With so many braided hairstyle options out there, medium braids emerge as the perfect middle ground – not too small, yet not too bulky.
Medium braids fall perfectly between micro braids and jumbo braids, making for an appealing, versatile, and easy-to-maintain protective style. These braids are about the width of a pencil and are lighter than jumbo braids. At the same time, they take half the installation time than micro braids.
You’ll love the beautiful styling possibilities, whether you go for box braids, knotless braids, cornrows, or another medium-sized braid style. From pixies to waist-length looks, medium braids complement all hair lengths and textures.
Read on as we dish out 43 fab medium braids hairstyle ideas. You’re bound to find some major inspiration for your next head-turning protective style as you’ll discover flattering new ways to rock medium braids for your hair’s length and texture.
1. Medium Knotless Braids
Medium knotless braids are braided without the traditional knot at the base of the braids, giving them a natural appearance and reducing tension on your scalp. Medium knotless braids look very natural and are more lightweight and painless as the braids begin with your natural hair, and then hair extensions are added as they progress.
2. Medium Lemonade Braids
Lemonade braids gained popularity when Beyoncé released her visual album “Lemonade” in 2016. She wore the braids swept to the side on the album cover, and the hairstyle quickly became a favorite. If you love lemonade braids but don’t want them too heavy or tiny, medium lemonade braids are a good option. You can also add curls or hair accessories for a more alluring look.
3. Medium Knotless Braids With Curly Ends
Medium knotless braids with curly ends are a favorite among many ladies. The curls in knotless braids can be tight or loose. This stylish hairstyle looks great on all women. Medium knotless braids with curly ends work well for casual and formal settings.
4. Medium Box Braids
Medium box braids are the same as regular box braids, except they are medium in size. Medium box braids are created by sectioning the hair into medium-sized parts and braiding using hair extensions. Whether short or long, medium box braid hairstyles are highly fashionable and stylish due to their simplicity and visual appeal. Medium box braids can be styled in various ways to suit one’s preferences, from adding curls to decorating with beads and other hair accessories.
5. Medium Short Box Braids
Braided hairstyles continually evolve, yet medium short box braids remain a timeless trend. Medium short box braids are quite manageable, don’t take long to install, and are ideal for hot summer days when you don’t want long hair in your face. They are also suitable for women who do not like carrying heavy hair extensions.
6. Long Medium Box Braids
Long medium box braids are a protective braiding hairstyle with medium-sized box braids ranging in length from the chest to the waist. Braided hairstyles look even better with extra length. Long medium box braids are versatile and allow for individual expression. You can also customize your long medium box braids in different colors.
7. Medium Box Braids With Curls
Medium box braids with curls are a gorgeous and easy-to-wear hairstyle. Adding curled strands to your box braids gives your hairstyle an alluring appeal. The braids transform into cascading curls in this medium box braids hairstyle. It is suitable for any occasion and can be worn at any length.
8. Medium Single Braids
Medium single braids are a great protective style. While they take little time to create, the results can last for weeks or even months. As the name implies, single braids are made by braiding individual sections of hair rather than plaits or cornrows running along the scalp. Medium single braids can be styled in many ways and worn for any occasion.
9. Medium Goddess Braids
Medium goddess braids are a versatile protective style that looks great in a range of colors and can be customized to various lengths. They are ideal for anyone wanting the goddess braid look without braids that are too big or small, making them easier to manage and less heavy. Medium goddess braids can be worn long to showcase curls and texture, or in a lovely updo.
10. Medium Boho Braids
Medium boho braids are medium-sized box braids, knotless braids, or knotless braids with undone curly ends and curly strands flowing from the braids. This gives the braided hairstyle a fuller, more voluminous appearance. To create the boho braid style, braid the first few inches of hair and leave the rest undone and curly.
11. Medium Twist Braids
Medium twist braids are a hairstyle created by wrapping two medium-sized strands of hair tightly or loosely around each other. They are easy to do and a good alternative for protecting natural hair while keeping it moisturized. Depending on your preference, you can adorn the twist braids with hair accessories and add curls.
12. Medium Tribal Braids
Tribal braids are braiding patterns that originated from various African cultures. Some of these styles include Fulani braids, cornrows, and Ghana braids. Medium tribal braids are always fashionable, allowing you to customize your look with intricate patterns, curls, or beads.
13. Long Medium Knotless Braids
Long medium knotless braids are a stylish, easy-to-achieve hairstyle suitable for any occasion. This look is ideal for those wanting a natural, low-maintenance, versatile knotless braid style. You can wear the braids up in a high bun, down in a ponytail, or simply falling freely down your back.
14. Medium Feed-in Braids
Feed-in braids are protective styles where hair extensions are fed strand by strand into the roots of your natural hair to add length and volume. Medium feed-in braids are an excellent choice due to their easy installation, versatility, and lightweight. You can also add bright-colored hair extensions to your medium feed-in braid hairstyle for a standout look.
15. Medium Fulani Braids
The Fulani braid hairstyle, named after the Fula ethnic group, is a unique style popular in African cultures. Medium Fulani braids feature patterns of medium-sized braided plaits across the scalp. The medium size allows you to showcase your individual style. Colorful extensions and ornaments like beads, rings, and chains can accentuate the look.
16. Medium Braided Ponytail
The medium braided ponytail combines braids and ponytails, two popular black hairstyles, for a fabulous look. To achieve it, cornrow the hair into medium-sized braids gathered at the middle of the head, with the rest falling down the back in a ponytail. Finish the style with curly ends or beads.
17. Medium Mid-Back Braids
Mid-back length braids are a versatile and popular choice, striking the right balance between short and long braids. Medium mid-back braids have an elegant, feminine look and allow for diverse styling, from updos to intricate braiding and romantic curls.
18. Medium Lemonade Braids With Curls
Medium lemonade braids fall between small and jumbo sizes. The hair is sectioned into parts wider than small lemonade braids, with more strands of braiding hair added while braiding. Medium is the perfect choice if you don’t want your lemonade braids too big or small. You can also add curls for extra style.
19. Long Medium Braids
Long medium braids are one of the hottest braided hairstyles. You can try long, medium-sized braids to spice up your look. If you’re stuck between long braids and medium-sized braids, choose the best of both with long, medium-sized box braids, twist braids, cornrows, or locs.
20. Medium Poetic Justice Braids
Poetic justice braids are a stunning, versatile style that can be worn at any length between the shoulders and chest. The smashing success of “Poetic Justice” featuring Janet Jackson with braids helped popularize this look. Medium-sized poetic justice braids are perfect if you want something fashionable yet practical.
21. Medium Braids With Curls
Medium braids with curls combine medium-sized braids and curls for a stunning look. Curly hair extensions are added to select areas of medium box, knotless, or twist braids. The curly pieces enhance the style’s beauty.
22. Short Medium Knotless Braids
Medium knotless braids are the current hairstyle craze that has swept the fashion industry. Unlike traditional box braids, these do not have knots at the scalp, creating flat, smooth roots for a unique, appealing yet simple look. You can wear medium knotless braids in short lengths for added visual appeal.
23. Medium Straight Back Braids
The medium straight back braid hairstyle is beautiful, accessible, low-maintenance, and versatile. A straight back hairstyle can be easily adapted into zig zag, lemonade, criss cross, and feed-in styles. You can enhance this look with beads or curls.
24. Medium Cornrow Braids
Cornrow braids are an excellent choice if you want a protective hairstyle for your natural hair. Cornrow braids are not only visually appealing, but also great low-maintenance protective hairstyles for natural hair. Medium-sized cornrows are braided close to the scalp with hair extensions for extra length and may be done in a variety of styles and designs ranging from feed-ins to stitch braids, among others.
25. Medium Pixie Braids
These pixie braids are medium-sized braids that are about the length of one pencil. Pixie braids are an edgy and unique hairstyle that is always in style. Ladies who don’t want to spend much time styling their hair will love this medium pixie braids hairstyle. Medium pixie braids protect natural hair, are versatile, and are easy to install.
26. Medium Stitch Braids
Medium stitch braids are a hairstyle that consists of medium-sized cornrows created using the stitch braiding technique. Medium stitch braids are done by sectioning the hair into medium-sized parts, which are then braided into cornrows using hair extensions with the feed-in technique – hair is gradually added into the braids as you move down the cornrow.
27. Medium Braids to the Back
As the name implies, “medium braids to the back” refers to different types of medium braid designs that are woven towards the nape of the neck. This can include a variety of hairstyles such as criss cross braids, feed-in braids, zig zag braids, heart braids or even straight back braids. The common feature is that no matter the specific design, all the braids eventually end up gathered at the back of the head. This hairstyle effectively keeps hair out of your face and frames your facial features.
28. Medium Feed in Braids to the Back
Feed-in braids, also known as invisible braids, are a protective braided hairstyle where hair extensions are fed into your own hair, strand by strand, to add length and volume. These braids can be done in a medium size for a lightweight and time-effective style. Medium feed-in braids to the back can be worn for both formal and casual events.
29. Medium Braids With Curly Ends
If you feel like embracing a boho style, consider medium-sized braids with curly ends. This hairstyle looks gorgeous on all skin tones, hair lengths, and extension colors. Try medium box braids, locs, knotless, or cornrows with curly ends. The curls add beautiful bounce and dimension to the braids.
30. Medium Layered Braids
Layered braids are a protective hairstyle featuring multiple layers of different lengths. The braids are created at varied lengths throughout the hair to achieve a layered look. Layered braids can appear too full when done in very small sizes, or too heavy in very large sizes, so a medium size is often ideal.
31. Short Medium Twist Braids
As the name implies, short medium twist braids consist of short, medium-sized rope twists. These twists can be done with different types of hair extensions such as kanekalon, Marley hair, passion twist hair, afro kinky, or even your natural hair. This style of braids is both classy and elegant. You can decorate the twists using beads and other hair accessories.
32. Medium Pop Smoke Braids
Medium Pop Smoke braids are one of the most popular braided hairstyles considered protective styles. This hairstyle, popularized by rapper Pop Smoke, consists of medium-sized cornrows braided on each side of the head with a prominent parting down the middle. Pop Smoke braids work for all genders, ages, hair lengths, and textures.
33. Medium Peekaboo Braids
Consider getting medium peekaboo braids if you’re looking for a trendy hairstyle. This style features color-popping braids that peek out from the rest of the hair, providing a unique touch. You can also decorate the peekaboo braids with beads or curls for added flair.
34. Medium Braids With Weave
Adding weaves to a medium braid hairstyle is an effective way to add volume. This style features medium-sized braids on the front section of the head and weaves installed on the back. Curly, wavy, or straight weave textures can be used. You can also accessorize the front braided section with rings, beads, and cuffs.
35. Medium Bob Braids
Medium bob braids are a sassy and classy hairstyle featuring short, medium-sized braids with curved-in ends. The bob braids hairstyle typically has the same or nearly the same braid thickness from top to bottom. The medium size is perfect for achieving the structured shape of the bob.
36. Medium Crochet Braids
Crochet braids are a protective, low-maintenance hairstyle that is very easy to install or remove. The style is created by looping pre-braided hair extensions into your natural hair using a crochet needle. Since the extensions are looped directly into your own hair, a medium size is perfect – not too full or heavy. Medium crochet braids let you enjoy this style while minimizing weight and volume.
37. Medium Triangle Braids
Medium triangle braids can be done with box braids, knotless braids, twist braids, or locs using triangular sections instead of the usual rectangular parts. Rather than regular squared-off sections to separate each braid, triangle braids utilize triangular parts to partition the medium-sized braids. This creative approach puts a unique spin on classic braid styles.
38. Medium Scalp Braids
Medium scalp braids, also known as cornrows, are a style of braids in which the hair is braided very close to the scalp in medium-sized sections to create a continuous braid. The scalp braids hairstyle helps shield hair from environmental damage while looking beautiful with any outfit.
39. Medium Gypsy Braids
This gypsy braids style, also known as bohemian, boho, or goddess braids, feature medium-sized braids with cascading curls. The curls peeking out from the braids and at the ends give a fuller, more voluminous look. This ethereal style can be worn for weddings, romantic dates, or any occasion calling for a touch of whimsy.
40. Medium Braids With Natural Hair
Braids are one of the most stunning protective styles for natural hair, and can be done using only your natural locks. Medium-sized braids created with just your natural hair protect and grow your strands. Braiding in medium sections without extensions allows you to apply hair treatment products easily. It also provides the option of wearing wigs when desired.
41. Medium Water Wave Braids
Medium water wave braids are medium-sized braids made using water wave hair extensions. The water wave curl pattern uniquely mimics the look of waves. Water wave extensions create a natural effect by blending the qualities of both curly and wavy hair. When made into medium-sized braids, the water wave texture produces a breathtaking, flowy result.
42. Medium French Braids
French braids are a classic hairstyle that is ideal for many occasions. Medium-sized French braids suit various settings, including formal events, evening activities, and weddings. The medium size also complements every outfit beautifully.
43. Medium Braids in a Bun
Medium box braids, cornrows, and twist braids look great styled in a bun. Buns are a popular way to wear these medium protective styles, working well for any occasion and outfit. The braided hair can be fastened into diverse bun types, from messy to tight and everything in between.
