How Many Hair Bundles Do You Need?
Buy too few bundles and your install looks thin at the ends. Buy too many and you've spent money on hair sitting in a drawer. The right number depends on three things: your length, your bundle sizes, and the fullness you want at the finish.
6 min readUpdated Nov 2, 2026
The quick answer: bundles by length
| Finished length | Bundles needed | For a fuller look |
|---|---|---|
| 10"–14" | 2 bundles | 3 bundles |
| 16"–20" | 3 bundles | 4 bundles |
| 22"–24" | 3 bundles | 4–5 bundles |
| 26"–30" | 4 bundles | 5 bundles |
| 32"+ | 4–5 bundles | Discuss with your stylist |
These numbers assume standard single-drawn bundles and a closure or frontal finishing the top. If you are leaving your natural hair out at the crown instead, you can usually drop one bundle — the leave-out covers the top layer.
Why length changes everything
Bundle hair is sold by weight — typically about 100 grams per bundle. A 12" bundle is short and thick, so every track is wide and full. A 28" bundle has the same 100 grams spread over a much longer strand, so each track looks noticeably thinner. That's why two 28" bundles can look wispy while two 14" bundles look luxuriously full — it isn't a quality problem, it's physics.
- 1.Decide your finished length first — not the other way round.
- 2.Check whether your bundles are single or double drawn (double drawn has more hair per track).
- 3.Add your closure or frontal to the plan — it covers the crown so the top never looks sparse.
- 4.Match the count to your desired fullness, then buy all bundles in the same texture and from the same batch.
Choosing your bundle sizes
| Combination | The look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 18" + 18" + 20" | Even, blunt fullness | Straight and wavy styles |
| 16" + 18" + 20" | Soft natural taper | Everyday curly installs |
| 20" + 22" + 24" | Layered cascade | Long layered looks |
| 22" + 24" + 24" | Drama with weight | Glam, event hair |
Bulk hair and crochet exceptions
Crochet and knotless braid installs use bulk hair rather than wefted bundles, and the maths changes: bulk hair is often bought per piece or per pack. For a full head of crochet with 16" bulk hair, plan for 3–5 pieces depending on how voluminous you want the finish. When in doubt, buy one extra piece — unopened bulk hair is easy to save for your next install.
Recommended at PORSH
Afro Bulk 16"
16 inches of coily bulk hair for crochets, knotless styles and custom afro units.
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PORSH Kinky Straight Natural
Blows out like relaxed hair but blends with natural texture — the ultimate leave-out saver.
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KINKY CURLY
Tight, springy curls that disappear into 3C–4A textures with zero blending stress.
Shop at PORSHPopular picks from the PORSH shop: Afro Bulk 16" for crochet styles, Kinky Straight Natural for blended installs, and KINKY CURLY for a matched curl pattern.