Face Shape Guide: The Best Haircut for Your Face

A great haircut balances your features. The goal for almost everyone is to move toward the proportions of an oval: a touch more length than width, with no single area overpowering the rest. Once you know your face shape, you can add height where a face is wide, soften a strong jaw, or fill out a narrow chin. Start by working out which of the seven shapes below is yours.

How to measure your face shape

Tie your hair back, face a mirror, and compare four measurements: forehead, cheekbones, jaw and overall face length (hairline to chin). The relationship between them tells you the shape.

Oval face

Slightly longer than it is wide, with a gently rounded jaw and forehead a touch wider than the chin. The most balanced shape, so almost anything works. The only caution is not to add too much height and weight on top, which can lengthen the face too far. Great picks: the crew cut, buzz cut, pompadour, or for women a bob or curtain bangs.

Round face

Width and length are similar with soft, full cheeks and a rounded jaw. The aim is to add length and angles. Keep the sides short and build height on top. Try a high fade with a quiff or pompadour; for women, long layers and side-swept fringes. Avoid heavy, straight-across fringes and rounded mushroom shapes.

Square face

Strong, angular jaw with forehead, cheeks and jaw roughly equal in width. You can either lean into the masculinity or soften it. Sharp, classic cuts look superb here — a side part, Ivy League or taper. Textured tops soften the angles if you prefer. For women, soft layers and waves balance the jaw.

Oblong / rectangular face

Noticeably longer than it is wide. The goal is the opposite of a round face: avoid extra height, which exaggerates the length, and keep some weight and fullness on the sides. A French crop, Caesar or a medium fringe shortens the face; curtain bangs work for everyone. Skip tall pompadours and very short sides with a high top.

Heart face

A wider forehead narrowing to a pointed chin, often with high cheekbones. Balance the narrow lower face by avoiding too much volume up top and adding a little fullness lower down. A textured crop, a medium-length fringe, or for women a chin-length lob or shag with face-framing layers all flatter this shape.

Diamond face

Widest at the cheekbones with a narrower forehead and chin. Add width at the forehead and keep some length to balance the cheekbones. Fringes and textured tops work well — a fringe, French crop or quiff; for women, curtain bangs and chin-length layers. Avoid slicking everything back tight, which exposes the narrow forehead.

Triangle face

A wider jaw narrowing toward a smaller forehead — the inverse of heart. Build volume and width up top to balance the jaw. Fuller, textured tops and styles with height suit best: a pompadour, quiff or volumised layers. Keep the sides from getting too bulky around the jaw.