Navy Grooming Standards
Hair, facial hair, nails and cosmetics — the actual limits, with the article number beside each one so you can check them.
The short version
- Women — hair bulk: no more than 2 inches from the scalp. A bun may reach 3 inches. 2201.1b(4)
- Women — length: may touch but not fall below the lower edge of the back of the collar. Jumper uniforms allow 1½ inches below the collar top. 2201.1b(3)
- Women — ponytails: authorized in Service, Working and PT uniforms. No more than 3 inches below the collar and 3 inches behind the head. 2201.1b(8)
- Men — hair: 2 inches bulk, 4 inches length, off the ears and above the collar, tapered at least ¾ inch. 2201.1a(1)–(2)
- Beards: only with an approved medical or religious waiver, and then trimmed to ¼ inch. Mustaches are authorized for men without a waiver. 2201.2
- Hair color: natural shades only. Multicolored hair is not authorized for anyone. 2201.1a(4), 2201.1b(5)
Hair standards — women
The governing rule is that a hairstyle must present a balanced, professional military appearance and must not interfere with wearing headgear, a protective mask or safety equipment. Headgear has to fit snugly around the largest part of the head without distortion or excessive gaps, and hair must not show from under the front of it. Buns and ponytails are positioned on the back of the head so covers still sit correctly. 2201.1b(1)
| What | Limit | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Hair bulk (excluding the bun) | 2 inches from the scalp | 2201.1b(4) |
| Bun bulk | 3 inches from the scalp; diameter must not extend beyond the width of the back of the head | 2201.1b(4) |
| Length in uniform | May touch, but not fall below, a horizontal line level with the lower edge of the back of the collar | 2201.1b(3) |
| Length with jumper uniforms | Maximum 1½ inches below the top of the jumper collar | 2201.1b(3) |
| Angled hairstyles | No more than 1½ inch difference front to back | 2201.1b(2) |
| Bangs | Must not extend below the eyebrows | 2201.1b(3) |
| Very short styles | 2 inches bulk, 4 inches length; one hard part up to 4 inches long and ⅛ inch wide | 2201.1b(6) |
Buns and ponytails
A ponytail gathers hair away from the face and secures it at the back of the head. A single braid, French braid or single ponytail is authorized in Service, Working and PT uniforms. Hair beyond the securing accessory may be braided or left to extend naturally. 2201.1b(8)
- Must not extend more than 3 inches below the lower edge of the collar while sitting, standing or walking.
- Must not extend more than 3 inches behind the head, measured from the securing accessory.
- Width must not exceed the width of the back of the head, and it must not be visible from the front.
- Around operational hazards such as rotating gear, hair may not be worn below the bottom of the collar.
Braids, twists, cornrows and locks
| Style | Requirement |
|---|---|
| French / Dutch braids | One per side, uniform, no more than 1 inch diameter. A single centre braid may start near the top of the head. Ends may extend no more than 3 inches below the collar. |
| Two- and three-strand braids (twists) | Authorized; must be conservative. |
| Multiple braids | More than two, encompassing the whole head, uniform, no more than ¼ inch diameter, tightly interwoven. No beads or decorative items. May be worn loose or pulled into a bun. |
| Cornrows | Symmetrical fore-and-aft rows, close to the head, no hair left unbraided. No larger than ¼ inch diameter with no more than about ⅛ inch of scalp showing between rows. Ends must not protrude; rows end at the nape and are secured with hair-colored bands. |
| Rolls | Two individual rolls, one per side, near the lower hairline, uniform, no more than 1 inch diameter. |
| Locks | Must run root to end in one direction and encompass the whole head, with square or rectangular partings. Worn loose: spaced no more than ⅜ inch apart with diameter no more than ⅜ inch. May be worn in a bun. Faux locks are authorized. Locks may not be combined with twists or braids. |
2201.1b(7)
Color and accessories
Hair, wigs and extensions must be a natural color — blonde, brunette, brown, red, gray or black — and extensions must match the current hair color. Tints and highlights must produce natural colors similar to the base color. 2201.1b(5)
Accessories must match the hair color. A maximum of two small barrettes may secure hair to the head; bun accessories are authorized if completely concealed. Hairpins, bobby pins and small elastics may be used as needed. Headbands, scrunchies, combs, claws and butterfly clips are not authorized. 2201.1b(9)
Not authorized
- Pigtails.
- Braids that are widely spaced or protrude from the head.
- Lopsided or extremely asymmetrical styles.
- Shaved portions of the scalp other than the neckline; designs cut, braided or parted into the hair.
- Bald styles, except for medically prescribed treatment.
- Unnatural colors.
Two exceptions worth knowing. During group command or unit physical training, commanding officers may relax the requirement to secure hair to the head. And with dinner dress uniforms, female Sailors may wear hair below the lower edge of the collar. 2201.1b(11)
Hair standards — men
Hair must be clean, cut, combed or brushed and present a balanced professional military appearance. Flat tops, bald or shaved heads, high and tight, hi-top and low-top fades and afros are given as examples of authorized styles. Plaited hair, braids, locks, twists and faux hawks are given as examples of unauthorized styles in uniform or in a duty status. 2201.1a
| What | Limit | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | No more than 2 inches from the scalp | 2201.1a(2) |
| Length | No more than 4 inches; must not extend below the eyebrows with headgear removed | 2201.1a(2) |
| Ears and collar | Hair off the ears and above the collar, tapered from all angles | 2201.1a(1) |
| Taper | At least ¾ inch upward from the lower natural hairline, and no more than ¾ inch outward | 2201.1a(1) |
| Hair part | One fore-and-aft part, no longer than 4 inches and no wider than ⅛ inch | 2201.1a(5) |
| Sideburns | Even width, not flared, not below the top of the ear opening, ending in a clean-shaven horizontal line. Not authorized with bald styles. | 2201.1a(6) |
| Color | Must look natural; multicolored hair not authorized | 2201.1a(4) |
The regulation explicitly recognizes that "the unique quality and texture of curled, waved, and straight hair" can make the ¾-inch taper difficult to attain. In all cases the requirement is a graduated appearance from the hairline upward. 2201.1a(1)
Facial hair, shaving and beards
The face is to be clean shaven daily. Mustaches are authorized. 2201.2a Any non-tolerable skin irritation from shaving should be reported to the chain of command, and the Sailor directed to seek medical evaluation.
Mustaches
- Kept neatly and closely trimmed.
- Must not extend beyond a horizontal line across the corners of the mouth, nor more than ¼ inch beyond a vertical line drawn from the corner of the mouth.
- No portion may extend below the lip line of the upper lip.
- An individual hair, fully extended, must not exceed approximately ½ inch.
2201.2b
Beards and shaving waivers
Beards are not authorized without an approved accommodation. Commanding officers may authorize shaving waivers as part of prescribed medical treatment under BUPERSINST 1000.22, or in support of religious accommodation under BUPERSINST 1730.11. 2201.2d
- Approved beards must be uniform in length and not exceed ¼ inch measured from the face, neck and jaw outward, unless expressly granted otherwise by religious accommodation.
- Outer edges may optionally be outlined or edged; discontinue if it causes skin irritation.
- A Sailor reporting to a new command with facial hair must carry an approved waiver and treatment plan documented on NAVPERS 1000/1, signed by the previous commanding officer, and present it for endorsement. Without one, they remain clean shaven until an accommodation is provided. 2201.2a(1)–(2)
The twelve-month rule. A Sailor who cannot comply with daily grooming standards after 12 consecutive months of prescribed medical treatment and shaving waivers will be evaluated for continued naval service and is subject to administrative separation. 2201.2d(4)
Chin hair, hair under the lower lip, handlebar mustaches and goatees are not authorized. 2201.2c Brig prisoners and awardees, personnel in a disciplinary hold status, and those in a transient personnel unit awaiting separation for the reasons listed in the article are not authorized any facial hair absent a waiver. 2201.2e
Fingernails
| Standard | |
|---|---|
| Men | Must not extend past the fingertips. Tips may be rounded to the contour of the fingertip. Buffed nails or clear polish authorized; colored polish is not. |
| Women | Must not exceed ¼ inch measured from the fingertip. Tips may be round, almond/oval or square. Polish must be conservative — white, black, red, yellow, orange, green, purple, blue, hot pink, grey, glitter, striped and patterned polish are given as unauthorized examples. French and American manicures with white or off-white tips over a neutral base are authorized. |
2201.5
Cosmetics
Cosmetics may be applied so colors blend and enhance natural features. Exaggerated styles are not authorized and an artificial appearance should be avoided. Lipstick must be conservative. False eyelashes and extensions are authorized if they look natural, match the natural lash color, are no longer than 14 millimeters measured from the eyelid to the tip, and do not hinder protective eyewear. 2201.4
Permanent cosmetic makeup is authorized for eyebrows, eyeliner, lipstick and lip liner only, in natural shades matching hair or eye color. Requesting it requires a special request chit (NAVPERS 1336/3) to the commanding officer describing the facility and the intended enhancement. Non-compliant permanent makeup is documented on NAVPERS 1070/613 and may lead to administrative action. 2201.4a–b
Jewelry and earrings
- Rings: one per hand plus a wedding or engagement set. Double-stacking a wedding set with an academy or institution ring is authorized on one hand. Not permitted on the thumb.
- Earrings — women: one per ear, centered on the earlobe, 4–6 mm ball or round, plain, shiny or brushed matte, screw-on or post. Silver, yellow or white gold, white pearl or colorless diamond.
- Earrings — men: not authorized in uniform or in civilian attire in a duty status.
- Body piercing: not authorized in uniform, and not in civilian attire while in a duty status or aboard any ship, craft, aircraft or military vehicle.
- Necklaces: one only, and it must not be visible.
- Bracelets and watches: one bracelet and one wristwatch, smartwatch or fitness tracker, worn on opposite wrists. Ankle bracelets are not authorized.
2201.6
Tattoos and body art
Four criteria determine whether a tattoo is permitted: content, location, size and cosmetic. 2201.7
- Content: anything prejudicial to good order, discipline and morale, or that brings discredit on the naval service, is prohibited anywhere on the body. That includes obscene or sexually explicit content, content advocating discrimination, and anything symbolising gang, supremacist or extremist affiliation or illegal drug use.
- Location: none on the head, face (including the ear) or scalp. One neck tattoo, including behind the ear, is authorized.
- Size: a neck or behind-the-ear tattoo must not exceed 1 inch in any dimension. Arm and leg tattoos may be any size.
- Tattoos on the torso must not be visible through white uniform clothing.
Intentional mutilation — a split tongue, objects under the skin, stretched ear holes, intentional scarring or burns forming a design — is prohibited, as is dental ornamentation. 2201.8–.9
Common questions
How long can a female Sailor’s hair be in uniform?
What is the Navy hair bulk limit?
Are ponytails authorized in the Navy?
Can you have a beard in the Navy?
Are locks, braids or cornrows authorized?
What hair colors are authorized?
What happens if a shaving waiver does not resolve the condition?
Source & how to verify
- NAVPERS 15665J, Chapter 2, Article 2201 — Personal Appearance. Every measurement on this page is drawn from that article, and each is labeled with its paragraph so you can check it. Read the article on MyNavy HR.
- Shaving waivers: BUPERSINST 1000.22 (medical) and BUPERSINST 1730.11 (religious accommodation).
- Grooming standards change through NAVADMINs between revisions of the instruction. If you are relying on a specific limit for something consequential, check the article itself and the most recent NAVADMINs.
Navy Eval Writer is not affiliated with the U.S. Navy or the Department of Defense. Where anything here conflicts with the current instruction, the instruction governs. See our disclaimer.