What Length of Hair Extensions Do I Need?

Hair extensions are a great way to add length, volume, and thickness to your hair. They’re available in a variety of different lengths and types, and there’s no one perfect hair extension length – it depends on your desired hairstyle, length of your natural hair, and other factors. But choosing a suitable length is critical, because the wrong length could become noticeable and affect your overall look. 

So, what length of hair extensions do you need? Here’s everything you need to know about which hair extension length is right for you.

What Should Your Hair Length Be For Extensions?

When choosing hair extensions, the first thing to consider is your natural hair’s length. Yes, the length of your hair will determine the length of extensions you need. Most stylists agree that your locks should be at least six to seven inches long to accommodate hair extensions. 

The hair extensions will be noticeable if your hair is shorter than six inches. This is particularly likely when you wear clip-in extensions. These wefts have tiny clips at the base; they’ll be visible if you have shorter hair. 

So, if you’re shopping for clip-in human hair extensions, ensure your hair is at least six inches long. You’ll also want to make sure you’re buying from a reputed brand, because not all extensions are created equal. For example, you could choose Zala clip-in hair extensions as they’re made from 100% Remy human hair, look entirely natural, and blend seamlessly with your hair. 

Generally, getting extensions that are longer than your own hair is a good practice. For example, many stylists recommend wearing extensions at least three inches longer than your hair. But this is not a hard and fast rule. It depends on the hairstyle you want to wear, your preferences, and your existing hair length. 

How to Choose Your Hair Extension Length

The most popular extension lengths are 18, 20, and 22 inches. But as stated before, the ideal length for you depends on multiple factors. Use the below guide to pick a suitable length of extensions for your hair. 

• If your hair is short (again, at least six inches), consider buying 12 or 14-inch hair extensions. This will ensure the extensions look natural. Plus, you’ll get thicker and fuller hair without exposing your short hair to excess strain. Extensions in this range are lightweight, and you can easily pull them into different styles.
• If your hair falls between short and medium (10 inches long), we recommend you pick 16-inch hair extensions. You can comfortably wear the wefts and flaunt longer, bouncy, thicker hair. 
• You may want to wear 18 to 20 inches of hair extensions for medium hair. This length gives you enough freedom to flaunt a variety of hairstyles.
• And finally, if you want to flaunt extra long hair and your natural hair is already long, thick, and healthy, consider buying hair extensions in the range of 24 to 30 inches. These extensions will reach below your hip level, depending on your height. 

The best part? You can achieve more density by choosing the right extensions for your hair. For instance, a standard hair extension weighs 100-120 grams. And if you choose 18-inch wefts, this weight will boost the length and thickness of your hair. 

We don’t recommend clip-in hair extensions for shorter hair because they will look unnatural, and the clips may become visible through the hair. So, what is the best extension for shorter and thinner hair? While you may want to use tape-in extensions, fusion extensions are the best for shorter hair. They have invisible, micro keratin bonds to attach to your hair, so the extensions look natural, and you can wear them comfortably. 

The longest hair extension length available in the market is 30 inches. It generally weighs 300 grams, meaning it has so much hair to transform you into a real-life Rapunzel. This length is mind blowing – it will run from your head down to below your hip, giving you a gorgeous and elegant look. 

Other perks of longer hair extensions include extra bounce and more volume of hair. But longer extensions are not suitable for women with thin hair because the extra weight may stress your hair and even cause hair or scalp damage.