Barbers often ask what face shape you have before suggesting a cut, and for good reason: the same haircut can make one face look sharper and another look wider. This guide explains the main face shapes for men, how to find yours, and the haircut and beard combinations that work best for each.
How to find your face shape (men)
Pull your hair back, look straight into a mirror or take a front photo, and check:
- Length vs. width: is your face clearly longer than wide, or about equal?
- Widest point: forehead, cheekbones or jaw?
- Jaw: sharp and angular, or soft and rounded?
Facial hair can hide your jawline, so judge it with your beard trimmed short or by feeling the bone. Or upload a photo to the free face shape detector.
Men's haircuts by face shape
Oval
Traits: longer than wide, cheekbones widest, rounded jaw. Haircuts: almost everything works: side part, quiff, textured crop, buzz cut, slick back, medium-length flow. Beard: stubble, short boxed beard or full beard. More: oval face shape
Round
Traits: length and width similar, full cheeks, soft jaw. Haircuts: add height and keep sides tight: quiff, pompadour, faux hawk, textured crop with a high fade, side part with an undercut. Beard: short on the cheeks and longer at the chin (goatee, extended goatee, short boxed beard with a pointed shape) to lengthen the face. More: round face hairstyles
Square
Traits: forehead, cheekbones and jaw similar width, strong angular jaw. Haircuts: crew cut, buzz cut, Ivy League, side part, textured crop; messy fringe to soften. Beard: stubble shows off the jaw; a rounded full beard or circle beard softens it. More: square face shape
Oblong (rectangle)
Traits: clearly longer than wide, straight sides. Haircuts: add width, not height: side part with fuller sides, fringe, French crop, curtains. Avoid tall pompadours. Beard: fuller on the cheeks, short at the chin, or a mustache to break up length. More: oblong face shape
Diamond
Traits: wide cheekbones, narrow forehead and chin. Haircuts: fringe, textured crop, medium-length styles with some fullness at the sides. Beard: full beard or goatee to add width at the chin. More: diamond face shape
Heart / inverted triangle
Traits: wide forehead, narrow chin. Haircuts: medium length, side-swept fringe, curtains; avoid very high tops with skin-tight sides. Beard: full beard to add width at the chin and jaw. More: heart shaped face
Triangle
Traits: wide jaw, narrower forehead. Haircuts: quiff, pompadour, textured top, fuller temples; medium taper rather than high skin fade. Beard: short, neat beard; avoid adding width at the jaw. More: triangle face shape
Quick table
| Face shape | Best haircuts | Best beards |
|---|---|---|
| Oval | most styles | most styles |
| Round | quiff, pompadour, faux hawk, high fade | goatee, chin-focused beards |
| Square | crew cut, buzz cut, side part | stubble, rounded full beard |
| Oblong | side part with full sides, fringe, French crop | full cheeks, short chin |
| Diamond | fringe, textured crop | full beard, goatee |
| Heart | medium length, side fringe | full beard |
| Triangle | quiff, textured top, fuller temples | short, neat beard |
For more detail on facial hair, read beard styles by face shape.
Face shape and glasses
Choose frames that contrast with your face: rectangular frames for round faces, round frames for square faces, deep frames for long faces. See glasses for your face shape.
Try before your next cut
Upload a selfie to the hairstyle try-on to compare a quiff, a crop and a side part on your own face, and the beard filter to test facial hair.
FAQ
What is the most common face shape for men?
Oval and square are often mentioned as common for men, but there is no reliable data. Many men are a blend of two shapes.
How do I know my face shape as a guy?
Compare your face length and width, find your widest point, and check whether your jaw is angular or rounded. Trim your beard short or use a photo-based face shape detector for a clearer read.
What haircut makes a round face look slimmer for men?
Styles with height on top and tight sides: quiffs, pompadours, faux hawks and textured crops with a high fade.
What is the best face shape for a buzz cut?
Oval and square faces suit buzz cuts best because their proportions and jawlines are already balanced.
Can a beard change your face shape?
A beard can't change bone structure, but it can make your face look longer, wider or more angular depending on where you keep it fuller.
