A square face has strong, balanced lines. The forehead, cheekbones and jaw are close in width, and the jaw meets the chin at a clear angle. Many photographers love square faces because the strong jaw catches light and shadow so well. Styling a square face is mostly about adding a little softness or curve, if you want to, around those strong lines.
What a square face shape looks like
These signs usually show up together.
- Similar widths. The forehead, cheekbones and jaw are all close to the same width.
- An angular jaw. The jaw has a defined corner below each ear and runs fairly straight to the chin.
- A broad chin. The chin is wide and fairly flat rather than pointed.
- Length a little more than width. The face is only slightly longer than it is wide.
How to tell if you have a square face
Check in a mirror, with a tape measure, or with our free face shape detector, which measures the width of your jaw and the angle at its corner from a selfie.
The mirror trace
- Pull your hair back, face a mirror and keep your head level.
- Trace your outline on the glass with a washable marker or soap.
- Step back. A square face traces with straight sides and a clear corner at each side of the jaw, a little like a box with softened edges.
The tape measure
Measure across your forehead, your cheekbones and your jaw at the corners below your ears, then from the middle of your hairline to the tip of your chin. If the three widths are within a few centimeters of each other and the jaw corner is sharp, your face is square. If the length is clearly greater than the width with the same straight sides, look at the oblong face shape. If the jaw curves softly with no corner, look at the round face shape.
Best hairstyles for a square face
The aim is to soften the corners and add a little height or length, if you want to. Square faces also suit bold, sharp cuts that celebrate the jaw, so choose the effect you like.
Short hair
A textured pixie with longer pieces at the front and side swept bangs softens the outline. A short cut with height and some length on top suits men and women alike. Very short, boxy cuts emphasize the jaw for a strong look.
Medium hair
Shoulder length cuts with soft layers or waves are a classic choice. A long bob that ends below the jaw, with a deep side part, adds an angle. Blunt bobs that end exactly at the jaw line draw the eye to its width.
Long hair
Long hair with layers that start around the cheekbones softens the jaw. Waves and curls add movement. A side part works better than a severe center part, which repeats the straight lines.
For men
A textured crop, a quiff or a side part with some length on top all work with a square jaw. Short sides keep the look clean. A buzz cut shows off the jaw and suits men who like a strong, simple look.
Glasses for a square face
Round and oval frames contrast with the angles of a square face. Thin metal, rimless or semi rimless frames look light. Frames with a strong brow line also suit square faces by adding width above the eyes. Very boxy, heavy frames repeat the jaw line, which can look bold and deliberate if that is the style you want.
Makeup and contouring
Blend contour softly on the outer corners of the jaw and at the temples to round off the corners. Put blush on the apples of the cheeks and blend it in soft circles. A highlight on the center of the forehead and the chin draws the eye to the middle of the face.
Beards and facial hair
A rounded beard, longer at the chin than at the sides, softens a square jaw. Light stubble keeps the jaw line visible. A short boxed beard keeps everything sharp and strong.
Square, round and oblong compared
Square faces are most often confused with round and oblong ones.
- A round face has soft, curved cheeks and no clear corner at the jaw.
- An oblong face has the same straight sides but is clearly longer than it is wide.
If your result sits between two shapes, try ideas from both pages and keep what you like.
A strong jaw, celebrated
Square faces turn up again and again among models and actors, because a defined jaw holds its shape in photos and on screen. There is nothing to change about it. Everything on this page is about choice, softening the lines when you want a gentler look and leaning into them when you want a bolder one. Our guide to the most attractive face shape explains why no outline is better than another.
Square face at a glance
| Hairstyles to try | Soft waves and layers, Side parts, Long hair past the jaw, A textured crop with some length on top |
|---|---|
| Go easy on | Sharp blunt bobs at jaw level, Very flat, sleek styles close to the head |
| Glasses | Round and oval frames soften a square face. Thin metal or rimless frames also look light and easy. |
| Makeup | Soft contour on the jaw corners and blush on the apples of the cheeks blend the angles. |
| Beard | A rounded beard or light stubble softens the jaw, while a short boxed beard keeps it sharp. |
