When shopping for hair extensions or weaves, understanding hair grades is essential to making the right choice. Hair grades—like 8A, 10A, or 12A—indicate the quality, thickness, and cuticle alignment of the hair. But what do these numbers really mean, and does a higher grade always equal better hair? In this guide, we break down everything you need to know about hair grades, how they affect durability and styling, and which grade best fits your budget and beauty goals.
What Do Hair Grades Really Mean?
Hair grades might sound like technical jargon, but they play a big role in how people choose hair extensions. Whether you’re buying for personal use or for a salon business, understanding the basics of hair grades helps you avoid poor-quality bundles and misleading labels.
Hair grades were first introduced as a way to rank human hair extensions based on their quality — or more accurately, perceived quality. The higher the grade (usually written as 8A, 10A, 12A, etc.), the more “premium” the hair is claimed to be. But here’s the catch: these labels are not regulated by any official standard, and each supplier may define them differently.
So, when a vendor says their hair is “12A” or “15A,” it doesn’t always mean better. That’s why it’s essential to look beyond the label and understand what really makes one bundle of hair better than another.
What are hair grades used for in the hair industry?
Hair grades are mostly used as marketing tools to help vendors differentiate their product tiers. They help signal:
- How aligned and intact the cuticles are
- How uniform the strand lengths are in a bundle
- Whether the hair has been chemically processed
- Whether it’s Remy hair or virgin hair
Why understanding grades matters when buying hair extensions
Many customers — even salon professionals — rely too heavily on the grade number. This leads to two common mistakes:
- Overpaying for “high-grade” hair that doesn’t perform well
- Ignoring well-made lower-grade bundles that could have been perfect for their needs
By learning what hair grades really reflect (and what they don’t), you can make smarter decisions and avoid disappointment. Reviewing a simple hair grade chart side-by-side with product specs can also help you visualize how strand quality and cuticle integrity vary across levels.
The Human Hair Grading System: How It Works
Most people assume that hair grades are based on some kind of international quality check — but in reality, they’re entirely unregulated. Each supplier may have their own interpretation of what counts as 10A, 12A, or 15A. That’s why understanding the real logic behind the hair grading system can save you from overpaying or getting poor-quality bundles.
Key factors that influence hair grading (cuticles, length ratio, processing)
At its core, the hair grading system was created to reflect how “perfect” a bundle of human hair is. Some of the most important grading factors include:
- Cuticle alignment: In high-grade hair, all strands have cuticles facing the same direction. This helps reduce tangling and improves the natural look.
- Strand length ratio: Higher-grade hair usually means more strands are the same length, giving the bundle a thicker, fuller appearance.
- Processing level: Virgin or raw hair — hair that hasn’t been dyed, permed, or chemically treated — is often graded higher than processed alternatives.
That’s why buyers often associate 12A and 15A with better bundles — but again, there’s no official benchmark. One supplier’s 15A could be another’s 12A.
The role of mm thickness in identifying quality
While most customers look at labels, professionals sometimes rely on hair grades in mm — measuring the actual thickness of each strand. Thicker strands usually indicate higher durability and strength, but if not aligned properly, they can feel coarse or unnatural.
Some factories also use hair grades in mm as part of internal quality control, but it’s rarely visible to end customers. Still, it’s a useful metric when buying in bulk, especially for salon owners or wholesalers.
Where Did the Hair Grading System Come From?
When we talk about hair grades, it’s easy to assume they came from some official organization — but in reality, the grading system we use today was created by suppliers, not industry regulators.
How the grading trend started in the hair business
The concept of hair grades first started in the early 2010s as a simple marketing tool. Vendors began using numbers like 5A or 6A to distinguish between lower-quality and better-quality hair. As competition increased, so did the grade numbers — jumping to 7A, 8A, 10A, and even 15A.
Over time, this led to confusion among buyers. Without a standardized human hair grade chart, customers had no way to verify if a vendor’s “15A” hair was truly better than someone else’s “12A.” That’s why understanding a vendor’s grading criteria — and not just the label — is so important.
Why there’s no global standard and how vendors use different systems
Unlike clothing sizes or food safety labels, hair grades aren’t regulated by any international body. Each vendor is free to set their own definition for what qualifies as 10A, 12A, or even 15A grade hair. Some base it on the percentage of long strands in the bundle. Others focus on cuticle integrity, or how the hair was collected and processed.
This makes comparing hair grades chart across different suppliers unreliable. One brand’s “top-grade” could be another’s mid-tier. Instead of chasing numbers, it’s smarter to focus on proven indicators of quality — like texture, density, and customer feedback.
High Grade ≠ High Quality: What Buyers Should Know
It’s tempting to think that higher hair grades automatically mean better hair — but that’s not always the case. Many buyers have been disappointed after paying a premium for “12A” or “15A” bundles, only to receive products that tangle, shed, or don’t last as long as promised.
Why high grade labels can be misleading
Since there’s no official standard, some vendors may inflate their hair grades to create the illusion of higher quality. A bundle labeled “15A” might sound superior, but unless it comes from a trustworthy source, the label means very little.
It’s also common for lower-quality hair to be treated with silicone or chemicals to make it feel soft and shiny — just enough to pass as “high-grade” at first glance. But after a few washes, the truth reveals itself: dry, brittle strands that shed or tangle easily.
So if you’re asking questions like “Is grade 12A hair better than 10A?” or wondering what does 10A hair mean in real terms, the truth is – it all comes down to vendor practices and actual strand quality.
What matters more than the grade itself
Instead of relying on grade numbers, smart buyers focus on:
- The hair origin (Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, etc.)
- Cuticle alignment and strand consistency
- Vendor transparency and reviews
- Whether the hair is virgin, raw, or processed
How to Evaluate Hair Quality Without Relying on Grades
When it comes to choosing the right human hair extensions, many buyers fall into the trap of chasing grade numbers like 12A or 15A. But as we’ve mentioned, hair grades aren’t standardized — and that makes them unreliable as your only reference point.
So how do you find good hair without depending on labels? You look at the hair itself.
Visual and touch-based indicators of good hair
You don’t need to be an expert to spot well-made hair extensions. Instead of focusing too much on the hair grades chart, try this:
- Natural shine (not overly glossy from silicone)
- Full and healthy ends, not dry or split
- Minimal shedding and tangling when brushed
- No harsh chemical smell
- Strands aligned in the same direction
If these signs are present, the hair is likely good — even if it’s not labeled as “12A” or “15A.”
Red flags to watch for when shopping online or from vendors
Some suppliers use high hair grades to attract buyers, but their products don’t meet expectations. Be cautious if:
- The bundles seem too cheap for a “top grade” label
- There’s no clear origin of the hair
- Product images are overly edited or generic
- The seller can’t explain the difference between grades
When in doubt, it’s better to test a sample or ask for real product videos than rely on the hair grades label alone.
Choosing the Right Hair for Your Needs
With so many options and hair grades on the market, it can be hard to know which bundle is right for you. The truth is, the best choice depends on how you plan to use the hair — not just the number on the label.
Matching hair type to use case: wigs, braids, installs
Before buying, ask yourself:
- Are you getting extensions for a one-time event or for long-term use?
- Do you need hair that can be colored, bleached, or heat-styled often?
- Are you installing it with glue, sewing, or clip-ins?
For example:
- For everyday wear or long-term installs: Look for thick, well-aligned bundles with healthy cuticles — even if they’re not labeled with the highest hair grade.
- For occasional styling or one-time events: A more affordable option with fewer uniform strands may still work great.
- For wigs: Prioritize fullness and length consistency across the bundle.
The best hair grades don’t mean much if the hair doesn’t match your real-life needs.
Is hair grading different for men’s products?
Some people search for hair grades men to find out whether the system works differently for male hair products. In reality, the grading system is the same — but the styling expectations may differ.
Men often go for short hairpieces, fade-friendly textures, or natural closures, so durability and hair texture matter more than grade. No matter who you’re buying for, it’s still better to assess quality by feel, strand consistency, and vendor credibility — not just a grade number.
By now, you’ve probably realized that while hair grades are helpful for comparing products, they’re not everything. So how can you buy with confidence — especially when shopping online or in bulk?
Final Buying Tips for High-Grade Hair
By now, you’ve probably realized that while hair grades are helpful for comparing products, they’re not everything. So how can you buy with confidence — especially when shopping online or in bulk?
What to check before buying from a vendor
Even if a bundle is labeled as 12A or 15A, always double-check these key things:
- Source of the hair: Is it Vietnamese, Indian, or mixed? High-quality vendors are transparent.
- Strand uniformity: Are the lengths consistent? Thicker from top to bottom?
- Vendor proof: Can they provide videos, real photos, or customer feedback?
- Return policy: Reliable vendors will always offer clear terms.
The more transparent a seller is, the more likely their hair grades reflect the actual quality.
How to avoid paying for fake “high-grade” claims
If the price sounds too good for “15A hair,” it probably is. Here’s how to stay sharp:
- Don’t chase the highest hair grades chart blindly — focus on real product features
- Watch out for sellers who avoid answering quality-related questions
- Ask for small samples before placing large orders
At the end of the day, hair grades are just one part of the puzzle. What really matters is how the hair performs — how it looks, how it lasts, and how it makes you (or your clients) feel.
At YOGHAIR Factory, we don’t sell hype — we deliver results. As a direct hair manufacturer in Vietnam, we supply 100% real, unprocessed Vietnamese hair, no middlemen, no fake labels.
✅ Stable quality – thick bundles – true to length
✅ Competitive wholesale prices from the factory, not resellers
✅ Fast global shipping and professional support for hair vendors and salon owners
💬 Contact us now to receive real product videos, expert consultation, and the best B2B deal tailored to your business.
- Instagram: @yoghair_wholesale_factory
- WhatsApp: +84896227689
- Email: wholesaleyoghair@gmail.com
- Website: yoghair.com
Ms. Jenifer
