How to Do a Dutch Braid (Beginner Tutorial)

LifestyleMedium12:317 steps

By ShowMeStepByStepPublished May 1, 2026Updated May 10, 2026

Based on a video by EverydayHairInspiration.

A Dutch braid looks fancy but it's mechanically the same as a French braid with one twist - literally. Where a French braid crosses each side strand OVER the middle, a Dutch braid crosses each side UNDER the middle. That single change makes the finished braid sit raised on top of the scalp instead of flat against it. The visual effect is dramatic.

This walkthrough is from EverydayHairInspiration on YouTube and it's specifically built for beginners doing it on their own hair (which is harder than someone else doing it for you). The first time through is awkward. By the second or third row your hands figure it out and the rhythm clicks.

Plan for ten to fifteen minutes for one braid, twenty for double Dutch braids. Slightly dirty hair (day-two hair) braids better than freshly washed hair - the slight grit helps the strands grip each other.

Step-by-Step Guide

Brush and Prep the Hair

0:30

Brush your hair so it's smooth and tangle-free. Then add a quick mist of texture spray or a small dose of dry shampoo at the roots.

Slick, freshly-washed hair is too slippery for a clean braid. The texture spray gives the strands a slight grip so the under-crosses hold their position as you work.

Tip

If your hair is naturally fine, work in some texture spray a half-day before braiding. Hair that has settled with the spray works in even better than spray applied right before braiding.

Products used in this step

texture spray for fine hairView product

paddle hair brushView product

Part Down the Middle and Clip One Side

2:10

Use the end of a comb or your finger to part the hair from the front of your forehead straight back to the nape of your neck. Twist one side and clip it out of the way with a sectioning clip.

Working one side at a time keeps loose hair from getting picked up into the wrong braid.

Tip

For a single Dutch braid (Mohawk-style down the center), skip this step entirely - you want all the hair available for one braid down the middle.

Products used in this step

alligator hair sectioning clipsView product

Pick Up Three Starting Strands

3:00

Take a small triangle of hair near the front of the parted side and divide it into three even strands of roughly equal thickness. Hold the back strand between two fingers of one hand, the middle strand between two more fingers, and the front strand in your other hand.

The starting section sets the size of the braid. Smaller starting sections make a tighter braid; larger sections make a looser, chunkier one.

Tip

Tilt your head slightly toward the side you're not working on. The angle keeps loose hair from falling into your face while you handle the strands.

Cross the First Strand UNDER

4:00

Cross the back strand underneath the middle strand. This is the move that turns a French braid into a Dutch braid - everything crosses under, never over. Then cross the front strand underneath the new middle.

You should already see the braid starting to lift off your scalp. That raised look is the signature of a Dutch braid.

Tip

If you accidentally cross over by reflex (which is what most people do), the braid will lie flat. Stop and re-do the row - the braid won't pop up later if it starts wrong.

Add Hair to Each Strand Before Crossing

6:00

Before the next under-cross, gather a small amount of loose hair from the same side as the strand you're about to cross. Add it to that strand. Then cross under the middle as usual.

Each row picks up new hair, which is what builds the braid along the side of your head. Keep the additions small and consistent so the braid stays even.

Tip

If the addition is uneven or too big, the braid bumps and bulges. Smaller additions and more frequent crosses give a smoother, more polished line.

Work the Braid Down the Side

8:20

Continue working the under-cross-and-add motion as you move toward the nape of your neck. Keep the braid following the curve of your scalp - tilt the angle slightly back toward your spine as you go past your ear.

By the time you reach the nape, every strand of loose hair on the worked side should have been gathered into the braid.

Tip

If your arms get tired, take a break with the strands held tight. Lock them between your fingers so they don't unravel and shake out the tension before continuing.

Finish With a Regular Braid and Tie Off

10:50

Once the braid reaches the nape and you've gathered all the loose hair on that side, finish the remaining length with a normal three-strand braid. The under-cross pattern still works - just stop adding new hair.

Tie off with a small clear elastic. For a double Dutch look, drop the clipped-up half and repeat steps 3 through 7 on the other side. Match the position and tension so both braids look symmetrical.

Tip

Once the braid is tied off, gently pull the edges of each row outward to widen and pancake the braid. That trick adds volume and softens the lines for a more lived-in look.

Products used in this step

clear hair elasticsView product

Products Used

texture spray for fine hairView paddle hair brushView alligator hair sectioning clipsView clear hair elasticsView

Your Guide

EverydayHairInspiration

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links on this page may be affiliate links - clicking them and buying doesn't change your price, but helps support ShowMeStepByStep.