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How to Choose the Right Hair Extension Length and Weight

Choosing the right hair extension length and weight is one of the most common stumbling blocks for first-timers - and honestly, even experienced extension wearers second-guess themselves. Get it right and your extensions look completely seamless. Get it wrong and things can look a bit off. Here's the lowdown.

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Length: what the numbers actually mean

Hair extension length is measured from the top of the weft to the tip of the hair - not from where it sits on your head. So a 20 inch extension on someone with a chin-length bob will look very different to the same length on someone with shoulder-length hair.

As a rough guide: 16 inch sits around the chest and upper bust, and works well for adding length to hair that's already at the shoulder. 20 inch is the most popular choice for a reason - it lands around mid-chest and gives that classic long-hair result. 24 inch is full mermaid territory, sitting well past the bust. Check our Length Guide for a visual reference before you decide.

Weight: how much do you actually need?

This is where most people get caught out - too little and your extensions won't blend properly, but more weight isn't always the answer either.

For clip-ins, it comes down to your existing hair. Our Volume Enhance Set at 65g is designed to add thickness and volume to hair that already has some length - it's not built for a full-head transformation. The standard 120g Original Full Head Set works for most people. Go to 170g if your natural hair is on the thicker side, or 220g if it's very short and blunt - though most people don't need this much.

For tape extensions, the logic is the same. A standard full head is around 40 pieces (100g). Shorter or thicker natural hair will generally need 60 pieces (150g) to get a seamless result.

If you have fine hair, Butterfly Wefts are worth a look. They're ultra-lightweight and sit flat against the head, which tends to look more natural and puts far less stress on finer strands than heavier options.

Your hair type is the key variable

Your natural hair - its current length, thickness, and texture - is the single biggest factor in both the length and weight decision. Shorter natural hair generally needs a longer extension and more weight to cover the transition properly. If you've already got decent length, a mid-weight set in a shorter length can make a big difference without going overboard.

New to extensions entirely? Our Start Here guide covers the basics before you buy, and our Hair Extension Mistakes to Avoid post is worth a read too. And if colour is the other piece of the puzzle, our Colour Guide and Colour Match Service have you covered.

The short version: for most people, 20 inch and 120g is a solid place to start. Adjust up or down based on your natural hair, and if you're still not sure, reach out - we've been doing this a long time.