25 Common Beliefs That Are Totally Wrong

Humans Lose Most of Their Body Heat Through Their Heads

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The Head Heat Loss Myth The claim that humans lose most body heat—often said to be 70%—through their heads is a long-standing myth. It’s often used to push wearing hats in the cold, but it’s not quite accurate. Heat loss depends on exposed surface area. The head is roughly 10% of the body’s surface, so it can’t account for most heat loss. This idea likely came from 1950s military tests where soldiers wore warm gear but no hats, losing heat mainly from their heads.

In truth, heat escapes evenly from any uncovered skin. If your head is bare but the rest is bundled, you’ll lose heat there, just as you would from bare hands or legs. Staying warm means covering all exposed areas, not just your head.