If you’re new to the world of wigs, the large quantity of information available, including textures, sizes, and lengths, as well as the provenance, might be overwhelming. So here are the questions: how to measure wig length correctly? Read this article to know how to measure wig length and what it means.

How to Measure Wig Length Correctly: Step-by-Step Guide
1. Understanding Wig Measurements
When you order a wig, you can choose short, medium, long, or extra-long styles. But what exactly does each of those lengths mean? How many inches is each length? We’ll break them down so you understand what you’re getting with each range of wig inches. Guide measurements include:
- Short: Short wigs are approximately 12 to 16 inches in length. On the shorter end, you’ll see short bobs that fall just below the jawline, and on the longer end, you’ll see bobs that fall just above the collarbone.
- Medium: Medium-length, also called Mid length wigs, are 17 to 20 inches long. They brush or fall just below the collarbone at around 17 inches and to about chest height at 20 inches.
- Long: Long wigs will typically be 21 to 24 inches long. The longest ones within this range might fall to your waistline.
- Extra-long: Extra-long wigs are wigs longer than 24 inches. They might fall to the top of your hip, your mid-hip, or even below that.
2. Why you have to know how to measure wig length
You might not believe it, but length is crucial… The way the wig falls will decide how well it fits you, so it’s a vital element of the decision-making process.
- Usually when buying a wig, people are interested in how to measure wig cap size because this is a more difficult step, but in fact, how to measure wig length is also very important because each hairstyle requires a different length.
- Wigs are common in length from 8 to 30 inches, the length of curly wigs is different from straight wigs. Some places are divided into 3 levels: short, medium and long. So it’s quite embarrassing for newbies to buy wigs.
Wig length is an important part of the selection process as the way the wig falls will determine how well it fits you. That’s why we will give you a few keys on how to measure wig length in this article.

You might not believe it, but length is crucial
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3. Wig Length Charts for Various Styles
We get it — remembering these measurements and their associated lengths can be confusing. So we’ve created a simple wig length chart that you can reference while shopping. While this includes specific wig styles 5S Hair offers, the concept can be applied to other wigs as well. And, of course, there are additional wig lengths within this chart, but this gives you an overall feel for the different lengths and where they fall relatively speaking.
It’s important to understand that 5S Hair wig measurements measure the wig from the top of the crown to the end of the longest strand, pulled taut. However, the texture of the hair will impact where it actually falls. Straight hair will be true to length, but any amount of wave or curl will make the wig appear shorter than it measures. Additionally, every wig company measures wig lengths differently, so when in doubt, ask how they are measuring their wig length when in doubt.
3.1. Wig Length Chart Straight

Wig Length Chart Straight
3.2. Body Wave Length Chart
As mentioned above, wig length charts for body waves are slightly different. If you are ordering a wavy wig, consider ordering it an inch longer than you want because the wave will cause it to rise about an inch. If you’re ordering a curly wig, order it two inches longer than you want because the curl will shorten it by about two inches.

Body Wave Length Chart
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3.3. Wig Length Chart Curly

Wig Length Chart Curly
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4. How to measure wig length correctly at home
Curly and wavy wigs are created from straight wigs, thus they will be 1-2 inches shorter than straight wigs for the same length. We’ll discuss how to measure wig length and your head size today.
4.1. Prepare the wig
The first step of how to measure wig length is preparation. Place the wig on the template or wig stand.
- Lay the wig flat on a table or another level surface if you don’t have a stand or wig template. Adjust the wig so that the hairline runs along the top of the head and behind the ears in the proper position.
- If your wig is wavy, please straighten it as much as possible before taking measurements. Curly wigs are often prone to tangles, so untangle them before measuring. You can see how to detangle a human hair wig here.

Place the wig on the template or wig stand
4.2. Get the Right Tools
Use a soft measuring tape. Rigid ones won’t be able to hug the curvature of the head accurately.
4.3. Position the Measuring Tape
Place the measuring tape’s “zero” marker at the crown of the head, just where the scalp begins to slope downward.

Start measuring from the top of the wig cap, not the front
4.4. Measure the length of the wig
First, locate the longest section of hair and place one end of the tape measure into the crown of the wig. Do not set the tape measure at the front hairline if you’re measuring the wig on a table! Start measuring from the top of the wig cap, not the front.
- The next step of how to measure wig length is very important. At the back of the wig, locate the tip of the longest layer. Measure the length of your wig from the longest tip to the base (beginning at the hat’s lace or “scalp”). Because most wigs have shorter top layers, measuring the sides will not provide an exact length measurement.
- You have some info about how to measure wig length with more than one measurement, but it’s incomplete. Measure the same as the previous step with some hair in the wig’s center. Then measure again a few hairs below the hairline. From three measures, you may get an acceptable hair length.
- To straighten curly or wavy wigs, gently pull them straight. Then take a measurement from the wig’s roots to the longest point at the rear. Because the curls and waves that are not curled appear shorter than they are, this is the actual length of the hair.

Measure the length of your wig from the longest tip to the base
4.5. Account for Texture
- If the hair has any wave or curl to it, pull it straight.
- The measurement at the end of that longest strand — pulled taut — is the accurate length of the wig.
Basically, how to measure wig length is just that. You can apply this method to both human hair wigs vs synthetic wigs.
5. How to measure wig length: things to note
Once you know and follow the steps of how to measure wig length, you will get the numbers and they make a lot of sense.
- If you’re buying a curly wig, increase the length by 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm).
- Instead of choosing a typical wig length like “long” or “medium,” you should measure yourself first. A 20-inch (51-centimeter) wig may look good on a tall, skinny woman, but it can absolutely overwhelm a small woman. When it comes to how the wig looks on a person, overall height, neck length, and torso length all play a part.
- The majority of shoulder-length wigs are 14–18 in (36–46 cm) long. When you consider it, the 4 in (10 cm) difference is significant! Because “shoulder-length” or “medium length” isn’t a one-size-fits-all category, this is the case. The length of a wig can vary dramatically according to the wearer’s height, facial structure, and body type.
- The length of the neck is emphasized by shorter wigs. This can be beneficial if your neck is short. You might not want to emphasize your long, slender neck if you already have one.
- When you’re tall and slender, wigs make you look shorter than you are. If you want to obtain the desired length, purchase a wig that is somewhat longer than you require.
- Because wigs look different based on your height, body type, and face shape, it’s critical to measure yourself before choosing on a wig length. A 14 inch (36 cm) wig, for example, will look significantly different on someone with a narrow face and long neck than on someone with a short and wide face.
Wigs come in all lengths, from 8-inch wigs to 30-inch wigs human hair. The common length that people buy is between 15 and 18 inches. How to measure wig length is obviously very important, right?

If you’re buying a curly wig, increase the length by 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm)
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6. Choosing the Right Wig Length for You
Now that you understand the many wig length options, let’s go over how to choose the right wig for the particular style you want, as well as your preferred beauty routine.
6.1. Choosing the Right Density
Wig density refers simply to how thick a wig is. It’s expressed sometimes as a percentage, and in other cases, as the number of grams involved. 5S Hair, lists the grams for the different wig and topper styles, in the Wig Wisdom section of their website. Just click on the style you’re interested in, and scroll down to find the details for that style, include density as reported in grams.
- Extra-light: This will be around 50 percent density
- Light: Light density is at around 60 to 100 percent
- Medium density: This density has a percentage of around 130 to 150
- High density: High-density wigs have a percentage of 180 to 250
When choosing the density, there are a few things to consider. We typically recommend increasing density with wig inches. An extra-light, extra-long wig, for example, might look too thin. Meanwhile, a short, high-density wig might appear heavy and unnatural. However, it’s important to consider the density of your natural hair, too. If you already have thick hair (lucky you!), then getting a high-density wig might look bulky.
The higher the density, the more volume you’ll have, so ask yourself how much volume you want to add. But we always say that when you want a glam look for a formal event or special occasion, you can’t go wrong with a high-density wig!
Conversely, lower density wigs, such as Milano’s Ponytail, or Divine Wigs, can give you more styling versatility – so you can wear your hair up, down or in a ponytail. They’re also a little more lightweight than higher density wigs.

Choosing the Right Wig Length for You
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6.2. Matching Your Face Shape
Now let’s go over choosing a wig for your face shape. Finding the right wig length for your face is all about achieving symmetry. Let’s discuss the most common face shapes and which wig length best complements each one.
- Oval: If you have an oval-shaped face, consider yourself lucky because you can wear just about any wig length you want! Rock a short bob if you’re feeling feisty, go long for a luxurious look, or choose a medium length for an easy-to-style, everyday wig. (We do recommend avoiding thick bangs, though, which can make oval faces look longer than they are).
- Round: Round-faced beauties look terrific with longer lengths. A long wig will help elongate the face for a slimmer appearance. You can always choose some shorter layers by the face to add variety and softness.
- Square: If you have a square (sometimes called a rectangular) face, consider a short wig with layers. Having those layers right there near your cheekbones will soften your face and create a slightly rounder appearance.
- Heart-shaped: Individuals with heart-shaped faces look stunning with short or long bobs. Having that extra volume around the jawline can create the appearance of a rounder chin.
6.3. Personal Style and Preferences
Ultimately, your wig should make you feel more confident and complement your beauty routine. In addition to considering things like texture and length, think about what you want the freedom to do with your wig.
Do you want to create various styles with hot tools? `Longer wigs give you more area to work with, allowing you to change your aesthetic from one day to the next. They also are popular for those who want to achieve a glamorous, voluminous look. Alternatively, if you’re looking to simplify your life, a short wig might be your best bet. Less hair means less to tame and style. When it comes to how to care for your wig, washing short wigs takes slightly less time than washing long ones and come with a smaller risk of tangles than long wigs.
Price is another factor to consider. Longer wigs require more material, which means a higher price tag. Whether you go for a human hair or synthetic wig, more length will almost always result in a higher cost. So if you want to play with different looks while on a budget, shorter wigs will usually cost less than long ones.

it’s critical to measure yourself before choosing on a wig length
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7. 5S Hair Factory – the best wig and the best instruction of how to measure wig length
When purchasing a wig, keep your height in mind. A long wig can be too much for a petite face, whereas a short or medium wig can provide the impression of height.
- So where can you buy wigs? We, 5S Hair Factory are confident that you will not be disappointed with your purchase.
- At 5S Hair, we have every wig you need in all lengths, up to 36 inches. We also sell combo bundles and closures or frontal if you prefer to make your own wig.

5S Hair Factory – the best wig
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Contact 5S Hair wholesale factory manager to import raw Vietnamese hair bundles through this WhatsApp number: +84 855 555 348 to get the best price order now!
Contact us:
- 5S Hair: Best Vietnamese Hair Factory
- Address: Floor 5, No. 169 Nguyen Ngoc Vu Street building, Cau Giay District, Ha Noi city
- Hotline: +84 855 555 348
- Website: https://5shair.com/
- Email: info@5shair.com
- WhatsApp: +84 855 555 348


