The main parts of a hat are the crown, brim, hat band, sweatband, lining, underbrim, and brim edge. Some hats also have extra parts, such as a bow or chin cord.
Scroll down to see the hat diagram and learn what each part does.
Parts of a Hat at a Glance
Here’s a quick overview of the different parts of a hat. The diagram shows where each part is located, and the table gives a brief description of each one.
Use the table below as a quick reference to the main hat parts before exploring each one in more detail.
| Hat Part | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Crown | The top part that covers your head. |
| Crown Tip | The very top of the crown. |
| Pinch | A pressed-in area near the front of the crown. |
| Crown Crease | A fold or dent that shapes the crown. |
| Brim | The part that extends outward from the crown. |
| Brim Edge (Rim) | The outer edge of the brim. |
| Underbrim | The underside of the brim. |
| Hat Band | The strip wrapped around the base of the crown. |
| Bow | A decorative detail attached to the hat band. |
| Sweatband | The inner band that absorbs sweat. |
| Lining | The fabric inside the crown. |
Main Parts of a Hat, Explained
Now let’s look at each part in more detail.
Crown
The crown is the top part of the hat that sits on your head. It gives the hat its overall shape.
Crowns come in different heights and shapes depending on the style of the hat. A tall crown creates a more structured look, while a lower or softer crown gives the hat a more relaxed appearance.
Crown Tip
The crown tip is the very top of the crown. It may be flat, rounded, or shaped with a crease depending on the hat style.
Crown Crease
A crown crease is a fold or dent in the top of the crown that helps give the hat its shape. Different hat styles use different crease shapes.
For example, many fedoras have a center dent crease, while many cowboy hats have a cattleman crease.
Cowboy hats have several parts that give them their classic look. See our guide to the parts of a cowboy hat for a complete breakdown.
Pinch
The pinch is the pressed-in area near the front of the crown. You usually see it on fedoras and Panama hats. It shapes the front of the hat and gives your fingers a natural place to hold it.
Side Dent
The side dents are the indented areas on both sides of the crown. They help shape the hat and are commonly found on fedoras, trilbies, and some Panama hats.
Brim
The brim is the part of the hat that extends outward from the crown. Its main job is to provide shade and protection from the sun and light rain.
Wider brims provide more coverage, while narrower brims create a cleaner and more compact look.
Brim Edge (Rim)
The brim edge, sometimes called the rim, is the outer edge of the brim. It may have a raw, stitched, rolled, or bound finish depending on the hat style.
Although many people use the words brim and rim interchangeably, the rim usually refers to the edge of the brim.
Underbrim
The underbrim is the underside of the brim. On some hats, it’s made in a darker color to reduce glare in bright sunlight. It can also use a different material or finish to give the hat a different look.
Hat Band
The hat band wraps around the base of the crown where it meets the brim. It covers the seam between these two parts and adds detail to the hat’s design. Hat bands are commonly made from ribbon, leather, fabric, or braided materials.
Bow
A bow is a small knot attached to one side of the hat band. It’s mainly decorative and is most often found on classic dress hats such as fedoras.
Other Decorative Elements
Some hats also include feathers, pins, badges, or ribbons, usually attached to the hat band or crown. They don’t change how the hat fits or works; they just give it a different style and appearance.
Sweatband
The sweatband is a soft band attached inside the hat around the base of the crown.
It absorbs sweat, improves comfort, and helps the hat fit more securely. Sweatbands are commonly made from leather, cotton, or synthetic materials.
Lining
The lining is the fabric inside the crown of some hats. It helps protect the inside of the hat from sweat and everyday wear while making it more comfortable to wear.
Many dress hats include a lining, while lightweight summer hats are often left unlined for better airflow.
Hat Parts Comparison
Some hat parts have similar names, which can make them easy to confuse. Here’s a quick comparison of the most commonly mixed-up hat parts.
Brim vs Bill
The brim extends around the entire crown of the hat. Its main job is to provide shade and protection from the sun or light rain. Brims are found on hats such as fedoras, cowboy hats, and sun hats.
The bill, sometimes called a visor, extends only from the front of the hat. It’s commonly found on baseball caps and snapbacks. Unlike a brim, it doesn’t go all the way around the hat. See our guide to the parts of a baseball cap to learn more.
A simple 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 outward from the crown.
The rim usually refers to the outer edge of the brim. Although many people use the two words interchangeably, the rim is technically just the edge, not the entire brim.
Hat Band vs Sweatband
The hat band is wrapped around the outside of the crown where it meets the brim. It covers the seam and adds style to the hat.
The sweatband is attached inside the hat around the base of the crown. It improves comfort, absorbs sweat, and helps the hat fit more securely.
Crown vs Crown Tip
The crown is the entire top part of the hat that sits on your head.
The crown tip is the very top of the crown. It’s one part of the crown and may be flat, rounded, or shaped depending on the hat style.
FAQs About Hat Parts
What are the parts of a hat called?
The main parts of a hat are the crown, brim, hat band, sweatband, lining, underbrim, and brim edge. Some hats also include features such as a bow, chin cord, or ventilation eyelets, depending on the style.
What is the top part of a hat called?
The top part of a hat is called the crown. It sits on your head and gives the hat its overall shape. The very top of the crown is called the crown tip.
What is the edge of a hat called?
The edge of a hat is called the brim edge, sometimes referred to as the rim. It forms the outer edge of the brim and finishes the shape of the hat.
What is the part that sticks out on a hat called?
The part that extends outward from the crown is called the brim. Its main purpose is to provide shade and protect your face, ears, and neck from the sun.
What is the band around a hat called?
The band around the outside of a hat is called the hat band. It wraps around the base of the crown where it meets the brim. It covers the seam and adds style to the hat.
What is the inside band of a hat called?
The band attached inside the hat is called the sweatband. It absorbs sweat, improves comfort, and helps the hat fit more securely.
What is the underside of a hat brim called?
The underside of the brim is called the underbrim. Some hats use a darker underbrim to help reduce glare in bright sunlight.
What is the ribbon around a hat called?
The ribbon around a hat is called the hat band. On many dress hats, the hat band is made from ribbon, which is why it’s often called a ribbon. It wraps around the base of the crown where it meets the brim.
Final Thoughts
Now that you understand the parts of a hat, it’s easier to compare different hat styles and understand what makes each one unique.
If you’re wondering which style suits you best, read our guide on how to choose the right hat for your face shape.
