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Triangle face shape

Also called: pear-shaped face

Jaw wider than the forehead, so the face broadens from the temples down to the jawline.

Is your face actually triangle-shaped?

Check in about 10 seconds, in your browser. Your photo never leaves your phone, and there’s no sign-up.

Check my face shapeOr get my full ranked list
Line drawing of a typical triangle face with forehead, cheekbone, jaw and length measurement linesFWCWJWL

What defines it

Length ÷ width
about 1.2 to 1.4
Widest point
the jaw
Forehead ÷ jaw
about 0.9 or less (jaw wider)
Jaw corner
often angular

Face-shape labels are fuzzy. We score on measurements.

The seven shapes are a stylists' convention, not a validated classification. Charts draw the lines in different places, and judging by eye is unreliable: in one study, visual face-type calls agreed with caliper measurements at a kappa of just 0.19.

The best published face-shape classifier reached about 85% accuracy on noisy photos. So we don't hand you one label. We show your shape as a mix, like 62% oval and 25% oblong, and our scorer never uses the label at all.

Proportions are also only part of the story. Your texture, density and hairline decide what a cut can physically do, so they carry more weight than face geometry.

Even a textbook triangle face is a mix

Our engine’s own reading of the face drawn above:

  • Triangle69%
  • Oval31%

What stylists aim for

Widen the top half: volume on top and at the temples, and keep bulk away from the jawline.

Stylist convention

Often confused with

  • Square

    A square face keeps forehead and jaw about even; in a triangle the jaw clearly wins.

  • Round

    A round face is widest at the cheeks with a soft jaw.

Haircuts ranked for triangle proportions

Our scorer’s geometry-only ranking for the textbook triangle face above. Proportions are about 15% of a real score; texture, density and hairline decide more, so your own list can look quite different. Every cut links to its barber spec.

Men's cutsProportions only

  1. 01Curtains / middle partMedium · best on 1A–2CVolume at the temples widens a narrower forehead.When it doesn’t work: A prominent nose; an off-centre front cowlick; hidden from hairline stage 2.
  2. 02QuiffMedium · best on 1B–2CAdds height on top, which balances a shorter, wider face.When it doesn’t work: Long or oblong faces; fine, low-density hair; hidden from hairline stage 3.
  3. 03Slick backMedium · best on 1A–2BAdds vertical length, which balances a shorter, wider face.When it doesn’t work: Hidden from hairline stage 2; a high forehead, a prominent nose or a long face are all on show.
  4. 04Classic taper (short back & sides)Short · best on 1A–3AAdds vertical length, which balances a shorter, wider face.When it doesn’t work: Few — it is the default for a reason.
  5. 05PompadourMedium · best on 1B–2BAdds vertical length, which balances a shorter, wider face.When it doesn’t work: Hidden from hairline stage 2; long faces, high foreheads and fine hair.
  6. 06Side part / gentleman's cutShort · best on 1A–2BAdds vertical length, which balances a shorter, wider face.When it doesn’t work: The part must follow your whorl; from hairline stage 3 it is only possible with caveats.

Women's cutsProportions only

  1. 01Curtain-bang layered cutMedium · best on 1B–2CVolume at the temples widens a narrower forehead.When it doesn’t work: A very round, short face (end the bangs below the cheekbone); a front cowlick.
  2. 02ShagMedium · best on 2A–3BSofter lines and movement take the edge off a square jaw.When it doesn’t work: Very fine low-density hair; a round face if the volume sits at cheek level (move it to the crown); straight 1A–1B hair needs daily styling.
  3. 03Butterfly cutLong · best on 1B–2CVolume at the temples widens a narrower forehead.When it doesn’t work: Fine low-density hair, 3C+ hair, no heat tools (it needs a blowout).
  4. 04Long pixie / bixieShort · best on 1A–2CSofter lines and movement take the edge off a square jaw.When it doesn’t work: Very thick, coarse hair needs debulking.
  5. 05Wolf cutMedium · best on 2A–3BAdds fullness at the temples, which balances a jaw that is wide next to the forehead.When it doesn’t work: Fine low-density hair, round faces, a conservative look; trend-dependent (Janif 2014: rarer looks rate higher).
  6. 06Curly rounded cut (Deva-style)Medium · best on 3A–3CSofter lines and movement take the edge off a square jaw.When it doesn’t work: Round or wide faces (keep volume on top, not at the sides); if you often straighten, the curly shag suits better.

Want the list for your hair, not a textbook face? The free analysis adds your texture, density and hairline, and explains every pick.

Rank cuts for me

Checking by hand

Possible, but people tend to overestimate their face’s width and underestimate its length. A photo taken at arm’s length also distorts it, so stand back or use a timer.

  1. 1

    Pull your hair back

    Forehead, hairline and ears visible. Neutral expression, looking straight ahead.

  2. 2

    Measure four lines

    Forehead width, cheekbone width at the widest point, jaw width at the jaw corners, and length from hairline to chin.

  3. 3

    Divide

    Length ÷ cheekbone width, and forehead ÷ jaw. Compare with the ranges in “What defines it” above.

  4. 4

    Look at the jaw corner

    A sharp angle points to square or triangle; a curved one to round, oval or heart.

Triangle face shape: questions

Is a pear-shaped face the same as a triangle face?
Yes. Both names describe a jaw that's wider than the forehead.
What should a triangle face avoid?
By convention: heavy volume at jaw level, like a blunt chin-length bob, and skin-tight temples with nothing on top.
Which cuts work for a wide jaw?
Cuts that add height or width above the ears tend to score well on proportions: textured tops, side parts, quiffs and layered lengths that start above the jaw.
How do I know if I have a triangle face?
Use the free face shape detector: it measures your proportions in your browser in about 10 seconds, and your photo never leaves your phone. You'll get your shape as a mix with a confidence level, plus three cuts that fit your proportions.

The other six shapes