Loc Count Calculator

How many locs should I have? How the estimate works

The number of locs on a head is simple geometry: how much scalp you have, divided by how much scalp each loc gets. The calculator estimates both and gives you a range instead of one number, because nobody parts a head with a ruler.

scalp area = circumference² ÷ (2 × π)
part area  = part side² ÷ density factor
locs       = scalp area ÷ part area   (shown as ±15%)

The scalp as half a sphere

To turn a tape measurement into an area, the calculator treats the hair-bearing part of your head as half a sphere whose widest circle is your head circumference. A 22 inch head works out to about 77 square inches of scalp. Real heads are not spheres and hairlines sit higher or lower, which is one reason the answer is a range.

Part size sets the loc size

Each loc size starts from a typical square part: 0.5 in (1.3 cm) for microlocs, 0.75 in (1.9 cm) for small, 1 in (2.5 cm) for medium and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) for thick locs. These part sizes are rules of thumb, chosen so the results match the counts locticians commonly quote. They are not measured data, and your loctician may part slightly bigger or smaller.

Why density matters

The same part holds more hair on a dense head than on a sparse one. So for a loc of the same thickness, dense hair can use a slightly smaller part and low-density hair needs a slightly bigger one. The calculator adjusts the part area by 10% in each direction. If you have not checked yours, try the hair density test.

The starting grid

Rows are counted from the nape to the front hairline, over the top of the head — half the circumference. Rows across the crown are the longest and rows at the nape and the front are shorter, so the result gives the number of rows and the average locs per row. Diamond parts use the same grid with every second row shifted half a part. Free-form parting has no grid, only a section size to aim for.

What the calculator cannot tell you

It cannot see your hairline, thin areas, cowlicks or the shape of your head, and it does not know how much your locs will swell as they mature. A loctician will often make parts larger at the edges to protect the hairline and adjust around the crown. Treat the count as a number to bring to a consultation. Once your locs are in, the loc retwist schedule plans your maintenance dates.