Braid Calculator (With Timer)

Updated April 13, 2025

We added a total time to the braid timer. We also allow smaller time increments for the minutes per braid. For example, now users can enter 0.5 minutes which equals 30 seconds per braid.

Does It Take Longer To Put Braids In Or Take Them Out?

• put braids in
• take braids out

How long does it take to install braids?

Braid installation can take anywhere from minutes, to hours, or days. The time depends on many factors including:

• how fast the braider is

• how many braids there are

• how long the braids are

• how small (or large) the braids are

• how many breaks the braider takes

• how many people are helping to install the braids

• if the hair is natural or extensions

• the type of braid (for example, a cornrow may take longer than a plait)

What are the best tools for installing braids?

It depends on if you install braids on damp or blow-dried hair. We prefer braiding damp hair, so our favorite tools are...

• ruler comb (great for measuring braid sections; ours also has missing teeth for precise parts, as well as a fine and medium-sized teeth for detangling hair and sealing the ends of the braid)

• spray bottle (keeps hair damp for better detangling and smoother looking braids)

• moisturizing hair cream (which we apply a tiny amount to each section)

What's the easiest braid to do?

Plaits (also known as single braids) in our opinion.

How long does it take to remove braids?

Similar to installing braids, braid removal can take anywhere from seconds, to minutes, hours, or days. The time depends on many factors including:

• how fast the braider is

• how many braids there are

• how long the braids are

• how small (or large) the braids are

• how many breaks the braider takes

• how many people are helping to undo the braids

• if the hair is natural or extensions

Which braids are the easiest to take out?

Extensions are probably the easiest braids to undo because you can cut the fake hair and it naturally starts to unravel. Taking out braids made with natural hair requires more patience (in our opinion) because you have to gently start at the bottom and work your way up stitch-by-stitch.

What are the best tools for undoing braids?

• a hydrating conditioner to loosen the braids

• your fingers to take out the braids

• fine-tooth comb to remove any lint that may have accumulated at the start of the braid

How to handle multi-day take down sessions?

If you realize your braids are going to take multiple days to take out, you can start at the back of the head so that you can disguise the transition with different styles, ponycaps, hats, or headwraps.