You’ve seen celebrities switch up wig lengths like outfits, from elegant 12-inch bobs to dramatic 30-inch waves. But when it comes to buying a wig, those numbers can be confusing. A 20-inch wig on someone else might not look the same on you, especially if the texture is different.
Curly wigs usually look shorter than straight ones, even when the inch count is exactly the same. That’s why knowing how wig lengths work is so important. Without a proper chart, it’s easy to feel unsure about what length to choose or how it will actually fall on the shoulders or back. A good wig length chart helps by showing how each texture, straight, wavy, or curly, affects the final look.
This article explains wig lengths, including how they are measured, how textures affect their appearance, and tips for selecting a wig that suits your style and comfort. So before picking your next wig, let’s make sure the inches on the label match the look in your mind.
What is a Wig Length Chart?
A wigs length chart is a visual guide, typically measured in inches, that shows how long a wig will fall on your body, from the crown of your head to the tips. It helps you picture where different lengths land: short (around your chin), medium (shoulders or chest), long (mid‑back or waist), and extra‑long (hips or lower).
Because textures differ, straight hair hangs right to length, but wavy or curly hair can look several inches shorter. A good chart often includes separate lines for straight, wavy, and curly styles so you can see how each length appears once worn.
It helps choose the right wig length that suits your height and the look you want, so you won’t be surprised when you wear it.
Standard Ways to Describe Hair Length
To make things even clearer, here’s a visual chart that shows common hair lengths and their standard ways to describe.
- Buzz Cut is the shortest, shaved very close to the scalp.
- Ear Length (Pixie) stops right around the ears and gives a short, fresh style.
- Chin Length (Bob) sits near the chin, best for a neat and classic look.
- Shoulder Length (Lob) reaches the shoulders and works well for most face shapes.
- Armpit Length falls just below the shoulders, around the armpit area.
- Mid-Back Length goes down to the middle of the back, long but not too heavy.
- Tailbone Length is extra long and flows all the way down to the tailbone.
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Wig Lengths Chart by Texture
This chart is basically a cheat sheet for how different wig textures (curly, wavy, straight) look in the same lengths when measured in inches, and trust us, the same number doesn’t look the same across all textures.
1. Straight Hair Wig Length Chart
Straight wigs don’t play games. What you order is what you see. These show the full length clearly and fall sleek and straight.
Length vs Body Position:
- 10″ – 12″ → Just above shoulders or slightly below
- 14″ – 16″ → Touches upper back
- 18″ – 20″ → Around the bra strap area
- 22″ – 24″ → Touches lower back or waist
- 26″ – 28″ → Hips or tailbone
Beginner Tip: Want waist-length hair that really looks like it? Straight hair is your safest bet. No bounce, no shrink, just length.
2. Wavy Hair Wig Length Chart
Wavy wigs are like the Goldilocks of hair texture, not too coiled, not too straight. They have some bounce, but still fall long enough to show off the inches.
How they land:
- 10″ – 12″ → Shoulder to top of back
- 14″ – 16″ → Middle to upper back
- 18″ – 20″ → Just below the shoulder blades
- 22″ – 24″ → Waistline or just above
- 26″ – 28″ → Hips or top of the butt
Beginner Tip: Wavy hair stretches more than curly, but still needs an extra inch or two if you want full drama.
3. Curly Hair Wig Length Chart
Curly wigs are the most “shrinkage-prone” of the bunch. Those springy curls are full of volume, but they coil up, making the wig look 2–4 inches shorter than the labeled length.
Let’s match it to body position:
- 10″ – 12″ → Just touches shoulders or collarbone
- 14″ – 16″ → Sits around the upper back
- 18″ – 20″ → Middle of the back
- 22″ – 24″ → Lower back, just past bra strap
- 26″ – 28″ → Waistline or a little above the tailbone
Beginner Tip: If you want your curls to fall around mid-back, don’t pick 18”, go up to 22–24”!
4. Kinky Curly Wig Length Chart
Kinky wigs are full of tight curls, so they always look shorter than they actually are. The length you see on the label (like 20″ or 22″) is measured when the hair is stretched straight, not in its curly form. That’s why a 20-inch kinky wig may look more like 14 inches when worn.
Let’s break it down by length:
- 10 Inch: Looks like a short afro bob. It ends above the shoulders. Very lightweight and beginner-friendly.
- 14 Inch: Hits around the shoulders. Slightly longer and fuller. Great for a natural, everyday look.
- 20 Inch: Falls to upper chest. Big, bouncy, and bold. Perfect for volume lovers.
- 22 Inch: Reaches mid-chest. Full glam with lots of body and curl definition.
Quick Tip: Kinky wigs shrink visually by about 6–8 inches due to their curl pattern. Always keep that in mind when choosing your length.
5. Wig Length Chart Body Wave
This one shows a wig with soft, loose “S” waves, the kind of waves that bounce gently but don’t shrink up too much. So, how do the lengths fall?
- 10” – Short and chic, touches the neck.
- 12” – Shoulder length, easy to style.
- 14” – Just below shoulders, nice bounce.
- 16” – Armpit level, fuller waves start here.
- 18” – Bra strap length, trendy and lightweight.
- 20” – Mid-back, glam but still manageable.
- 22” – Lower back, flowy and elegant.
- 24” – Reaches hips, long and bold.
- 26” – Waist-length, super glam and dramatic.
Beginner Tip: Body wave gives that soft glam curl look, but keep in mind: the longer you go, the looser the wave can appear (because of the hair’s weight pulling it down).
6. Wig Length Chart Deep Wave
Deep wave is a type of hair texture that has tight, defined waves. It’s not quite curly, not quite wavy, it’s that beautiful, bouncy texture that gives “I woke up like this” but also took effort. It tends to appear shorter than straight hair because the waves take up vertical space. So when you measure it, you actually need to stretch the hair out fully straight to get its true inch length.
- 10” – Reaches the neck/top of shoulders. Looks like 8″–9″ curly. Cute bob vibes.
- 12” – Hits shoulders. Looks like 10″–11″. Easy, breezy style.
- 14” – Just below shoulders. Appears ~12″. Soft drama, easy to manage.
- 16” – Armpit length. Looks 14″. Getting fuller and sassier.
- 18” – Mid-back zone. Looks around 16″.
- 20” – Mid-back. Appears 18″. Balanced glam and volume.
- 22” – Between mid-back & waist. Looks ~20″. Soft but bold.
- 24” – Waist-length. Visually 21″–22″. Serious hair-flip energy.
- 26” – Past waist, near hips. Looks 23″–24″. Full-blown main character mode.
Why Wig Textures Change How Length Looks?
Wig textures change how long the hair looks because of how the strands fall. Straight wigs show the full length clearly since the hair lies flat. Wavy wigs appear a bit shorter because the waves make the strands bounce up. Curly wigs look even shorter because the curls bunch up and don’t stretch all the way down.
So even if all three wigs are the same length in inches, curly always looks the shortest, and straight looks the longest. That’s why texture matters when picking a wig length; it affects how it shows up on the head.
Bob Wig Length Chart Explained
We’ve understood the wig hair length charts by texture, now let’s take a look at wig hair length by style. And the perfect place to start is with the classic bob wig.
Bob wigs are short and stylish. They don’t go past the shoulders, but even within bobs, the lengths can look very different. In the image above, the wigs are lined up from shortest to longest; from left to right: 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 inches.
- 6-inch bob is super short and ends around the jawline. It gives a sharp, clean look, suitable for someone who wants something bold and easy to manage.
- 8 inches is a little longer, but still above the shoulders. It has a soft, rounded shape and looks neat without being too short.
- 10 inches usually touches the shoulders. It’s a nice middle length, not too short, not too long, and works well for everyday wear.
- 12 inches starts to give more movement and a bit of length. It still feels like a bob but with a longer, softer feel.
- 14 inches is a long bob, often called a “lob.” It brushes the collarbone and gives a more flowy, modern look.
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Lace Front Wig Length Chart
A lace front wig has a thin lace strip at the front, where the hair is tied by hand. This makes it look like the hair is growing from the scalp, very natural! Only the front part is lace; the rest is a regular wig cap.
Lace Front Wig Length Chart:
| Length (inches) | Where it falls (Straight Hair) |
|---|---|
| 8″ | Chin |
| 10″ | Collarbone |
| 12″ | Just below collarbone |
| 14″ | Shoulder |
| 16″ | Upper chest |
| 18″ | Chest |
| 20″ | Below chest |
| 22″ | Mid-back |
| 24″ | Lower back |
| 26″–30″ | Waist to hips |
Important Note About Hair Texture
- Wavy hair looks 1–2 inches shorter than straight.
- Curly hair looks 2–4 inches shorter.
So if you want your curly wig to look like 18″, go for 20″–22″.
How to Measure Wig Length Accurately
Measuring a wig’s length accurately is easy when broken down into clear steps:
1. Set the wig up properly – Place it on a wig stand or mannequin head so it keeps its shape, instead of just laying it flat.
2. Use a soft measuring tape – A flexible fabric tape can follow the curves and natural fall of the hair, unlike stiff rulers.
3. Start at the crown – Place the zero of the tape at the highest point on the wig where hair begins to fall; that’s the crown
4. Measure to the longest strand – Run the tape straight down the back of the wig to the very tip of the longest hair strand.
5. Straighten curly or wavy wigs – Gently pull the hair straight while measuring to get the true length, since curls and waves shrink the apparent length
6. Write it down – Jot the number in inches (or centimeters) so you know exactly how long the wig really is.
How to Choose the Right Wig Length?
Choosing the right wig length takes more than just picking a style you like; it should fit your lifestyle, frame your face well, and be practical for your daily routine.
1. Lifestyle Needs: Short wigs (8–12″) are perfect for busy routines; they’re quick to wear, easy to wash, and stay neat. Medium lengths (12–18″) offer more styling options like ponytails or loose waves while still being manageable. Long wigs (18–24″+) give that dramatic look but need more time for brushing, washing, and storing to avoid tangling.
2. Face Shape Match: An oval face can pull off any length. For round faces, longer wigs help add length and balance. Square faces look softer with medium or long lengths with layers or waves. Heart or diamond faces do best with shoulder-length or longer styles that add width at the jawline.
3. Height & Build: Short or medium wigs complement short people better; extra-long styles may look heavy. Taller individuals can carry longer wigs more naturally, which keeps proportions balanced.
4. Texture Consideration: Straight wigs show the full length. Wavy wigs appear 1–2 inches shorter, and curly wigs look even shorter due to shrinkage. Always account for this difference when choosing.
5. Maintenance Time: Short wigs are low-effort. Medium wigs need occasional detangling. Long wigs require daily care and proper storage to stay in shape.
Pick a wig that feels comfortable, complements your features, and matches how much time you’re ready to spend caring for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the best length for a wig?
A1. The best wig length depends on face shape, height, and personal style, but 12 to 16 inches is the most popular and approving for most people.
Q2. How long does a 20 inch wig look?
A2. A 20-inch wig usually falls around the mid-back on most people, giving a long and flowing look. It may appear slightly shorter with curly or wavy textures.
Q3. How long is 10 in wigs?
A3. A 10-inch wig is a short length that usually reaches the nape of the neck or just brushes the shoulders, depending on the hair texture.
Q4. How do I determine my wig size?
A4. To determine your wig size, measure the circumference of your head from your hairline, behind your ears, to the nape of your neck using a soft tape. Wig length is about how long the hair is, while size is about how well the wig cap fits your head.
Conclusion
We’ve gone through all the important stuff, wig length chart basics, texture differences, how to measure, and how to pick the right one. But wig preferences can be personal. Different styles work for different people. If there’s a length or texture that always works better for you, share it!
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