Triangle Face Shape: How to Tell and What Suits It

Last updated 5 min read

Line illustration of a woman with a triangle face, hair pulled back to show the outline: a narrower forehead and a full jaw that is the widest part of the face.
Triangle: narrowest at the forehead, widest at the jaw.

How to tell if you have a triangle face shape

The face shape detector compares your jaw width with your forehead width, the key test for a triangle face.

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  1. Your jaw is the widest part of your face.
  2. Your forehead is the narrowest part, clearly narrower than your jaw.
  3. Your cheekbones sit in between, a little narrower than your jaw.
  4. Your jaw may be angular, with defined corners, or broad and rounded.
  5. Your face is a little longer than it is wide.

If your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are all similar in width, you’re more likely square. If your forehead is widest, you’re the opposite shape: heart.

Triangle vs square vs heart

The same woman drawn with three face shapes, labeled: triangle, with a wide jaw and a narrower forehead; square, with similar widths; and heart, widest at the forehead.
Triangle compared with square and heart.
  • Triangle vs square: both can have strong, angular jaws. On a square face, the forehead is about as wide as the jaw; on a triangle face, it’s clearly narrower. See square.
  • Triangle vs heart: these are mirror images. A heart face is widest at the forehead and narrows to the chin; a triangle face is narrowest at the forehead and widest at the jaw. See heart.
  • Triangle vs round: a round face is full at the cheeks with a similar forehead and jaw. See round.

Triangle is sometimes sold as pear; the face shapes guide lists every alternative name next to its shape.

Hairstyles for a triangle face

The classic balance is to add width at the top of the head and keep the jaw area lighter. You can also choose styles that celebrate a strong jaw.

Six hairstyles drawn on the same triangle-faced woman, labeled: a textured pixie, layered bob, side-swept bangs, cheekbone layers, waves on top and a half-up style.
Cuts that add width at the top of the head and keep the jaw area lighter.

Short

  • A textured pixie or crop with volume on top and at the temples.
  • A layered bob that ends just below the chin, with lift at the crown.
  • Side-swept bangs paired with any short cut, to add width at the forehead.

Medium and long

  • Layers starting at the cheekbones, with volume from the crown down to the cheeks.
  • Soft waves focused on the upper half of the head.
  • Half-up styles that lift and widen the top.

Bangs and parts

  • Side-swept and curtain bangs widen a narrow forehead.
  • A side part with volume adds width at the top.
  • Slicked-back styles show off the jaw for a bold look.

What to think about

Chin-length blunt bobs and heavy volume at the jaw add width at the widest part of the face. Choose them if you want to emphasize your jawline.

Men

Volume on top and at the sides of the head, like a textured quiff or a fuller side part, balances a wider jaw. Very short sides with a flat top make the jaw look wider by contrast.

By hair type

  • Straight hair: layers from the cheekbones up, plus root lift at the crown, add width at the top.
  • Wavy hair: a shoulder-length cut with waves focused on the upper half balances the jaw.
  • Curly and coily hair: shape the cut so it’s fullest at the temples and crown, and lighter near the jaw.
  • Fine hair: a textured pixie or short crop with volume on top is easier to style than longer cuts that fall flat at the top.

Glasses for a triangle face

Four eyeglass frame shapes on the same triangle-faced woman, labeled: browline widens the brow, cat-eye lifts upward, semi-rimless gives a strong top line, and oval softens the jaw.
Frames with a strong top line add width at the brow.
  • Strong top lines: browline, cat-eye and semi-rimless frames add width at the brow.
  • Decorated or colored top rims draw attention upward.
  • Frames about as wide as the jaw balance the proportions.
  • Narrow, low-set frames make the jaw look wider, if that’s your aim.
  • Oval and round frames soften an angular jaw.

Eyebrows for a triangle face

Fuller, slightly longer brows with a soft arch add width and presence to the upper face. Extending the tails a little outward helps. Very thin, short brows make the forehead look narrower.

Contour and makeup for a triangle face

Makeup placement map on a triangle face: fuller brows with longer tails, highlight on the forehead, blush high on the cheekbones, and soft shading at the jaw corners.
Where to highlight, blush and shade on a triangle face.
  • Soft shading along the jaw corners narrows the lower face, if you like.
  • Highlight the forehead and temples to add width at the top.
  • Blush placed high on the cheekbones, swept up toward the temples, lifts the eye upward.
  • Eye makeup and brows make a natural focal point on a triangle face.

Earrings, necklines and hats for a triangle face

  • Earrings: studs, ear climbers and small, top-heavy designs keep attention near the upper face. Chunky earrings that hang at jaw level add width at the widest point.
  • Necklines: boat necks, off-the-shoulder tops and wide collars widen the shoulder line, which balances a broad jaw. A V-neck draws the eye down the center.
  • Hats: hats with volume at the crown, worn slightly back, add width at the top. Berets and slouchy beanies work well; narrow, close-fitting caps make the forehead look narrower.

Triangle faces in photos

Angle matters more for triangle faces than most: shooting from slightly above eye level, with your chin tipped a little down, keeps the jaw from dominating, while a low camera angle widens it. Hair pushed up and away from the temples in photos adds balance instantly.

Triangle face shape for men

A strong jaw is often a defining feature for men with triangle faces. Keep the beard shorter on the sides of the jaw and fuller at the chin, or wear light stubble, so the jaw doesn’t look wider. Volume on top of the head balances the lower face. See the face shapes for men guide.

Myths about triangle faces

  • “Triangle faces are the same as pear body shapes.” The name is borrowed, but face shape and body shape aren’t linked.
  • “You must hide a wide jaw.” Many people love their strong jawline and style to show it.
  • “Triangle and heart are the same.” They’re opposites.
  • “Only long hair balances a triangle face.” Short cuts with volume on top work well.

Compare your jaw and forehead widths with the face shape detector.

Frequently asked questions

How rare is a triangle face shape?

There's no reliable data on how common face shapes are. Triangle is usually described as one of the less common shapes, but many faces combine triangle features with square or oval ones.

What does a triangle face shape mean?

A triangle face shape describes the outline only: a jaw that's wider than the forehead, so the face widens from top to bottom. It says nothing about personality.

What hairstyles look best on a triangle face?

Styles with volume at the crown and temples, like layered cuts starting at the cheekbones, side-swept bangs and textured tops, balance a wider jaw. Chin-length blunt bobs add width at the jaw, so choose them if you like that.

What glasses suit a triangle face?

Frames with a bold or decorated top rim, such as browline, cat-eye and semi-rimless styles, add width at the forehead. Frames about as wide as the jaw keep proportions balanced.

Is a triangle face shape attractive?

No face shape is more attractive than another. A strong jawline is often admired, and beauty is personal. Every face shape is common among people considered attractive.

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