Hair Length Chart: Inches, Names and Grow Times
Every hair length from chin to hip, in inches and centimeters, with how long each one takes to grow. Includes wig, extension and braid lengths.
“Shoulder length” means something different to every stylist, and “16 inches” means something different to every wig seller. This chart puts the names and the numbers side by side, so you know what you are asking for before you sit in the chair or click “buy.”
Pick a length below to see it in inches, how long it takes to grow from the length above it, and the styles that work best there.
Hair length chart in inches
| Length name | Inches | Centimeters | Where it ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chin | 10 in | 25 cm | At the jaw |
| Shoulder | 12–14 in | 30–35 cm | On top of the shoulders |
| Collarbone | 16 in | 40 cm | Just past the shoulders |
| Armpit | 18 in | 45 cm | At the armpit |
| Bra strap | 20 in | 50 cm | At the bra strap |
| Mid-back | 22 in | 55 cm | Between the shoulder blades and the waist |
| Lower back | 24 in | 61 cm | Just above the waist |
| Waist | 26 in | 66 cm | At the natural waist |
| Hip | 28–30 in | 71–76 cm | At the hips |
These numbers are for straight hair measured from the crown, the highest point on the back of your head, down to the ends. That is how most wig and extension sellers measure too.
How to measure your own hair
Brush your hair straight and let it hang down your back. Hold the end of a soft tape measure at your crown and run it down to the ends. If your hair is curly, gently stretch one curl straight and measure that instead, or you will read several inches short.
Measure the same spot every time. The middle of the back is the easiest to track, because layers around the face will always read shorter.
Why curly hair looks shorter than the chart
Curls shrink. Wavy hair can look an inch or two shorter than its stretched length. Tight curls and coils can look half as long, or even less. So a 16-inch curly wig often sits around the chin, not the collarbone.
When you buy curly or kinky hair, go up at least two sizes from the straight chart. If you want your curls to fall at the shoulder, you usually need 16 to 18 inches, not 12. Our hair type quiz tells you how tight your pattern is, which gives you a better guess at your own shrinkage.
Wig, extension and braid lengths
Wigs. Wig length is measured from the crown to the ends with the hair stretched straight. A 14-inch straight wig hits the shoulder. A 14-inch body wave wig lands closer to the chin.
Extensions. Clip-ins and tape-ins are measured from the top of the weft to the ends. They need to be at least two inches longer than your own hair to blend, or the ends will show a step.
Braids. For knotless and box braids, shoulder length is about 14 inches of braid, mid-back about 22 to 24 inches, and waist length about 26 to 30 inches. Longer braids need more packs of braiding hair and put more weight on your edges, so go shorter if your hairline is fragile. See our box braids guide for styles at each length.
How long does it take to grow hair?
Hair grows about half an inch a month on average, or about six inches a year. So going from chin to shoulder takes around eight months. Going from shoulder to bra strap takes about a year and a half.
Most people grow slower than that on paper, because breakage takes some of it back. Gentle brushing, less heat, regular small trims and a silk or satin pillowcase keep more of what you grow. That is why long hair is really about keeping length, not growing it faster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep going: find your curl pattern with the hair type quiz, check what your hair needs with the porosity test, or pick a cut with the face shape calculator.
