Textured Hair Care
Hair porosity test result interpreter.
Do the water float test and the finger test on clean, dry, product-free hair, then answer up to five questions. The tool counts which porosity each answer points to and gives care tips for the result. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Your test results
Your porosity result
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Answer in brief
Turn float test and strand feel answers into low, normal or high hair porosity with care tips.
Worked example
Strand floats on top, feels smooth, products sit on the hair, water saturates normally, and it takes long to air dry. Four of the five answers point to low porosity and one to normal, so the result is Likely low porosity. 4 of 5 answers point to low porosity. The tips: glycerin and honey, diluted conditioner on damp, warm hair, and heat while conditioning.
How it works
Each answer is one vote for low, normal or high porosity, using the descriptions in the Healthline articles below. The most votes wins; an even split is reported as mixed. At least two questions must be answered. The test is the one Healthline describes: shampoo and rinse, let the hair dry with no product, drop a single strand into a clear glass of water and watch where it settles.
The float test is popular but, as Healthline notes, it is not one that medical experts report is scientifically validated. Porosity describes how easily the hair takes in and holds moisture, and it can change with heat and chemical treatment. To plan how often to wash, use the hair wash frequency suggester.
Not professional advice. This is general cosmetic hair care information. For scalp conditions, hair loss, pain or irritation, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Sources (retrieved 2026-10-15):
- Hair Porosity: What Is It and What Type Do You Have?, Healthline
- How To Manage and Care For Low Porosity Hair, Healthline
- High Porosity Hair: Characteristics, Products, and Tips for Care, Healthline
- Black hair: Tips for everyday care, American Academy of Dermatology
FAQ
How do I do the hair porosity test with water?
Shampoo and rinse to remove product build-up, let your hair dry, then drop a single strand into a clear glass of water. If it floats on top for a while before sinking it points to low porosity, in the middle to normal, and sinking quickly to high porosity.
Is the hair porosity float test accurate?
Healthline notes it is a popular method that works for some people, but not one medical experts report as scientifically validated. This is why the tool also uses the finger test, how products absorb, how hair wets and how fast it dries.
What oils work for low porosity hair?
For low porosity hair Healthline suggests looking for products with honey or glycerin, which it says can penetrate the hair cuticle more easily than products containing oils. For high porosity hair it suggests butters and oils.
Can my hair porosity change?
Healthline says porosity from genetics may not change, but heat and chemical processing can damage the cuticle and make hair more porous.
What if my answers are mixed?
You will see a mixed result. Repeat the float test on clean, product-free hair, and test strands from several areas of your head.