If you are building a sew-in or a custom unit, you will hear two words constantly: closure and frontal. They do a similar job, but they are not interchangeable.
This guide explains the difference in plain terms, and tells you which one suits your install.
What is a closure?
A closure is a small piece of lace with hair, usually round or square, that sits at the crown or parting. Common sizes are 4×4, 5×5, 6×6 and 7×7 — the numbers are the lace area in inches.
It covers a small section of the head. The rest of your install is bundles.
What is a frontal?
A frontal runs ear to ear across your entire front hairline. The standard is 13×4 (13 inches wide, 4 inches deep); 13×6 gives more parting space.
It replaces your hairline completely, which is why frontals can create a deep side part or a ponytail with a natural edge.
Side-by-side
| Closure | Frontal | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | Crown / small parting | Whole front hairline |
| Typical size | 4×4 to 7×7 | 13×4 or 13×6 |
| Install time | Faster, easier | Slower, needs more skill |
| Styling freedom | Centre or slight side part | Deep part, up-dos, ponytails |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Lifespan | Usually longer | Shorter — more lace to handle |
How to choose
Choose a closure if: you are newer to lace, you wear a middle or slight side part, you want to keep costs down, or you want the piece to last longer.
Choose a frontal if: you want a deep side part, you wear your hair up, you post a lot of hairstyle content, or you are comfortable with a longer install.
Most first-time customers are better served by a closure. Most people who wear wigs daily eventually move to a frontal.
Sizing up
Bigger is not always better. A 4×4 closure is enough for a standard middle part. A 5×5 or 6×6 gives more room if you change your parting often. A 13×6 frontal gives noticeably more freedom than 13×4, at a higher price.
Browse our closure and frontal collection to compare sizes side by side, or start from a ready-made lace wig if you would rather not build the install yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a closure instead of a frontal?
Yes, but only if you are happy with a centre or slight side part. A closure cannot recreate a full front hairline, so deep parts and up-dos will show your own hair at the front.
Which lasts longer, closure or frontal?
A closure, usually. It has less lace and sits in one small area, so there is less to thin out or tear. Frontals need more careful handling because the lace runs across the whole hairline.
How many bundles do I need with a closure?
The closure replaces the front section, so you need one fewer bundle than a full install. See our bundle count guide for the exact numbers by length.
Do I need to pluck a closure or frontal?
Most come pre-plucked. If yours is not, pluck only slightly along the hairline — over-plucking creates gaps that cannot be fixed.