Braided Beard Styles From Beginner to Advanced

There are countless ways to achieve an awesome braided beard. This bold trend is the perfect way to show off your beard growth, whether you go for the full Viking experience or an understated smaller braid. Even if you've never braided hair before, braiding your beard is way easier than it looks.

Braided Beard Basics

Nearly any beard can look good braided, as long as it's at least 3-4 inches in length. For tips on how to grow a lush, healthy beard, check out the beard growth section of our blog. With the right tools and a little patience, you'll have a beard that's ready for anything.

Before you wrangle your beard into a trendy braid, take these steps to ensure it's prepped and looking its best:

1. Thoroughly clean your beard with beard wash.

2. Brush out any tangles. 

3. Condition and prep with high-quality beard oil.

Your braided beard is going to be a work of art, so starting with a clean canvas will make the whole process easier. Plus, a simple care routine is good for the health of your whiskers.

Beginner: Easy Three-Strand Braid

A three-strand braid is a classic for good reason: It's easy, and it looks great. Here's how to style a three-strand braided beard step by step:

1. Separate your beard into three even sections. Take time to make sure the sections are truly the same size; unequal sections will make your braid lopsided. 

2. Smooth and prepare each section of your beard with nourishing beard butter. 

3. Take the left section and place it between the center and right sections. (In other words, cross it over the center piece, but stop before you cross over the right piece.) At the top of your beard, you should now have two sections crossed (left and center) and one section free.  

4. Take the free (right) section and place it in between the other two, crossing over the current center section but not the leftmost section. 

5. Take the new free (leftmost) section and place it in between the other two, crossing over one piece but not the other. 

6. Be aware of your tension, aka the tightness of your crossed pieces and the overall weave. A very tight braid will be thinner and more ropelike, while the Viking braided beard requires a looser weave. Whichever you choose, try to keep your tension even throughout the whole braid.

7. Repeat, alternating left and right sections until your braid is finished. 

8. Secure the end of your braid with a hair tie. Don't use a rubber band, as that will damage the hair of your beard. 

9. Fine-tune your braid for maximum symmetry and impact. If you went for less tension, pull gently on the outside bends of the braid to get that sweet, sweet volume.  

10. Rock your braided beard.

Keep It Subtle

You don't have to braid your entire beard to make a statement. For an everyday style, choose three small pieces from the front and work them into a sophisticated micro-braid.

Go Bold

A basic braid can have a big impact! Unleash your inner Dwarven warrior with a large three-strand braid in the center flanked by two smaller braids. Don't forget the battle-ax.

Intermediate: Fine Fishtail 

Ready to move on? The fishtail is impressive, but it's not too different from the three-strand. Instead of separating your beard into three sections, take your "left" and "right" pieces from two big beautiful blocks of beard.

1. Separate your beard into two equal sections. 

2. Rub a bit of beard oil on your fingers. Then, take a small, shoelace-sized piece from the outermost part of the left section. 

3. Move that small piece inward, and attach it to the leftmost part of the right section (close to the center line of your overall beard.)

4. Repeat on the other side, taking a shoelace-sized piece from the outside of the right section and placing it near the center line on the left section. Think of the two sections of your beard like two lines in the supermarket, and your ears are the checkout. Move each piece from the "front" of one line to the "back" of the opposite line, and you can't go wrong.  

5. When your fishtail braided beard is complete, secure it with a hair tie.

Consider Your Closure

The end of your braid is a great opportunity to add character. For a true Viking look, choose a short leather cord and tie it around the hair tie to cover it.

If you're feeling ambitious, remove a tiny piece of beard from your fishtail braid and wrap it around the hair tie, tucking it in at the back. Your braid will look like it secures itself!

Advanced: The Ultimate Five-Strand Braided Beard

You've tackled the three-strand. Finished the fishtail. You're ready for the epitome of braided beards: the five-strand braid.

1. Separate your beard into five equal sections. 

2. Smooth and condition each section with beard butter. 

3. Divide your five sections into two groups. One group will have three sections, the other will have two. 

4. Take the outermost section of your "three" group and move it to the center. Attach it to the "two" group to make a new "three" group, with the piece you moved in the middle position of all five sections. Like in the fishtail, the new piece joins at the back of the line!

5. Repeat. Take the outermost section of your new "three" group and move it to the middle, attaching it to the "two" group in the centermost overall position.

6. Keep repeating the pattern (outside of the "three" group into the center, alternating sides) until your entire beard is braided. 

7. Celebrate your mastery of the braided beard!

Making the Most of Your Braided Beard

A braided beard isn't just a fashion flex; it's a practical way to care for your facial hair. The weave keeps your strands contained and dirt-free. Whether you opt for a simple style or an all-out masterpiece, make sure to condition your beard for the best results, and check out our blog for even more styles.