Hijab Size Guide: Length, Width and How to Choose the Right Drape

Choosing the right hijab size

Most hijab sizing confusion comes from one thing: we describe scarves by the number on the label instead of by what the fabric actually does when you wrap it. A 70×70 cm square and an 80×180 cm shawl are both "medium", they are both "hijab", and they behave nothing alike. The number is a measurement; the drape is the outcome. This guide translates the measurements into what you can actually do with each size, so you can match the scarf to the styles you wear rather than to a size chart.

Every product on our site lists its exact length, width and weight in both centimetres and inches, plus a fit note describing the silhouette. If you already own a hijab you love, the fastest way to shop is to measure that one and look for a scarf with the same or slightly larger dimensions.

The three sizes you will actually encounter

70 × 70 cm squares are the compact everyday basic. At roughly the length of a large square scarf, they tuck neatly under the chin, stay put through movement, and pack down small for travel. They are the right choice if you mostly wear simple draped styles, work in an office, or travel often. They are less suited to turban wraps or layered drapes because there is not enough fabric to fold.

70 × 180 cm rectangles are the classic shawl. The extra length gives you enough fabric to do a proper draped wrap with the ends falling evenly, a turban style, or a shoulder drape that stays put. This is the most versatile size and the safest first buy if you are building a small collection. Most of our printed shawls come in this dimension.

80 × 180 cm oversized shawls are the wide style. The extra 10 cm across means more coverage at the sides, fewer pins, and a fuller fall over the shoulder. It is the size that suits layered and turban styling, and it works particularly well over an abaya because the wider fabric sits flatter against the body instead of bunching.

What the weight tells you

Weight in grams is the number most people ignore, and it tells you more about drape than dimensions do. A chiffon shawl at around 120 g is genuinely weightless — you forget you are wearing it, it moves with every step, and it needs more pins to stay. A jersey shawl at 180–220 g has enough body to grip and hold a shape on its own, which is why it suits daily wear. A heavier modal or viscose blend at 250 g and above drapes with more weight and falls in a cleaner line, and it is the one to choose if you want the scarf to read as a deliberate part of the outfit rather than a light layer.

How to measure a hijab you already own

Lay the scarf flat on a table, smooth it out, and measure the longest edge for length and the short edge for width. Write both down in centimetres. Now compare against the measurement table on any product page — ours list length, width and weight together, so you can match on all three. If you are between two sizes, the tie-breaker is the drape you want: more fabric for volume and layering, less for compact everyday wear.

Common questions about hijab sizing

What size hijab is most versatile?
The 70 × 180 cm rectangle. It is long enough for a draped wrap, a turban or a shoulder drape, but not so large that it becomes unwieldy for daily wear. It is the size most people should buy first.

Does a bigger hijab give better coverage?
Width is what affects side coverage, not length. Going from a 70 cm to an 80 cm width adds 10 cm across, which is what reduces the gap at the sides of the face. Length mostly affects how much fabric you have to work with in a drape.

Is a 70 x 70 square too small for a turban?
It is tight. A square gives you enough for a simple drape that tucks under the chin, but not enough for a full turban wrap with volume. For turban styles, go to 70 × 180 or 80 × 180.

How do I stop a longer scarf from slipping?
Length alone does not prevent slipping — friction does. A firm under-cap underneath gives the scarf something to grip, and jersey or modal fabric holds its position better than chiffon on its own. Our slipping fixes guide covers this in detail.

Should I size up if I am between two sizes?
Only if you want more volume or plan to layer it over an abaya. Sizing up in length without a reason often just makes the drape harder to control, because more fabric has to be tucked somewhere.

Ready to browse by the size that suits you? See all our hijabs and khimars, or check what is new this season.