How to Do a Fish Tail Plait in Your Hair

Last Updated: January 15, 2023

This beautiful, elaborate-looking plait isn't much harder to do than a regular plait. It's a pretty way to dress up your everyday look, and fancy enough to wear to an upscale event. Try a basic Fishtail, a French Fishtail or a side Fishtail.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Basic Fishtail Plait

1
Brush out your hair completely. Remove any tangles and brush your hair smooth.
2
Split your hair down the middle. Divide it into two large sections with the part running straight down the middle.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Sarah Kosakowski
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.} Use the tip of a comb to make the part look neat. Hold one section of hair in each hand.^{[2]
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Research source}

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3
Take a small strand from the outside of the left section. The smaller the strand, the finer your braid will be. If you're in a hurry, grab a bigger strand.
4
Pull it to the inside of the right section. Cross it over to the other side and place in the other section.
5
Repeat on the right side. Take a strand from the outside of the right section and move it to the inside of the left section. For a neat-looking braid, make sure the strand is the same size as the previous strand you moved.
6
Alternate sides until you reach the end of the plait. Keep taking small strands of hair from each side and crossing them over to the other side.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Sarah Kosakowski
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.} As you work, pull the plait tight to keep the strands from getting too loose and falling out.
7
Tie off the end to keep the plait in place. Use an elastic, a ribbon or a hair bobble.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Sarah Kosakowski
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 3 September 2021.}

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

French Fishtail Plait

1
Separate a section of hair from the crown of your head. Take a handful of hair from the crown, just as you would when starting a regular French braid.
2
Divide it in half. Split it into two equal parts, and hold one half in each hand.
3
Take a strand of hair from the left side of your hairline. Just as you would for a regular French braid, choose a small strand to start the plait.
4
Weave it over the left section and under the right section. Hold it in your right hand so it becomes part of the right section.
5
Take a strand from the right side of your hairline. It should be the same size as the strand you took from the other side.
6
Weave it over the right section and under the left section. Hold it in your left hand so it becomes part of the left section.
7
Alternate sides until you run out of hair. Keep taking strands from the sides of your head and weaving them into the fishtail. You'll see an intricate, beautiful braid begin to form.
8
Tie off the end to keep the plait in place. Use an elastic, a ribbon or a hair bobble.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Side Fishtail Plait

1
Put your hair into a side ponytail. Comb it down and to the side, under either your right or left ear. Secure it in place with an elastic hair tie you don't mind breaking, since you'll be cutting it off later. The hair tie will make it much easier to plait your hair on the side.
2
Separate your ponytail into two sections. Create two equal sections and hold one in each hand.
3
Take a strand from the outside of the left section. You're using the same method you used to make the basic Fishtail braid.
4
Move it to the inside of the right section. Hold it in place with your right hand.
5
Take a strand from the outside of the right section. It should be the same size as the strand you took from the left side.
6
Move it to the inside of the left section. Hold it in place with your left hand.
7
Repeat until you run out of hair. Plait your fishtail all the way to the end, going back and forth between the left and right sides.
8
Tie off the end to keep the plait in place. Use an elastic, a ribbon or a hair bobble.
9
Snip off the top hair tie. Now the top of your plait will look loose and natural.
10
Finished.

Expert Q&A

Question

How many strands of hair does it take to do a fishtail braid?

Sarah Kosakowski
Professional Hair Stylist
Sarah Kosakowski is a Professional Hair Stylist and the Owner of Alba Salon and Spa based in Cincinnati, Ohio. With a decade of experience, she specializes in bridal and formal hair, blondes, fine hair, and men’s cuts. Sarah received her training at The Aveda Frederic’s Institute and is proud to be a Kevin Murphy Session stylist amongst other accomplishments.

Sarah Kosakowski

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

You only need two strands of hair to successfully make your own fishtail braid.
Question

Is a braid easier than a fish tail?

Community Answer

A normal braid is easier than a fish tail if you are doing your hair by yourself.
Question

On the very last one, do I have to cut the band when finished the fish tail?

Community Answer

You don't have to cut the band if you think it'll look better with it in. If you want it to look more natural however, cutting it would be necessary.