Bold : What Does 40 Dreads Look Like?

What Does 40 Dreads Look Like? Is 40 Dreads Enough?

Although 40 dreads will look different on different people depending on their hair texture, hair length and hair density, 40 dreads will generally be quite chunky.

READ ALSO: Twisted Dreads Today in 2025

Here is an example of a woman with 40 dreads on her head.

40 Locs Full Head/40 Locs on Head/40 Dreadlocks on Head

Many people who have 40 dreads on their head are dreadlock free formers, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be so.

Full Head Dreads vs High Top

If you’re weighing the choice between a full-head dreads look and a high-top / high-top dreads style, here’s a detailed breakdown of each — what they are, how they compare, what to consider — so you can decide what’s a better fit for your hair type, lifestyle and look.

What They Are

Full Head Dreads vs High Top: Full-Head Dreads

This means your entire head of hair (top, back, sides) is formed into dreadlocks (locs) — so the sides and back are also locked, not just the top section.

Because the whole head is locks, there’s a consistent texture and the look is uniform.

High-Top (or High-Top Dreads)

In this style, the locks or dreads are concentrated on the top portion of the head, while the back and/or sides are cut short or faded.

High top dreads are locs styled on the top half of your head with tapered or faded hair on the back and sides.

It’s a hybrid look: part traditional locked texture + part clean shaved/faded sides.

Also, in a broader sense the “high-top fade” haircut (without dreads) is a style where the top is grown long and the sides are very short/faded.

How They Compare: Pros & Cons

Appearance & Style

Full-head dreads give a bold, unified look. The dread texture is consistent all around, which often means a more “traditional” or “classic” vibe for locs.
High-top dreads give more contrast: locked texture up top, cleaner sculpted sides/back. That contrast can look modern, stylish, and draws attention to the top.

Maintenance & Practicalities

Full-head dreads:

Since everything is locked, you’ll need to consider the weight, the volume, and how long it takes to maintain locks everywhere (including sides/back). One could argue that a full head of dreads means you have more dreads, and therefore more weight to carry and more hair to consider.

On the flip side, once the locs are matured, styling can sometimes be simpler (you lock everything in and go).
Because sides/back are included, you get full coverage and uniform texture; some people like that for its fuller profile.

High-top dreads:

With sides and back cut/faded, you may have fewer locks (only on the top portion). That means lighter weight on the head overall.

The fade/shorter sides mean you’ll need frequent barber visits to keep the fade sharp if you want it maintained.
Styling the top may call for more upkeep because the contrast is part of the look (keeping the fade crisp, ensuring top locks are kept neat).

Photo credits: Di Dreads, Locs Life