How to French Braid Your Own Hair (Single or 2 Sides)

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Plus, tips on French braiding layered and short hair

Co-authored by Samantha Fulton, BA

Last Updated: April 1, 2026 Fact Checked

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• French Braid
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• Double French Braids
|
• Layered Hair
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• Short Hair
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French braiding your own hair can be tricky, but we’ve got you covered! This guide will walk you through the steps and hand positioning for French braiding your own hair, with advice shared by wikiHow’s expert hair stylist. We’ll also show you how to do French braids on 2 sides and give you extra tips on braiding layered and short hair!

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

How to French Braid Your Own Hair

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1. 
   1
   Detangle your hair. When French braiding your hair, it helps to eliminate any tangles before you get started. Use a comb or brush to work through any knots or tangles.

   • If you have any stubborn tangles, apply a detangler spray and continue brushing.
   • Tip: Braiding can be easier with damp hair. Use a spray bottle to wet your hair slightly before you start braiding.
   • Master hair stylist Frankie Sanderson also recommends applying dry shampoo or texturizing spray before you start braiding to help you get a good grip on your hair.

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Frankie Sanderson is a master hair stylist and makeup artist. He’s also the founder of TheStudeo, which specializes in hairstyling, makeup, and personal image.
2. 2
   Gather a small section of hair at the crown and divide into 3 sections. Use your index fingers to section your hair, starting just above eyebrow level on either side of your head and allowing your fingers to meet at the back of your head. This section will be the base of your braid. Then, divide it into 3 equal pieces with your middle and index fingers.

   • Hold the left and middle sections in your left hand and the right section in your right hand.
   • To start your braid further up, start with a smaller section closer to your hairline.
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3. 3
   Start the braid by crossing the outside sections over the middle. “When braiding your own hair, your palm should be facing your head,” says Sanderson. Starting on the right, replace the middle strand with the right section. Then repeat on the left side, and one more time on the right. This will create a good anchor before you begin adding more hair.

   • Tip: To avoid tired arms and hand cramps, anchor the heels of your palms against your head while you’re braiding.
   • If you want to do a Dutch braid (inverse French braid), follow the same steps, but cross the outside sections under the middle instead of over.
4. 4
   Use your left thumb to add a strand of hair to the left section. Hold the left section in your left hand, the middle section between your right thumb and index finger, and the right section with your right pinky or ring finger. Then, scoop a small section of hair from your hairline into the left section.

   • Use a claw grip to keep the braid tight and prevent sagging, says Sanderson. Hold the two outer strands with your pinky and ring fingers, pressing them against your palm. Then, use your index finger and thumb as a claw to grab a new section of hair and cross it over, which helps keep your hands close to your scalp.
5. 5
   Cross the left section over the middle section. Pass the left section from your left hand to your right middle finger, allowing the thicker section to replace the middle section. Take the new left section in your left hand.
6. 6
   Use your right thumb to add a strand of hair to the right section. Hold the right section in your right hand, the middle section between your left thumb and index finger, and the left section with your left pinky or ring finger. Then, scoop a small section of hair from your hairline into the right section.

   • Sanderson notes that your pinky can be a great way to divide out another section of hair. He says to run your pinky from your face back towards the braid to grab a section of hair. Then, hook the new section of hair and add it to the strand you’re about to cross over.
7. 7
   Cross the right section over the middle section. Pass the right section from your right hand to your left middle finger, allowing the thicker section to replace the middle section. Take the new right section in your right hand.
8. 8
   Alternate braiding in the outer sections until you reach the nape of your neck. Keep adding small sections, alternating between the left and right side, continuing to replace the middle section. As you move down the back of your head, take sections from lower on your hairline.
9. 9
   At the nape of your neck, continue with a regular braid. Do not try to keep French braiding beyond the nape, or it will create a messy braid. If there are still loose hairs, simply divide them equally into your 3 sections. Then, continue crossing the outside sections over the middle section, alternating between left and right, until you’re 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) from the ends of your hair.
10. 10
    Secure your braid with a hair tie. Once you’ve finished braiding, use a hair tie, scrunchy, or elastic to keep your braid in place. Make sure you wrap it enough times that it doesn’t slip off the end of the braid.

    • If you want a more relaxed look, you can work your way from the top of your head down and gently pull at the edges of the braid to loosen it.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Do Double French Braids

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1. 1
   Detangle your hair. When doing double French braids, it helps to eliminate any tangles before you get started. Use a comb or brush to work through any knots or tangles.

   • If you have any stubborn tangles, apply a detangler spray and continue brushing.
   • Tip: Braiding can be easier with damp hair. Use a spray bottle to wet your hair slightly before you start braiding.
2. 2
   Part your hair down the center. Use a parting comb to part your hair, starting at your hairline and dividing all the way down to the nape of your neck. Then, use a comb or a brush to smooth out the hair on both sides of your head.

   • Tip: Use a hand mirror, or ask a friend to check if your part is straight and the sides are even.
3. 3
   Secure the hair on the left side of your part. To keep the hair on the left side out of the way while you braid the right side, secure all of the hair on the left side of your center part with a hair tie, scrunchie, or claw clip.
4. 4
   Gather a small section of hair at the crown and divide into 3 sections. Use your index fingers to section your hair, starting just above eyebrow level on either side of your head and allowing your fingers to meet at the back of your head. This section will be the base of your braid. Then, divide it into 3 equal pieces with your middle and index fingers.
5. 5
   Start the braid by crossing the outside sections over the middle. Starting on the right, replace the middle strand with the right section. Then repeat on the left side, and one more time on the right. This will create a good anchor before you begin adding more hair.

   • Tip: To avoid tired arms and hand cramps, anchor the heels of your palms against your head while you’re braiding.
   • If you want to do a Dutch braid (inverse French braid), follow the same steps, but cross the outside sections under the middle instead of over.
6. 6
   Use your left thumb to add a strand of hair to the left section. Hold the left section in your left hand, the middle section between your right thumb and index finger, and the right section with your right pinky or ring finger. Then, scoop a small section of hair from the line of your part into the left section.
7. 7
   Cross the left section over the middle section. Pass the left section from your left hand to your right middle finger, allowing the thicker section to replace the middle section. Take the new left section in your left hand.
8. 8
   Use your right thumb to add a strand of hair to the right section. Hold the right section in your right hand, the middle section between your left thumb and index finger, and the left section with your left pinky or ring finger. Then, scoop a small section of hair from your hairline into the right section.
9. 9
   Cross the right section over the middle section. Pass the right section from your right hand to your left middle finger, allowing the thicker section to replace the middle section. Take the new right section in your right hand.
10. 10
    Alternate braiding in the outer sections until you reach the nape of your neck. Keep adding small sections, alternating between the left and right side, continuing to replace the middle section. As you move down the back of your head, take sections from lower on your part/hairline.
11. 11
    At the nape of your neck, continue with a regular braid. Do not try to keep French braiding beyond the nape, or it will create a messy braid. If there are still loose hairs, simply divide them equally into your 3 sections. Then, continue crossing the outside sections over the middle section, alternating between left and right, until you’re 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) from the ends of your hair.

    • To make it easier (or if your arms are tired), pull the braid to the front of your shoulder so you can finish braiding with your arms lowered.
12. 12
    Secure your braid with a hair tie. Once you’ve finished braiding, use a hair tie, scrunchy, or elastic to keep your braid in place. Make sure you wrap it enough times that it doesn’t slip off the end of the braid.
13. 13
    Repeat steps 4 through 14 on the left side. Take the left side of your part out of the hair tie or claw clip and follow the same steps to French braid the other side of your head, securing the finished braid with a hair tie that matches the right side.
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Section 3 of 4:

Tips for French Braiding Layered Hair

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1. 
   1
   Secure your shortest layers with a hair tie at the back of your head. Gather those pesky layers into a small ponytail at the back of your crown and leave the rest of your hair loose. Then, use the secured section as the middle section of your French braid, following the same steps for French braiding.
2. 2
   Leave your face framing pieces out of the braid. This will give you a more carefree, relaxed look. Simply pull your shorter, front layers forward before you begin braiding and secure them with a clip. Then, follow the regular steps for a French braid and style the front pieces as desired after you’ve secured your braid.
3. 3
   Do double French braids. It will be easier to get your shorter layers into braids that are closer to the front of your face than it is for them to reach a braid on the back of your head.
4. 4
   Use a headband or bobby pins. A headband will keep the shorter, face framing layers out of your face if you can’t get them into your braid. Or you can pin them back, adding bobby pins throughout your braid as needed.
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Section 4 of 4:

Tips for French Braiding Short Hair

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1. 
   1
   Secure your braid in a ponytail at the nape of your neck. If pieces keep falling out once you’ve reached the nape, just secure your braid there! Gather the remaining loose hair at the nape when you’re done braiding, and use a hair tie or scrunchie to tie off your braid. This is still a super cute way to wear a French braid.
2. 2
   Do a half up, half down style. Follow the steps for French braiding your hair, but stop when you reach the middle of your head (about eyebrow/temple level). Then, either secure it there, or do a regular braid with the sections you’re already holding, leaving the rest of your hair loose.

   • You can do the same thing with double French braids!
3. 3
   Use bobby pins. For stubborn pieces of hair that just won’t stay in the braid, you can always use bobby pins. Simply pin any pieces that are sticking out into the braid, in the same direction the hairs would lay if they were properly braided in.
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