Easy Braids for Beginners: 7 Braids to Learn in Order

Easy braids for beginners: start here

The easiest braids for beginners, in the order you should learn them, are the three-strand plait, the rope twist, the fishtail, the French braid, the Dutch braid, the waterfall braid and the milkmaid crown. Each one builds a skill you need for the next, so you never feel stuck on a style that is too advanced for your hands.

Most people give up on braiding because they jump straight to a French braid on the back of their own head, which needs three separate skills at once: the crossing pattern, adding new hair, and working blind behind your head. Breaking those skills apart makes everything far easier, and you will be braiding your own hair confidently within a week or two of short daily practice.

Below, each braid comes with numbered steps in plain words, the common mistake beginners make, and when to wear it, from college mornings to festive family dinners.

Before you start: the setup that makes braiding easier

Braid on detangled, slightly textured hair. Freshly washed, silky hair slips through your fingers and makes the sections uneven. A light spritz of water, a little leave-in or a pinch of dry shampoo gives you grip. Very curly hair is easier to braid when slightly damp and conditioned.

Practise first with your hair pulled forward over one shoulder, where you can see your hands in the mirror. Once your fingers learn the rhythm, moving the braid behind your head is mostly muscle memory. Sitting at a table with your elbows resting on it reduces arm fatigue, which is the real reason many people give up halfway.

Keep clear mini elastics, a tail comb and a few clips nearby. Clips are useful for holding away sections you are not working on, especially for Dutch braids and double styles.

Mini elastics and clips →

Braid 1: the three-strand plait

Gather your hair over one shoulder and divide it into three equal sections: left, middle and right. Cross the right section over the middle, so it becomes the new middle. Then cross the left section over the new middle. Repeat right over middle, left over middle, all the way down, and tie the end.

The common beginner mistake is uneven tension, which makes a braid look lumpy. Keep the sections taut but not tight, and move your hands down the braid as you go so your grip stays close to the crossing point.

This is the foundation of every other braid, and also the classic Indian choti. Wear it with kurtas, on long college days, or as a low braid for travel and sleeping.

Braid 2: the rope twist

Tie a pony, then divide it into two sections. Twist each section clockwise, firmly, as if you are wringing a towel. Then wrap the two twisted sections around each other anticlockwise. The opposite directions lock the rope so it will not unravel. Tie the end.

If your rope unwinds, you twisted both the strands and the wrap in the same direction. Always twist one way and wrap the other.

The rope twist looks sleek and grown-up, so it works for office and dinners, and it is faster than a plait once you get the rhythm.

A rope twist on the top section is also a pretty half-up idea. Take the hair from temple to temple, twist it into a rope and tie it at the back, leaving the rest open. Practise the rope on a full pony first, and once your hands are confident, you can use it for half-ups, buns and even rope-wrapped ponies.

Braid 3: the fishtail

Split your hair into two halves. Take a thin piece from the outer edge of the left half and cross it over to join the right half. Then take a thin piece from the outer edge of the right half and cross it over to join the left. Keep alternating until you reach the end.

Thinner pieces create a finer, more intricate pattern; thicker pieces are faster. When you finish, gently pull the edges of the braid outward to make it wider and softer.

The fishtail looks complicated but it only uses two sections, which makes it surprisingly easy. It is lovely for weddings as a guest, date nights and humid days, because frizz just softens the woven pattern.

Braid 4: the French braid

Take a small section at the top of your head and split it into three. Do one normal cross: right over middle, left over middle. Now, before each new cross, add a small section of loose hair from that side to the strand you are about to cross. Right strand plus new hair over the middle, left strand plus new hair over the middle.

Keep adding hair evenly from both sides until you reach the nape, then finish with a regular three-strand plait. Use the tail of a comb or your little finger to pick up clean, even sections.

Beginner tip: if your arms tire, practise a side French braid that runs from one temple to behind the opposite ear. You can see it in the mirror, and it is shorter. French braids are ideal for sports, school and gym.

Gym-friendly hair ties →

Braid 5: the Dutch braid

A Dutch braid is a French braid done inside out. Instead of crossing strands over the middle, you cross them under. Right strand plus new hair under the middle, left strand plus new hair under the middle.

Because the strands go underneath, the braid sits on top of your hair and looks raised, like a 3D plait. Pull the edges after finishing for a fuller look. Two Dutch braids, the famous boxer braids, are one of the most practical styles for workouts and helmet riding.

If you get confused between French and Dutch, just remember: French goes over, Dutch goes under.

Braid 6 and 7: the waterfall and milkmaid crown

The waterfall braid is a sideways French braid where you drop one strand each time. Start at the temple with three sections, cross as usual, but after each cross, let the bottom strand fall and pick up a new section of hair to replace it. The dropped strands cascade down like a waterfall. It looks beautiful with open waves for a date or a sangeet as a guest.

The milkmaid crown is two three-strand plaits, one on each side, lifted up over the top of the head and pinned in place. It is an easy updo that looks elaborate, perfect for summer, festive lunches and humid days. Use U-pins along the plaits to secure them.

Both are best learnt once you are comfortable with the French braid and three-strand plait.

Keep track of your progress. Take a quick photo of each braid with your phone. It is very motivating to see how much neater your braids look after a week. It also shows you exactly where the braid is uneven or loose, which is very hard to tell in a mirror. Small adjustments, like adding smaller sections or pulling tension slightly tighter, quickly improve your results.

How to practise braiding faster

Practise five minutes a day, ideally the same braid each day for a week. Short, consistent practice beats a frustrating hour on Sunday.

Practise on a friend or a sibling first, then on your own hair pulled forward, then finally behind your head. Watching your hands is how you learn; feeling is how you master it.

Do not worry if your first braids are bumpy. Pull the edges loose for a messy, lived-in look and nobody will notice. By the second week you will be surprised by how neat they become.