The 14 Different Types of Braids and How to Create Them, According to Stylists

Braids are something of a workhorse in the world of hairstyles: they're all at once classic and trendy—and protective, to boot. That being said, there are so many types and styles of braids, it can be difficult to settle on one.

To help manage the overwhelm, we've gathered together 14 of the most popular braided hairstyles and supplemented them with celeb photos so you can see what each style looks like, IRL (in real life). We were also sure to add a couple of tips, tricks, and tutorials along the way.
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Box Braids

Box Braids are created by securing the hair extension around the base of the natural hair and creating a box-like knot attachment at the root. They were especially popular in the '90s, which gives them a cool-girl vibe when worn today. "Box braids serve as a protective style on textured hair," Lacy Redway, Unilever Global Stylist, TRESemmé Future Stylists Fund Selection Committee Member, and celebrity hairstylist, adds. "It allows you to have your hair protected for a period of time while still being able to style it in various hairstyles using the box braids as the foundation of the hairstyles."
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Knotless Braids

Knotless Braids have gained popularity for being a more lightweight, natural-looking alternative to box braids. Unlike traditional box braids, this style doesn't have the traditional knot at the top of each braid. Instead, it is achieved by feeding in the hair mid-braid. "The benefit of the knotless technique (when done properly) is it prevents traction alopecia, which is a common form of hair loss for women who have braids that are installed too tight with the large knots," Williams says. "This technique can take longer to install, but it's worth the health of the hair and scalp."
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Micro Braids

Micro Braids are just like box braids in that they can be created using the same technique. They're just—you guessed it—smaller. The modern-day poster child for micro braids (in our humble opinion) is Zoë Kravitz. She has walked many a red carpet donning the very same chic style, albeit with a couple of hair color switch-ups along the way. "They are designed to be versatile, which is the beauty of them," Redway says. "You can style as you please."
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Corn Row

Corn Row braids are braids that form narrow parallel strips down the head. They're normally positioned from front to back, but she put a unique twist on a classic look by wearing hers pulled back with a wired braid construction artfully crafted around it.
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Crown Braids

Crown Braids which looks complex and time-consuming but happens to be exactly the opposite. Our favorite way create a crown braid is to start with a traditional side braid before wrapping it up and over the top of the forehead, securing it with bobby pins along the way. We always make sure to leave out a couple face-framing pieces. Be sure to add a spritz of a stronghold hair spray to keep it intact all day long. 

Fishtail Braids

Fishtail Braid is one of our all-time favorite styles as it's playful and unexpected. It's easy to distinguish from other braids since it looks like a mirror reflection of itself. The fishtail braid  is not an actual braid as you divide the hair into only two sections. Create this hairstyle in tiny sections by consistently passing hair over to the other side before swapping the two main strands.

French Braids

French Braids is a traditional three-piece braid. As you plait the hair together, add a section from either side on each rotation. It's one of the most versatile and chic of braids, which is why we see it so often at red carpet events. Style it in the traditional way, as a single-braided strand running down the nape of the neck, or do as Blunt does and position it to the side for an elegant updo.

With practice, it's an easy style to create. If you need a little refresher, head to YouTube for pointers (no judgment—braiding takes a lot of time and patience).  
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Dutch Braids

Dutch Braids on the other hand, is created in the same exact way as you would a French braid—except inverted. Instead of winding the hair over itself as you plait, you wind it underneath the other strands. This small change makes a big difference. You see, instead of the braid flowing inward, it flows outward, which makes the braid pop out slightly. 

Milkmaid Braids

The milkmaid braid is almost identical to the aforementioned crown braid, but instead of being situated on the top of the forehead (where an actual crown would sit), it's pushed back a couple of inches to rest more toward the middle of the head. It's also more likely to begin with a center part, as opposed to a side part, for a more traditional look.

To create, "Divide your hair by the nape of your neck in two sections," says Redway. "Braid each section into two braids before crisscrossing them onto themselves and securing them with hair and bobby pins." (By the way, if you've already mastered this style, try a reverse milkmaid braid for a new take.)
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Waterfall Braids

Waterfall braids look intricate, but luckily, they aren't as complicated as they seem. Think of them like a French braid, but one side of the braid is woven and the opposite part cascades down into the hair. To create a waterfall braid, pretend you are beginning a French braid. Section the hair into three pieces, cross the top section over the middle, and, instead of grabbing more hair, let this section hang down. Cross the remaining pieces over one another, then grab a new piece from the top and incorporate it into the braid. Repeat the steps.
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3 Strand Braids

3 Strand Braids. This braiding technique is the foundation for the rest of the looks on this list. Without it, the rest of these braids are not possible. To try for yourself, section hair into three strands. Take the left piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Then, take the right-most piece and cross it over the middle, making it the new middle. Repeat this process over and over until you reach the end of your strands.

Appropriate for any hair type, the three-strand braid can be tightly kept or intentionally loosened to show volume and body.
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Rope Braids

Rope Braids. "The trick with this hairstyle is that it doubles as a second hairstyle," Redway says. "When the hairstyle starts to frizz up, release them and wear your hair down because you will now have beautiful water waves." Unlike many of the other styles on this list, the rope braid only requires two sections of hair. Take one of the sections and twist the hair until the entire section is spiraled. Secure with a clear elastic. Repeat on the other side. Take each section and twist them around one another. Secure at the bottom.
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Pigtail Braids

Pigtail braids couldn't be easier, and require pulling the hair into two low ponytails before braiding the ends of each. You can then fasten with an elastic and go. The look recalls a childhood style but can easily be made sophisticated, by smoothing flyaways with a flexible-hold gel or Aloe vera.
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Halo Braids

Halo Braids. The halo braid is similar to a crown braid, and consists of long Dutch braids placed around the head and fastened on top, to mimic a halo. Remove a few tendrils to frame the face and keep the look more casual.