--- title: "Gezichtsvormen bij mannen: hoe vind je jouw gezichtsvorm en wat past daarbij?" date: 2026-11-13 author: "Alex" featured_image: "https://beardedcolonel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/male-face-shapes-chart.jpg" categories: - name: "Haar en huid" url: "/nl/blog/category/hair-and-skin.md" --- # Gezichtsvormen bij mannen: hoe vind je jouw gezichtsvorm en wat past daarbij? There are six face shapes for men: oval, round, square, oblong (or rectangle), heart and diamond. You find yours by comparing four measurements (forehead, cheekbones, jaw and face length) and checking whether your jaw has a corner or a curve. Once you know the shape, picking from [the hairstyles directory](/mens-hairstyles/) and the [beard styles we have written up](/beard-styles/) gets a good deal easier, because you know which direction a cut or a beard needs to pull. Key takeaways: - Male face shapes come down to three widths and one length, plus the angle of the jaw. - Oval faces suit almost anything. Every other shape has one thing to add and one thing to leave alone. - Round and square faces are about as wide as they are long. The corner at the jaw is what separates them. - Long faces want width and a fringe. Round faces want height and length at the chin. - Most men are a mix of two shapes. Go with the feature that stands out most. None of this is a rule. A face shape is a starting point for a conversation with your barber, and it tells you one useful thing, which is where a haircut or a beard adds weight and whether that weight is helping. ## On this page - [How to work out your face shape](#how-to-work-out-your-face-shape) - [Face shape chart for men](#face-shape-chart-for-men) - [Oval face](#oval-face) - [Round face](#round-face) - [Square face](#square-face) - [Oblong or rectangle face](#oblong-or-rectangle-face) - [Heart face](#heart-face) - [Diamond face](#diamond-face) - [What if you are between two shapes](#what-if-you-are-between-two-shapes) - [Glasses and face shape](#glasses-and-face-shape) - [Questions people ask](#questions-people-ask) ## How to work out your face shape ![Diagram of a man's face with four numbered measurements: 1 forehead width, 2 cheekbone width, 3 jaw width and 4 length from hairline to chin.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/how-to-measure-face-shape.jpg)You need a mirror, a soft tape measure (or string and a ruler) and five minutes. Pull your hair back off your face, stand square to the mirror in even light with your chin level, and take four measurements. Whatever your face shape, a clean neckline and sharp cheek lines are what make a cut or a beard look deliberate. [The Bearded Colonel](https://beardedcolonel.co.uk) posts fresh five-blade refills through your letterbox on the schedule you choose, so there is always a sharp one in the drawer. [See the plans](https://beardedcolonel.co.uk/join/) 1. **Forehead width.** Measure straight across the forehead at its widest point, roughly halfway between your eyebrows and your hairline, from one side to the other. 2. **Cheekbone width.** Find the most prominent point of each cheekbone, usually just below the outer corner of each eye, and measure across. 3. **Jaw width.** Measure across the jaw at its widest point, from just below one ear to just below the other, where the jaw turns upwards. 4. **Face length.** Measure from the middle of your hairline straight down to the bottom of your chin. If your hairline has moved back, use where it used to sit, roughly where your forehead starts to curve over. Then the fifth check, which needs no tape. Run a finger along your jaw from the chin back towards the ear. A definite corner where the bone turns upwards means an angular jaw. One smooth curve means a rounded one. This settles more arguments than all four numbers put together. **The phone photo method.** Have someone photograph you straight on from a couple of metres away, zoomed in a little. A selfie at arm’s length distorts the face, making the middle look bigger and the sides narrower. Draw the four lines on the photo with the markup tool and compare them. You do not need centimetres, just which line is longest and how the length compares to the widths. ## Face shape chart for men The table below sets out what each of the six shapes looks like in those measurements. Find the row that matches your numbers most closely. Face shapeLength vs widthWidest pointJawChinOvalAbout half as long again as it is wideCheekbones, forehead slightly wider than jawRoundedGently roundedRoundAbout the sameCheekbones, all three widths similarRounded, no cornerRoundedSquareAbout the sameForehead, cheekbones and jaw all similarAngular, a clear cornerBroad and flatOblong / rectangleClearly longer than it is wideForehead, cheekbones and jaw all similarRounded (oblong) or angular (rectangle)Straight or slightly roundedHeartLonger than it is wideForeheadNarrowPointed or narrowDiamondLonger than it is wideCheekbones, clearlyNarrowPointed or narrow![Chart of the six male face shapes side by side: oval, round, square, oblong, heart and diamond, each with its outline dashed and the forehead, cheekbone and jaw widths and face length marked.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/male-face-shapes-chart.jpg)If two rows look equally close, read both sections and the part further down about being between two shapes. It is common. ## Oval face ![An oval face shape, slightly longer than it is wide with a gently rounded jaw, shown next to a quiff, a cut that suits it.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/oval-face-shape-men.jpg)An oval face is longer than it is wide, but not dramatically so. It is widest at the cheekbones, narrows slightly towards a rounded jaw, and has no hard corners anywhere. It is also the shape most men think they have, so check the jaw and the length honestly before claiming it. ![Man with an oval face, slightly longer than wide and widest at the cheekbones with a gently rounded jaw, wearing a quiff](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/oval-face-shape-man.jpg)**Haircuts that suit it.** Almost everything, because the proportions are already balanced and the cut itself gets to decide the look. A [side part](/mens-hairstyles/side-part/) is the safe smart choice, a [textured crop](/mens-hairstyles/textured-crop/) is the low effort one, and a [quiff](/mens-hairstyles/quiff/) or a [slick back](/mens-hairstyles/slick-back/) work when you want something with more presence. Choose on hair type and time, not face shape. **What to avoid.** Very little. The only real risk is overdoing one direction. Lots of height on top with a long beard below can pull an oval face towards oblong. **Beards that suit it.** Again, most of them. [Stubble](/beard-styles/stubble/), a [corporate beard](/beard-styles/corporate-beard/) and a [boxed beard](/beard-styles/boxed-beard/) are all good starting points. The [beard styles for oval faces](/beard-styles/beard-styles-oval-face/) page goes through the rest, and the two things worth avoiding, which are heavy length at the chin and heavy width at the cheeks. ## Round face ![A round face shape, about as wide as it is long with a soft jaw, shown next to a pompadour, whose height suits it.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/round-face-shape-men.jpg)A round face is about as wide as it is long. Forehead, cheekbones and jaw are close to the same width, the cheeks are the fullest part, and the jaw curves from chin to ear with no corner in it. The corner is what tells it apart from square, which has the same proportions. ![Man with a round face, about as wide as it is long with full cheeks and a soft jaw, wearing a pompadour](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/round-face-shape-man.jpg)**Haircuts that suit it.** The job is length, and the way to add it is height on top with shorter sides. A [pompadour](/mens-hairstyles/pompadour/), a [faux hawk](/mens-hairstyles/faux-hawk/), a [high fade](/mens-hairstyles/high-fade/) and a [mid taper fade](/mens-hairstyles/mid-taper-fade/) all do that. **What to avoid.** Heavy, straight fringes and full sides, which both make the face look wider. Very short all over is fine, but a round face can look rounder under a buzz cut than under a cut with some lift. **Beards that suit it.** Here too the job is length. Put the hair at the chin and keep the cheeks short and tapered. A [goatee](/beard-styles/goatee/), a [Van Dyke](/beard-styles/van-dyke/) or a [ducktail](/beard-styles/ducktail-beard/) all pull the face downwards. Avoid big untapered full beards and wide mutton chops, which add width exactly where you have the most. The [beard styles for round faces](/beard-styles/beard-styles-round-face/) page has the lengths and the trimming detail. ## Square face ![A square face shape with forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width and an angular jaw, shown next to a side part haircut.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/square-face-shape-men.jpg)A square face is about as wide as it is long, with forehead, cheekbones and jaw all close to the same width. The jaw has a definite corner where it turns up towards the ear, and the chin is usually broad. ![Man with a square face, forehead, cheekbones and jaw of similar width and a strong angular jaw, wearing a side part](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/square-face-shape-man.jpg)**Haircuts that suit it.** A strong jaw carries a short cut well, so a [crew cut](/mens-hairstyles/crew-cut/) or a [buzz cut](/mens-hairstyles/buzz-cut/) shows it off. A [low fade](/mens-hairstyles/low-fade/) with a parting suits a defined jaw, and an [undercut](/mens-hairstyles/undercut/) gives the top some length to play with. If you want to soften the angles rather than show them, [curtains](/mens-hairstyles/curtains/) put length and softness at the sides. **What to avoid.** Not much. A very squared-off top, as on a classic flat top, can make the whole head look boxy, so ask for the corners to be rounded slightly. If you want a fringe, a textured one sits better than a heavy straight one. **Beards that suit it.** The aim is to soften the corners without hiding the jaw. Heavy stubble does that with almost no effort, a [full beard](/beard-styles/full-beard/) works if the bottom edge is rounded, and a [circle beard](/beard-styles/circle-beard/) pulls the eye to the middle of the face. Avoid flat bottom edges, chin straps and wide mutton chops, which all add more straight lines. The [beard styles for square faces](/beard-styles/beard-styles-square-face/) page explains why. ## Oblong or rectangle face ![An oblong face shape, clearly longer than it is wide with straight sides, shown next to a French crop whose fringe shortens it.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/oblong-face-shape-men.jpg)An oblong face is clearly longer than it is wide, with fairly straight sides that run from temple to jaw without much curve. Forehead, cheekbones and jaw are close to the same width. If the jaw has hard corners as well, it is usually called a rectangle face, which is a long face with a square jaw. ![Man with an oblong face, clearly longer than it is wide with straight sides, wearing a French crop with a short fringe](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/oblong-face-shape-man.jpg)**Haircuts that suit it.** The opposite of a round face. You want width, and a fringe shortens the face better than anything, so a [French crop](/mens-hairstyles/french-crop/), a [Caesar haircut](/mens-hairstyles/caesar-haircut/), a [fringe](/mens-hairstyles/fringe/) or an [Edgar](/mens-hairstyles/edgar-haircut/) all suit a long face. Longer curtains also work, because the length at the sides adds width. **What to avoid.** Height. Quiffs, pompadours, faux hawks and high fades all make a long face look longer, and a slick back exposes the forehead and does the same. Very tight sides narrow it further, so keep a little length there. **Beards that suit it.** Width again. [Mutton chops](/beard-styles/mutton-chops/) put the most volume at the sides, a [chevron moustache](/beard-styles/chevron-moustache/) adds a horizontal line, and a full beard works if it is kept fuller at the cheeks than at the chin. Avoid anything pointed, such as a goatee or Van Dyke, which pulls the eye downwards. The [beard styles for long faces](/beard-styles/beard-styles-oblong-face/) page covers the rest. ## Heart face ![A heart face shape with a wide forehead and a narrow pointed chin, shown next to a fringe haircut that narrows the forehead.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/heart-face-shape-men.jpg)A heart face is widest at the forehead and narrows down to a narrow jaw and a pointed or slim chin. It is usually a little longer than it is wide. ![Man with a heart shaped face, a wide forehead narrowing to a pointed chin, wearing a textured fringe](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/heart-face-shape-man.jpg)**Haircuts that suit it.** You want to break up the width of the forehead and keep weight off the top. A side part, a [comb over](/mens-hairstyles/comb-over/) or a [short back and sides](/mens-hairstyles/short-back-and-sides/) with a parting all do that. A fringe or a textured crop narrows the forehead by covering part of it. **What to avoid.** Lots of height on top, which makes the forehead look wider. A quiff or a high fade can still work, but keep the height modest. A buzz cut or crew cut is fine, but it shows the full width of the forehead. **Beards that suit it.** A beard adds weight to the narrow lower half, which is exactly what a heart face wants. A full beard or a boxed beard fills out the jaw, and a wide, rounded [Garibaldi](/beard-styles/garibaldi-beard/) does it with more length. Go carefully with very pointed styles, which make a narrow chin look narrower. ## Diamond face ![A diamond face shape, widest at the cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin, shown next to a textured crop.](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/diamond-face-shape-men.jpg)A diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, by a clear margin, with a narrower forehead and a narrow jaw that ends in a pointed chin. It is longer than it is wide. It is often mistaken for oval, which also peaks at the cheekbones but much more gently. ![Man with a diamond face, widest at the cheekbones with a narrow forehead and chin, wearing a textured crop](/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/diamond-face-shape-man.jpg)**Haircuts that suit it.** You want to add some width at the forehead and soften the cheekbones. A fringe is the simplest way to widen a narrow forehead, so a French crop, a textured crop or an Edgar all suit it. Curtains work too, because the length at the sides softens wide cheekbones. **What to avoid.** Very short sides. A [high and tight](/mens-hairstyles/high-and-tight/) or a high skin fade makes the cheekbones look even wider. If you like a fade, keep some fullness on top and at the temples. **Beards that suit it.** Put the weight at the chin and jaw, where the face is narrowest, and keep the cheeks short. A [Balbo](/beard-styles/balbo/), an [extended goatee](/beard-styles/extended-goatee/) or a short boxed beard all do that. Avoid mutton chops, which add width right where you have the most of it. ## What if you are between two shapes Most faces are not a textbook example of anything. That is normal. Work out the one feature that stands out most and dress for that. If it is length, follow the oblong advice. If it is a corner at the jaw, follow the square advice. If two shapes give you the same answer, which happens more often than not, you have your haircut. If they disagree, ask your barber, who has seen far more heads than you have. A face that is widest at the jaw is sometimes called a triangle. The advice is roughly the reverse of a heart face, so add some width on top and keep a beard short and close at the jaw. ## Glasses and face shape The same principle applies to frames. Pick a shape that contrasts with your face rather than repeating it. - **Round faces** suit angular, rectangular frames. - **Square faces** suit rounder or oval frames that soften the jaw. - **Oblong faces** suit deeper frames, which take up more of the face’s length. - **Heart faces** suit frames that are lighter at the top, or rimless. - **Diamond faces** suit oval frames or frames with a strong browline. - **Oval faces** suit most frames, as long as they are about as wide as the face. An optician with the frames in hand will tell you more than any chart. ## Questions people ask ### What face shape do I have as a man? Measure your forehead, cheekbones, jaw and face length, then check whether your jaw has a corner. If length and width are about the same, you are round (no corner) or square (corner). If your face is clearly longer, you are oval, oblong, heart or diamond, depending on where it is widest. The chart above lays it out. ### Are face shape apps and photo detectors accurate? They are a useful second opinion, but a close-up selfie distorts the face enough to change the answer. A tape, or a photo taken from a couple of metres away, is more reliable. ### Is an oblong face the same as a long face? Yes. Oblong, long and rectangle all describe a face that is clearly longer than it is wide. Some guides keep rectangle for an angular jaw, but the advice is the same. ### Can a beard change your face shape? Not the bone structure, but it changes how the shape reads. Length at the chin makes a face look longer, and width at the cheeks makes it look wider. That is why a goatee suits a round face and mutton chops suit a long one. ### Does your face shape change as you get older? It can. Weight gain or loss changes how full the cheeks and jaw look, and the jawline tends to soften with age. If it has been a few years since you last checked, measure again before you pick a new cut. ### Which face shape is best for a man? There is no best one. Oval is the easiest to cut for, but a square jaw or strong cheekbones are just as good to have. The point is to work with your shape, not wish for another.