You are ready to place an order, but you hit a simple question. How many pieces are in a pack? If you guess wrong, you risk under-ordering, slow installs, and unhappy clients.
The number of hair extensions in a pack depends on the brand, the factory, and the product type. Pieces can vary a lot. Weight in grams is the only reliable reference across suppliers. You should compare packs by grams, length, and strand count rules for each method.
If you buy for a salon or a brand, you need a packaging logic that stays consistent. In this guide, I will explain why “pieces per pack” is not universal, what common standards look like by product type, and how to choose a pack size that fits your service menu and your inventory plan.
How Many Hair Extensions Do You Get In A Pack?
You might expect a fixed answer, like “20 pieces per pack.” Hair extensions do not work like that. Different factories set different packing rules. Some pack by pieces. Some pack by grams. Some do both. This is why the same “pack” can mean different things.
You get a different number of hair extensions in a pack depending on the factory’s standard and the product method. The only stable reference is total grams. When you compare suppliers, you should treat grams as the baseline, then check how that factory defines a “piece” for that product.
Dive deeper
A pack is a packaging unit, not a global standard. This sounds basic, but it explains most buyer confusion. I often see salons compare two suppliers and assume “one pack equals one pack.” Then the hair arrives and the piece count looks wrong. The real issue is that the two suppliers used different rules.
Why pieces per pack changes so much
Pieces change because the “unit” changes by method.
- Tape-in pieces are usually counted by tape sandwiches or single tabs, and brands define it differently.
- Weft packs are often measured by grams, not by a strict piece count.
- Keratin bonds can be counted by strands, but strand weight can vary.
- Clip-in sets are usually defined as a “set,” but grams and weft widths still vary.
Grams is the only cross-brand language
Grams tells you how much hair you actually receive. It does not solve everything, but it gives you a fair comparison. Two packs that both say 100g have the same total weight, even if one has 40 pieces and the other has 20 pieces. The install experience may still differ because piece size differs, but the hair amount is comparable.
What you should confirm before you compare packs
A professional buyer should ask for:
- total grams per pack
- length of the hair in that pack
- piece count and how the factory defines a piece
- for strand systems, grams per strand or strands per 1g
- for tape systems, grams per tape or tapes per 100g
Use this table as a quick buyer checklist:
| Product type | What sellers often advertise | What you should use to compare |
|---|---|---|
| tape-in | pieces per pack | grams + grams per piece |
| weft | pack / bundle | grams + total width |
| keratin bond | strands per pack | grams + grams per strand |
| clip-in | set per pack | grams + weft layout |
If you run a salon, grams also helps you forecast how many clients you can serve from one inventory batch. That is why grams becomes the “business metric,” not pieces.
What Are The Common Packaging Standards?
You want something simple, like a standard pack size. In manufacturing, there are common habits, but customization is normal. Many factories use 100g as a reference standard because it is easy for planning. Still, clients can request 50g, 120g, 150g, or mixed sets.
Many factories use 100g as a common reference standard, but real packaging depends on client requirements. For professional buyers, the best approach is to treat 100g as a benchmark, then confirm the packing rules for tape, weft, keratin bond, and clip hair for the supplier you choose.
Dive deeper
I will break this down by product type because each method has its own “normal.” You will also notice a pattern. The more “unit-based” the product is, the more piece counts matter. The more “continuous” the product is, the more grams and width matter.
Tape-in packaging standards
Tape systems often come as pieces or “sandwich pairs.” Some brands count 20 pieces as 10 sandwiches. Others count 20 sandwiches as 40 pieces. This creates confusion fast. For tape, you want to know:
- total grams per pack
- number of tapes
- grams per tape
- tape width (for coverage planning)
Weft packaging standards
Wefts are often sold as bundles by grams. Many factories consider 100g a basic unit. But the more useful data for stylists is:
- grams per bundle
- total weft width in that bundle
- track type (hand-tied, genius, machine)
- whether the weft can be cut and how ends are handled
Keratin bond packaging standards
Keratin bonds often use “strands per pack.” This sounds clear, but it still varies. One factory may define 1g per strand. Another might offer 0.8g or 0.5g strands. The buyer should confirm:
- grams per strand
- number of strands per pack
- total grams per pack
- bond size and shape standard
Clip hair packaging standards
Clip-ins are often sold as a full set. Set layouts differ. One set may include 7 pieces, another may include 10 pieces. Total grams and weft widths matter more than piece count alone. A buyer should confirm:
- total grams per set
- how many wefts and what widths
- clip count and clip size
- whether the set is single drawn or double drawn (if relevant to your brand positioning)
Use this simple reference table for factory conversations:
| Category | Common reference | What you must confirm |
|---|---|---|
| tape | pieces or pairs | grams per pack, tapes per pack, grams per tape |
| weft | bundle | grams per bundle, total width, track type |
| keratin bond | strands | grams per strand, strands per pack, total grams |
| clip hair | set | total grams, weft layout, widths, clip count |
If you sell to luxury salons, you should avoid “mystery packs.” A pack should always have a clear spec sheet. That is what protects your brand.
What Pack Standard Should You Choose?
You want pack sizes that match your business model. A salon wants predictable service planning. A wholesaler wants predictable resale units. A hair brand wants packaging that supports its marketing claims and reduces returns.
You should choose a pack standard by combining grams and length, then matching that to the method and the client’s hair density goals. Grams is the baseline. Length changes how full the ends look. Your choice should support install results, not only inventory convenience.
Dive deeper
This is where professional buyers make money or lose money. If you choose the wrong pack standard, you either carry too much slow inventory or you cannot fulfill client needs fast.
Step 1: Start from service planning, not packaging
If you are a salon, you should start with your service menu:
- volume add-on
- standard length + volume
- transformation sets
Then you map each service to grams.
If you are a wholesaler or brand, you should start with your target customer:
- stylist-friendly packs for professional installs
- retail-friendly packs for at-home customers
- mixed packs for online sales
Step 2: Combine grams with length
You already know grams is the only stable reference. Now the real buying question is this: how many grams should match a certain length so the result does not look thin at the ends?
A longer length needs more grams for the same “fullness” because the hair spreads over more inches. If you keep grams the same and push length longer, the ends look see-through. That is why salons and wholesalers should set gram targets by length, then adjust for the client’s natural density and the extension method.
%[combine grams with length hair extensions grams chart by length salon wholesale(https://placehold.co/600×400 “combine grams with length”)]
How to use this section
- Use these numbers as a starting point for ordering and quoting.
- Then adjust by client density (fine / medium / thick) and by goal (volume only vs length + volume).
- For professional planning, build SKUs around these ranges so reorders stay simple.
Recommended grams by length (human hair extensions)
These targets are for a natural-looking full head. They assume average density and a standard salon blend.
| Length | Volume add-on | Natural length + volume | Full transformation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14″ | 60–80g | 100–120g | 140–160g |
| 16″ | 80–100g | 120–140g | 160–180g |
| 18″ | 100–120g | 140–160g | 180–220g |
| 20″ | 120–140g | 160–200g | 220–260g |
| 22″ | 140–160g | 200–240g | 260–320g |
| 24″ | 160–180g | 240–280g | 320–380g |
How to adjust by client density
You should not quote grams only by length. You should also add or subtract based on the client’s base hair.
| Client natural density | Adjustment rule | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| fine hair | -20g to -40g | reduces bulk and track show |
| medium hair | baseline | matches most “standard” results |
| thick hair | +40g to +80g | prevents thin ends and poor blend |
How to adjust by method (tape / weft / keratin / clip-in)
Length + grams is still the base. But each method distributes hair in a different way. That changes how “full” it looks.
| Method | What changes most | Practical note for buying |
|---|---|---|
| tape-in | piece count + placement | more smaller pieces can blend better, but grams must stay in range |
| weft | width coverage | more width can feel fuller with the same grams if placement is clean |
| keratin bond | strand size | 1g strands feel fuller per piece, 0.8g blends softer, total grams still decides fullness |
| clip-in | set layout | a 120g set can look different across brands, so check weft widths and layout |
Simple pack recommendation for salons and wholesalers
If you want easy SKUs, you can standardize around 100g packs and add “top-up packs” for longer lengths.
- 14″–16″: 100g is a common “one-pack full head” for medium density
- 18″: 100g works for volume or fine hair, 150g works for most full heads
- 20″: many full heads need 150–200g
- 22″–24″: many full heads need 200–300g, and thick hair can need more
A quick “ends check” rule for your team
If a client wants 22″ or 24″ and the plan is still 100g, the ends will often look thin unless the client has very fine hair and wants only a light change. This is also where many refunds start in retail.
If you sell to salons, you can turn this into a simple quote line:
- “Longer than 20 inches needs more grams to keep ends full.”
This small line saves you from unrealistic expectations and helps your buyer plan inventory with fewer surprises.
Step 3: Match pack design to method
Different methods distribute hair differently.
- Tape-in: more pieces can help blending and placement flexibility, but only if grams per piece is correct.
- Weft: total width and grams matter because it affects coverage and layering.
- Keratin bonds: grams per strand matters because it impacts bond size and comfort.
- Clip-ins: weft layout matters because it impacts how the set sits on the head.
Step 4: Decide your “inventory language”
A professional operation usually chooses one internal language:
- salon language: grams per head (or grams per service tier)
- wholesaler language: grams per SKU unit
- brand language: grams per pack + clear piece definition
Use this decision table:
| Buyer type | Best way to choose | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| salon owner | grams per service tier + length | choosing only by piece count |
| wholesaler | grams per SKU + method rules | mixing random pack definitions |
| hair brand | grams + clear pack spec sheet | unclear “pack” wording on labels |
If you want fewer client complaints, you should always show grams in your pack description. Pieces can still be listed, but grams should lead.
What Questions Should You Ask A Supplier Before You Place A Bulk Order?
A supplier can say “one pack,” but that does not protect you. You need a clear spec that your team can repeat when reordering. You also need consistent color, weight tolerance, and labeling.
Before you place a bulk order, you should ask for grams per pack, piece definition, length tolerance, and packaging customization options. You should also ask how the supplier handles weight variance and labeling for different SKUs.
Dive deeper
Professional buyers reduce risk by turning “pack” into a spec sheet. You want the supplier to commit to measurable items. You also want your team to reorder without confusion.
Key packaging questions
- What is the total grams per pack?
- What is the length measurement method?
- How many pieces are in the pack and how is a piece defined?
- For tape: is the count single-sided or sandwich pairs?
- For keratin: what is grams per strand?
- For weft: what is the total weft width per pack?
- What is the allowed weight tolerance per pack?
Labeling and SKU control
If you sell as a brand or wholesale, you should confirm:
- can the supplier print your label or barcode
- can the supplier separate SKUs by length and color clearly
- can the supplier keep consistent pack layout across batches
Quality and consistency checks
Packaging is not only about count. It is also about consistency.
- If your pack is 100g, is it always 100g net hair weight?
- Does the supplier include packaging weight in the number?
- How does the supplier handle any shortage claim?
Use this supplier checklist table:
| Area | Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| weight | is 100g net hair weight | prevents disputes |
| piece rule | how do you define a piece | avoids misunderstanding |
| tolerance | what is allowed variance | sets expectations |
| labeling | can you print SKU labels | reduces sorting errors |
| reorder | can you match the same spec | supports long-term supply |
If you run a salon chain or a growing brand, this step saves you weeks of future trouble.
My opinion
A professional buyer should stop asking “how many pieces are in a pack” as the main question. The better question is “how many grams and what unit definition.” When you use grams as the reference, you can compare suppliers, build pricing, and plan services with less risk.
FAQ
Is 100g always the standard pack size?
Many factories use 100g as a common reference, but pack size can be customized. You should confirm net grams per pack for every order.
Why do two 100g packs have different piece counts?
Because piece size varies by method and supplier rules. Tape pieces can be heavier or lighter. Keratin strands can be 1g or 0.8g or 0.5g. Grams stays stable, pieces do not.
For tape-in, should I buy by pieces or by grams?
You should use grams first, then confirm grams per tape and tape width. Pieces alone can mislead you.
For keratin bonds, what is more important, strands or grams?
Grams is the baseline. You should also confirm grams per strand because it affects bond size and comfort.
For wefts, what matters more, grams or width?
Both matter. Grams tells you hair amount. Total width tells you coverage and placement flexibility. You should request both.
Can a factory customize pack sizes for my brand?
Many factories can customize pack size, labeling, and pack layout. You should lock the spec sheet and reorder from the same standard.
Conclusion
Packs vary by brand and factory, so grams is the only reliable reference. When you choose packs by grams and length, you can plan services and inventory with more control.
