Human Hair Grades Explained: The Difference Between 8A, 10A, and 12A Hair
I. Introduction
Searching for the honest truth about human hair grades before placing your next wholesale human hair extensions or wigs? You've come to the right place!
Many salon owners, hairstylists and distributors have asked us: 'Is 12A grade hair truly superior to 10A grade hair? Or is it just a different label with a higher price tag?'
It is time to stop guessing.
As a professional human hair product factory, we don't just sell hair—we process it. We see the journey from raw materials to the finished product on our production floor every day. We know that every "grade" has its own manufacturing standard. This standard is about thickness, health, and where the product comes from.
In this guide, we will show you what the industry is really like. We will explain what these factory terms actually mean, the real physical differences between 8A, 10A and 12A hair, and how you can spot the marketing tricks to make sure you get what you pay for.
II. What is the Human Hair Grading System? (The Honest Truth)
Before we look at the specific numbers, it is important to understand one industry secret that most retailers won't tell you:
There is no international organisation that governs hair grading.
Unlike diamonds, which are strictly graded by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), or gold, which is measured in Karats, the human hair industry is unregulated. There is no "Hair Police" checking if a bundle is truly 10A or 12A.
The grading system is subjective, meaning it's based on personal opinion. A "10A" bundle from one seller might be exactly the same quality as an "8A" bundle from another. The numbers have increased over time because of competition from marketing. In 2015, hair was considered to be of "5A" quality, but now it is considered to be of low-quality "8A" quality.
So, how do we actually grade hair?
The numbers can be chosen at random, but the quality isn't. When we are in the factory, we don't look at a sticker number when we are classifying hair on the production line. We look at three technical measurements instead. These are the real standards you should judge by:
1. The Sourcing (The Material)
This is the foundation. Is the hair Remy (the cuticles are aligned), Virgin (not chemically treated), or Raw (untouched donor hair)? The source determines how long the hair will last before tangling.
2. The thickness is called the 'Ratio'.
It measures the percentage of long strands versus short strands in a bundle.
- Single Drawn: It contains many short hairs. The bundle is thick at the top but thin at the bottom.
- Double Drawn: Short hairs are removed by hand. The bundle of hair is thick from the root to the tip.
- There is a factory rule: The higher the ratio of long strands, the higher the grade.
3. The Chemical Capability (The Bleach Test)
This is the ultimate test of health. We grade hair based on how light it can be bleached without losing its elasticity.
- If you try to bleach low-grade hair, it will melt or dry out.
- Hair that is in great condition (10A/12A) can be dyed to a platinum blonde shade and will still feel soft.
III. A detailed look at the grades: 8A, 10A and 12A
Now that you know the ways we measure things in the factory, here is how we sort the three most common grades that you can buy.
A. What is 8A Grade Hair? (The Economic Choice)
8A hair is currently the most basic type of real hair available. Some sellers still offer lower grades (like 6A or 7A), but most professional suppliers have stopped selling them because customers want higher quality.
- Material: The hair is always 100% human remy hair. The cuticles are arranged to stop matting, but the raw material might not come from just one donor.
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The structure (ratio): This is usually Single Drawn hair.
- What this means: The bundle looks thick at the bottom, but as you slide your hand down, it becomes much thinner at the top. It copies how natural hair grows, but the tips don't have much volume.
- Coloring Ability: You can dye it to medium colours (like #27 Honey Blonde or #30). However, we don't recommend bleaching 8A hair to Platinum Blonde (#613), as it may become dry or brittle.
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Best For:
- People who don't want to spend too much money.
- Some hairstyles are quick and easy to do, like ponytails or short sew-ins that last for between 4 to 8 months.
- Styles where thick ends are not important (e.g. layered cuts).
B. What is 10A Grade Hair? (The Market Standard)
If you are looking for Virgin Hair, 10A is the best quality available in the 2026 market. This is the best-selling grade for most of our wholesale clients and salon brands because it offers the perfect balance of quality and price.
- Material: 100% Virgin Human Hair (not processed). This hair is in great condition and has not been chemically treated before you receive it.
- The structure (ratio): 10A hair is much better than 8A hair. While there are still some shorter hairs in the bundle, the ends are much fuller. It looks healthy and bouncy.
- Coloring Ability: This hair is strong. It can be professionally bleached to a light blonde shade while keeping its elasticity and softness.
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Best For:
- Wigs that can be worn every day and sew-ins that are of the highest quality.
People who want to dye their hair a custom colour. - Wholesalers who need a product that is reliable and doesn't shed.
- Wigs that can be worn every day and sew-ins that are of the highest quality.
- They can live for between 1-2 years if you take care of them properly.
C. What is 12A Grade Hair (The Luxury Tier)
12A hair is also known as "Double Drawn" or "Super Double Drawn" hair, which is what professionals often use. This is the best quality available from most of the factories.
Material: The hair is from younger people and is of the highest quality.
- The structure (ratio): This is the biggest visible difference. 12A hair is thick all the way from the root to the tip.
- Here's something interesting about how our hair is made: when we make this hair, our workers have to remove almost all of the shorter hairs from the bundle by hand. This is why 12A hair is more expensive.
- Coloring Ability: This is the highest level of chemical resistance. You can easily bleach it to #613 or even #60 (White/Platinum Blonde) without losing its texture.
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Best For:
- Salons that offer luxury treatments and wigs that are made to the highest quality.
- Customers who want the biggest volume and a "celebrity look".
- Wigs that people will wear for a long time.
They can live for more than 2 years.
IV. Comparison Chart (Visual Summary)
To help you choose the right wig for your business (or lifestyle), we have put together this table comparing the products directly from the factory.
| Feature | 8A Grade | 10A Grade | 12A Grade |
| Hair Type | Remy Human Hair | Virgin Human Hair | Premium Virgin/Raw |
| Fullness | Single Drawn (Thinner ends) | Medium/Full Ends | Double Drawn (Very thick ends) |
| Bleach Ability | Up to #27 | Up to #613 | Up to #60 |
| Shedding | Minimal | Very Minimal | No Shedding |
| Price Point | $20 (Affordable) |
|
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| Best Use | Budget / Quick Styles | Daily Wear / Dyeing | Long-term Investment |
V. Addressing the Hype: Is "15A" or "20A" Hair Real?
If you look on social media or websites like AliExpress in 2025, you will probably have seen sellers advertising 15A, 20A, or even 30A hair. You might be wondering: Is this a new technology? Is this hair much better than 12A?
As a manufacturer, we want to be completely honest with you: These are usually just marketing tricks.
The "Grade Inflation" Trap
The physics of human hair has not changed. There is no such thing as "super-human" hair that is better than healthy, raw, double-drawn hair from a young donor.
The increase in these numbers is just due to inflation in marketing.
- 10 years ago, "5A" was the best.
- 5 years ago, "8A" became the standard.
- Nowadays, because everyone sells "10A", some sellers feel the need to put a "15A" sticker on their bundles just to make them look better than the competition.
The Factory Reality
In our factory, the best hair we can make is Raw, Super Double Drawn Hair. The name a vendor uses for this, like "12A", "15A" or "Royalty Grade", is up to their marketing team. The product inside the bag is the same.
⚠️ Buyer beware:
The most important thing to consider is the price. High-quality human hair is a rare natural resource. It costs a lot of money to find and prepare.
- If you see a seller advertising "20A Grade Hair" for $50 a bundle, it's a scam.
- True luxury hair (12A equivalent) costs more because it is made from higher quality raw materials and the process of removing short hairs is more expensive.
Our advice: Don't pay more for a higher number on a sticker. Instead of asking "What grade is this?", ask "Is this single drawn or double drawn?" and "Is this raw or virgin?" These are the questions that actually determine quality.
VI. How to Test Hair Quality Like a Pro (Factory Checklist)
As it's possible to fake numbers and anyone can print packaging, you need a way to check what you have bought.
As a factory, we check that our products are of good quality before we send them out. Here are three simple tests we use in our factory that you can perform at home or in your salon to evaluate the quality of a hair product.
1. The Pinch Test (Checks the Ratio)
This is the fastest way to tell the difference between 8A (Single Drawn) and 12A (Double Drawn).
How to do it: Hold the hair bundle up by the weft. Pinch the hair between your thumb and index finger near the top. Slide your fingers all the way down to the tips.
The result is:
8A grade: You will notice the volume going down. When you get to the bottom 2 inches, the hair will feel very thin and wispy.
10A Grade: You might feel a slight decrease in thickness, but the ends will still feel substantial.
12A Grade: The tips of your fingers will have almost as much hair as the roots. It stays thick all the way down.
2. The Bleach Test (Checks the Health)
This is the best way to check if hair is natural.
How to do it: Take a small amount of hair (about 1 gram) and apply professional bleaching powder and developer (20 or 30 volume).
The result was:
High Quality (10A/12A): The hair will start to go blonde quite quickly. After washing, it should stay soft and keep its natural curls.
Low Quality / Fake 10A: The hair may find it hard to lift past an orange colour, or, even worse, it will become "gummy", stretchy, or brittle when wet. This shows that the hair has already been chemically treated or damaged before you bought it.
3. The Cuticle Test (Checks for "Acid Washing")
Cheap factories often take "fallen hair" (hair from the floor) and bathe it in acid to strip the cuticles so it doesn't tangle... temporarily. Then they coat it in silicone to make it shiny.
Here's how to spot the signs.
How to do it: Run your finger and thumb down a single strand of hair, from the root to the tip. Then, run your fingers up the strand, from the tip to the root.
The result was:
Real Remy/Virgin Hair: Going down should feel smooth. When you go up, it should feel a bit hard, or like it's catching you. This friction means the cuticles are there and undamaged.
Acid-washed/silicone hair will feel perfectly smooth and slippery in both directions. This means the cuticles have been stripped off. The silicone coating will wash off after a few weeks, leaving the hair in a really bad state.
VII. Conclusion
In 2025, navigating the human hair market can feel like navigating a maze of confusing numbers and flashy marketing. However, now that you understand the truth about hair grading, you can make informed decisions.
The most important takeaway is that 'higher' isn't always 'necessary'. The right grade depends entirely on your specific needs, budget and customers.
In summary, your best options are:
Choose 8A grade if you are on a tight budget or need hair for quick, temporary styles where long-term durability isn't the priority.
Choose 10A grade if you want the industry standard. This is the 'sweet spot' for most buyers, offering beautiful virgin hair that can be coloured and styled daily without breaking the bank.
Choose 12A grade if you are building a luxury brand or want a wig that will stay thick, voluminous and healthy for years. It is an investment in perfection.
Why buy from StarHair Factory?
At our factory, we refuse to play the 'number inflation' game. We don't sell fake '20A' hair just to hike up the price. Whether you need a bulk order of consistent 10A bundles or a custom 12A wig, we manufacture exactly what we promise: authentic, high-quality human hair.
Ready to see the difference for yourself?