How To Do Double French Braids (with Pictures) - WikiHow

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How to French Braid Your Hair on Two Sides for Beginners Download Article Hair experts demo how to French plait your hair yourself Co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: May 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Creating 2 Separate Braids
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• Merging 2 Braids
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• Caring for French Braids
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This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 1,280,561 times.

French braids are a fun and practical style that both protects your hair while you’re active, and looks great for going out. It’s a pretty simple style, once you know what you’re doing. We talked to master braider Ndeye Anta Niang and pro hair stylist Sarak Kosakowski to show you how to do double French braids, how to merge them, and how to protect your new braids.

Braiding Your Hair in 2 French Braids

Part your hair down the center, then tie off 1 side. On the other side, separate three ½ in (1.3 cm) strands of hair near your hairline. Cross the left strand over the middle, then the right strand over the middle, picking up small sections of hair as you work down your scalp. Tie off and repeat on the other side.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

Creating 2 Separate Braids

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1. 1 Divide your hair down the center of your head and tie 1 part off. Niang tells us that the first step is to part your hair down the center.[1] Use a comb to create a smooth middle part, working slowly to make sure that your part is straight. Then, tie 1 side with a hair tie or secure it with a clip so that it doesn’t get in the way while you work on the first side.
   • If you’re braiding your own hair, hold each section and make sure you have about the same amount of hair in either hand. Or, use 2 mirrors, one in front and one in back, to clearly see what you’re doing.
   • Your hair will be easier to braid if it’s thoroughly combed and slightly damp, but you can still braid dry hair.
2. 2 Gather 3 sections of hair near your hairline, ½ in (1.3 cm) thick each. Kosakowski tells us that to begin, take 3 equal strands of hair.[2] Start your braid as close to your hairline as you can, where your hair starts on your forehead. You don’t need to have all of the hair in your hand when you get started. Just pull small sections from near your scalp. You will pull in the remaining hair as you braid.
   • You’ll have a left, middle, and right section. Try to keep the 3 sections equal in size to make the braid look more uniform.
   • If you have thicker hair, you may need to start with more hair in your 3 sections. It may take some practice to learn the best way to braid your own hair.
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3. 3 Weave the left section over and across the middle section to begin. Niang notes that a French braid has the hair cross over, rather than under, when braiding.[3] Take the left-hand section and move it over the middle section, so that the left-hand section becomes the new middle section. Pull your hair tight to stabilize the braid and prevent flyaways—but not so tight that it hurts or puts pressure on your scalp.
   • Kosakowski adds that you can do a reverse French braid instead by crossing the strands under each other, instead of over each other.[4]
   • As you braid, your arms may get tired. If this happens, tie off the braid under the last crossover and rest your arms for a bit.
4. 4 Weave the right section over the middle section to continue the braid. Now, take the right-hand strand and, as Niang reminds us, bring it over the center section, so that it becomes the new center section.[5] You’ve just completed your first round of French braids!
   • When braiding your own hair, Niang says to “put both your arms on one side,” rather than trying to reach one arm over and around your head.[6]
   • As you braid, keep the strands separate between your fingers.
5. 5 Continue braiding and picking up more hair on your scalp as you go. Keep weaving the strands of your hair over and across each other to braid it. Now, though, before you cross a section over the middle, pick up a loose .5 in (1.3 cm) section of hair near the existing section to incorporate it into the braid, then cross the section over the center. This is how you pull new hair into the braid as you work your way down.[7]
   • This is the trickiest part, and Niang tells us it takes a little practice. By working slowly and carefully, you can do it![8]
   • Once you’ve braided past your scalp, down past the past the nape of your neck, you won’t need to pick up new hair, and can just braid as usual—over and across.
   • If you like, skip to the next section to learn how to combine the 2 braids into 1 larger braid after the nape of your neck.
   • If you have thick hair, pull in bigger sections of hair so that you incorporate all of the hair into the braid before you reach the nape of your neck.
6. 6 Use an elastic band to secure the braid. Wrap your tie around your hair near the bottom of the braid, about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) from the ends. This finishes and secures the braid while you move on to the other side.[9]
   • You can tie off your hair at any point during your braid. For example, while French braiding short hair, you may want to tie off your braid just below the nape of your neck.
   • If you have curly, textured hair that isn't prone to unraveling, you may not need an elastic, so it's optional.
   • Before beginning your second braid, let your arms rest for a few minutes.
7. 7 Braid the other side of your hair. “Then, move your hands to the other side and French braid the other part,” Niang says.[10] Follow the same process on the other side of your head to create another French braid. When you finish, you’ll have 2 fabulous French braids, 1 on each side!
   • If you'd like, tuck the ends of each braid under the opposite braid to create a hair "crown." You'll need to secure the braids in place with a few bobby pins.
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Section 2 of 3:

Combining Double French Braids into 1 Braid

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1. 1 Start 2 separate braids, then clip or tie them just below your nape. First, follow the steps in the section above to French braid your hair down to the nape of your neck. Then, stop the braids a few weaves below the nape of your neck so that you can combine them there. When you finish braiding the first side, secure it with a clip or hair tie while you braid the other side.[11]
   • Choose a tight clip or tie to hold the braid. If the clip is loose on your hair, the braid will start to loosen.
   • The nape of your neck is the base of your head, just before your neck starts.
2. 2 Loop your index finger under the right section of your right braid. This will be the section furthest to the side of your head. Hold the section near the bottom weave around the area where you’d like to combine the 2 braids.[12]
   • If you’re braiding your own hair, you’ll likely need a pair of mirrors, one in front and one in back, to see what you’re doing.
3. 3 Loop the same finger under the right section of the left braid. You’ll have both braids on your finger. Make your loop on the left braid near the same area of the weave as you did on your right braid. This will become your new right section for the rest of the braid.[13]
4. 4 Loop your thumb under the left sections of each braid. Start on the left braid. Make your loop in the same area of your weave as you looped the right side. This will become your new left section for the rest of the braid. All you’re really doing here is combining the similar sections of each braid so that the 2 braids become 1 braid.[14]
   • Once you’ve got the corresponding sections merged, undo any ties or clips you put in to hold your hair in place.
   • Alternatively, create your new sections by joining the left and middle sections of your left braid, the right section of your left braid and the left section of your right braid, and the middle and right sections of your right braid. Some people find this method easier, though it might not look as smooth where the braids join.
5. 5 Finish your braid by weaving your 3 remaining strands. Once you’ve got each of the sections of the 2 braids lined up, now you simply keep braiding a standard crossover braid, using the combined sections.[15] Start by crossing the right side over the middle section and then repeat with your left side. Continue weaving until you reach the bottom of your hair, then secure your braid with a tie.
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Section 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your French Braids

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1. 1 Apply hairspray or leave-in conditioner to prevent frizz. Over time, your braids might start to frizz, or you might notice flyaways that make your braids look a bit messy. Fix this by misting your hair with 3-4 spritzes of leave-in conditioner or hair spray to keep the braids moisturized and in place.[16]
2. 2 Remove the braids after a few days. Niang tells us that this sort of French braid style isn’t meant to last too long, unlike protective styles like cornrows or box braids.[17] After 2-3 days, you’ll probably notice the hair coming undone or looking untidy. When you notice this, it’s time to undo the braids, wash your hair, and then braid it again, if you like.
   • Niang also says you should feel free to sleep in your braids![18] Braids are great for keeping your hair neat, even through a long night’s sleep.
   • If you do sleep in your braids, consider wearing a silk bonnet to prevent flyaways.
3. 3 Loosen tight braids by tugging at individual strands. Niang tells us that this sort of braid style shouldn’t need to be loosened very much, so long as you don’t braid it too tightly.[19] Nevertheless, if your braids do feel tight, start at the base of the braid and gently pinch opposing sections of the braid then pull them away from each other to loosen them.
   • You may need to do this multiple times along the braid to tease it out.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question How do you French braid with thick short hair without getting too much hair? Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016. Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Expert Answer If you don't want your hair to appear as thick, you can first do a blowout and even straighten your hair with a flatiron. If you want your French braids to be longer, consider adding hair extensions to your hair and then beginning the braids. Proceed to follow the steps that are outlined above, and take smaller, equal sections of hair if you desire a tighter, smaller, and neater braid. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 8 Helpful 43
• Question Can you double braids with curly hair? Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016. Ashley Adams Professional Hair Stylist Expert Answer Yes, any texture of hair is capable of being double French braided. However, if you want to loosen your curls before braiding, you may do so by stretching your curls, or doing a blowout before proceeding with the braids. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 38
• Question How long does my hair have to be? Community Answer Hair should be at least shoulder length to make double French braids. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 6 Helpful 46

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Tips

• Deep conditioning your hair or applying a detangling spray will make braiding it easier, Niang says.[20] Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
• Keep tension on the strands of hair as you work to prevent loose weaves. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• Practice making single French braids before you do double French braids. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• Practice on a friend or a doll to get the hang of it. Practicing on yourself can tire out your arms.

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References

1. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
2. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview
3. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
4. ↑ Sarah Kosakowski. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview
5. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
6. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNWb-o-KNv8&t=124s
8. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-qZu_PtydM&t=419s

More References (11)

10. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
11. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMeih4b3Sw&t=10s
12. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMeih4b3Sw&t=28s
13. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMeih4b3Sw&t=28s
14. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xikOE7ZQOGY&t=384s
15. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjO90niKymE&t=314s
16. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOSgNcf8wQM&t=97s
17. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
18. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
19. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview
20. ↑ Ndeye Anta Niang. Hair Stylist & Master Braider. Expert Interview

About This Article

Co-authored by: Ndeye Anta Niang Hair Stylist & Master Braider This article was co-authored by Ndeye Anta Niang and by wikiHow staff writer, Luke Smith, MFA. Ndeye Anta Niang is a Hair Stylist, Master Braider, and Founder of AntaBraids, a traveling braiding service based in New York City. Ndeye has over 20 years of experience in African hair including braiding box braids, Senegalese twists, crochet braids, faux dread locs, goddess locs, kinky twists, and lakhass braids. Ndeye was the first female of her tribe in Africa to move to America and is now sharing her knowledge of African braids passed on from generation to generation. This article has been viewed 1,280,561 times. 6 votes - 97% Co-authors: 23 Updated: May 20, 2025 Views: 1,280,561 Categories: Braids Article SummaryX

To do double French braids, start by dividing your hair down the center of your head. Then, tie one side up with a hair tie so it's not in your way while you're braiding the other side. Next, French braid the loose section of your hair starting at the top of your head and working your way down to the ends of your hair. When you're finished, secure the end of the braid with a hair tie and let down your other section of hair. Finally, French braid that section of hair like you did with the other section and then you're finished. To learn more from our Cosmetologist co-author, like how to combine 2 French braids into a single braid, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Ndeye Anta Niang Hair Stylist & Master Braider Co-authors: 23 Updated: May 20, 2025 Views: 1,280,561 97% of readers found this article helpful. 6 votes - 97% Click a star to add your vote

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