The most common helmet mistake is not buying the wrong brand, it is buying the wrong size. A helmet that is too big can rotate or come off in a crash; one that is too tight gives you a headache before you reach Jounieh. This helmet size guide shows you how to measure your head in two minutes, read a helmet size chart and test the fit at home.
Quick answer: Measure around your head 2 cm above your eyebrows, over the widest part at the back. Compare it with the brand's chart: S is about 55 to 56 cm, M is 57 to 58 cm, L is 59 to 60 cm. A correct helmet feels snug, presses the cheeks slightly and does not move when you shake your head.
Step 1: Measure Your Head
All you need is a soft tape measure, the kind used for sewing. Ask someone to help if you can; it is easier to keep the tape level.
- Place the tape about 2 cm (roughly a finger's width) above your eyebrows.
- Wrap it around your head just above your ears, passing over the widest part at the back.
- Keep it level and snug, not tight. It should not dig in or slip.
- Read the number in centimetres. Measure two or three times and keep the largest reading.
No tape measure? Use a piece of string or a phone charging cable, mark where it meets, then lay it flat against a ruler. Write your measurement down; you will need it for every helmet you look at.
Step 2: Read the Helmet Size Chart
This is the part of any helmet size guide that riders skip, and it is where most wrong orders come from.
Most motorcycle helmet brands use sizes that map to head circumference in centimetres. The helmet size chart below shows the typical ranges; treat it as a starting point, not a final answer.
| Helmet size | Head circumference (cm) |
|---|---|
| XXS | 51 to 52 |
| XS | 53 to 54 |
| S | 55 to 56 |
| M | 57 to 58 |
| L | 59 to 60 |
| XL | 61 to 62 |
| XXL | 63 to 64 |
Helmet sizes in cm can differ by up to a centimetre between brands, so always check the specific model's chart. The manufacturer's own guidance is the reference: LS2's how-to page explains measuring and fitting for its helmets, for example.
Between two sizes?
If you measure 58.5 cm, you sit between M and L. In most cases the smaller size gives the better long-term fit, because the comfort padding compresses and breaks in over the first weeks of riding. The exception: if the smaller size causes a sharp pressure point on your forehead, that is not going to break in, so go up.
Step 3: Know Your Head Shape
Two heads with the same circumference can need different helmets. Looking down from above, most heads fall into three shapes:
- Long oval: noticeably longer front to back than side to side.
- Intermediate oval: the most common shape, which most helmets are designed around.
- Round oval: nearly as wide as it is long.
If a helmet in your size presses hard on your forehead but feels loose at the sides, its interior shape probably does not match yours. Trying a different brand often solves it, which is why it helps to compare a few models. The LS2 FF818 Storm III, for example, comes in S to XXL, while other models use different shell sizes.
Step 4: The 5-Minute Fit Test
No helmet size guide can replace wearing the helmet. When your helmet arrives, do this test indoors before you take any tags off. It tells you more than any chart.
- Put it on: hold the chin strap sides, spread them slightly and pull the helmet down. A correct size feels snug going on.
- Check the cheeks: the pads should press your cheeks lightly. If you can slide a finger in easily, it is probably too big.
- Check the brow: the top of the eye port should sit just above your eyebrows, with clear vision to the sides.
- Shake test: fasten the strap and turn your head side to side and up and down. The helmet should move your skin with it, not slide over it.
- Roll test: with the strap fastened, push up firmly from the back of the helmet. It must not roll forward off your head.
- Wear test: keep it on for 10 to 15 minutes. A red mark or ache on the forehead means the shape or size is wrong.
Fit is a safety issue, not just comfort. The WHO reports that helmets cut the risk of death by more than six times, but only a helmet that stays in place on impact can do that.
Helmet Size for Women and Kids
Helmet size for women
There is no separate "women's sizing": the measuring method and size chart are the same. In practice, many women need smaller sizes, so check that a model is available in XS or S before falling for a colour. A helmet that only starts at M will never fit a 54 cm head safely, however much you tighten the strap.
Long hair changes the fit slightly. Measure with your hair the way you usually ride (loose or in a low braid), and avoid high ponytails or buns that push the helmet forward.
Kids
Children must wear a helmet in their exact size, never an adult helmet that is "close enough". Lebanese law requires passengers to wear a helmet, and a loose helmet barely protects a child. GearD stocks youth full face helmets such as the LS2 FF812 Kid in sizes S to L.
Helmet Size Guide: Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a size that feels comfortable in the first minute. New helmets should feel snug. Roomy now means loose later.
- Using your hat or cap size instead of a real measurement.
- Assuming you are the same size in every brand. Check each model's chart.
- Loose chin straps. You should fit no more than two fingers between strap and chin.
- Sharing helmets. Your passenger's head is not your head. Give them their own, properly sized helmet.
Still choosing a model? Our guide on how to choose a motorcycle helmet in Lebanon compares the types, and the helmet price guide shows what each budget buys. The Lebanon helmet law guide covers passenger rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose motorcycle helmet size if I am between sizes?
Try the smaller size first. Helmet padding compresses over the first few weeks, so a snug fit becomes a perfect fit, while a slightly loose one gets looser. Only go up if the smaller size causes a sharp pressure point on your forehead or temples after 10 to 15 minutes of wear.
What are the standard helmet sizes in cm?
Typical ranges are XS 53 to 54 cm, S 55 to 56 cm, M 57 to 58 cm, L 59 to 60 cm, XL 61 to 62 cm and XXL 63 to 64 cm. Brands vary by up to a centimetre, so always compare your measurement with the specific model's size chart before you order.
Should a new motorcycle helmet feel tight?
It should feel snug, with firm, even pressure around your head and slight pressure on your cheeks, but not painful. If you get a headache or a red mark on your forehead after a few minutes, the size or interior shape is wrong. A little tightness on the cheeks is normal and eases with use.
Is helmet sizing different for dirt helmets?
The measuring method is the same, but dirt helmets are worn with goggles, which affects the fit around the eye port. Bring or borrow your goggles when you test a dirt helmet, and check that the goggle strap sits comfortably and the frame does not press on your nose.
How do I know if my helmet is too big?
If the helmet moves independently of your skin when you shake your head, if you can easily slide a finger between your cheek and the pad, or if it rolls forward in the roll test, it is too big. A helmet that is too big can rotate on impact and should be exchanged for a smaller size.
Find Your Helmet Size at GearD
Every helmet in our motorcycle helmets collection lists its available sizes, from full face helmets to modular helmets and open face helmets. Measure your head, then message the GearD team on WhatsApp with your number and the model you like, and we will confirm the right size before you place your order.
