20 inch hair is usually considered long hair, and on most people it falls around the mid‑back to upper waist when straightened.

Quick Scoop: how long is 20 inch hair?

  • In measurement terms, 20 inches is about 50–50.8 centimeters.
  • On the body, it typically lands at:
    • Mid‑back or just below the bra line for many people
    • Around the waist or upper waist on shorter or more petite people
    • Closer to mid‑back on taller people
  • In the wig and extensions world, 20 inch straight hair or wigs are described as reaching about the middle of your back or chest.

What it actually looks like

When people talk about 20 inch hair length charts or extensions, they usually mean:

  • Measured from the top (root or weft) down to the very ends, while the hair is completely straight.
  • Visually:
    • Straight 20 inch hair shows its full length and clearly looks long.
    • Wavy 20 inch hair often looks more like 18 inches.
    • Curly 20 inch hair can appear closer to 16 inches because curls spring up.

So if you want hair that looks like 20 inches in curls, you usually choose a longer length (for example, 22 inches in a wig or extensions).

Mini guide by height (approximate)

These are general, visual estimates for straight hair:

  • Under 5'2" (around 157 cm and below): near waistline or slightly below.
  • Around 5'4"–5'6" (roughly 162–168 cm): mid to lower back.
  • Over 5'8" (about 173+ cm): mid‑back, not quite at the waist.

Real‑life example: on an average‑height person, 20 inch straight hair or a 20 inch straight wig usually sits somewhere between bra‑strap level and waist, giving that long, flowing look without being floor‑length dramatic.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.