How often should I trim my hair?

To maintain length: every 6-8 weeks. To grow while keeping ends healthy: every 8-12 weeks with minimal trims. To repair damaged ends: every 4-6 weeks with more removed each time. Short styles need more frequent trims (4-6 weeks) as the shape grows out faster.

How much should be trimmed each time?

For maintenance: 1-2cm removes split ends while keeping length. For growing: 0.5-1cm is the absolute minimum to stay healthy. For repair: 2-3cm to remove damage and allow fresh, healthy growth. A "dusting" (less than 0.5cm) barely removes splits and is mostly cosmetic.

Can I skip trims to grow faster?

Skipping trims entirely often backfires. Without trimming, split ends travel up the hair shaft, causing breakage higher up — you may lose more length from breakage than you would from regular trims. The exception is very healthy, virgin hair that shows no splitting, which may go 12-16 weeks between trims.

How do I know when I need a trim?

Signs you need a trim: visible split ends (hold hair up to light), ends feel rough or dry compared to mid-lengths, hair tangles more than usual, styling products do not work as well at the ends, and the overall shape has lost its structure. If in doubt, get a light trim — prevention is better than repair.

CutCalcs

Trim Schedule Calculator — Optimal Trim Intervals

Plan optimal trim intervals to maintain style while growing hair longer.

Hair Goal

Hair Condition

Current Length

How We Calculate This

This calculator recommends trim intervals and amounts based on your hair goal and current condition, then projects annual length gain.

The formula

Annual trims = 52 weeks / Trim interval

Net length gain = Annual growth (~15cm) - (Annual trims x Trim amount)

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Calculators

Appointment Time Calculator

Estimate total appointment duration based on multiple services and add-ons.

Client Frequency Calculator

Calculate optimal rebooking intervals based on service type and hair growth.

Annual Spend Calculator

Estimate a client total annual spend based on services and visit frequency.

Colour History Calculator

Track colour formulation history and calculate colour buildup over visits.

Growth Rate Calculator

Calculate hair growth over time and predict length at future appointments.

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Always perform a strand test before chemical services.