Face Shapes: Identify Yours and Style It Right Today

Understanding face shapes is practical and reliable. It helps you pick haircuts, glasses, facial hair, and makeup that fit you. This guide explains the different face shapes, how to determine face shape with simple steps, and how to use a face shape detector if you prefer a quick scan. You will see how to tell face shape with a tape measure, a mirror, or a trustworthy face type detector. You will also find separate tips for face shapes men and face shapes women, so the advice matches the way features differ across sexes.

The 9 most common face shapes explained

Face shapes come in repeatable patterns. Different face shapes fall into a few categories. Experts and stylists often group them into seven, eight, or nine. This guide uses a 9‑type model so you can match more precisely. These nine facial shapes are consistent with widely used systems from professional stylists and popular references.

• Oval: Face length is greater than cheekbone width. The forehead is wider than the jaw. The jawline has soft angles.
• Round: Length and width are close. Cheeks are full. The jaw and forehead look soft.
• Square: Length and width are close. The jaw is strong and angular. The hairline looks straight.
• Rectangle (or Oblong): Longer than wide. Forehead, cheeks, and jaw have similar widths. The chin may look slightly longer.
• Heart: Forehead is widest. Cheeks are next. Chin tapers and looks more pointed. A widow’s peak can appear but is not required.
• Diamond: Cheekbones are widest. Forehead and jawline are narrow. The chin can be pointed.
• Triangle (also called Pear): Jawline is widest. Cheekbones and then the forehead get narrower up the face.
• Inverted Triangle: Forehead is widest. The face narrows through the cheeks to a slim chin, often with a sharper point.
• “Hybrid” shapes: Faces can blend categories. You may sit between oval and rectangle or between heart and diamond. That is normal.

These face shapes overlap across sources. You will see all of them in style guides and in a face shape test. If you ask, “what type of face do I have?” or “what kind of face shape do I have?”, use the step‑by‑step method below. It gives a clear answer.

How to determine face shape (the reliable tape method)

If you want a precise answer to “how to figure out face shape,” measure four areas. This method is standard across stylists and grooming experts. It matches how pros in articles like Mens Fashioner’s guide and Byrdie’s tutorials explain it.

What you need:

• A soft measuring tape (or string and a ruler)
• A mirror and good light

Steps:

1. Forehead width: Measure across the widest part of your forehead. This is often halfway between your brow and hairline. This helps with forehead shapes and top width.
2. Cheekbone width: Measure from the outer corner of one eye to the other across the bridge of your nose. This is the widest point of the midface.
3. Jawline width: Start at the chin center and measure to the angle below the ear. Multiply by two. This gives the full jaw width.
4. Face length: Measure from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin.

How to define your face shape from numbers:

• Oval: Length > cheeks; forehead > jaw; jaw angle is soft.
• Round: Length ≈ cheeks and both > forehead and jaw; jaw and forehead are similar and soft.
• Square: Length ≈ width; forehead ≈ cheeks ≈ jaw; jaw angle is sharp.
• Rectangle/Oblong: Length is the largest; forehead ≈ cheeks; jaw close in width.
• Heart: Forehead > cheeks > jaw; chin looks pointed; ignore length if needed.
• Diamond: Length is largest, then cheeks; forehead and jaw are smaller.
• Triangle: Jaw > cheeks ≥ forehead; ignore length if needed.
• Inverted Triangle: Forehead > cheeks > jaw; chin is pointed.

This is the simplest way to answer “how can you tell the shape of your face?” and “how do you know your face shape?” It is also how you check “what head shape do I have?” because head shape and face shape link through forehead width, cheekbone width, and jawline width.

Quick visual methods: how to tell what face shape you have without tools

If you do not have a tape, you can still run a quick face shape test. Think of this as a face shape quiz you can do in a minute.

• The mirror outline: Stand in front of a mirror with a washable marker. Trace the outline of your face, keeping your hand steady. Step back. Compare the outline to an oval, round, square, rectangle, heart, diamond, triangle, or inverted triangle. This is a simple face shape finder.
• The selfie overlay: Take a straight-on selfie in good light with your hair back. Compare your picture to reference charts from credible sources like Byrdie’s face shape guide or Mens Fashioner’s step-by-step article. This looks like a face shape filter but it is manual and private.

These fast checks help you see patterns. They do not replace the tape method. They are good when you need to tell face shape fast.

Use a face shape detector, face shape finder, or “what face shape do I have scanner”

Some people prefer tech. A face shape detector or a face type detector can analyze a clear photo and output a shape. If you want a “what face shape do I have scanner,” look for tools that show how they measure features, respect privacy, and give examples. You can try:

• Perfect Corp’s YouCam online tool (AI face shape detector): It analyzes facial shapes and suggests styles. It explains upload quality requirements and safety claims.
• Mens Fashioner’s measurement guide: It does not scan for you, but it shows exact steps and includes a video by stylist Ashley Weston. This helps you do the math right.

If you use any face shape filter on social apps, treat it as a preview only. Filters can distort and brighten. Use a detector or a manual face shape test to confirm.

Face shapes men: how male face shapes read and what to try

Male face shapes often show heavier bone structure. The jaw can be wider. The brow ridge can be stronger. These traits change how hair, beard, and glasses sit on the face. When you ask “what face shape do I have male?” keep beard and haircut in mind.

• Round male face shapes: Add height on top. Keep the sides shorter. A quiff or pompadour can help. If you wear a beard, square it off to add angles. This offsets the curve.
• Square male face shapes: Embrace length on top. Avoid too severe side clipping if it makes the head look boxy. Try a modern undercut paired with a tidy beard.
• Oval male face shapes: You can wear many styles. High volume or a neat crop both work. Most sunglasses fit well.
• Rectangle/Oblong male face shapes: Balance the length. Avoid too much height on top. Try a pulled-back bun or medium length with some side volume.
• Heart male face shapes: Keep some width near the jaw with hair or a short beard. Keep top volume moderate to avoid drawing the eye to a wider forehead.
• Triangle male face shapes: Keep hair shorter at the sides to avoid extra width at the jaw. A fuller beard can taper the jaw visually if done with care.
• Diamond male face shapes: A little fringe softens peak width at the cheekbones. A close beard along the jaw angles can look sharp.

For deeper examples and pro opinions, see Byrdie’s guide for men and expert tips from stylists and dermatologists who explain how male face shapes differ from female-identifying faces.

Face shapes women: how female face shapes read and what to try

Female face shapes often show softer angles and more contour variation at the cheeks and chin. Makeup and hair length give strong control over balance. When you ask “what face shape do I have?” and you plan a cut or a glam look, use these simple cues.

• Round female face shapes: A lob that sits below the chin helps lengthen. Side-swept bangs add angles. Avoid heavy width at the cheeks.
• Square female face shapes: Soft layers, waves, and side parts reduce angular corners. Avoid severe blunt lines at the jaw unless you want extra edge.
• Oval female face shapes: You can wear almost any haircut. If you tease height, keep it subtle so the face does not feel oblong.
• Rectangle/Oblong female face shapes: Add width with soft curls and curtain bangs. Keep volume at the sides more than the crown.
• Heart female face shapes: Balance a wider top by adding fullness near the jaw. Side parts and chin-length cuts help. Contour the forehead softly if you do makeup.
• Triangle female face shapes: Lift the crown a bit to draw attention up. Keep sides light near the jaw. A side part helps.
• Diamond female face shapes: Add softness at the forehead or jaw to balance cheekbone width. A gentle fringe works well.

For a step-by-step visual aid, check Byrdie’s tutorials and wikiHow’s eight-shape overview. Both keep the advice simple and safe to follow.

Head shape and forehead shapes: how they influence the result

People often ask “what head shape do I have?” because head shape (shape head) and forehead shapes affect how we read face shapes and how frames sit. A high or wide forehead can push you into heart or rectangle. A rounded forehead can push you toward round or oval.

• Forehead height: A higher forehead makes the face look longer, which can nudge you toward oval or rectangle/oblong.
• Forehead width: A wider forehead relative to the jaw can signal heart or inverted triangle.
• Hairline details: A widow’s peak can make a heart shape more obvious. A straight hairline plus a strong jaw can reinforce square.

You can still use the same “how to tell what face shape you have” steps. Just make a note of these points when you pick bangs or sunglasses.

Style tips by face shape (hair, glasses, facial hair, and makeup)

Use this as a quick reference after you finish your face shape test or face shape quiz.

• Oval face shapes

  • Hair: Almost any cut. Center part or side part both work.
  • Glasses: Aviators, wayfarers, and round frames are safe.
  • Makeup: Blush can sit high or mid-cheek. Almost any brow shape works if it stays natural.

• Round face shapes

  • Hair: Height on top, length under the chin, or a deep side part. Avoid heavy width at the cheeks.
  • Glasses: Angular frames or squares add definition.
  • Makeup: Soft contour under cheekbones. Brows can be more arched to add angles.

• Square face shapes

  • Hair: Soft waves and layered shags. Avoid harsh blunt cuts at jaw length unless you want extra power.
  • Glasses: Round or oval frames soften edges.
  • Makeup: Soften corners with gentle contour and highlight the eyes.

• Rectangle/Oblong face shapes

  • Hair: Shoulder-length cuts with layers and curtain bangs. Avoid tall volume at the crown.
  • Glasses: Tall frames can shorten the look of a long face.
  • Makeup: Place blush a bit higher. Keep highlight at the eyes and lips to break vertical length.

• Heart face shapes

  • Hair: Side-swept bangs, chin-length bobs, and gentle waves at the jaw.
  • Glasses: Bottom-heavy frames balance the chin.
  • Makeup: Light contour at the forehead edges. Add warmth at the jaw to balance.

• Diamond face shapes

  • Hair: A small fringe or side part breaks peak width. Chin-length bobs are great.
  • Glasses: Oval or cat-eye frames that do not add width at the cheeks.
  • Makeup: Add brightness to the forehead and jaw. Keep cheek highlight controlled.

• Triangle face shapes

  • Hair: A bit of lift at the crown to draw the eye up. Keep sides light near the jaw.
  • Glasses: Top-heavy frames help balance the jawline.
  • Makeup: Add light to the upper face. Keep jaw contour soft.

• Inverted triangle face shapes

  • Hair: Chin-length cuts and side-swept bangs. Avoid big volume high on top.
  • Glasses: Bottom-heavy frames add lower width.
  • Makeup: Add gentle fullness around the jaw with blush placed lower.

If you want to preview changes, a face shape filter can be fun, but it is not exact. Try a trusted face shape detector to confirm your result. Use it like a second opinion.

“What face shape do I have?” common mistakes to avoid

People get stuck on small details. Keep it simple.

• You only need the widest points and the face length. Do not chase tiny differences.
• Take measurements twice. Allow a 0.5–1 cm margin. This answers “how do you know what face shape you have” with confidence.
• Pull hair back. Do not measure over bangs or curls.
• Use a straight-on selfie under even light if you go digital. A skewed angle can fool a face shape finder or any “what face shape do I have scanner.”

A short “face shape quiz” you can do in one minute

Answer these yes/no questions and match your first strong yes.

• Is your forehead the widest and your chin pointed? Heart.
• Are your cheekbones the widest and your forehead and jaw narrow? Diamond.
• Is your jaw the widest and your forehead narrow? Triangle.
• Are length and width nearly the same and the jaw is angular? Square.
• Are length and width nearly the same and the jaw is soft? Round.
• Is your face longer than it is wide and all widths are similar? Rectangle or oblong.
• Is your face longer than it is wide with soft edges and a forehead wider than the jaw? Oval.
• Is your forehead widest with a taper to the chin but no extreme point? Inverted triangle.

Now confirm with measurements. This short check answers “how do you know your face shape” when you are in a rush.

EEAT: what the evidence and experts say

• Measurement method: The four-measurement approach (forehead, cheekbones, jawline, length) is consistent with pro guides by stylists and grooming experts. See the Mens Fashioner how-to and Ashley Weston’s step-by-step video. These match the features used in clinical anthropometry.
• Face shape taxonomy: Consumer beauty editors at Byrdie and wikiHow use similar seven-to-nine shape lists with clear traits. These references explain oval, round, square, rectangle/oblong, heart, diamond, triangle, and inverted triangle consistently and update them as styles evolve.
• Detectors and filters: Perfect Corp’s YouCam AI face shape detector explains upload requirements, shows example outputs, and states a broad training set. Use it to cross-check. Keep privacy in mind and read the policy on the tool’s page.

External references for further reading:

• Mens Fashioner: How To Find A Man’s Face Shape Guide (measurement steps and examples)
• Byrdie: How to Determine Your Face Shape (simple rules and styling)
• YouCam/Perfect Corp: AI Face Shape Detector (online face type detector with examples)

These sources align on methods and definitions. They help answer “how to tell face shape,” “how to determine face shape,” and “how do you know what face shape you have” with clear steps.

Try styles safely with Pixelfox AI (virtual but natural)

If you want to test adjustments on a portrait without a full retouch, you can preview small, natural changes online. This is useful after you complete a face shape test. It helps you see how a small tweak in width or features changes balance.

• Preview small contour changes with the AI Face Reshape. Use it to simulate a subtle jawline refinement or a slight eye or lip adjustment before you book a cut or a shoot.
• See a leaner look in a copy of your photo with AI Face Slimming. It detects facial features and applies a mild, natural slimming effect, which can show how a different hair silhouette might feel.
• Clean and brighten a portrait with AI Face Beauty. Skin smoothing, gentle brightening, and clarity tweaks make a lookbook image easier to compare side by side.

Use these previews as planning tools. Keep the original photo. Do not use heavy edits to decide medical or surgical changes. A small, controlled preview is enough to guide style choices.

FAQ: short answers to common questions

• What face shape do I have? Measure your forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length. Compare the numbers to the rules above.
• How to tell what face shape you have? Do the mirror outline or the one‑minute quiz, then confirm with the tape method.
• What type of face shape do I have if my cheekbones are widest? Likely diamond if forehead and jaw are narrow; heart if the forehead is widest and chin is pointed.
• How to define your face shape if you sit between two? Pick the shape that matches at least two key traits. Style for that shape. Most people blend two categories.
• How do you know your face shape quickly? Use a face shape finder or face shape detector to check, then verify with a simple measurement.
• What kind of face shape do I have if the jaw is widest? Triangle (pear).
• What head shape do I have if my face is long with equal widths? Rectangle/oblong.
• Does a face shape filter give a final answer? No. It gives a preview. Confirm with a detector or a tape measure.

Final checklist before you choose a style

• Confirm your shape with two methods: a quick face shape finder and the tape method.
• Note head shape and forehead shapes because they change the read.
• If you are male, include beard plan when you choose hair. If you are female, include bangs, part, and curl pattern.
• Try a safe preview on a copy of your image to test balance before a change.

Conclusion: know your face shape, then keep it simple

Face shapes give you a guide, not a rulebook. When you ask “what face shape do I have?” or “how do you know what face shape you have?”, use one careful measurement and one quick test. Pick styles that add what you lack and reduce what you have more of. For round shapes, add angles. For square shapes, add softness. For long shapes, add width. For heart and inverted triangle, add balance near the jaw. For diamond and triangle, move attention toward the area that is narrower.

If you want a preview, use a trusted face shape detector to cross‑check, then try a light virtual change on a copy of your photo. With that, you can style with confidence and keep your look true to you. Face shapes help you decide fast and choose right.

Share this guide with a friend who is asking “what type of face do I have?” Try the methods. Then pick one small change this week and see how it feels.