How the face shape detector works
The face shape detector tells you which of seven face shapes you have, from one selfie. It measures the same things a stylist looks at, face length and the widths of the forehead, cheekbones and jaw, and it runs entirely on your device.
- Your photo stays on your device. It is read by your browser and never uploaded.
- Your face is mapped. A face model in your browser places hundreds of points around your face, and a second small model finds your hairline, which the face model does not reach.
- Your head is straightened. The points come with depth, so the tool turns your face to look straight at the camera before measuring.
- Your proportions are measured. Face length from hairline to chin, then the width across your temples, your cheekbones and your jaw corners, the width of your chin, and the angle at the corner of your jaw.
- You get your shape. Each shape has a typical pattern of those measurements. The closest one is your shape, and the next closest is your runner up.
The seven face shapes at a glance
| Shape | Widest point | Length | Jaw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oval | Cheekbones | About one and a half times the width | Softly rounded |
| Round | Cheeks | Close to the width | Soft, no corner |
| Square | Even all the way down | A little over the width | Strong, angular |
| Heart | Forehead | Medium | Slim, pointed chin |
| Diamond | Cheekbones, clearly | Medium to long | Narrow, pointed chin |
| Oblong | Even all the way down | Well over the width | Straight sides |
| Triangle | Jaw | Medium | Wide and strong |
Each shape has its own guide with hairstyles, glasses, makeup and beard ideas.
How to get the most accurate result
- Pull your hair back from your forehead and the sides of your face. Face length starts at the hairline, and hair at the sides hides the width of your cheeks and jaw.
- Look straight into the camera with the phone at eye level. A low camera lengthens the chin, and a high camera widens the forehead.
- Keep a relaxed, closed mouth. An open mouth makes the face look longer.
- Use a photo without filters. Some beauty filters slim the jaw, which can move you from one shape to another.
- Try two or three photos if the result is a close call. The shape that comes up most often is the best one to go with.
Understanding your result
- Your face shape is the closest match, with a short description of what it means.
- The runner up is the next closest shape. If your face sits between two shapes, the advice for both will suit you.
- What we measured shows your face length to width ratio and how wide your forehead, jaw and chin are compared with your cheekbones.
- Hairstyles to try and the quick guide give ideas for haircuts, glasses, makeup and beards.
- Show what was measured draws the outline and the three widths on your photo.
Using your face shape
Face shape is most useful as a first filter. When a stylist suggests a cut, they also think about your hair texture, how much time you spend styling, your neck and shoulders, and the look you like. Glasses work the same way, with frame width and bridge fit mattering as much as shape. So use your result to narrow down ideas, then try them on in the mirror or ask your stylist to show you a few options. If a style you love is meant for a different shape, wear it anyway. Confidence changes how any cut reads.
Accuracy, limits and the science
Face shape is a styling system, not a medical or scientific category. There is no official list of shapes, and stylists often disagree about faces that sit between two of them. That is why the detector always shows a runner up.
We tested the detector on 912 public portraits from two licensed sets, with people of many ages and backgrounds. Of the 201 that were straight on enough to measure, triangle came up for 19 percent of faces, heart for 18, oval and round for 17 each, diamond for 12, square for 11 and oblong for 6. A mirrored copy of a photo gave the same shape 9 times in 10. Read the full results on our methodology page.
Some limits to keep in mind.
- The hairline is read from your hair. With a fringe, a hat or a receding hairline, face length is estimated and counts for less.
- Hair, beards and soft tissue change how the outline reads, so a full beard can move a result toward square.
- Very tight crops that cut off the top of the head hide the hairline.
Privacy
Your photo never leaves your device. It is read by your browser, measured there and forgotten when you close the page. We do not upload it, store it or see it. The share card is made on your device too, and your photo appears on it only if you tick the box.
Read our privacy policy for the full details, or find more ideas in our guides to haircuts for round faces and the most attractive face shape.