The main parts of a hat include the crown, brim, hatband, sweatband, lining, underbrim, and brim edge.
Depending on the style, a hat may also have features such as a crown crease, pinch, bow, chin cord, or ventilation eyelets.
Each part has a specific name and function, which we’ll break down below.
Parts of a Hat at a Glance
The diagram below shows the main parts found on a traditional brimmed hat, including the crown, brim, hatband, sweatband, lining, and other structural details.
Use the table below as a quick reference to the main hat parts before exploring each one in more detail.
| Hat Part | Where It Is | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Crown | The part that goes around your head. | Gives the hat its main shape and structure. |
| Crown Tip | The topmost area of the crown. | It helps give the crown its shape. |
| Crown Crease | A shaped line or indentation across the crown. | It helps shape the crown and gives the hat its distinctive look. |
| Pinch | The inward dent near the front of the crown. | Shapes the front of the crown and helps create its profile. |
| Side Dent | The dent along the side of the crown. | Adds shape and definition to the crown. |
| Brim | The part that extends outward from the bottom of the crown. | Provides shade and helps define the hat’s overall shape. |
| Brim Edge | The outer edge that runs around the brim. | It is the outermost part of the brim. |
| Underbrim | The underside of the brim. | It can affect the hat’s appearance and help reduce glare from the sun. |
| Hatband | The band wrapped around the outside of the crown. | Adds decoration and gives the crown a finished look. |
| Bow | A decorative piece attached to the hatband. | Adds a decorative touch to the hat. |
| Sweatband | The band inside the hat, around the bottom of the crown. | Absorbs sweat and helps make the hat more comfortable to wear. |
| Lining | The fabric layer inside the crown. | Covers the inside of the hat and makes it more comfortable to wear. |
Main Parts of a Hat
Here’s a closer look at the anatomy of a hat, including its main parts and what each one does.
Crown
The crown is the part of the hat that goes over your head. It’s the part above the brim. A crown can be tall, short, round, or shaped with a pinch or crease. The shape of the crown is one of the things that gives each hat its own look.
Crown Tip
The crown tip is the top of the crown. On some hats, it is flat, while on others it may be rounded or shaped.
Crown Crease
The crown crease is the dent or fold made across the top of the crown. It helps give the hat its shape.
Pinch
The pinch is the inward dent at the front of the crown. It is common on hats such as fedoras and helps shape the front of the hat, giving your fingers a natural place to hold it.
Side Dent
The side dent is the inward dip on the side of the crown. It is often paired with a center crease or pinch to give the crown its shape.
Brim
The brim is the part that sticks out from the bottom of the crown. Its main job is to provide shade and protection from the sun and light rain. Some brims are wide and flat, while others are narrow, curved, or turned up at the sides.
Brim Edge
The brim edge is simply the outside edge of the brim. It runs all the way around the brim and gives it a clean, finished shape.
Underbrim
The underbrim is the underside of the brim. It’s the part you see when you look up at the brim from below. The color and finish of the underbrim can be different from the top of the brim.
Hatband
The hatband is the strip that goes around the outside of the crown. It is usually there for decoration, but it can also help give the hat a finished look. Hatbands can be made from fabric, leather, ribbon, or other materials.
Bow
The bow is the small decorative piece you often see attached to a hatband. It is especially common on dress hats and traditional felt hats.
Other Decorative Elements
Some hats have extra details around the crown, such as feathers, pins, buckles, cords, or small ornaments. These are mainly decorative and can give the hat a more personal or distinctive look.
Sweatband
The sweatband is the band inside the hat, around the bottom of the crown. It sits against your head and helps absorb sweat and moisture. It also makes the hat more comfortable to wear.
Lining
The lining is the fabric inside the crown of the hat. It covers the inside of the crown and gives it a smoother, more finished feel. Some hats have a full lining, while others may have little or no lining at all.
Hat Parts That Are Easy to Confuse
Some hat parts have similar names, which can make them easy to confuse. Here’s a quick look at the differences between them.
Brim vs Bill
The brim is the part that extends out from the crown of a hat. You’ll find brims on hats like fedoras, cowboy hats, and sun hats. A brim can go around the hat and may be wide, narrow, flat, or curved.
The bill is the stiff part that sticks out from the front of a baseball cap. It’s also often called a visor. Unlike a brim, the bill only covers the front of the cap. You can also see our guide to the parts of a baseball cap for a closer look at the other parts.
An easy way to remember it: If the edge goes all the way around, it’s a brim. If it’s just at the front, it’s a bill.
Brim vs Rim
The brim is the part of the hat that extends out from the crown. It can be wide, narrow, flat, or curved, depending on the hat.
The rim usually means the outer edge of something. When talking about hats, it can refer to the outer edge of the brim, rather than the whole brim.
An easy way to remember it: The brim is the part that sticks out from the hat. The rim is the outside edge of that brim.
Hatband vs. Sweatband
The hatband is the strip that goes around the outside of the crown. It is usually there for decoration and gives the hat a finished look.
The sweatband is inside the hat, around the bottom of the crown. It sits against your head and helps absorb sweat and moisture.
An easy way to remember it: The hatband is on the outside. The sweatband is on the inside.
Crown vs Crown Tip
The crown is the part of the hat that goes over your head. It includes everything from the bottom of the crown up to the top.
The crown tip is simply the very top of the crown. So, the crown is the whole upper part, while the crown tip is just the top of it.
An easy way to remember it: The crown is the whole section over your head. The crown tip is the top of that section.
FAQs About Hat Parts
What are the main parts of a hat called?
The main parts of a hat are the crown, brim, hatband, sweatband, and lining. Some hats also have features such as a crown crease, pinch, side dents, bow, or underbrim, depending on the hat style.
What is the crown of a hat?
The crown is the part of the hat that goes around your head. It is the main part that gives the hat its height and shape.
What is the brim of a hat?
The brim is the part of a hat that sticks out from the bottom of the crown. It gives you shade and is also a big part of the hat’s shape.
What is the band around a hat called?
The band around the outside of a hat is called a hatband. It goes around the crown and is often made from ribbon, leather, or fabric. The sweatband is different because it is inside the hat and sits against your head.
What is the top of a hat called?
The top part of a traditional hat is called the crown. The crown is the part that goes around your head, while the brim sticks out from the bottom.
What is the edge of a hat called?
The outer edge of a brim is called the brim edge. You may also hear it called the rim , although the term can vary depending on the hat styles and the contexts.
What is the difference between a hatband and a sweatband?
A hatband goes around the outside of the crown, while a sweatband is inside the hat and touches your head. The hatband is usually there for decoration, while the sweatband helps absorb sweat and makes the hat more comfortable to wear.
