When it comes to starting locs – one of the biggest questions is “How many locs should I get?” Then comes the googling to see, “What Does This Number of Locs Look Like?” Since we all have different textures, hair densities, and head sizes – there is no one size all for figuring out the number of locs to get. Fortunately, it is still helpful to see a variety of loc sizes in order to get an idea of the size and number of locs you want. From 20 to 550 locs – read below to get an idea of what various loc counts look like and pros/cons associated with different sizes.
Table of Contents
Large Locs (<60 Locs)
Large locs are thick and luxurious. Many locs in this range are freeform, but not always. People with thinner hair textures often use thicker hair parts in order to create locs. There is a lot of freedom with large locs, but there still can be some maintenance. You should be careful with going too large of a loc size as it will take longer for the hair to air dry. Moreover, consistently damp/dense hair can lead to mold. Thus, if someone loves the larger locs look, they should take into account they may have to blow dry their locs, or at least thoroughly towel dry them for healthy locs.
What 20 Locs Look Like
What 30 Locs Look Like
What 40 Locs Look Like
What Around 45 Locs Look
Locs Count of 43
What Around 50 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 54
Medium Locs (60-110)
Medium locs are a very common loc size to see on locers, and that is for good reason. Maintenance is on the faster side given the lower number of locs. And even with the lower loc count, there is still a lot of versatility in styling with the medium loc size. It is a great size for your first (or forever) loc set.
What Around 60 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 61
What Around 65 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 66
What Around 70 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 67
What Around 70 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 72
What 75 Locs Look Like
What 80 Locs Looks Like
What Around 80 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 78
Note: This originally was posted as “What Around 120 Locs Look Like.” However, that was in error.
What 85 Locs Look Like
What Does Around 90 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 87
What 95 Locs Look Like
What Around 100 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 107
Small Locs (110 -250)
Small locs (like medium locs) are another common loc size for potential locers to select. There are a good amount of styles that can be done with small locs. Also, even though maintenance isn’t as breezey as large or medium locs, it is still faster than for microlocs/sisterlocks. If you are in-between a bigger vs smaller loc size, the benefit with smaller locs is that it is easier to combine to make large or medium locs.
What Around 110 Locs Look Like
What Around 125 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 122
What 130 Locs Look Like
What 140 Locs Look Like
Loc Count Video
What Around 150 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 149
What Around 200 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 208
Microlocs & Sisterlocks (>250)
Once you get over 250 locs, you are in microloc/sisterlock territory. The look of microlocs and sisterlocks are often quite similar, but the difference lies with sisterlocks being made with a specific locing and maintenance method by registered sisterlock consultants. On the other hand, microlocs are more so about appearance (tiny size). They can be started by any loctician or yourself. Either way, when you approach this many locs, you’ll have to be more cognizant about the time you are willing to spend on maintenance. Retwisting this many locs can and does take hours. On the other hand, you have a lot of versatility in styles that are typically done on un-locd hair given how small the parting sizes are.
What 260 Locs Look
What Around 300 Locs Look Like
What Around 350 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 332
What Around 400 Locs Look Like
Locs Count of 397
What 550 Locs Look Like (Sisterlocks)
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I hope you were able to get a good sense of the varying loc sizes. There will always be some variability on what certain loc counts look on one person versus another. However, with this article you should still be able to get a general idea of what different sizes of locs look like. What did you think going through the various loc counts? Has looking at these photos given you an idea of how many locs you would like for your first (or next!) locs set?
Excellent article. I just counted mine after banding and braiding for wash day…574. Whew it’s beautiful; but, now that I have locs and I am enjoying them – I question if I would have done them a little larger. If my daughter decides she would like locs – I would definitely do them larger on her so her retightening’s would not have to be so frequent. For me, I planned for the retightening; for my daughter if she gets them larger I believe I will be able to maintain them.
Glad you enjoyed the article and that you’re loving locs:) You can always combine them if you get too tired of the long retightening sessions. And sounds like a good plan if your daughter ends up getting locs.
This was very helpful for me …….thank u so much now I know the look I want.
yes this was definitely helpful as I decide on which way to go. Thanks!
the woman under 120 locs actually has 78, it’s her husband who has 121
Thanks for commenting. You are completely right – updated. Hope you still enjoyed the article:)
Love the article! I am starting my loc journey on 11/26/22 and I’m very excited. I like the look of between 260 – 300 locs for the purpose of versatility when styling; however, I will take the advice of my Loctician as she is the professional, and can advise me based on hair texture and density. I am saving e article to as a template to share with my Loctician as a starting point. Thank you!
What did your loctician end up recommending to you? I also like the look of 260-300 locs 🙂
Can sister locks be reverse back to just nature hair?
Sisterlocks can be taken out but it is definitely a long tedious process! Bindi Marc would be a good YouTuber to check out. I wrote about her briefly on this article: https://www.locslife.com/can-you-really-loc-permed-hair/
And here is her channel: https://youtube.com/@Bindi_Marc