The Square 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 a Square Face Shape?
A square face is about as wide as it is long, like a round face, but the jaw is the giveaway: a strong, wide jaw with a distinct corner below the ear and a flat chin line. Forehead, cheekbones and jaw all sit close to the same width.
How to Tell If You Have a Square Face
- 1
Compare the three widths
Measure forehead, cheekbones and jaw. On a square face all three land within a narrow band of each other.
- 2
Feel for the jaw corner
The defining feature is a palpable corner where the jaw turns upward toward the ear. Round faces have a curve here, not a corner.
- 3
Check face length
If the same boxy proportions come with a clearly longer face, the shape is oblong rather than square.
Square 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 square |
|---|---|---|
| Face length ratio | face length ÷ cheekbone width | 0.93 – 1.17 |
| Forehead ratio | forehead width ÷ cheekbone width | 0.88 – 1.02 |
| Jaw ratio | jaw width ÷ cheekbone width | 0.88 – 1.02 |
| Jaw angle | angle at the jaw corner | 100° – 116° |
| Chin taper | chin width ÷ jaw width | 0.47 – 0.63 |
Best Glasses for a Square Face
Curved frames soften the straight edges of a square jaw; rounded lenses counterbalance the angular outline instead of repeating it.
- Oval
- Round
- Cat-Eye