Viking hairstyles have exploded in popularity over the past decade, driven by historical shows and a growing fascination with warrior aesthetics. Stylists confirm clients now arrive asking specifically for the look, with reference photos from Vikings, The Last Kingdom, and Vinland Saga in hand. The style family combines intricate braiding with bold undercuts and shaved details, often accessorized with leather cords, metal beads, and cuffs. The result reads fierce and feminine at once. These 24 Viking hairstyles cover every interpretation worth knowing.
Jump to:
- Classic Viking Braided Half-Up
- Multiple Small Braids
- Viking Crown Braid
- Side-Shaved with Long Top
- Dutch Braid Mohawk
- Viking Fishtail Braid
- Half-Up Viking Knot
- Multiple Braids with Beads
- Viking Warrior Top Knot
- Viking Half-Up with Side Braids
- Long Hair with Single Side Braid
- Viking Cornrow-Inspired Braids
- Viking Twists
- Asymmetrical Viking Cut
- Viking Halo Braid with Loose Lengths
- Triple Braid Style
- Viking Updo with Braided Crown
- Long Hair with Forehead Braid
- Viking Bun with Wrapped Braid
- Loose Waves with Scattered Braids
- Viking-Inspired Braided Bun
- Two Dutch Braids
- Viking Mohawk with Side Braids
- Long Hair with Multiple Wrapped Braids
Classic Viking Braided Half-Up
The foundation of Viking-inspired styling: two Dutch braids running from the temples to the back of the head, gathered into a half-up style with the rest of the hair flowing freely below. The braided sections frame the face beautifully while the loose hair adds warrior softness. A flexible-hold spray secures everything. This is iconic and powerful. Section the temples, braid each section back in Dutch braid style, gather them at the crown, and let the rest flow for that signature Viking warrior look.
Multiple Small Braids
Multiple thin braids scattered throughout long, flowing hair create that signature Viking warrior texture. The braids can be installed at varying intervals, some near the temples, some woven through the lengths. A texturizing spray adds the lived-in roughness. This is fierce and beautiful. Section random pieces throughout the hair, braid each one tightly, securing at the ends with small elastics or leather cord, then let everything flow naturally for an authentically warrior-inspired finish.
Viking Crown Braid
A single thick braid wrapped around the crown of the head like a warrior crown, often with the rest of the hair left flowing or in additional smaller braids. The crown braid reads regal and fierce at once. A strong-hold gel keeps it secure. This is romantic and powerful. Braid one large section from one temple across to the other, wrapping it around the back of the head, tucking the ends underneath, and securing with bobby pins for that signature Viking crown silhouette.
Side-Shaved with Long Top
An undercut shaved on one side paired with long flowing hair on top channels the warrior aesthetic perfectly. The bold contrast between the shaved side and the long top creates striking fashion-forward shape. A flexible paste defines the long top. This is bold and edgy. Have the side shaved or closely clipped while keeping the rest of the hair long, then sweep the long top to the opposite side or back to fully showcase the shaved detail for maximum impact.
Dutch Braid Mohawk
A central strip of Dutch-braided hair down the center of the head with the sides loose or partially shaved creates a Viking-inspired mohawk silhouette. The braided center reads warrior-fierce while the sides add bold contrast. A strong-hold gel keeps the braid tight. This is bold and architectural. Have the sides shaved or kept smooth, then braid a tight Dutch braid down the center from the front hairline to the nape for that signature Viking mohawk effect.
Viking Fishtail Braid
A single thick fishtail braid running down the back of the head, often with additional small braids around the temples for added texture. The intricate fishtail pattern reads warrior-skilled. A flexible-hold spray secures the braid. This is detailed and beautiful. Gather all the hair to the back, weave into one large fishtail braid, secure at the end with a leather cord or small elastic, and add a few face-framing small braids at the temples for full impact.
Half-Up Viking Knot
The top half of the hair pulled into a sculptural knot or twist at the crown while the bottom half flows freely below. The knot creates dramatic height while the loose hair adds warrior femininity. A strong-hold gel secures the knot. This is bold and beautiful. Section the top half cleanly, twist it into a sculptural knot at the crown, secure with bobby pins, and let the bottom half flow for that signature Viking warrior half-up silhouette.
Multiple Braids with Beads
Multiple braids throughout the hair decorated with wooden, metal, or bone-look beads at the ends and along the braids themselves. The beads add cultural warrior authenticity to the braided sections. A light oil keeps things soft around the beads. This is rich and authentic. Install multiple braids at varying placements, then slide wooden or metal beads onto select braids at the ends and middle, letting them catch the light for full Viking-inspired warrior energy.
Viking Warrior Top Knot
All the hair pulled into a high, dramatic top knot at the crown, often with smaller braids around the temples or sides shaved. The high knot reads powerful and warrior-ready. A strong-hold gel secures the knot. This is bold and fierce. Pull all the hair high to the crown, twist into a tight or sculpted top knot, secure with bobby pins, and either braid temple sections or leave them loose with some texture for full warrior-inspired impact.
Viking Half-Up with Side Braids
A half-up style where the pulled-up sections are braided rather than smooth, with multiple small braids running back from the temples meeting at the crown. The braided pulled-up sections combine the warrior braid aesthetic with practical styling. A flexible-hold spray secures everything. This is detailed and beautiful. Section multiple small braids running from the temples back to the crown, gather them together in a small bun or knot, and let the bottom hair flow.
Long Hair with Single Side Braid
Long, flowing hair with a single dramatic braid running down one side, often a Dutch or French braid that starts at the temple and continues down past the shoulder. The single side braid creates asymmetrical warrior shape. A flexible-hold spray secures the braid. This is romantic and fierce. Start a Dutch or French braid at one temple, continuing it down the side past the shoulder, securing at the end with a leather cord for a beautifully asymmetrical Viking finish.
Viking Cornrow-Inspired Braids
Multiple tight braids running along the scalp from the front to the back, similar in placement to cornrows but with the Viking warrior aesthetic of leather accents and beads. The structured braids read fierce and warrior-skilled. A strong-hold gel keeps the braids tight. This is bold and beautiful. Install multiple tight braids running back along the scalp, accessorize with leather cords woven through and beads at the ends for that authentic Viking warrior look.
Viking Twists
Multiple two-strand twists throughout long hair create textured warrior dimension. Unlike traditional twists, these are often left loose at the ends and accessorized with leather cords or beads. A texturizing spray adds lived-in grip. This is bold and textured. Section random pieces throughout the hair, twist each section into a two-strand twist, secure or leave loose at the ends, and add leather cord accents for authentic Viking warrior texture and movement throughout.
Asymmetrical Viking Cut
One side of the hair worn long and braided while the other side is shaved or kept very short, creating dramatic asymmetrical warrior shape. The bold contrast reads fashion-forward and fierce. A strong-hold paste defines the longer braided side. This is bold and architectural. Have one side cut short or shaved while keeping the other side long, then braid sections of the long side for that signature asymmetrical Viking warrior silhouette that commands attention.
Viking Halo Braid with Loose Lengths
A halo braid wrapping around the crown with the rest of the long hair flowing loosely below. The halo crown reads regal warrior-queen while the loose lengths add softness. A flexible-hold spray secures the halo. This is romantic and powerful. Braid one or two sections wrapping around the crown like a halo, securing in place, then let the rest of the long hair flow freely below for a stunning combination of regal and warrior energy.
Triple Braid Style
Three distinct braids running from the front hairline to the back, often a center braid flanked by two smaller braids on either side. The triple braid pattern reads structured and warrior-skilled. A flexible-hold spray secures everything. This is detailed and beautiful. Section the hair into three vertical sections, braid each one tightly from front to back, securing at the ends, then let the rest of the hair flow loose behind for a beautifully structured Viking finish.
Viking Updo with Braided Crown
An elegant updo at the nape combined with intricate braided details at the crown. The combination reads warrior-queen elegant. A strong-hold gel secures everything. This is elegant and fierce. Braid the front and crown sections into intricate patterns, gather the rest of the hair into a low bun or twist at the nape, and secure everything in place for an elevated Viking-inspired updo that suits formal occasions beautifully.
Long Hair with Forehead Braid
Long, flowing hair with a single thin braid running across the front hairline like a headband, often accessorized with leather cord or small beads. The forehead braid adds warrior detail without committing to full braided styling. A light texturizing spray adds movement to the loose hair. This is subtle and beautiful. Braid one thin section from one side of the front hairline across to the other, securing behind one ear for that signature Viking warrior headband effect.
Viking Bun with Wrapped Braid
A low bun at the nape wrapped with a thick braid for a sculptural warrior finish. The combination of the bun shape with the braided wrap creates intricate visual interest. A strong-hold gel secures everything. This is elegant and detailed. Gather all the hair into a low bun, braid a separate section of hair into a thick braid, then wrap that braid around the base of the bun, securing with bobby pins for a beautifully sculpted finish.
Loose Waves with Scattered Braids
Long, undone waves with scattered small braids throughout, creating texture and warrior interest without committing to fully braided styling. The combination reads romantic warrior-inspired. A texturizing spray builds the wavy texture. This is romantic and beautiful. Style the hair in loose, beachy waves, then go back through and install several small braids at random points throughout the lengths, leaving everything otherwise loose for a soft, warrior-feminine Viking finish.
Viking-Inspired Braided Bun
All the hair braided into one large braid, then coiled into a bun at the back of the head. The combination of intricate braiding with the sculptural bun shape reads powerfully warrior. A strong-hold gel secures the bun. This is dramatic and elegant. Braid all the hair into one large French or Dutch braid running back from the forehead, then coil the braided length into a bun at the back, securing with bobby pins for a sculptural finish.
Two Dutch Braids
Two distinct Dutch braids running parallel from the front hairline to the back, similar to "boxer braids" but with the warrior Viking aesthetic. The two parallel braids read structured and fierce. A flexible-hold spray secures everything. This is bold and beautiful. Part the hair down the center, braid each side into a tight Dutch braid running from the front hairline to the nape, securing at the ends for that signature Viking dual-braid warrior finish.
Viking Mohawk with Side Braids
A central strip of long hair styled into a textured mohawk shape with small braids running along the sides leading up to the central top. The combination of mohawk shape with the warrior braids creates fierce dimensional impact. A strong-hold paste defines the mohawk. This is bold and architectural. Braid the side sections leading into the central top, then style the top into a textured mohawk shape that lifts upward for a fully fierce Viking warrior finish.
Long Hair with Multiple Wrapped Braids
Long flowing hair with several braids of varying sizes throughout, each wrapped with leather cord or thin metal wire for added texture and warrior authenticity. The wrapped details elevate basic braiding into full warrior styling. A light oil keeps things soft. This is detailed and bold. Install multiple braids at varying placements throughout the hair, then wrap leather cord or thin wire around select braids at the middle or ends for authentic Viking warrior detail.
