How to Make a Box Braid Step-by-Step

Make fun dreads with box braiding.

Braiding your hair provides a variety of options to create different looks and styles. If you get tired of the standard three-ply braid, mix it up a little bit for variation. Instead of using three strands to braid, use four strands to create a fuller and rounder braid. Called a box braid because it has four sides, make a box braid step-by-step for a distinctive braiding technique.

Things You'll Need

• Comb or brush
• Elastic hair band

Instructions

1. Separate a section of hair and comb or brush it to remove any tangles.

2. Divide the section of hair into four equal parts -- two on the left side and two on the right side. Hold the strands straight up.

3. Cross the bottom left strand with the top right strand so that the bottom left strand becomes the top right strand and the top right strand becomes the bottom left strand.

4. Cross the bottom right strand with the top left strand in the same way.

5. Pull the four strands tight.

6. Continue crossing the diagonal strands, alternating back and forth between the corners, until you come to the tips of the hair.

7. Secure the box braid at the end with an elastic hair band.

References

• Cornrows; How to Box Braid; Nicole Singleton Lasher; 2006

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish