Hair Length Chart
When a stylist says “collarbone length” or an extension listing says “18 inches”, where does that actually fall? This printable hair length chart shows the named lengths from pixie to tailbone with typical measurements, explains how extension lengths are measured, and includes a growth tracker so you can log progress month by month.
Hair Length Chart Pack
Printable hair length chart, extension length guide, monthly growth tracker with photo log, an Excel growth log with projections and a length goal planner.
- Length chart (PDF/XLSX)
- Extension guide (PDF)
- Growth tracker (PDF/DOCX)
- Growth log (XLSX)
- Goal planner (PDF/DOCX)
Formats: PDF, XLSX, DOCX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
$5.00 USD, one-time
Secure card checkout by Stripe. Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
Named hair lengths
| Length | Where it falls | Typical length from crown / nape |
|---|---|---|
| Pixie / short crop | Above the ears | about 1–3 in (3–8 cm) |
| Ear length | Level with the ears | about 4–6 in (10–15 cm) |
| Chin length (bob) | Along the jaw | about 8–10 in (20–25 cm) |
| Shoulder length | Touching the shoulders | about 12 in (30 cm) |
| Collarbone (lob) | Just below the shoulders | about 14 in (35 cm) |
| Armpit length | Level with the underarm | about 16 in (40 cm) |
| Bra-strap length | Mid-upper back | about 18–20 in (45–50 cm) |
| Mid-back | Middle of the back | about 22 in (55 cm) |
| Waist length | At the natural waist | about 26–28 in (65–70 cm) |
| Hip length | At the hip bones | about 30–32 in (75–80 cm) |
| Tailbone | Base of the spine | about 34–36 in (85–90 cm) |
Measurements vary with height, neck length and hair texture — a tall person’s shoulder length is longer than a petite person’s. Use the named length when talking to a stylist and your own measurements for tracking growth.
How to measure hair length
- Straighten or gently stretch a section of hair (curly hair shrinks — measure both stretched and natural).
- For growth tracking, measure from the same point every time — the front hairline or the nape — to the ends.
- Take a photo from behind in the same top, in the same light, each month.
- Log the measurement and photo date in the tracker.
Hair extension lengths
| Extension length | Typical fall (average height, from the nape) |
|---|---|
| 12 in | Shoulder |
| 14 in | Just below the shoulders |
| 16 in | Armpit / upper back |
| 18 in | Bra strap |
| 20 in | Mid-back |
| 22 in | Lower back |
| 24 in | Waist |
| 26–30 in | Hip and below |
Extensions are usually measured from the weft or bond to the tip, not from the crown, so they fall lower than the same number measured from the top of your head. Wavy and curly extensions look shorter than their straight length.
How fast does hair grow?
Scalp hair grows on average about half an inch (roughly 1–1.25 cm) a month — around 6 inches a year — though this varies with genetics, age, health and hair type. Getting from a chin-length bob to bra-strap length is therefore a journey of roughly 18 months to two years, allowing for trims. Regular small trims don’t make hair grow faster, but they remove split ends so length is kept rather than lost to breakage.
Worked example: growing out a bob
| Month | Length (from nape) | Named length |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 9 in | Chin |
| 6 | 12 in | Shoulder |
| 10 | 14 in | Collarbone |
| 14 | 16 in | Armpit |
| 20 | 19 in | Bra strap |
At about half an inch a month, a 9-inch bob reaches about 19 inches — bra-strap length — in roughly 20 months before trims; small trims every few months add a little time. The growth tracker in the pack plots your own numbers.
Keeping length
- Handle wet hair gently; it stretches and breaks more easily.
- Use heat protection and lower heat settings.
- Avoid tight hairstyles that pull at the hairline.
- Sleep on a smooth pillowcase or tie hair loosely.
- Trim split ends before they travel up the shaft.
- If you notice sudden shedding or thinning, talk to a doctor or dermatologist.
What’s in the pack
- Printable hair length chart with named lengths and inches/centimetres.
- Extension length guide showing where each length falls.
- Monthly hair growth tracker with a photo log.
- An Excel growth log that calculates monthly growth and projected length.
- A “length goal” planner with trim schedule.
Formats and printing
Charts and trackers print on US Letter and A4; the growth log is an Excel workbook that also opens in Google Sheets.
AI-assisted content
Charts were drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by Kedop. Lengths are typical ranges, not exact measurements for every body.
Frequently asked questions
How long is shoulder-length hair?
Typically about 12 inches (30 cm), depending on height.
Where does 18-inch hair fall?
Around bra-strap length for extensions of average height.
How fast does hair grow?
About half an inch (1–1.25 cm) a month on average.
How should I measure my hair?
From the same point each time — front hairline or nape — to the ends, stretched straight.
Are extension lengths measured from the crown?
No, usually from the weft or bond to the tip.
Is this a subscription?
No, it is a one-time download.