What Does Double Drawn Hair Mean? A Simple Guide for Buyers

When you look for hair extensions, you may see:
Some brands say they sell double drawn hair extensions,
Others say double drawn is better than single drawn.

So the big question is:
Double drawn? Single drawn? What do they mean? Are they really that different?
Don’t worry. It’s not complicated. Let me break it down for you.

Double drawn means that at least 70% of the hair strands in one bundle are the same length.
This makes the hair look full, thick, and even.

For example: A 22-inch, 100g double drawn Genius weft has at least 70g of 22-inch strands.
The other 30g may be 20-inch, 18-inch, or shorter hairs. These shorter hairs help the hair blend and look more natural.

But here’s the rub: Some brands say double drawn, but they don’t tell you the ratio (the exact percentage of long hair).
This can make things confusing.

Next, let’s talk about the hair extensions ratio and why it matters.

What Does “Hair Ratio” Mean in Hair Extensions?

Hair extensions ratio means the percentage of the longest hairs in the bundle.

For example, if the ratio is 30%, then in an 18" extension, at least 30% of the strands are 18" long.
The other 70% could be 16", 14", 12", 10", 8", or even 6".

This answers a question a lot of people have:
“Why does my 18" extension also have 6" hairs inside?”

The reasons are:

1. Cost: Long hair is rare and expensive. Factories want to use the whole bundle of donated hair.
2. Natural look: If all the hair is the same length, it looks too “perfect”. Layers of short and long hair make it look more natural.

When a bundle has a higher ratio of long hair, we call it Double Drawn Hair.

In the factory, the pros don’t say “single” or “double.” They talk about ratios: 30%, 50%, 70%. That number is the real standard.

No matter what type of single strands like I-tip, flat tip, or wefts like tape-in, genius weft, all extensions are made with a specific ratio.

If a brand doesn’t say “double drawn,” then most likely the ratio is around 30-35%.
Well-known brands like Bellami, Luxy, and many salons usually use this single drawn ratio.

Now that you understand “ratio,” the next question is:
How are Double Drawn Hair Extensions made?

How Are Double Drawn Hair Extensions Made?

Making Double Drawn Hair Extensions is more work.
Why? Because the factory needs more long hair and must carefully remove short hair.

Just like our own hair growth: A 22" raw hair (about 150g) will not all be 22".
It will also have 20", 18", or shorter strands.
To make extensions look full and even, the factory has to process them more carefully:

• Step 1: Sorting the lengths
  Workers pick out the shorter hairs by hand (this is very time-consuming).

• Step 2: Balancing the ratio
  They add more long hair (like 22" strands) to get to the target ratio (70%, 100%, etc.).

• Step 3: Making extensions
  The sorted hair is made into different types: Genius wefts, Hand-tied machine wefts, or keratin bonds like I-Tip, Flat-Tip, U-Tip.

• Step 4: Quality check
  Every bundle is tested: thickness at the ends, weight, straightening test, shedding, and knot test.

From our production experience:

• In North America, most people like 30-35% because it looks more natural and light.
• In Europe, many people like 50%+, for a fuller, thicker look.

So， Why Are Double Drawn Hair Extensions Expensive?

Why Are Double Drawn Hair Extensions Expensive?

Many people ask:
“Why are Double Drawn extensions so much more expensive? Is it just brand markup?”

The answer: Not really. There are real reasons.

Common ideas:

• More long hair is used, so it’s expensive.
• More handwork is needed, so it’s expensive.

Both are true, but that’s not the whole story.

Industry truth:

• Long hair is rare
  Few donors have very long hair. Getting a 20-inch strand takes at least 4 years of growth.
  We cannot use these hair production extensions if the hair was dyed or permed before cutting. So, raw long hair is tough to find.
• High waste
  Many short hairs need to be removed. Sometimes, we can only use half of the original raw hair material.
• Hand sorting and mixing cost
  Workers must carefully sort hairs and mix from different donors to keep ratios correct.
• Strict quality checks
  Ends must be thick, smooth, and strong. If not, the whole hair is wasted.
• High-end pricing
  Double Drawn is a premium product, so brands add extra margin.

So yes, Double Drawn costs more, but much of that price is real raw hair cost + labor + waste.

But then another question comes up:
If it costs more, is it really worth it? What do you actually get from Double Drawn compared to Single Drawn?
Let’s look at the pros and cons so you can decide for yourself.

What Are Double Drawn Hair Pros and Cons?

When you think about Double Drawn, you might ask:
Is it really better? Or are there downsides?

Here are the facts:

Pros

• Fuller look: Ends are thick, and top to bottom looks even.
• Use less hair: You need fewer bundles than Single Drawn.
• Great for styling: Works better for curls, waves, or big-volume looks.
• Luxury feel: Smooth, heavy, and perfect for weddings or events.

Cons

• May need trimming: Ends are very blunt, so often you need a trim to blend naturally.
• Not tapered: Natural hair gets thinner at the ends, but double-drawn hair does not, so blending takes extra styling.
• Heavier: More hair weight is not good for people with very fine or weak hair.
• Can cause stress: Extra weight may pull on natural hair if not installed or cared for properly.
• Higher cost: Rare hair + more labor = higher price.

So if you love thick, full hair, Double Drawn is worth it.
But if you like light, soft layers or want to save money, Single Drawn may be better.

Double vs Single — What’s the Difference?

Now that you know the pros and cons, the next question is:
Who should choose Double Drawn, and who should stick with Single Drawn?

Single Drawn

• Ratio: Only about 30–35% of full-length hair.
• Look: Ends are thinner, look closer to natural hair.

Pros

• Looks like natural layered hair
• Cheaper, good value
• Lighter to wear

Best for

• People who want natural layers
• People with fine hair
• People on a budget

Note: Most brands start from 30% ratio, with the shortest hairs around 6 inches.
The ends will look thin and unnatural if the ratio is lower than 30%.

Double Drawn

• Ratio: At least 70% full-length hair.
• Look: Thick from root to ends, more volume.

Pros

• Thicker, fuller ends
• Use fewer bundles, saves time
• Easier for curls and styling

Best for

• People who want bold volume
• Brides, events, or photo shoots
• People who want thicker hair with fewer bundles

Now you know the basics of Single vs Double Drawn Hair. Want to dive deeper? Read the full comparison: Single vs Double Drawn Hair.

But here’s the tricky part: when buying Double Drawn hair, not every brand is honest about the ratio. This is where many buyers get tricked. Let’s see what you should watch out for.

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What Should You Watch Out for When Buying Double Drawn Hair?

The biggest problem buyers face is unclear ratios. Here are common traps:

• Vague labels
  Some brands say “Double Drawn” or “Super Double Drawn,” but don’t say the real ratio.
  I’ve seen sellers on Instagram call 50% ratio hair “Super Double Drawn.” Buyers pay more, but get less.
  Always ask: “What ratio is it?”

• Unbalanced bundles
  Some factories use too many short hairs to save cost. Weight is the same (100g), but it feels thin at the ends when you touch it.

• Fake numbers
  Some sellers say “70% ratio,” but testing shows only 50%. Hard to see at first, you only notice when you wear it.

Conclusion

Double Drawn Hair Extensions are not just a “fancy name.”
They are about ratio, process, and cost.

The higher the ratio, the fuller and nicer it looks, and the more expensive it is.

When buying, remember three rules:

• Check the ratio: Don’t trust words like “Super Double Drawn” without numbers.
• Match your needs: Natural look = Single Drawn. Thick and bold = Double Drawn.
• Choose honest suppliers: A good seller will always tell you the ratio.

Extensions are not only about length. They are about making your hairstyle look natural, full, and confident.

If you’re unsure which ratio fits you, contact me and the GISTAR Team.
We can give you free advice and even show you how to test the ratio yourself, so you’ll never waste money.