Faux Locs Calculator
Tell the calculator your hair length, loc size preference, and head density, and it tells you exactly how many packs of hair you need so you never run short mid-install.
Which faux locs method are you installing?
The method determines how much wrapping hair each loc uses. Butterfly locs consume roughly 30% more hair per loc than straight wrapping because of the distressed loop texture.
What size locs do you want?
Small locs (pencil-width) typically require 50 to 70 individual locs for full coverage. Large locs (thumb-width) need only 30 to 40. Size directly controls both loc count and pack usage.
How long do you want the finished locs?
Longer locs use more wrapping hair per loc. A 36-inch loc requires roughly twice the wrapping hair of an 18-inch loc at the same diameter. Most packs are sold in 18-inch, 24-inch, or 36-inch lengths.
How dense do you want the overall look?
Density describes how closely spaced the locs sit on the scalp. Full density covers every part so no scalp shows between locs. Natural density leaves a little breathing room, which also reduces weight on the scalp.
How much of your own hair are you starting with?
Your natural hair is what the faux loc hair wraps around. Thicker, longer natural hair means each attachment uses more base hair, so your overall loc count may be slightly lower for the same coverage. Very short natural hair (under 3 inches) sometimes needs a braid base first.
Why Pack Count Is the Most Underestimated Part of a Faux Locs Install
Most people who have had faux locs installed at least once remember the mid-session scramble: the stylist is halfway through and realizes the hair is going to run out. A quick trip to the beauty supply disrupts the appointment and often results in a slightly different dye lot that is visible once everything is done. Getting the pack count right before you sit down is the single most useful piece of prep work you can do.
The number of packs you need depends on four independent variables that compound each other: loc size, finished length, density on the scalp, and the specific method being used. Butterfly locs need more hair per loc than traditional wrapping because the looped texture consumes more material even though the finished diameter looks similar. Goddess and boho methods require a separate wavy or curly hair pack in addition to the wrapping hair, which is a separate line item many first-timers forget entirely.
A standard pack of faux loc hair sold at most beauty supplies contains enough wrapping strips to complete roughly 8 to 12 medium-sized locs at 24 inches, depending on the brand. That number drops to 5 to 7 for large locs at the same length and falls further for butterfly locs where each loc uses extra material in the looping phase. Knowing your count before you shop means you buy the right amount once and nothing goes to waste.
Pack Count Reference by Size, Length, and Method
The table below shows baseline pack estimates for a standard full install at natural density. Add one pack per size tier if you want extra full density. Add two packs for butterfly or boho methods (one for the extra wrapping material and one buffer).
| Loc Size | Short (up to 14 in) | Medium (16-22 in) | Long (24-30 in) | Extra Long (32+ in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | 6 to 8 packs | 8 to 10 packs | 10 to 13 packs | 13 to 16 packs |
| Medium | 4 to 6 packs | 6 to 8 packs | 8 to 11 packs | 11 to 14 packs |
| Large | 3 to 4 packs | 4 to 6 packs | 6 to 8 packs | 8 to 10 packs |
| Jumbo | 2 to 3 packs | 3 to 4 packs | 4 to 6 packs | 6 to 8 packs |
These figures assume standard wrapping method. For butterfly locs, add 2 packs to every figure above. For goddess or boho locs, add 1 to 2 additional packs of wavy or curly bulk hair on top of the wrapping count.
Ready to shop? Pre-distressed butterfly loc hair packs on Amazon let you skip the manual distressing step entirely.
Shop on Amazon Pre-distressed butterfly faux loc hair packs →As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Faux Locs Method Comparison
Traditional Wrapping
Clean, smooth wraps from root to tip. The most straightforward install. Hair is wrapped tightly around a braided or twisted base. Finished look is neat and polished, suitable for professional settings.
Butterfly Locs
Looped, distressed texture created by pulling loops of hair out before finishing each loc. Consumes the most wrapping material of any method. The disheveled look is intentional and very popular right now.
Goddess Locs
Wrapped loc body with wavy or curly hair left loose at the ends and sometimes along the loc. Requires two types of hair: wrapping hair and a separate wavy bulk hair. Looks bohemian and soft.
Boho Locs
The wrapped body of each loc is interrupted with curly pieces peeking through along the length. Takes extra time at each loc but the result is textured and layered. Hair usage similar to goddess method.
Crochet Faux Locs
Pre-made loc pieces attached with a crochet hook rather than wrapped individually. Much faster install. Hair usage is measured in pieces rather than packs, but most sets include 6 to 9 locs per pack and you still need 5 to 8 packs for a full head.
River Locs
A newer variation where the wrapping hair is looped in a consistent, tighter pattern than butterfly but looser than traditional wrapping. Creates a rippled texture. Hair usage falls between traditional and butterfly methods.
Special Situations That Change Your Pack Count
Very Short Natural Hair (Under 3 Inches)
With very short natural hair, there is not enough length to braid down cleanly before wrapping, so many stylists install a small cornrow base first or use the crochet method instead. If you are doing traditional wrapping with short hair, budget one extra pack as a safety buffer because the attachment process uses more wrapping material at the root to secure the loc properly.
High-Porosity or Fragile Natural Hair
Fragile natural hair cannot tolerate heavy tension at the roots. This pushes most people toward medium or large locs (fewer attachment points, less cumulative tension) and rules out extra-full density. The right loc count in this situation is not determined by aesthetic preference alone. A stylist working with fragile hair typically installs fewer locs spaced slightly wider apart, which also reduces total pack count. Factor in a protective scalp serum before install to reduce friction at the parts.
Adding a Highlight or Ombre Color
If your install uses two colors, you need to buy each color separately and plan the split in advance. A standard approach for an ombre is to use the darker color for packs that will become the top two-thirds of the head and the lighter color for the bottom third. This typically means a 60/40 pack split by color, not a 50/50 split, because the top of the head has more locs than the lower perimeter. Buying equal amounts of both colors is the most common planning mistake for ombre installations.
Refreshing an Existing Set
Some people add new locs to a set that is still in good shape but has experienced some thinning or breakage at the edges. For an edge refresh you will need just 1 to 2 packs, not a full install quantity. Matching the original hair color exactly is the challenge here since dye lots vary. Buy from the same brand and write down the shade code from your original packs.
Protective Style Longevity Planning
Faux locs typically last 4 to 8 weeks when properly maintained. Butterfly locs at the shorter end of that range because the loose loops snag more easily. Traditional locs can stretch to 8 weeks with regular moisturizing and nighttime protection. If you are planning to keep them in for the full 8 weeks, choose a slightly smoother method and avoid extra-long lengths that create more weight on the scalp over time.
How to Measure and Prepare Before Your Install
Taking three measurements before you shop saves time and prevents shortfalls. First, count your natural sections: part the hair into the same grid you plan to use for the locs and count the sections. This gives you the actual loc count, which the calculator uses to determine pack need. Second, measure your natural hair length from root to tip on the longest section so you know what anchor length you are working with. Third, decide on your finished loc length in inches before you go to the store so you can match it to the pack length sold.
Most retail packs are sold in 18-inch and 24-inch lengths. For a 30-inch finished loc, you will need to start with a 24-inch pack and let the taper at the end of the loc do the work, or purchase 36-inch packs and trim after. Do not buy 18-inch packs expecting to achieve a 28-inch finished loc; the physics of wrapping does not work that way.
Pre-cut and pre-measured loc hair packs take a lot of the guesswork out of the shopping step.
Shop on Amazon 24-inch faux locs hair packs →As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many packs of hair do I need for a full head of medium faux locs at 24 inches?
For medium-sized locs at 24 inches with standard wrapping at natural density, plan on 7 to 9 packs. If you want full density, add one more pack. If you are doing butterfly locs at the same size and length, add 2 packs to whatever the straight-wrap count would be, so 9 to 11 packs total.
What is the difference between butterfly locs and regular faux locs in terms of hair usage?
Butterfly locs use roughly 25 to 35 percent more wrapping hair than traditional faux locs at the same size and length. The distressed loop texture is created by pulling sections of the wrapping hair into small loops along the loc before finishing, which burns through significantly more material per loc. This is why butterfly installs typically cost more at the salon and why you should budget extra packs when shopping for supplies.
Can I use any brand of faux loc hair or does it matter?
Brand matters for two reasons: pack fullness and texture. Some brands pack noticeably less hair per pack than others even when the weight label is the same. Brands that are known for consistent fullness include Freetress, Outre, and Bobbi Boss, though specific product lines vary within each brand. Texture also varies: some loc hair is very smooth (closer to traditional look) while others have a slight crimp built in (better for butterfly). Match the texture to your method.
Do I need a separate hair type for goddess locs versus regular faux locs?
Yes. Goddess locs require two types of hair: the standard wrapping hair for the loc body and a separate wavy or curly bulk hair for the loose sections at the ends and sometimes peeking out along the loc. The wavy hair is typically sold separately from the loc hair. For a full goddess loc install you might need 5 to 7 packs of wrapping hair plus 2 to 3 packs of wavy bulk hair. Buying only the wrapping hair and expecting the ends to look bohemian on their own does not work.
How long do faux locs last and what affects their lifespan?
With proper care, traditional faux locs last 6 to 8 weeks. Butterfly locs typically last 4 to 6 weeks because the loose loops collect lint and frizz faster. The main factors that shorten a set are friction at night (sleeping without a satin bonnet or pillowcase), buildup from heavy product use, and tension at the roots from a style that was installed too tightly. Using a lightweight oil or loc spray every 2 to 3 days and sleeping with a bonnet extends any style toward the upper end of its range.
What happens if I buy too few packs and run out mid-install?
Running short mid-install is the most disruptive planning error. If the beauty supply is nearby you lose time but can continue. The bigger problem is dye lots: hair dyed in different production batches can be visibly different in lighting even if the label reads the same color. The mismatch is most obvious on the top of the head where the two lots meet. This is why every pack count recommendation includes a one-pack buffer. One extra pack costs far less than a noticeable color variation across a finished set.
Is there a way to make faux locs lighter if I am worried about scalp tension?
Yes. The most effective adjustments are to go up a size (large instead of medium reduces the total loc count and therefore total weight), reduce density from full to natural, or choose shorter length. Each of those changes reduces total weight. Some people also choose water wave or spring twist hair as the wrapping material instead of standard faux loc hair because the texture is slightly more open and less dense. That alone can cut the weight of a full install by 15 to 20 percent while keeping a similar finished look.
How do I remove faux locs without damaging my natural hair?
The safest removal method is to cut each loc about an inch below where your natural hair ends, then unravel the remaining wrapped section carefully downward. Trying to unravel the full loc from tip to root is slow and creates knots. After removal, the natural hair will be matted from weeks of being braided down. Soak each section with a generous amount of conditioner diluted with water, let it sit for 10 minutes, then detangle from the ends upward with a wide-tooth comb. Rushing this step is where most natural hair damage happens during removal.
For most people doing a standard medium faux locs install, Freetress Water Wave is the most reliable all-around choice for wrapping hair. Good fullness per pack, consistent dye lot, and works for traditional, goddess, and boho methods.
Shop on Amazon Freetress Water Wave faux locs hair packs →As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links do not affect the calculator results or editorial recommendations on this page.