The 7 Face Shapes

A complete guide to every face shape — how to recognize each one, and how to style it.

Understanding your face shape

Almost every face falls into one of seven broad categories, defined by the relationship between four measurements: face length, forehead width, cheekbone width, and jaw width, together with the angle of the jaw and how the chin tapers. Knowing which category you belong to makes choosing hairstyles, glasses, beard styles, and makeup far easier, because most styling advice is written per face shape.

How the shapes differ

The quickest way to tell the shapes apart is to look for the widest part of the face and compare length to width. A face that is clearly longer than it is wide points to oval or oblong; similar length and width suggest round or square, depending on how angular the jaw is. A forehead wider than the jaw indicates a heart shape, the reverse points to a triangle, and cheekbones wider than both the forehead and jaw suggest a diamond.

Jump to a shape

Oval Round Square Oblong Heart Diamond Triangle

Most versatile

Oval face shape

The oval is often described as the most balanced and versatile of all face shapes. The face is about one and a half times longer than it is wide, the forehead is a touch wider than the jaw, and the jawline is gently rounded rather than angular. Because its proportions sit neatly between all the other categories, an oval face suits an unusually wide range of looks.

Key characteristics

Length noticeably greater than width, forehead marginally wider than the jaw, softly curved jawline, and a rounded chin with no hard angles.

How to style a oval face

Almost everything works. Experiment freely with short or long hair, most glasses frames, and any beard length. The main thing to avoid is a heavy, full fringe that shortens the face and hides its natural balance.

Soft & full

Round face shape

A round face is nearly as wide as it is long, with soft, curved lines, full cheeks, and a rounded chin. The widest point sits across the cheeks, and there are few hard angles anywhere on the face. The goal with a round face is usually to introduce length and structure.

Key characteristics

Similar face length and width, full cheeks as the widest point, a soft jawline, and a rounded chin.

How to style a round face

Add height and angles: volume on top, side parts, and layers that fall below the chin all elongate the face. Angular or rectangular glasses add definition, and beards that are shorter on the sides and longer at the chin lengthen the look.

Bold & angular

Square face shape

A square face has a strong, angular jaw that is almost as wide as the cheekbones and forehead, with relatively straight sides and a flat chin line. It reads as bold and structured, and styling usually aims to soften those powerful angles.

Key characteristics

Forehead, cheekbones, and jaw of similar width, straight sides, and a sharp, well-defined jawline.

How to style a square face

Soften the angles: round or oval glasses, textured layers, waves, and side-swept styles all flatter a square face. A circular beard or light stubble softens the jaw without hiding its definition.

Long & elegant

Oblong face shape

An oblong or rectangular face is clearly longer than it is wide — usually more than 1.6 times — with fairly straight sides and a gently rounded chin. It is closely related to the square shape but noticeably more elongated, so styling focuses on adding width rather than length.

Key characteristics

Length well over 1.5 times the width, straight cheek line, and a softly rounded chin.

How to style a oblong face

Add width, not height. Side-swept fringes, chin- to shoulder-length cuts with volume at the sides, and tall or oversized frames all visually shorten and balance the face. Avoid very long, flat hair and high pompadours.

Wide forehead

Heart face shape

A heart-shaped face is widest at the forehead and tapers through high cheekbones down to a narrow, often pointed chin — sometimes with a widow's peak hairline. The aim is to balance the wider top with a little more visual weight around the jaw.

Key characteristics

Forehead the widest point, high cheekbones, a narrow jaw, and a pointed chin.

How to style a heart face

Balance the taper with weight at the jawline: chin-length bobs, side parts, and bottom-heavy or rimless glasses all work well. A fuller beard adds welcome width to a narrow chin.

Rarest shape

Diamond face shape

The diamond is usually cited as the rarest face shape. Dramatic cheekbones form the widest point, while both the forehead and the jawline are narrow, ending in a delicately pointed chin. Styling can either show off those cheekbones or gently soften them.

Key characteristics

Cheekbones as the widest point, narrow forehead and jaw, and a delicately pointed chin.

How to style a diamond face

Cat-eye and oval glasses, fringes that widen the forehead, and styles with volume around the chin all flatter a diamond face. Avoid adding extra volume at the cheekbone level, which exaggerates the width.

Strong jaw

Triangle face shape

A triangle or pear-shaped face is widest at the jaw, with a narrower forehead — essentially the opposite of the heart shape. The lower face feels grounded and strong, so styling draws the eye upward to bring the proportions into balance.

Key characteristics

Jaw the widest point, a narrower forehead, and minimal taper toward the chin.

How to style a triangle face

Draw the eye up: volume at the crown and temples, top-heavy or browline glasses, and shorter sides with fuller tops all balance a strong jaw. Keep beards short so they don't add further width below.

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