How Many Bundles Do You Need for a Sew-In or Wig? A Factory Guide by Length, Texture and Density

For most people, a full sew-in needs 2 to 3 bundles of raw Indian hair at 10 to 18 inches, 3 to 4 bundles at 20 to 26 inches, and 4 or more bundles at 28 inches and above, plus a closure or frontal. If you are building a wig, count the same way and then add roughly one bundle for every 30 to 50 percentage points of density above 150 percent. At Arrow Exim, a raw Indian temple hair factory in Chennai operating since 2011 and shipping to more than 30 countries, this is the single most common question we get from salons, wig makers and first-time retail buyers, so this guide explains exactly how to count bundles for any length, texture and density.

Why bundle count changes with length

A standard bundle weighs about 100 grams (3.5 ounces) regardless of length. Because the weight is fixed, a longer bundle contains fewer strands: 100 grams at 30 inches has noticeably less weft width than 100 grams at 12 inches. That is why a 12-inch install looks full with two bundles while a 30-inch install with two bundles looks thin at the ends. The longer the hair, the more bundles you need for the same fullness.

Bundle guide for a full sew-in (with closure or frontal)

These figures assume standard single drawn raw Indian hair, a medium head size and a natural 130 to 150 percent finished look. Add one bundle if you want the hair to look thick to the ends or if the client has a large head circumference.

• 10 to 14 inches: 2 bundles plus a 4x4 or 5x5 closure. A 13x4 frontal replaces the closure and often lets you drop to 2 bundles comfortably.

• 16 to 18 inches: 2 to 3 bundles plus closure, or 2 bundles plus a frontal.

• 20 to 22 inches: 3 bundles plus closure, or 3 bundles plus a frontal.

• 24 to 26 inches: 3 to 4 bundles plus closure or frontal.

• 28 to 30 inches: 4 bundles minimum; many stylists use 4 bundles plus a frontal.

• 32 inches and above: 4 to 5 bundles. At this length raw hair is scarce, so order early and confirm availability with your supplier.

For an install with a natural-hair leave-out and no closure, subtract one bundle from each range.

How texture changes the count

Curly and deep wave hair takes up more space than straight hair of the same weight, so it looks fuller with fewer bundles. Straight and silky textures lie flat and reveal thinness faster, which is why long straight installs need the most hair.

• Natural straight and silky straight: use the upper end of every range above.

• Natural wavy and body wave: use the middle of each range.

• Deep wave and curly: you can often use the lower end, but remember curly hair is measured stretched, so a 20-inch curly bundle hangs closer to 14 to 16 inches.

Single drawn vs double drawn bundles

Double drawn bundles have the shorter strands removed, so nearly every strand runs the full length and the ends look blunt and thick. Because of that, one double drawn bundle can replace roughly 1.3 to 1.5 single drawn bundles at the ends. If you are quoting a client a full, even-length look at 24 inches and above, double drawn hair is often cheaper per install even though it costs more per bundle, simply because you buy fewer of them.

Counting bundles for wig making

Wig makers should count in grams. A frontal or closure wig at 150 percent density typically uses 250 to 300 grams (about 3 bundles) at 18 to 22 inches and 350 to 400 grams (4 bundles) at 26 to 30 inches. For other densities:

1. 130 percent: the closest match to natural hair; 2 to 3 bundles depending on length.

2. 150 percent: the most popular retail density; 3 bundles up to 22 inches, 4 bundles beyond that.

3. 180 percent: 4 bundles up to 22 inches, 5 bundles beyond that.

4. 200 to 250 percent: 5 to 6 bundles. Expect the cap to feel heavier and check that the lace and cap construction can carry the weight.

For full lace and 360 wigs, add about half a bundle for perimeter coverage; for U-part and V-part wigs, subtract half a bundle to one bundle.

Head size, leave-out and layering

The ranges above assume an average head circumference of about 22 inches. For a small head or a generous leave-out, use the lower number; for a large head or a client who wants obvious weight and movement, use the higher number. Layered cuts remove volume from the bottom, so buy one length longer or one bundle more than the finished look suggests.

A quick worked example

A client wants a 26-inch straight sew-in with a 13x4 frontal and a blunt, thick end. Straight texture pushes you to the top of the range, 26 inches sits in the 3 to 4 bundle band, and a blunt end favours double drawn hair. The efficient order is 3 double drawn straight bundles plus a 13x4 frontal, or 4 single drawn bundles if double drawn is not available. Two bundles here would give a thin, see-through hemline no matter how good the hair is.

Wholesale buyers: stocking by bundle count

Most retail sales are 3-bundle deals at 16 to 24 inches with a matching 4x4 closure or 13x4 frontal, so those lengths should carry your deepest stock. Typical market prices for raw Indian single drawn bundles at these lengths sit roughly in the tens of dollars per bundle at factory-direct wholesale and rise steeply above 28 inches because long raw hair is rarer; always confirm current prices with your supplier. Buying matched-length sets from one factory also keeps colour and texture consistent across an install.

Frequently asked questions

How many bundles do I need for a 22-inch sew-in?

Three bundles plus a closure or frontal is the standard for 22 inches in straight or wavy raw Indian hair. Curly 22-inch hair can work with three bundles and no extra, while a client who wants very thick ends in straight hair should go to four bundles or switch to three double drawn bundles.

Is 2 bundles enough for a full head?

Two bundles are enough for a full head only at 10 to 16 inches with a closure or frontal, or at slightly longer lengths if the client has a small head or a large leave-out. From 18 inches upward, two bundles will look thin at the ends, so plan on three or more.

How many bundles make a 150 percent density wig?

A 150 percent density frontal or closure wig usually needs three bundles (about 300 grams) up to 22 inches and four bundles from 24 inches. Add one more bundle for 180 percent density and two more for 200 to 250 percent.

How many grams is one bundle of hair?

A standard bundle is about 100 grams (3.5 ounces). Some vendors sell 95-gram or 90-gram bundles, so always check the weight before comparing prices, because a lighter bundle means you need more of them for the same fullness.

How many bundles do I need for a 30-inch sew-in?

Plan on four bundles for 30 inches in wavy or curly hair and four to five in straight hair, plus a closure or frontal. At this length each 100-gram bundle is quite narrow on the weft, so three bundles will usually look thin from mid-length down.

Do I need fewer bundles with a frontal than with a closure?

Often yes. A 13x4 or 13x6 frontal covers the whole hairline and the front few inches of the head, so it replaces roughly half a bundle of weft. With a 4x4 or 5x5 closure you cover less area and will usually need the higher number in each range.

How many bundles do I need for a closure wig?

A 4x4 or 5x5 closure wig at 150 percent density needs about three bundles up to 22 inches and four bundles from 24 inches. Because the closure covers a small area, closure wigs generally use slightly more weft than frontal wigs of the same length and density.

Do curly bundles go further than straight bundles?

Yes. Curly and deep wave hair has more volume per gram, so two curly bundles can look as full as three straight bundles at short to medium lengths. Just remember that curly lengths are measured stretched, so buy two to four inches longer than the finished length you want.

Arrow Exim is a raw Indian temple human hair factory in Chennai, India, manufacturing bundles, closures, frontals, wefts, tape-ins, I-tips, K-tips and lace wigs since 2011 and shipping factory-direct to salons, wig makers and hair brands in more than 30 countries. For a current wholesale price list, bundle set recommendations for a specific install, or samples, message us on WhatsApp at +91 98841 11108 or email sales@arrowexim.com. Factory-direct from India, ships worldwide.