What is elevation in haircutting?

Elevation is the angle at which hair is held away from the head during cutting. At 0° the hair hangs at natural fall (no elevation). At 45° it is held halfway between natural fall and straight out. At 90° it is held straight out from the head. The elevation angle determines where weight and volume are created in the finished cut.

How does elevation affect layers?

Higher elevation creates more layering effect. At 0° you get a one-length cut with all weight at the perimeter. At 45° you get medium layers with weight in the mid-lengths. At 90° you get uniform layers with even weight distribution. Elevations above 90° (over-direction) create even shorter internal layers.

What elevation should I use for a bob?

A classic one-length bob uses 0° elevation. A graduated bob uses 45° elevation at the back for stacking. A layered bob uses 90° elevation for even layers. Many modern bobs combine elevations — 0° at the perimeter for a clean line and 45-90° through the interior for movement and body.

Does hair texture affect how elevation looks?

Yes, straight hair shows elevation effects very cleanly with visible layers and lines. Curly hair masks elevation differences because curls spring up, so you may need more dramatic elevation for visible layering. Fine hair may need less elevation to maintain volume, while thick hair benefits from higher elevation to reduce bulk.

CutCalcs

Elevation Calculator — Cutting Elevation & Volume Effect

Calculate the effect of different cutting elevations on hair shape and volume.

Elevation Angle

0° = natural fall, 90° = straight out

Cutting Length

Length hair is cut to at elevation

Head Zone

How We Calculate This

This calculator shows the effect of different cutting elevations on the finished haircut, including volume distribution, weight position and apparent hair length when it falls back to natural position.

The formula

Apparent fall length = Hair length x cos(elevation angle)

This estimates how long the hair appears when it drops back to natural fall after being cut at elevation.

0° = one-length, all weight at perimeter
45° = medium layers, weight at mid-lengths
90° = uniform layers, even weight

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

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