A little hair magic, a bold underlayer or a full head of dreads? You may already have the colour in mind. Then comes the question that can bring the whole order to a halt: how many synthetic dreadlocks do you actually need to get the look you want?
Ten pieces can add a flash of colour. Twenty can create a proper partial install. Forty is a solid starting point for a full head. But between “I have 40 pieces” and “my hair looks exactly like the photo” sit the type and thickness of the dreads, your own hair and the way they are installed. Let’s untangle it so you can choose with a clear picture, not a blind guess.
First things first: what counts as one piece?
Our handmade sets use the label DE, or double-ended. One DE synthetic dreadlock has two ends. During a standard install, it is folded at the centre and attached to one section of your own hair, leaving two dreadlock lengths hanging from that section. Two ends do not mean two separately installed pieces.
You may also come across SE, or single-ended, dreadlocks. One SE piece has one hanging end and usually a loop for attachment. That means SE and DE quantities cannot be compared one for one. Throughout this guide, every number refers to complete DE pieces.
10 DE pieces = 20 dreadlock ends. 20 DE = 40 ends. 40 DE = 80 ends. You are still ordering 10, 20 or 40 pieces. The number of ends alone does not tell you how much of your head they will cover.
Quick guide: where to start
| Number of DE pieces | Ends in the hairstyle | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 20 | A low underlayer or a small addition among your own hair. |
| 20 | 40 | A more visible partial install; a higher underlayer or mohawk often uses around 20–30 DE. |
| 40 | 80 | A starting point for a full head; roughly 30–40 DE for a natural look and 40–50 DE for extra density. |
These ranges are based on the recommendations for our handmade sets. Treat them as guidance for this type of synthetic dreadlock, not as a universal rule for every head of hair and every material.
10 DE synthetic dreadlocks: a small detail with real impact
Inspiration for a low underlayer. The illustration shows the style, not an exact result from 10 DE pieces.
Want to try dreads while keeping most of your hair loose? Ten DE pieces are a useful starting point for a low underlayer: a section installed around the nape, with your own hair left free above it. Wear your hair down and the dreads can peek through; tie it up and they step into the light.
A few contrasting pieces can change the whole mood. A natural shade melts quietly into your hair, while copper, green or another bold colour catches the eye even in a smaller set. Ten pieces do not have to mean a subtle look. Placement and contrast matter just as much as quantity.
- A good fit for a light addition, a low underlayer or your first partial install.
- The installed section still needs care, while the loose hair needs its usual gentle detangling.
- If you want an uninterrupted full-head dreadlock look, ten pieces will usually be too few.
Picture this: you wear your brown hair loose, and flashes of copper and green appear underneath as you move. Your own little jungle, shown only when you want it.
20 DE synthetic dreadlocks: an underlayer that gets noticed
Inspiration for a bolder partial install. The size of the section and the number of pieces should always be adjusted to your hair.
Twenty DE pieces give you more room for a stronger partial install that mixes dreads with your own hair. The lower section can feel full and textured, while the top layer stays loose or is lightly tied back. The change is easy to see, but you still get to enjoy both textures.
For a higher underlayer or a mohawk-style install, our sets generally use around 20–30 DE pieces. Twenty is therefore one possible starting point, not an automatic “half a head”. The right number depends on the area you want installed, the density of your hair and the sectioning plan.
This option makes sense when you want the transformation to show but still want part of your natural hair free. Think about an ordinary weekday as well as the finished photo: how will you tie it up, wash it and detangle it? Loose hair needs to be kept gently separated from the dreads so it does not become unnecessarily tangled around them.
Picture this: your own hair loosely pinned on top, with a proper tangle of colourful tentacles underneath. A visible transformation that still leaves space for your original hairstyle.
40 DE synthetic dreadlocks: when you want the full loc look
Inspiration for a fuller look. The same number of DE pieces can look very different from one head to another.
If you want to install your whole head, forty DE pieces are a practical starting point. For our sets, we usually suggest around 30–40 DE for a natural-looking full head or when leaving a fringe loose, and 40–50 DE for a denser effect. Always fine-tune the number for the specific product and with the person doing the install.
Forty DE pieces create eighty dreadlock ends. That can build serious volume, especially with thicker pieces. Slimmer dreadlocks in the same quantity may feel lighter and more open. A photo is useful for colour and mood, but it is not an exact quantity chart.
Do not order extra “just in case” with the idea that every piece has to fit on your head. What matters is a balanced install with sensible weight distribution for your hair. If the final sectioning leaves a few pieces unused, the hairstyle has not failed.
Picture this: the dreads become the main shape and movement of your hairstyle. At this point, choose not only with your eyes but with everyday life in mind — the length and volume you will be living with.
Why the same quantity looks different on everyone
Hair density and strand thickness are not the same thing
You can have fine individual strands but a lot of them. Someone else may have thicker strands with lower overall density. That is why there is no simple rule saying “fine hair means ten pieces, thick hair means forty”. Planning an install means looking at how much hair sits in each section, its condition and the weight each section can comfortably carry.
The installed area changes everything
A low underlayer, high underlayer, mohawk, shaved sides or a full head all cover different areas. Leaving a fringe loose changes the plan again. First decide which parts of your own hair will stay free, then work out the number of pieces.
Length, thickness and material change both volume and weight
Some of our kanekalon sets are approximately 50–60 cm long, 6–8 mm thick and weigh around 6.5 g per DE piece. For a set with those specifications, a simple calculation gives roughly 65 g for 10 pieces, 130 g for 20 and 260 g for 40 dry pieces, without decorations. These figures illustrate those particular specifications; they are not the weight of every type of dreadlock or a recommended limit for your hair.
Longer or thicker pieces can feel and behave differently. Always check the description of the exact product and imagine the ordinary moments too: will a ponytail feel comfortable, how will you sleep, and how long will the dreads take to dry?
Sectioning matters as much as the number
The size and placement of each section determine how the hairstyle sits. Too few pieces should not be compensated for with sections that are far too large; having extras is not a reason to load very small sections with more weight. The final layout belongs in the hands of someone who can assess your hair during the install.
Your install should not hurt. Pain, strong pulling or irritation are not things you have to endure for the sake of a hairstyle. Have the install adjusted or removed. Long-term tension can damage the hair; if discomfort continues or thinning appears, speak to a dermatologist. The American Academy of Dermatology explains the risks in more detail.
How to choose without unnecessary guesswork
- Choose the coverage. A few accents, a low underlayer, a stronger partial install or a full head?
- Check the units. Is the quantity listed in DE pieces, SE pieces or individual ends? How many pieces are in one pack?
- Compare the specifications. A similar colour does not guarantee the same length, thickness or weight.
- Prepare inspiration and hair photos. A back view helps, along with details about your fringe, shaved areas and approximate hair length.
- Fine-tune the quantity before ordering. Your loctician or braider can refine the estimate using your hair and the planned sectioning.
With our handmade sets, you can choose 10, 20 or 40 DE pieces. Other products may be sold in smaller packs. The quantity in your basket therefore does not always equal the number of individual dreadlocks: if one product contains 5 DE pieces, a basket quantity of “2” means two packs, or 10 DE in total. The product description is always the deciding reference.
Buy your own, or try a rental set first?
Your own set makes sense when you want to return to the same colour combination again and again. If you would rather discover how a dreadlock style feels in everyday life first, take a look at our synthetic dreadlock rental. It is not only about testing the colour — you also learn how the length, volume and daily care fit into your life.
Before booking a rental set, check the number of pieces, availability, rental period and return conditions. Plan the installation date together with delivery. The set itself and the installation service are two different things, so make sure both are arranged.
Once you have chosen your set, continue with Synthetic Dreadlocks: How to Keep Them Looking Fresh. You will find more honest advice on choosing, wearing and removing them in The Loc Guide.
A few more questions almost everyone asks
Are 20 synthetic dreadlocks enough for a full head?
For a standard full-head install, we would not assume so. Twenty DE pieces are more commonly used for a partial install. If the installed area is much smaller — for example, with shaved sides — the answer may be different. The actual hairstyle plan decides it.
Should my first install always be ten pieces?
Not necessarily. A smaller underlayer can be a comfortable way to get used to wearing dreads, but if you want a full head, ten pieces will not show you what that experience is like. Match the coverage to the look you want and the condition of your hair, rather than choosing a number simply because you are new to it.
Do more pieces automatically make a better hairstyle?
No. The result depends on proportion, placement and colour balance. A smaller, well-positioned underlayer can be just as striking as a larger set close to your natural shade. More pieces of the same type also mean more total weight.
Can I add to my own set for the next install?
Yes, as long as you can find a suitable match. Check the DE type, length, thickness, material and shade. Handmade batches can vary slightly. Before mixing different products, compare their specifications or ask us.
Your tentacles, your level of transformation
Ten for a detail, twenty for a stronger partial install, forty as a starting point for a full head. Now you know that the numbers only make sense together with the type of dreads, your own hair and the installation plan. Choose a transformation that still feels like you on the quiet morning after the festival.
Explore synthetic dreadlocks · Try a rental set
Still caught between two quantities? Send us a message with a description of your hair, the style you have in mind and an inspiration photo if you have one. We can help turn the guess into a much clearer plan.