How to Check Motorcycle Helmet Fit: A Step-by-Step Guide

Most riders spend a lot of time picking the right helmet style. Less time goes into checking whether the helmet actually fits.

That is a problem. A helmet that is too loose can come off in a crash. One that is too tight causes headaches and fatigue on longer rides. And a helmet that fits great on your forehead but loose on your temples will move around when you do not want it to.

Helmet fit is not complicated, but it does take a few minutes to get right. This guide walks you through how to measure your head, what a proper fit feels like, and how to tell when a helmet is not right for you.

Step 1: Measure Your Head

Before you try on any helmet, grab a soft measuring tape and measure the circumference of your head.

Wrap the tape around your head about one inch above your eyebrows, keeping it level all the way around. That number in centimeters is your starting point for helmet sizing.

Most helmet brands use a size chart that maps head circumference to XS through 3XL. The ranges vary slightly by brand, so always check the specific chart for the helmet you are looking at. A size Medium in one brand might run slightly larger or smaller than a Medium in another.

If you are right on the border between two sizes, try both before you decide. The fit test matters more than the number.

Step 2: Put the Helmet On Correctly

A lot of riders put on a helmet the wrong way and then judge the fit based on that.

To put on a full-face or modular helmet correctly, grab the straps on both sides and pull them outward as you lower the helmet onto your head. This expands the opening so the helmet slides on without dragging across your ears or pulling your hair. Once it is on, release the straps and let the helmet settle.

For open-face and half shell helmets, the process is simpler since there is no chin bar to navigate. Just slide it on from front to back.

Once the helmet is on, fasten the chin strap snugly. You should be able to fit two fingers under the strap, but not much more.

Step 3: Check the Fit

With the helmet on and the strap fastened, here is what you are checking:

Pressure Around the Head

The helmet should feel snug on all sides. You want even contact around your forehead, temples, cheeks, and the back of your head. No single point should be pressing harder than the others.

Some pressure is normal and expected, especially in a brand new helmet. The padding inside will break in slightly over the first few hours of use. A helmet that starts off slightly snug often fits perfectly after that break-in period.

A helmet that is already loose on day one will only get looser.

The Cheek Check

Put your hands on the sides of the helmet and try to rotate it left and right. Your cheeks should move with the helmet. If the helmet spins easily while your face stays still, it is too big.

Try pushing the helmet up from the chin bar. It should not lift more than about an inch. If it comes up more than that, it is too loose.

The Head Shape Factor

Not every helmet fits every head shape, even in the right size.

Helmet manufacturers design their shells around different head shapes. Some run rounder (more equal front-to-back and side-to-side), while others are more oval (longer front-to-back). Brands like Daytona and LS2 tend to have slightly different internal shapes from each other.

If a helmet is the right size but you feel pressure only on the sides, or only front and back, the shell shape is not matching your head shape. Trying a different brand in the same size is the fix, not just going up in size.

Check the Fit in Riding Position

This one gets skipped all the time.

Try the helmet on and then lean forward into your riding position. On a cruiser that might be a slight forward lean. On a sport bike it is a much more aggressive tuck. The helmet should still feel secure and balanced in that position.

If the helmet feels fine standing up but the chin bar presses into your chest or the back lifts when you lean forward, the fit is not right for the way you actually ride.

What a Good Fit Feels Like

Here is a quick reference for what you will feel in a properly fitting helmet:

One thing worth knowing: a helmet that feels slightly uncomfortable in the first five minutes can still be the right helmet. The padding needs a few minutes to warm up and conform to your head. Sit with it on for at least five to ten minutes before you make a decision. If the discomfort fades, it was just the cold padding. If a pressure point gets worse, that helmet is not the right fit.

When to Size Up vs. Try a Different Brand

Size up when the helmet is tight all around in an even way. The pressure is consistent, not localized to one spot.

Try a different brand when the pressure is in one specific place, like the sides of your head or your forehead, while other areas feel fine. That is a shell shape mismatch, and going up a size will not fix it. It will just make the helmet looser in the areas that already fit and leave the problem area unchanged.

Half Shell and Open-Face Fit Tips

For half shell helmets, the fit check is simpler but still matters. The helmet should sit level on your head, covering the back of the skull to just above the ears on the sides, and sitting roughly an inch or two above your eyebrows in front.

It should not wobble or tilt back when you shake your head. If it does, it is too big. Most half shell helmets do not have the same amount of interior padding as a full-face, so there is less room for adjustment. Sizing is important to get right from the start.

If you are still figuring out which helmet style is right for your riding, check out our guide: Full-Face vs Half Shell Motorcycle Helmet: Which One Is Right for Your Riding Style

How Often Should You Check Helmet Fit

Helmet padding compresses over time. A helmet that fit well two years ago might be slightly looser now, especially if you ride regularly.

Check the fit whenever you notice the helmet moving more than it used to, after a drop or impact, or if it has been sitting unused for more than a year.

We have more on this in our post about including what signs to look for when a helmet is past its safe use window.

Try Before You Decide

At RVA Biker Outlet, we carry helmets from Daytona, LS2, Badass Helmets, and Microdot, and every helmet we stock is DOT certified. Sizing varies between brands, so the best way to find your fit is to come in and try a few on.

Our staff can help you check the fit properly so you leave with a helmet that works for your head shape and your riding style.

Browse our full selection: Motorcycle Helmet or stop in to try them on in person.

We are a physical store only. No online sales or shipping.