The Oval Face Shape Guide
Written by the Know Your Face Shape team. Not yet reviewed by a licensed cosmetologist — we’re looking for one. If you are one and spot something wrong, tell us at hello@knowyourfaceshape.com and we’ll fix it and credit you.
What Is an Oval Face Shape?
An oval face is noticeably longer than it is wide, with the cheekbones as the widest point and a jawline that curves rather than angles. The forehead sits slightly narrower than the cheekbones and the jaw slightly narrower again, so the outline tapers gently at both ends.
How to Tell If You Have an Oval Face
- 1
Measure length against width
Hold the tape from hairline to chin, then across the cheekbones. An oval face reads around one and a half times longer than wide.
- 2
Find the widest point
On an oval face the cheekbones are the widest part. If your forehead or jaw is wider instead, you are likely looking at heart or triangle.
- 3
Check the jaw corner
Trace from ear to chin. An oval jawline turns in a soft curve with no visible corner; a hard corner points to square or oblong.
Oval Face Measurements
Typical range = our published prototype value ± one standard deviation, from the same rule set the detector runs on.
| Feature | What it is | Typical for oval |
|---|---|---|
| Face length ratio | face length ÷ cheekbone width | 1.33 – 1.57 |
| Forehead ratio | forehead width ÷ cheekbone width | 0.83 – 0.97 |
| Jaw ratio | jaw width ÷ cheekbone width | 0.73 – 0.87 |
| Jaw angle | angle at the jaw corner | 114° – 130° |
| Chin taper | chin width ÷ jaw width | 0.37 – 0.53 |
Best Glasses for an Oval Face
Oval faces carry almost any frame, so the useful move is contrast: angular frames add definition to an outline that has little of its own.
- Square
- Rectangle
- Geometric