I should wear?
Probably not. Many helmets are designed to work well with glasses. Check the product page specs at SwiftMoto for details on this. If you’re trying on a helmet and everything fits well except your glasses, don’t size up. Try another model or look for one with a drop down sun shield if you only need sun protection.
When you know your size and head shape, you're ready to choose your helmet. Read our Ultimate Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guide Malaysia to compare types, certifications, and top helmet picks at every budget. Or browse our helmet range online at SwiftMoto.
