1
Prep and direct the hair
Lightly damp or smooth the hair if needed. Comb it in the direction you want the braid to travel so loose sections are easier to incorporate.
Evergreen Braid Technique · Step by Step
How to Dutch BraidCross under—not over—and the braid rises on top of the hair.
A Dutch braid uses the same three-strand, add-hair rhythm as a French braid, but the outside strands cross under the center instead of over it. RaDona’s video below shows the motion clearly from the first section through the finished side braid.
Real Dutch-braid tutorialSee the under-crossing motion in real time.
The entire technique comes down to one directional change.French braid = cross over. Dutch braid = cross under. Everything else is section control, adding hair and consistent tension.
Primary video71K+lifetime views
Popular Dutch359K+supporting video
Technique3 strandsadd hair each pass
RaDona25+ yrsbehind the chair
Fast answer
Split into three. Add a little hair. Cross the outside strand under the center. Repeat.
That is the Dutch-braid pattern. The braid looks raised because every new outside strand travels under the middle strand. If you cross over instead, the braid begins behaving like a French braid.
Start: one section divided into three
Right side: add hair, cross under
Left side: add hair, cross under
Finish: continue the same under-braid to the ends
Best beginner video
Watch the under-crossing motion before trying to memorize the steps.
RaDona starts with slightly damp, thick hair, combs it in the direction the braid will travel, divides the first section into three and then demonstrates exactly what makes the braid “inside out.”
0:17: slightly damp hair is easier to control in this tutorial.
0:35: comb the hair in the direction the braid will travel.
0:50: take the starting section and divide it into three parts.
1:06: cross under the center instead of over it.
1:23: add hair, cross under and tighten each pass.
2:32: you can see the raised inside-out ridge forming.
Dutch braid in 6 steps
Learn the rhythm before trying to make it fast.
Use smaller, consistent sections at first. Speed comes after your hands understand the under-crossing pattern.
2
Divide the start into three
Take one clean starting section and split it into three working strands. Keep them distinct in your hands before adding any new hair.
3
Cross the outside strand under
Move the right outside strand under the center, then the left outside strand under the center. This is the Dutch motion.
4
Add a small section before each cross
Pick up hair from the same side, combine it with the outside working strand, then take that larger strand under the center.
5
Tighten and repeat evenly
RaDona tightens after each addition. Keep the added sections reasonably consistent so the raised ridge stays balanced.
6
Finish the remaining length
When there is no scalp hair left to add, continue the same three-strand under-braid down the remaining length and secure it with an elastic.
Dutch vs French braid
Same basic structure. Opposite crossing direction.
If you already know how to French braid, you do not need to learn an entirely new braid—you need to reverse the crossing direction.
Dutch Braid
- Outside strands cross under the center.
- The braid sits raised on top of the surrounding hair.
- Often called an inside-out or reverse French braid.
- The same add-hair rhythm continues down the head.
French Braid
- Outside strands cross over the center.
- The braid appears more embedded into the hair.
- Uses the same three-strand structure and added sections.
- If French braiding is familiar, practice only the reversed hand motion first.
- See the French Braid Tutorial
Troubleshooting
Four reasons a Dutch braid goes wrong.
Most beginner problems are not about “being bad at braiding.” They come from crossing direction, section size, tension or trying to keep going after the pattern becomes uneven.
It looks like a French braid
Check the crossing direction. If the outside strand is going over the center, reverse it and take the strand under instead.
The braid gets wider or thinner randomly
Your added sections are probably changing size. RaDona deliberately uses smaller pieces in one area so she does not run out of hair before reaching the back.
The braid feels loose
After adding hair and crossing under, tighten the working strands before the next pickup. Consistent tension matters more than pulling as hard as possible.
One section looks wrong
Undo a few passes and redo them. In the tutorial, RaDona literally pulls out a section she does not like and starts that portion again to keep the thickness more even.
Fastest way to learn
Practice the under motion before adding hair.
If your hands automatically French braid, use three loose strands and repeat only this pattern: right under center, left under center. Once that feels natural, start adding a small section of hair before each crossing.
Drill 1: three strands only, no added hair.
Drill 2: add hair on one side, cross under.
Drill 3: alternate right and left pickups.
Drill 4: keep sections similar in size.
Drill 5: stop and redo the moment the pattern drifts.
Once the foundation clicks
Use the same Dutch-braid motion in different directions.
The technique stays the same; what changes is where you start, which direction you travel and what you do with the finished length.
359K+ viewsPopular proof
Wraparound Dutch Braid
A Katniss-inspired Dutch braid that travels lower around the head. Good once the basic under-crossing motion is comfortable.
Watch the Wraparound Version
Double DutchTwo braids
Double Inside-Out Braids
Start from the front, split into three, keep crossing under, then angle each braid down behind the ear. The tutorial also shows loosening the finished braid for fullness.
Watch Double Dutch
123K+ viewsCharacter style
Katniss Braid
A more specific style application that starts low behind the ear and uses the Dutch-braid technique as the foundation.
Watch the Katniss Version
Want a fuller braid?
Braid it securely first—then loosen the outer edges.
In the double inside-out tutorial, the braid is kept tight while it is being built. After it is secure, the outside edges are gently pulled to make the braid look bigger and thicker.
That order matters. Building the braid too loose from the beginning can make it harder to control while you are still learning.
Braid Tutorials
French, Dutch, fishtail and more braid techniques organized in one place.
Easy & Long-Hair Hairstyles
Use your braid skills inside practical everyday styles.
Hair Tutorials & Family Styles
Continue into other practical RaDona tutorials and family hairstyle ideas.
Real video instruction
Technique notes grounded in RaDona’s actual tutorials.
This page does not invent a new braid method. The step-by-step instructions come directly from RaDona’s Dutch-braid videos: slightly damp hair for control, combing the hair in the direction of travel, three working strands, crossing under, adding hair a little at a time and tightening each pass.
RaDona is a licensed cosmetologist and salon owner in Nephi, Utah who has worked behind the chair since 2000.
Primary evidence: real Dutch-braid video
Technique: transcript-verified steps
Experience: behind the chair since 2000
Library: 1,500+ public videos
Dutch Braid FAQ
The questions that matter when you are learning.
Keep the technique simple: three strands, add hair, cross under, tighten, repeat.
What is the difference between a Dutch braid and a French braid?
The crossing direction is the key difference. In a French braid, the outer strands cross over the center. In a Dutch braid, the outer strands cross under the center. That under-crossing motion makes the Dutch braid sit raised on top of the hair.
Is a Dutch braid harder than a French braid?
Not necessarily. The hand motion can feel unfamiliar if you already know a French braid, but the structure is the same: three working strands, add a small section of hair, then cross. The Dutch version simply crosses under instead of over.
Should hair be wet or dry for a Dutch braid?
RaDona’s tutorial says slightly damp hair can be easier to control. She also combs the hair in the direction the braid will travel before starting. Hair does not need to be soaking wet.
Why does my Dutch braid look like a French braid?
The most common reason is crossing the outside strands over the center instead of under it. If the braid looks embedded or flat, slow down and check the direction of each crossing.
How do I keep a Dutch braid even?
Use small, consistent sections and tighten after each under-cross. RaDona’s tutorial also shows that if a section looks uneven, it is fine to undo a few passes and redo them.
Can I make a Dutch braid look fuller?
Yes. After the braid is secure, gently pull the outer edges of the braid to widen them. In the double inside-out braid tutorial, the braid is intentionally created tight first and then loosened for a fuller look.
The one motion to remember
Under the center. Add hair. Under the center. Repeat.
Do not try to make the braid fast or perfect on the first attempt. Get the crossing direction right first, then work on even sections and consistent tension.