What Is My Face Shape?

Your face shape will fall under one of these categories: oval, round, square, rectangular, heart, or diamond-shaped. In general, if you have a wide forehead and a small chin, you most likely have a heart-shaped face. Wearers with round or oval faces generally have softer features, while those with square- or rectangular faces have strong jawlines and more angular foreheads. Diamond-shaped faces are widest across the middle, with an angular look to the cheekbones. You may find that you fall between two shapes, or are a combination of two. Don't worry: This is common, and most likely means that the frames that flatter either one of those shapes will work for you.

Determining your face shape is as simple as taking some measurements and looking at the angles and planes of your bone structure. Once you know your face shape, it's easy to select a pair of glasses or sunglasses that complement your features. Follow our tips for how to know your face shape and find the best glasses for you.

How to Determine Face Shape

1. Take measurements of your face length, forehead width, cheekbone width, and jawline width
2. Match your measurements to common face shapes
3. Decide if you have a combination of face shapes
4. Consider if Alternate-Fit frames are best for you

1. Take Measurements

Determining your face shape requires four measurements: face length, forehead width, cheekbone width, and jawline width. If it's too difficult to do this on your own, you can always grab a friend or family member to help or use a measuring tape app on your phone. Jot the measurements down so that you can refer to them later.

• Face length - Measure from the very edge of your hairline to the top of your chin. Make sure not to fold the measuring tape under your chin, and stop measuring at its base.
• Forehead width - This is the distance across your forehead from hairline to hairline. Lay the measuring tape horizontally across the center of your forehead and measure that way.
• Cheekbone width - Use your fingers to feel the highest point on your cheekbones, almost above your ear. Measure from this point on one side of your face to the other, keeping the measuring tape taut and flat and not curving against your skin.

Note: For more on measuring your glasses size and not just your face shape, follow our guide on how to find your proper fit.

2. Match your measurements to common face shapes

Now that you have your measurements in hand, you can use them to determine your face shape.

• Oval - Wearers with an oval face shape have longer face length measurements than their cheekbone width and forehead width measurements, which will be similar. People with oval faces also have rounded hairlines and jawlines. Diamond- and oval-shaped faces are very similar, and you may find that you will look good in glasses for either type of face.
• Round - If you have a round face, your face length, forehead width, and cheekbone width measurements will all roughly be the same. This face shape is also characterized by a rounded hairline and jawline. If you could draw a more or less perfect circle around the outside of your face, then it is round.
• Square - While the measurements for square and round faces are the same—your face length, forehead width, and cheekbone width measurements are all similar—square-shaped faces are characterized by a strong, pronounced jawline and an angular browline. If you have a square face, the angles of your jawline and forehead will also be symmetrical.
• Rectangular - Like oval faces, rectangular face shapes have a longer face length measurement than their cheekbone and forehead length measurements. However, people with rectangular faces have squared-off jawlines and hairlines, giving their faces a more angular look. You may find that you fall somewhere between a square and rectangular face shape if you have a strong jawline, which is perfectly normal and may give you a wider array of glasses silhouettes to choose from.
• Heart - Even more than your measurements, a heart-shaped face is most often characterized by a widow's peak browline and a pointed chin. In addition to this, you'll have wider forehead width measurements than cheekbone width measurements. The length of your face may also be shorter, it just depends on your specific features.
• Diamond - The diamond face shape is characterized by a long face length, and cheekbones that are wider than the forehead. While similar to the oval face shape, the diamond-shaped face is more angular with pronounced cheekbones.

3. Decide if you have a combination of face shapes

Some wearers will find that they have a combination of two face shapes. The best example of this is the diamond and oval faces, which are very similar, but not exactly the same. (Think of celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, who exemplify the best of both face shapes.) If you find that your measurements fall between two types of shapes, never fear. This means that you will look good in the glasses and sunglasses most flattering to both face shapes.

4. Consider if Alternate-Fit frames are best for you

Alternate-fit glasses feature proportions tailored to wearers with high cheekbones and low or wide nose bridges. Sunglasses and eyeglasses makers across the board make frames of all types with these comfort features. If you notice that you have a flat nose bridge and high cheekbones, or have had problems in the past with standard frames leaving a line across your cheeks, consider trying alternate-fit frames in your favorite silhouette to achieve easy all-day wear.

What Are the Common Face Shapes?

The most common face shapes include oval, round, square, rectangular, heart, or diamond types, but many people have a combination of types or fall between two of them.

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