Short answer: most people in the UK pay somewhere between £80 and £180 for a medium set of knotless braids at shoulder to mid-back length. Small sizes, longer lengths and boho or human-hair finishes run higher, often £200 to £400, and a quick jumbo set can come in from around £60. London and the bigger cities sit at the top of every range.
That spread is wide because “knotless braids” covers a lot of different jobs. The size of the braid, the length, the hair you use and where you book all move the price, sometimes by a hundred pounds or more.
Here is how it breaks down, what you are actually paying for, and how to get a quote you can trust before you sit down.
Typical knotless braid prices in the UK
These are indicative 2026 ranges from live UK salon and booking listings. They assume synthetic braiding hair is included unless noted, which is not always the case, so treat them as a starting point and confirm with the braider.
| Size and length | Typical UK price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Jumbo, shoulder length | £60–£100 | Fewest braids, quickest to install, loosens soonest |
| Medium, shoulder to mid-back | £80–£180 | The most common booking and the figure most people mean |
| Small, mid-back to waist | £150–£280 | More braids, longer in the chair, lasts longest |
| Boho or curly-end finish | +£20–£60 | Added on top for the loose curly pieces and extra hair |
| Human-hair install | £250–£400+ | Hair cost rises sharply; mostly London and larger cities |
Indicative mid-2026 ranges. Prices vary by braider, area and how much hair your style needs. Always confirm what the quote includes before you book.
What you are actually paying for
Knotless takes longer to install than a knotted braid, because the braider feeds the extension hair in gradually rather than starting on a knot. You are mostly paying for those hours. Four things move the total more than anything else.
Braid size
This is the biggest single factor. Small knotless means more braids, finer parting and the longest sit, so it costs the most. Medium is the usual middle ground. Jumbo is the quickest and cheapest because there is less to do, though it loosens sooner. A small set can be double the price of a jumbo set at the same length.
Length
Longer braids need more hair and more time to braid down, so price climbs with length. A shoulder-length set is the cheapest version of any size; waist-length is the dearest. If budget matters, dropping a few inches saves more than people expect.
The hair
Synthetic braiding hair, usually X-pression or similar, is cheap, often a couple of pounds a pack, and a full head takes roughly four to eight packs. So synthetic hair adds maybe £10 to £25 to the job.
Human hair is a different story and can add a hundred pounds or more on its own, which is why human-hair knotless sits so much higher. Boho and curly-end finishes also need extra hair on top, which is where that add-on comes from.
Where you book
A commercial salon in central London charges more than a home-based or mobile braider in a smaller town, for the same style. Some of that is overheads, some is demand. It does not always track quality, plenty of excellent braiders work from home, but it does explain a lot of the regional spread.
Is the hair included, or extra?
This is the question that catches people out. Plenty of UK braiders quote for their time only and ask you to bring the hair, or buy it from them on the day.
A quote that looks cheap can land higher once you have bought five or six packs, and a knotless service sometimes carries a small add-on over the equivalent knotted price because of the extra time.
Before you book, get three things in writing: whether hair is included, how many packs your style needs, and whether take-down is a separate charge.
London versus the rest of the UK
London is the most expensive place to get knotless braids, with the larger cities, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, close behind. Smaller towns and home-based braiders tend to come in lower. The style is the same; you are mostly paying the local rate for the braider’s time. If you are near a city border, it can be worth checking braiders one town over.
The costs people forget
Take-down is the main one. Some braiders include it, some charge £15 to £40 to take the braids out properly, and doing it yourself badly is how edges get damaged, so it is worth budgeting for.
Aftercare is cheap but real: a satin scarf or bonnet, a light scalp oil and a diluted shampoo will see you through six to eight weeks of wear.
If you book a maintenance or edge refresh partway through, that is an extra visit too.
How to get an accurate quote
Message the braider with the size, length, colour and finish you want, and a photo if you have one.
Ask directly: what is the total, is hair included, how many packs, and is take-down extra.
A good braider will give you a clear number and tell you if the size you have asked for is wrong for your hair. Vague pricing usually means a surprise at the end.
Find a braider who does knotless near you
Prices on this page are UK averages. The real number depends on the braider you book, so the next step is to compare a few in your area.
Browse knotless braiders by city below from the main knotless page.
Frequently asked questions
- How much are knotless braids in the UK on average?
- Most medium sets at shoulder to mid-back length cost £80 to £180. Small or longer sets, and boho or human-hair finishes, run higher; a quick jumbo set can start around £60.
- Why are knotless braids more expensive than box braids?
- They take longer. The braider feeds the extension hair in gradually instead of starting on a knot, which is gentler on your edges but adds time, and time is most of the cost. Traditional box braids are usually a little cheaper for the same size and length.
- Is the hair included in the price?
- Often not. Many braiders quote for their time and ask you to bring the hair or buy it on the day. Synthetic hair is only a few pounds a pack; human hair adds a lot. Always check before you book.
- How much does small knotless cost compared to jumbo?
- Small knotless can be roughly double the price of jumbo at the same length, because it means far more braids and several more hours in the chair. Jumbo is the budget option but loosens sooner.
- Does take-down cost extra?
- Sometimes. Some braiders include it, others charge £15 to £40. It is worth paying for rather than rushing it yourself, since careless take-down is where breakage happens.
- Are knotless braids cheaper outside London?
- Usually, yes. London and the larger cities sit at the top of every range; smaller towns and home-based or mobile braiders tend to be lower for the same style.
