Wigs are measured from the crown to the ends with the hair pulled straight. On a 5'4" to 5'7" frame, 12 inches hits the shoulders, 16 inches the bra strap, 20 inches the mid-back, and 24 inches the hips. Wavy textures look about 2 inches shorter than straight at the same measurement, and curly about 4 inches shorter, because the curl pattern takes up length.
That is the whole answer. What follows is the chart, how to check it against your own body rather than an average one, and how much each texture draws up.
Wig length chart
Where each length falls on a 5'4" to 5'7" frame. The wavy and curly columns show what the same measured length looks like once the pattern is in it.
| Length | Straight falls at | Wavy looks like | Curly looks like |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8" | Chin, short bob | ~6" | ~4" |
| 10" | Jaw to chin | ~8" | ~6" |
| 12" | Shoulders | ~10" | ~8" |
| 14" | Collarbone / upper chest | ~12" | ~10" |
| 16" | Bra strap | ~14" | ~12" |
| 18" | Shoulder blades | ~16" | ~14" |
| 20" | Mid-back | ~18" | ~16" |
| 22" | Lower back | ~20" | ~18" |
| 24" | Waist to hip | ~22" | ~20" |
| 26" | Hip | ~24" | ~22" |
| 28" | Below hip | ~26" | ~24" |
| 30" | Tailbone | ~28" | ~26" |
Treat this chart as a starting point, not a promise. Published wig length charts disagree with each other by two to four inches at the long end — some put 20 inches at mid-back, others at the waist. The reason is that they all assume an average height, and torso length varies more between people than total height does. Two women who are both 5'6" can have three inches of difference between their crown and their waist. The measuring method in the next section is more reliable than any chart, including this one.
How a wig is measured
Wigs are measured from the root of the hair at the crown down to the ends, with the hair pulled straight. Curly and wavy units are measured the same way — the hair is stretched out first so the number reflects the actual length of the strand, not the length of the curl.
This is why a 20-inch curly wig does not reach the same place on your back as a 20-inch straight wig. Both strands are genuinely 20 inches long. The curly one just spends four of those inches on the curl pattern.
The number on the listing is also always the longest point of the unit. If a wig is layered or cut on an A-line, the shorter layers are not reflected in that single measurement.
How to measure a wig in 3 steps
- Put the unit on a wig head, or lay it flat on a table. If it is wavy or curly, gently stretch and straighten the hair as much as you can before measuring.
- Find the longest section and place the tape at the crown, then pull it down to the ends. If the unit is flat on a table, measure from the roots at the crown — not from the front edge of the lace, which will read several inches long.
- Record the number. If the unit has layers or an A-line cut, measure the sides too so you know where the shortest pieces will land.
How to find your length on your own body
More accurate than any chart, and it takes two minutes.
- Stand in front of a mirror with a soft measuring tape.
- Put the end of the tape at the crown of your head — the highest point, where a wig's part would sit. Not the hairline.
- Run the tape straight down your back to the spot you want the hair to hit: collarbone, bra strap, mid-back, waist.
- Read the number. That is your straight-hair length.
- If you want wavy, add 2 inches. If you want curly, add 4.
How much length each texture takes
Rough draw-up against straight hair at the same measured length:
- Straight and yaki straight — no draw-up. What you measure is what you see.
- Body wave and loose wave — about 1 to 2 inches shorter.
- Deep wave and water wave — about 2 to 3 inches shorter.
- Curly and jerry curl — about 3 to 4 inches shorter.
- Kinky curly and afro kinky curly — 4 inches or more, and the tighter the pattern the more it draws up.
The practical rule: order curly two sizes up from where you want it to land. A 16-inch kinky curly wig sits about where a 12-inch straight wig does.
What the popular lengths look like
10 to 12 inches — a bob. Falls around the jaw or chin. The lowest-maintenance length there is: less hair to detangle, less weight on the lace, and no tangling at the nape from clothing.
14 to 16 inches — collarbone to bra strap. The most-bought range, because it reads as a natural amount of hair and still moves.
18 to 22 inches — shoulder blades to mid-back. Where a wig starts to look deliberately long. Budget more conditioner and a wide-tooth comb; anything past 18 inches tangles at the nape if you sleep in it.
What lengths Mayvenn carries
Mayvenn's virgin headband wigs come in 12", 16", and 20" for the curly and kinky textures, and 14", 18", 22", and 26" for straight, body wave, and deep wave. All are 100% virgin human hair, so they can be cut, colored, and heat-styled if the length is not quite right out of the box.
Browse everything in human hair wigs.
Wig length FAQ
How are wigs measured in inches?
From the root of the hair at the crown down to the ends, with the hair pulled straight. Curly and wavy units are stretched out before measuring, so the number reflects the length of the strand rather than the length of the curl.
What length wig falls at the shoulders?
About 12 inches straight on a 5'4" to 5'7" frame. In a wavy texture you would want 14 inches for the same effect, and in a curly texture 16 inches.
How long is a 24 inch wig?
A 24-inch straight wig falls around the waist to the upper hip on average height. In body wave it looks closer to 22 inches, and in a curly texture closer to 20 inches — around the lower back.
What is the most popular wig length?
14 to 18 inches. It reads as a natural amount of hair, falls between the collarbone and the shoulder blades, and is short enough to avoid the tangling that starts past 18 inches.
Why does my curly wig look shorter than the length I ordered?
Because the strand is genuinely that length — the curl pattern is using some of it. Wavy textures look about 2 inches shorter than straight at the same measurement and curly about 4 inches shorter. Order two sizes up from where you want it to land.
Does your height change what wig length you need?
Yes, and torso length matters more than total height. Two people of the same height can have three inches of difference between crown and waist. Measure from your own crown down your back to where you want the hair to end rather than relying on a chart.
Can you cut a wig shorter?
Yes, if it is human hair. Cut it dry and on a wig head so you can see where the length falls, and cut less than you think you need — curly and wavy hair springs up shorter once it dries. Synthetic wigs are far less forgiving.
Is wig length measured from the lace or from the crown?
From the crown. Measuring from the front edge of the lace adds several inches and will make the wig read longer than it is. If a listing seems generous, this is usually why.