How Many Grams of Clip-In Extensions Do You Need?

Grams are the least understood number on a clip-in listing, yet they decide whether the result looks full or thin. Two sets of the same length can look completely different depending on how much hair is on each weft.

In short: most people need between about 100g and 220g of clip-ins. Fine hair suits 100g to 140g, medium hair about 140g to 180g, and thick hair 180g or more. Longer sets need more grams to stay full to the ends, so a weight that looks full at 16 inches can look thin at 24 inches.

What do grams mean in clip-in extensions?

Grams measure the total weight of hair in a set. The more grams, the more hair is sewn onto each weft. It does not change the thickness of each strand, only how many strands there are.

Weight is the simplest way to compare how full two sets will look, as long as they are the same length.

How many grams do you need for your hair type?

Match the weight to how much hair you have now, so your own hair can cover the wefts and the extensions do not outnumber it.

Your hair	Typical weight range	What it gives you
Fine or thin	About 100g to 140g	Volume and length without weighing hair down
Medium	About 140g to 180g	Noticeable fullness that blends with average density
Thick	About 180g to 220g or more	Enough hair to match thick hair all the way down

These ranges are common across the industry, though brands draw the lines a little differently. A simple way to find your type: gather your hair into a ponytail at the nape and wrap a hair tie around it. If the tie goes around three or more times, your hair is probably fine; about twice is medium; if it barely goes around twice, your hair is thick. It is a rough guide, so a photo is still the most reliable way for us to check.

Why do longer extensions need more grams?

Longer extensions need more grams because the same weight spread over more length leaves fewer strands at every point. The hair near the weft may look full, but the ends thin out.

Think of it this way:

• 140g at 16 inches gives a full, blunt-looking set that suits shorter hair.
• 140g at 20 inches gives natural fullness for fine to medium hair.
• 140g at 24 inches reaches a long length but looks lighter at the ends, which suits fine hair that wants length more than bulk.

If you want long extensions that stay thick to the tips, choose more weight along with more length. Our clip-in length guide helps you choose the length first.

What happens if you choose too little or too much weight?

Both mistakes show, in different places.

Too little weight makes the bottom half look sparse. Your own hair stops at one point and the extensions carry on in a thin curtain, which is one of the most common reasons extensions look fake.

Too much weight is harder to hide and harder to wear. Fine hair cannot fall over thick wefts, so the edges show, and heavy sets pull on the small sections of hair the clips grip. If your scalp feels sore after a few hours, the set is likely too heavy for your hair.

How does double drawn hair change the grams you need?

Double drawn hair has more full-length strands, because shorter hairs are removed during making. The ends stay close to the thickness of the top. That means a double drawn set looks fuller at the ends than a single drawn set of the same weight, so you get more visible fullness per gram.

Our clip-in sets are made from single-donor, double drawn hair.

What weight is our clip-in set?

Our clip-in set is 140g across 7 wefts, in 16, 20 or 24 inches, straight or wavy. It is designed for fine to medium hair. If your hair is thick, or you want a long set that stays full to the ends, send us a message before you order and we will tell you how we can add weight, since every set is made to order.

Not sure what your hair needs?

Send a photo of your hair from behind, in daylight, through our contact page. We will suggest a weight, length and shade together. For everything else about choosing and wearing clip-ins, read our complete guide to clip-in extensions, or see our sets in our Etsy shop.