How to Section Hair for Braids: Clean Parts, Even Boxes

To section hair for braids, divide the head into four quarters, then work one quarter at a time: draw a horizontal row with the tail of a parting comb, clip everything above it out of the way, and divide the row into equal boxes with vertical parts. Braid each box before parting the next row. Even sections come from parting in a grid and keeping the box size the same, not from judging each one by eye.

What do you need?

• A tail comb with a fine, firm tip
• Sectioning clips, at least four
• A spray bottle of water or a leave-in conditioner
• A light parting product: gel, braid gel or a cream, if you like sharp lines
• Two mirrors, or a helper, for the back

How do you prepare the hair?

1. Wash and condition, so the scalp is clean before a style that will stay in for a while.
2. Detangle thoroughly from the ends upward.
3. Stretch the hair if it is tightly curled, by blow-drying on low or by braiding it loosely and letting it dry. Stretched hair parts far more cleanly.
4. Keep it slightly damp or lightly moisturized. Very dry hair frizzes at the part.

Step 1: Make four quarters

1. Draw a center part from the forehead to the nape.
2. Draw a second part from ear to ear across the crown.
3. Twist each quarter and clip it.

You now have a cross on the scalp. Every row you part will run parallel to one of these lines, which keeps the grid straight.

Step 2: Choose your box size

These are guides. What matters is that every box in the style is the same size.

Step 3: Part the first row

1. Start at the nape of one back quarter. Unclip it.
2. Place the tip of the tail at the center part, at the height of your box size above the hairline.
3. Draw a straight horizontal line out to the side of the head.
4. Clip all the hair above the line back up, leaving only the row hanging.

Step 4: Divide the row into boxes

1. From the center part, measure one box width along the row.
2. Draw a short vertical line with the tail from the row part down to the hairline.
3. Check that the box is square, then smooth a little gel along its edges if you want crisp lines.
4. Braid that box, or clip it and continue parting the row.
5. Repeat along the row, using the previous box as your measure.

Step 5: Move up

Release the next row, the same height as the first, and repeat. For a brick pattern, start each new row half a box across, so the boxes sit over the joins of the row below. This helps the braids fall without showing lines of scalp. Work up to the crown, then do the other back quarter and the two front quarters.

How do you keep the parts clean?

• Use the tip, not the teeth. The tail separates hair at the root.
• Keep the tail on the scalp and draw each line in one motion.
• Clear the line. After drawing, run the tail back along it and flick stray hairs to the correct side.
• Clip as you go. Loose hair falling into a finished box blurs the grid.
• Re-dampen sections that dry out.

A comb made for parting

The Uexim steel pin tail parting comb set has pointed-tail styling combs with a steel pin tail for sectioning, parting and precision styling. The comb body is plastic, and there are several colors and pack options, including multi-packs and a 9-piece sectioning set. See the variant selector for the contents of each.

Other parting patterns

• Triangle parts: draw diagonal lines within each row so sections alternate point-up and point-down.
• Curved or freestyle parts: draw the design on the scalp with the tail before sectioning.
• Cornrow parts: long straight or curved lines from the hairline to the nape, each the same width.

Comfort and scalp care

Braids should feel secure, not painful. Do not make boxes so small that a heavy braid hangs from very little hair, and do not pull tightly at the hairline. If a braid hurts or raises bumps on the scalp, it is too tight and should be redone looser. Use light pressure with a metal tail so it glides over the scalp.

Frequently asked questions

Should hair be wet or dry when parting for braids?

Slightly damp or moisturized, and stretched. Soaking wet hair shrinks as it dries, which can tighten the braids.

How do I get even boxes at the back?

Use two mirrors and measure each box against the one before it. A helper makes this much easier.

What can I use to make the parts sharper?

A small amount of gel or braid gel smoothed along each line.

How long does sectioning take?

It depends on box size. Parting as you braid, row by row, is quicker and neater than parting the whole head first.

The bottom line

Four quarters, straight rows, equal boxes, and clips to keep everything else out of the way. A fine tail and a consistent box size are what make braids look even.