Beanie sizing and fit guide
Beanies are the one headwear item you do not need a size breakdown for, which is why schools and crews love them. Here is what one size actually covers and the few cases where it does not.
What OSFA covers
Every beanie on this site is one size (OSFA). Acrylic knit stretches, and a standard 12-inch cuffed beanie fits most adult heads from roughly 21 to 24 inches around. That covers nearly everyone on a crew or in an office. Unlike a Richardson 112 where some crews need XL, we almost never see a beanie come back for size.
Youth
Most adult beanies fit teens fine. For elementary-age programs, ask for a youth beanie on the quote; several of the Sportsman and Port & Company lines have youth versions and we will confirm what is in stock at SanMar. The cuff logo size stays the same, so one digitized file serves both.
How the styles fit
| Style | Fit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman SP12 (12 in cuffed) | Standard, snug | Fold the cuff deeper for a shorter look. |
| Sportsman SP90 chunky | Roomier, looser knit | Reads bigger on the head; heavy wearers like it. |
| SP12FL / SP12SL lined | Snug | The lining takes a little room; still OSFA. |
| YP 1500KC cuffless | Short and snug | Sits above the ears on some heads; that is the style. |
| Decky 613 long cuffed | Longer crown | Extra length can slouch or fold double. |
| Pom (SP15, Decky 686) | Same as SP12 | The pom adds height, not fit. |
Where the logo lands when worn
On a cuffed beanie the logo is centered on the cuff and sits over the forehead, just above the eyebrows when the cuff is folded once. If a wearer folds the cuff twice, the logo still shows because we keep it in the lower two-thirds of the cuff. On a cuffless beanie the logo sits about 1 inch above the brow edge. Battle Born Clothing shows the placement on the proof.
Logo size vs head size
A cuff logo should be 3.5 inches wide or less. Wider than that and it wraps toward the temples and distorts when the knit stretches. For a wide wordmark, we stack it or reduce it rather than let it wrap. Patches are 2.5 to 3 inches wide for the same reason.
Ordering without sizes
Send the total quantity and the color split. No sizes. If you want youth beanies, say how many. That is the whole size conversation, which is one reason beanies are the easiest custom headwear to order in bulk.
Care and shrinkage
Acrylic knit does not shrink the way cotton does. Machine wash cold and lay flat or tumble low, and an SP12 keeps its size through a season. Lined beanies should be washed cold and air dried so the fleece or sherpa stays soft. Embroidery survives any of this. A glued leather patch should be hand washed or spot cleaned; a sewn patch tolerates machine washing better. Put a care note in the box if you are handing beanies to clients, and we can include a short card at cost.
Quick checklist before you order
- Adults only? Order OSFA and skip sizes.
- Kids under about 10 in the group? Ask for a youth count.
- Larger heads or a looser look? Pick the SP90 chunky or Decky 613 long.
- Logo wider than 3.5 inches? Expect us to stack or shrink it on the proof.
- Patch on a thin knit? We keep it under 3 inches wide and sample-press first.
Questions
Do you have XL beanies?
The knit stretches, so standard OSFA fits larger heads. The Sportsman SP90 chunky and Decky 613 long are the roomiest options if someone needs more.
Can we order youth and adult together?
Yes. Both are priced together at the total quantity with the same logo file.
Will the logo stretch out of shape?
Not on a cuffed beanie at 3.5 inches wide or less. We digitize with underlay for knit so the stitches hold their shape.