13×4 vs 13×6 vs 5×5 Lace: Which Wig Lace Size Should You Buy?

Lace sizes describe how much hand-tied lace sits at the front of a wig, in inches. A 13×4 frontal runs 13 inches ear to ear and 4 inches back. A 13×6 goes 6 inches back for deeper parts. A 5×5 closure is a 5-inch square for a set part. More lace means more styling freedom and a more involved install.

Key takeaways

• The first number is width, the second is depth. Width decides whether you can wear the hair off your face; depth decides how far back you can part.
• A 13×4 lace frontal is the all-rounder: free parting across the front and a natural hairline from ear to ear.
• 13×6 gives the deepest, most realistic parts and the most freedom for slick-backs and side parts.
• A 5×5 closure is the simplest to wear and usually the most budget-friendly, but you cannot pull the hair back from your face.

What do the numbers on a lace wig mean?

Every lace wig has a section of fine mesh at the front where each hair is knotted by hand. That mesh is what lets the hair fall, part and lift like hair growing from your scalp. Behind the lace, the rest of the cap is usually machine-sewn wefts, which are sturdier but cannot be parted convincingly.

So when you see “13×4”, read it as a measurement of that hand-tied area:

• 13 inches is roughly the distance across the front of the head from one ear to the other. Any wig labelled 13-something is a frontal, because the lace covers the whole hairline.
• 4, 5 or 6 inches is how far that lace reaches back from the hairline towards the crown. This is your parting space.
• 5×5 is a closure: a square of lace placed where a part would sit, with wefts covering the sides and the perimeter.

You may also see “M-part”, as on some of our units. The term usually describes lace shaped to follow the natural curves of the hairline rather than a straight edge, which helps parts look softer at the front.

13×4 vs 13×6 vs 5×5 lace: side by side

Which lace size gives the most natural part?

The deeper the lace, the further back a part can travel before it meets wefts. On a 4-inch frontal, a deep side part may reach the end of the lace, where the hair starts to look denser. On a 13×6 frontal, the part line looks like scalp for longer, which is why it is popular for sleek, straight styles and dramatic side sweeps.

With a closure, the part has to stay inside the five-inch square. That is plenty for a classic middle part, and for many people it is all they ever wear.

Is a 13×4 lace frontal worth it over a 5×5 closure?

It depends on one question: do you want to wear your hair away from your face? If you love ponytails, slicked-back styles or showing your edges, a frontal is worth the extra cost and care. If you mostly wear your hair down with a middle part, a closure gives a convincing look with less effort, less lace to protect and an easier install.

There is also a confidence factor. A frontal hairline is more visible, so it benefits from customisation: plucking, bleached knots and a precise lace cut. Our guide on what HD lace is and how it melts covers why the lace itself matters as much as its size.

Which lace is best for beginners?

For a first lace wig, we usually suggest one of two routes:

1. A 5×5 closure wig if you want the simplest wear. There is less lace to cut, glue or melt, and the hairline is more forgiving.
2. A glueless frontal if you want a frontal’s versatility without adhesive. Units with an interior drawstring and tension band hold securely without glue, which makes putting the wig on and taking it off far less daunting.

Whichever you choose, a professional install for the first wear is a good way to learn how your wig should sit. You can watch how the stylist positions the lace and ask questions as they go.

How lace size maps to wigs at The Penthouse

Here is how our current range lines up, so you can compare like for like:

• Zendeya 14″ (5×5 HD closure), R3,000: glueless straight human hair with a 5×5 HD lace closure. Our easiest lace option. It is a pre-order unit delivered in 14–27 working days. With PayFlex, 4 × R750.
• Zendeya 20″ (13×4 HD frontal), R5,200: straight, glossy human hair with a full HD lace hairline, and our most-clicked wig on Google Shopping. Also a pre-order unit (14–27 working days). With PayFlex, 4 × R1,300.
• Zara 24″ (13×6 M-part transparent), R17,400: single donor Vietnamese raw hair with the deepest parting space we offer, plus an interior drawstring and tension band for fully glueless wear. With PayFlex, 4 × R4,350.

Several of our raw Vietnamese units, including Zara, Nini and Kimberly, use the same 13×6 M-part lace. Zendeya, April and Mimi use a 13×4 HD frontal. You can filter the whole range in the wig collection, where each product page states its lace size.

Does lace size change how long a wig lasts?

Lace size does not decide lifespan on its own, but it changes where the wear happens. Lace is the most delicate part of any wig. A closure has less of it, so there is less to tear or wear thin. A frontal’s hairline is handled more, cleaned more and, if glued, exposed to adhesive and remover more often. With gentle removal, careful washing and storage on a stand, both can serve you well for a long time.

Our verdict

Choose a 5×5 closure for easy, everyday wear and the lowest price. Choose a 13×4 frontal if you want the freedom to style your hair up and away from your face. Choose 13×6 if your part is your signature and you want it to look as real as possible from every angle.

Still undecided? Send us a photo of how you usually wear your hair on WhatsApp, or book a consultation on Fresha, and our stylists will recommend the lace size that fits your routine.

Frequently asked questions

What does 13×4 mean on a wig?

It means the wig has a hand-tied lace area 13 inches wide and 4 inches deep at the front. The 13 inches cover the hairline from ear to ear, and the 4 inches give you room to part the hair. It is the most common frontal size and suits most styles, including ponytails and side parts.

Is a 13×6 frontal better than a 13×4?

It is not better for everyone, but it offers more. The extra two inches of depth allow deeper side parts and a more realistic part line further back on the head. If you mostly wear a middle part, a 13×4 frontal is usually enough. If dramatic parts and slick-backs are your thing, 13×6 is worth considering.

Can you wear a 5×5 closure wig in a ponytail?

Not convincingly. A closure only has lace in a square at the top, and the sides and back of the hairline are wefted, so pulling the hair up exposes the tracks. For high ponytails, half-up styles and slicked-back looks, choose a frontal wig with lace from ear to ear instead.

Why are 13×6 wigs more expensive?

Every hair in the lace area is knotted by hand, so more lace means more hand-tying, more time and usually more hair. A 13×6 frontal has about half as much lace again as a 13×4, which typically shows in the price. The trade-off is greater parting freedom and a more natural finish.

Do I need glue for a 13×4 or 13×6 lace wig?

Not necessarily. Many frontals can be worn glueless with an elastic band, adjustable straps or a drawstring. Our Zara, Nini and Kimberly 13×6 units are made to be fully glueless. A glued install gives the flattest, most secure hold for longer wear, and our stylists can advise which suits you.

Written by The Penthouse Beauty Studio team at The Marc, 129 Rivonia Rd, Sandown, Sandton. Prices are in rand, include VAT and were correct at the time of publishing.