How to Tie a Durag

Co-authored by Courtney Foster

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Durags (also spelled, "doo rag" or "do rag") can be worn as fashion statements or simply as ways to keep your hair tidy and looking fresh. Tying a durag is super quick and easy, and there are actually a few different techniques you can use depending on your preference. We'll walk you through each of them step by step below!

Things You Should Know

Place the durag on your head. Wrap the ties behind your head, then cross them in front, tie a knot, and pull down on the flap.
Wrap the durag tails around your head to tie it before bed. Place a headband around your head and unwrap the ties, then tuck the flap.
Knot the durag tails before putting it on your head to get it tied quickly, or use a folded bandana to create a durag instead.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Tying a Basic Durag

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1
Place the durag on your head. You can choose a color and style of durag that work for you. Many people prefer doo rag that are a stretchy material that can be seen through when stretched. This makes them more breathable when they’re tied tightly around your head.
- Line the center seam up with the center of your head for symmetry.
- Place the durag so that the front edge sits between your eyebrows and your hairline. Make sure your hairline is covered. If you have sideburns, they should stick out underneath.
2
Wrap the ties behind the head. Take one tie in each hand. Pull both ties back behind the head so that they cross in an “X” behind the head. The ties will want to roll up so that they seem more like ropes than bands of fabric.
- Pull the ties back on their respective sides of the head. So the tie on the right hand side gets pulled back along the right side of the head.
- Ties should rest between the ear and the head, so that the ears stay exposed.
- If you don’t want the ties to roll up like ropes, you can press them flat against your head as you pull them and wrap them.
- These strings determine how loose or tight the durag is.
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3
Cross the ties in front of the head. Once you’ve crossed the ties in the back of your head, pull them back in front. Make sure they cross in the center of your forehead. Then pull them all the way to the back of your head.
- If you want them to lie flat, you can smooth them out at this point also.
- Don’t pull the ties too tightly or you can get headaches.
4
Tie a knot. Tie the ties into a knot at the back of your head. It should sit at the base of your skull. Begin as though you were tying your shoes. However, instead of making loops, simply make a double knot.
- Be careful not to tie it so tightly that you can’t undo it later.
5
Pull down on the flap. The flap will now be hanging down your neck underneath the ties. Pull it down as though you were trying to get it to touch your back. This will tighten the durag and give some nice compression on your hair.
- Don’t pull too hard or it will feel uncomfortable.
6
Fold up flap if desired. Once the flap is pulled tight, you may want to tuck or tie it up. This prevents the flap from hanging down on your neck, which can get hot, or look sloppy.
- You can roll the flap up from the bottom and tuck it over the ties so that they hold it in place.
- If the flap is long enough, you can tie it in a knot and then tuck it up into the ties. This will create a small bump where the knot gets tucked.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Tying a Durag Before Bed

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1
Place the durag on your head. Turn the durag inside out so that the seam is on the outside. This will ensure that the seam does not leave an impression in your hair overnight. Place the durag so that the seam lines up with the center of your face.^{[1]
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- You can use a durag made of any kind of material you like.
2
Wrap the tails around your head. Take one tail in each hand and wrap it toward the back of your head. The tails should cross in the back of your head. Once they’ve crossed, pull them all the way around the head, so that they cross at your forehead before wrapping around to the back.^{[2]
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- Don’t tie the ties. That will leave lines on your forehead if you sleep that way.
- To get the ties to stay in place momentarily, you can twist them together.
3
Place a headband around your head. Get a soft headband that you would wear for sports to catch sweat. It should have firm elastic but not be uncomfortable or too tight to wear overnight.^{[3]
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- Tuck the durag in underneath the headband.
- It’s possible to sleep in a durag without using a headband. However, this technique will minimize the risk of the durag leaving lines on your face and it is very comfortable.
4
Unwrap the ties. Once the durag is tucked into the headband, pull gently on the ties to separate them. They should now be free and no longer wrapped around your head. You can tuck them into the back of the headband so that they don’t get tangled while you sleep.^{[4]
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- It’s possible to leave the ties wrapped overnight, but undoing them may be more comfortable and prevent the durag from leaving lines on your forehead.
5
Tuck the flap. Make sure to tuck the flap up into the headband as well. This will make sure it doesn’t get tugged on while you’re sleeping, which could dislodge the durag from the headband.^{[5]
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- You can roll the flap up and tuck it in or try simply stuffing it inside the headband.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Tying a Durag Quickly

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1
Tie the tails of the durag together. Hold the durag in your hands. Tie the ends of the tails into a double knot, so that it doesn’t come undone very easily. The durag should now look like a loop with the head covering at one end, and the knot on the other end.^{[6]
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- You can cut the very tips of the ends off once you’ve tied the ends together.
Many people prefer to place the seam facing up so that it doesn’t leave a mark in their hair. However, you can leave it facing down if you want the top to look very tidy.^{[7]
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3
Wrap the tails around your head. Pull the loop made from the tails back behind your head.Turn it over to twist it. This will make it naturally want to come back to the front of your head and wrap around your forehead.^{[8]
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- With this technique, the tails will definitely roll up like ropes, rather than staying flat like strips of fabric.
- Since the ties are already tied, you don’t need to do anything else to the tails.
4
Tie the flap against your head. Take the flap in one hand and use the other to tie it in a knot. It should almost look like a ponytail made from fabric. You can now tuck the flap and knot up under the durag itself.^{[9]
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- This technique should leave your durag fitting very comfortably, so that you can easily fit multiple fingers between the ties and the skull cap part of the durag.
You may want to do this if you're just hanging out around the house or going to sleep. However, it will look unkempt and may get in the way while you sleep.^{[10]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using a Bandana as a Durag

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1
Choose a bandana. Bandanas are generally inexpensive and can be purchased at stores that sell clothing, beauty supplies, and household goods. Bandanas tend to be a standard size, which should work on most people's heads.
- Most bandanas are 24" x 24".
2
Fold the bandana. Fold one corner of the bandana down, so that it points toward the opposite corner. If you have a very large head, you'll want to fold only a small piece of the bandana down. If you have a smaller head, you can afford to fold down a larger piece.
- You can experiment with different folds to see what fits your head the best.
3
Place the bandana on your head. Grab the two far corners of the bandana. These are the corners on either side of the folded corner. Hold one in each hand. Holding the bandana this way, place it on your head so that the crease you folded sits above your eyebrows, going across your forehead.
- Pull the corners in your hands around to the back of your head.
4
Tie the bandana. With the two corners behind your head, tie a snug single knot at the base of your skull. Hold the knot with one hand so it doesn't slip. Then, grab the corner in the middle that's on top of your head. Pull it down toward the single knot.^{[11]
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- Tie another knot with the two corners you were holding. This time, tie the knot above the middle corner you just pulled down.
- You can adjust the tightness by pulling down the middle corner or retying the knot above it.
- If you have enough material leftover, bring it around and tie it in the front.

Community Q&A

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Question

What if you still get lines anyway?

Community Answer

They will fade within a few minutes so don't worry! If you want the lines to fade quicker, try rubbing them.

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What if the lines leave a bruise?

Community Answer

Then you are tying it too tight or wearing it for too long. It should not leave a bruise.

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How do I get waves?

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There are a number of articles about waves on wikiHow. Check out How to Get Waves on Your Head for starters.

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Tips

Durags are great for keeping hairstyles together overnight.

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Never use a knot while tying a durag. They're too restrictive. Instead tuck the strings underneath each other in the back. This provides a few benefits. It's easier than tying a knot. It's adjustable if you tie it too tight. When it's time to take it off all you have to do is pull the strings out instead of taking the knot loose. It stays tight all night long if you sleep in it. And it looks a whole lot neater than a knot does in the back. You can tie the loose strings in with the flap knot and everything is all in one secure knot. Instead of having a flap knot and a string knot.

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The knot at the back of the head when tying the two ends can be a simple overhand knot.

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Warnings

Durags are generally considered a part of African American culture. Anyone can wear one, of course, but those of other ethnic backgrounds should be aware of concerns regarding cultural sensitivity and cultural appropriation.^{[13]
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