Manual Guide

How to Measure Your Face Shape

Reviewed by the Face Shape Detector Team · Updated June 2026

Don't want to use AI? No problem. Follow this comprehensive step-by-step guide to measure your facial dimensions accurately and determine your true face shape.

Before You Start

What You'll Need:

  • Flexible measuring tape (or a string and ruler)
  • Mirror (large enough to see your whole face)
  • Notepad and pen (or phone) to record numbers

Preparation:

  • Tie your hair back completely
  • Stand in a well-lit area in front of the mirror
  • Keep your face relaxed (no smiling)

The 4 Key Measurements

1

Forehead Width

Measure across the widest part of your forehead. This is usually halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline.

Tip: Keep the tape flat against your skin but don't press too hard.

Forehead Measurement Illustration
2

Cheekbone Width

Measure across your upper cheeks. Start from the sharp bump below the outer corner of one eye and go across the bridge of your nose to the other side.

Tip: This is often the widest part of the face for Diamond and Round shapes.

Cheekbone Measurement Illustration
3

Jawline Width

Measure from the tip of your chin to the point below your ear where your jaw angles upwards. Multiply this number by 2 to get your total jawline width.

Tip: Feel for the angle of your jaw with your fingers first.

Jawline Measurement Illustration
4

Face Length

Measure from the center of your hairline to the tip of your chin.

Tip: If you have a receding hairline, estimate where your natural hairline would be.

Face Length Measurement Illustration

Analyze Your Results

Oval

  • • Face Length > Cheekbone Width
  • • Forehead Width > Jawline Width
  • • Jawline is rounded, not sharp

Round

  • • Face Length ˜ Cheekbone Width
  • • Forehead and Jawline are smaller but roughly equal
  • • Jawline is soft and curved

Square

  • • All measurements are roughly equal
  • • Face Length ˜ Width
  • • Jawline is sharp and angular

Heart

  • • Forehead Width > Cheekbone Width > Jawline Width
  • • Chin is pointed
  • • Often has a widow's peak

Diamond

  • • Face Length is the largest
  • • Cheekbones are the widest part
  • • Forehead and Jawline are narrow
  • • Pointed chin

Oblong

  • • Face Length is significantly larger than Width
  • • Forehead, Cheekbones, and Jawline are similar in size
  • • Rounded jawline

Rectangle

  • • Face Length is the largest measurement
  • • Forehead, Cheekbones, and Jawline are similar in size
  • • Strong, angular jawline

Common Questions

What if I don't fit perfectly into one shape?

It's very common to be a mix of two shapes (e.g., "Squoval" - Square + Oval). Use the styling tips for both shapes to see what works best for you.

Does weight affect face shape?

Yes, weight gain or loss can soften or sharpen features, but your underlying bone structure (jawline, cheekbones) remains the same.

Can I just use the AI tool?

Absolutely! Our AI Face Shape Detector is designed to do all this measuring for you in seconds with high accuracy.