Choosing the right wig length can transform your hairstyle and boost your confidence. However, length measurements vary from wig to wig, especially for different hair types such as straight, wavy, curly and kinky/pompadour. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you how to properly choose the perfect length for your hair type.
How many lengths do wigs come in?
Wigs come in 8 to 32 inches. These lengths are the most common because they enable you to enjoy a wide variety of styles, from short layers and bobs to ultra-long glamorous cuts - there’s something for everyone. Moreover, these lengths reflect the most common natural hair lengths.
The most frequently purchased wig lengths are 12-24 inches. This is no surprise since these lengths give you just enough hair to rock bobs, layered styles, straight styles, and long cascading curls and waves. The appeal of these wig lengths is that they are neither too short nor too long. Even beginners can handle caring for a wig between 12-24 inches long.
Categories of Wig Length
The wig lengths mentioned above are generally classified into four main categories: short, medium, long, and extra long.
- Short Length: Short wigs are anywhere from a couple of inches to 10 inches long.
- Medium Length: Medium length wigs are from 12 inches to 16 inches long.
- Long Length: Long wigs are from 18 inches long to 24 inches long.
- Extra Long: Extra-long wigs are 26 inches and longer.
Let’s examine each wig length in detail so you can determine which length will work best for you:
- 8 inch wig: 8 inch wigs are ideal for anyone who wants to stay cool during the hottest summer days or workout sessions. It’s also the perfect length for a short straight bob, cute short curls, or super short beach waves. 8 inches comes past your chin and above your collarbone when the hair is straight.
- 10 inch wig: 10 inch wigs are a great choice for women who like short styles but feel that 8 inches would be too short. It’s great for a slightly longer middle or side part bob or fun spiral curls. 10 inches falls right above your collarbone when the hair is straight.
- 12 inch wig: 12 inch wigs is just long enough for a lob (long bob), which is trending all over social media. Many love this length because you get both length and volume. Other styles that work perfectly with 12 inches include a curly bob and beachy waves. 12 inches falls near the collarbone on most people when the hair is straight.
- 14 inch wig: 14 inches is midway between medium and long. The length works well for styles like long bobs, waves, spiral curls, or super tight coils. You could also go for a bob with bangs, an A-line bob, or a feathered style with layers. 14 inches falls a couple of inches past your collarbone and a few inches above your bra strap in the back.
- 16 inch wig: Getting into the longer lengths, 16 inches gives you a little less volume but more length to play with. This length lends itself well to a wide variety of styles, from loose wave and deep waves to small curls and pin-straight styles. 16 inches of hair falls at right about chest level.
- 18 inch wig: 18 inch wigs are considered to be long and are known to be the most popular length that women go for. It comes down past your shoulders and looks beautiful in a variety of styles. When you go for this wig length, you can choose curly hair, silky straight styles, sultry waves, or any other style you can think of. One of the best things about 18 inch wigs is that they allow you to feel glam but they are not too difficult to maintain.
- 20 inch wig: 20 inch wigs are long and may be a good choice for you if you want your hair to flow in the wind and bounce as you walk. At this length, your hair will fall near your waist, making it great for glam looks and memorable occasions. This length is flattering for most face shapes, but if you are often on the go or get hot really quickly, then this length may be difficult to tolerate.
- 22 inch wig: Like 20 inch wigs, 22 inch wigs are great for ladies who want a look that’ll turn heads. This length is great for cascading curls and waves or sleek and straight looks. 22 inches falls past your waist, but isn’t so long that you’ll sit on it.
- 24 inch - 32 inch wig: When we talk about 24+ inch wigs, we’re getting into the “extra long” territory. This hair will come almost all the way down to your hips or lower - it’s very long. You can wear hair this long in just about any style you can imagine.
Note that the estimates about where the hair falls are for straight hair only. Wavy and curly textured wigs will appear shorter than they really are.
Wig Length Chart
To give you a better idea of what to expect with each of the above hair lengths, we’ve included a wig length chart that shows each length and where it falls on your body. This will help you decide whether a certain length will work for you.
Wig Lengths of Different Hair Textures
The texture of your wig has a direct effect on how long it looks.
- Straight hair - Straight hair will usually be true to length, but if it is not, consider that some suppliers measure the length of the hair before it is attached to the wig cap.
- Curly hair - Curly hair will appear shorter than you’d expect due to its natural twists and turns. But, since manufacturers measure the hair when it’s stretched out, you should take this into account and buy hair a few more inches longer than you think you’ll need.
- Wavy Hair - If you measure wavy hair without stretching it out, you’ll notice that it comes up a little short. This is for the same reason that curly hair appears too short when you get it home. Measure the hair after you’ve stretched it out to see if it is true to length.
At Shinehair, we go the extra mile to ensure that our hair is true to length. We select long hair strands for our wigs, so the length you buy is the length you receive.
How to Know Your Wig is True to Length
Here are two quick instructions to help you determine if your wig is true to length:
- Measure the wig: Use a soft measuring tape to measure your wig with the hair stretched out. We’ll get into the wig measuring steps in the next section.
- Inspect the wig: A good quality wig should have the same thickness from root to tip. This means that most of the hairs should be of the same length. The thinner the ends are, the more short hair has been used.
Shinehair offers you wigs with thick hair from roots to ends. We guarantee that all of our wigs are true to length - you deserve nothing less than the best.
Before we get into how you should measure your wig’s length, we’d like to fill you in one very important thing. The length on a wig’s packaging tells you how long the hair will be once it’s been installed.
More specifically, it’s a measure of how long the hair will be as measured from the crown of your head to the end of the longest strand (while the wig is on). Say you’ve bought a 10 inch wig: if the wig is true to length, when you measure it from the crown of the head to the end of the longest strand, the measurement should be 10 inches.
Here is how to measure your wig length in simple 3 steps:
- Place your wig on a mannequin head just like you’d put it on your own head. If you lay the wig down on a table, the measurement will not be accurate. Do not flip the wig over.
- Place one end of a soft measuring tape at the crown of the mannequin’s head (the end that starts at 0 inches). To ensure that you’re measuring at the right point, place the measuring tape where the top of the head begins to slope downward.
- As you hold one end of the measuring tape at the crown, guide the measuring tape straight down the back of the wig until you’ve reached the end of the hair. If the hair is not completely straight, stretch the hair out with your hand as you measure.
How to Choose Your Best Hair Length
Here are some things to consider when choosing the hair length for your next wig:
- Decide how long you want your hair to look: If you want a chic, trendy bob, go shorter. If you want a luxe, glam look, go longer. But keep in mind that the longer the wig length is, the more expensive the unit will be.
- Choose your hair texture: Remember that curly and wavy hair shrinks a bit naturally. So, if you want a long curly look, you’ll have to choose a length that is a few inches longer than you want your wig to lay.
- Choose the density of your wig: A higher density wig is more likely to be full throughout the entire length of the wig, whereas a lower density wig may not be. Learn how to choose wig density.
- Consider your face shape: Your face shape is an important factor to consider when choosing a wig hair length. If you have an oval shaped face, you can wear virtually any wig length. But if you have a round face shape, longer lengths will be more flattering for you. If you have a rectangular face, a short layered style would work best for you.
- Consider your body features: If you’re below average height, the average wig will appear longer on you. On the other hand, if you’re tall, wigs will appear shorter on you.
- Evaluate your lifestyle: If you have a particularly active lifestyle, you should opt for a shorter wig, so you won’t have to deal with hair on your shoulders, neck, and back.
- Test test test: Sometimes, the best thing to do is test out a few different wig lengths to see which one will work for you. You may find that you like a wig that you initially thought you wouldn’t.
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Conclusion
Now we’ve got a question for you! What’s your favorite wig length? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
If you’re new to wigs, you’ve now got all you need to select a wig length that’s right for you. Be sure to use our wig length chart to get a peek at how different hair lengths will look. And remember that if you’re still not sure which wig length to get, try a couple to find out which will work best. Shop Shinehair for true-to-length wigs that look unbelievably natural and unexpectedly beautiful.
