Rubber Band Size Guide

Rubber band size guide

Rubber band diameter Best suited for Good hairstyles Hair types
1/2 inch Small sections and smaller amounts of hair Small ponytails, braids, twists, locs, hair sectioning Fine, medium, curly, textured; also useful for small sections of thick hair
1 inch Medium sections and larger amounts of hair Ponytails, braids, twists, locs, sectioning Medium to thick, curly, wavy and textured hair
1.5 inch Larger sections and more hair Larger ponytails, thick braids, larger twists, securing substantial sections Thick, very thick, curly, coily and textured hair

1/2-inch rubber bands

Best for: precision and smaller sections.

The 1/2-inch size is particularly useful when you want to isolate a relatively small amount of hair. They're commonly useful for:

  • Small ponytails
  • Small braids
  • Mini twists
  • Locs
  • Hair sectioning
  • Creating multiple small ponytails
  • Securing the ends of smaller braids or twists

They're also a good choice when working with fine or medium-density hair, because a smaller band doesn't require as much stretching to secure a small section.

For thick or highly textured hair, 1/2-inch bands can still be useful — particularly when you're dividing the hair into small sections — but they may not be the easiest choice for securing a large amount of hair.

1-inch rubber bands

Best all-around size for medium-to-large sections.

A 1-inch band gives you more room than a 1/2-inch band and is a good choice when you're working with:

  • Medium ponytails
  • Larger braids
  • Twists
  • Locs
  • Hair sectioning
  • Medium-to-thick hair

They're particularly useful for thick, curly, wavy and textured hair when a 1/2-inch band may be too small for the amount of hair being secured.

For someone who isn't sure which size to buy, 1 inch is a good middle-ground starting point.

1.5-inch rubber bands

Best for larger sections and lots of hair.

The 1.5-inch size is better suited to situations where you're trying to secure a substantial amount of hair.

Think:

  • Large ponytails
  • Thick braids
  • Large twists
  • Thick loc sections
  • Very thick or dense hair
  • Large sections during styling

The extra diameter makes it easier to get the band around a larger section without having to stretch a smaller band excessively.

For very thick, curly, coily or textured hair, the 1.5-inch size can be particularly useful when you're securing larger sections.