hair type · curly hair
Hair Type Chart: How to Find YourCurl Pattern
A hair type chart from 1A to 4C, with how to find your curl pattern at home, why thickness and density matter just as much, and which cuts suit each type.
Hairover Team
Hair types are usually grouped from 1 to 4 by the shape of the strand: type 1 is straight, type 2 is wavy, type 3 is curly, and type 4 is coily. Letters from A to C describe how tight the pattern is, with A being the loosest. To find yours, wash your hair, let it air-dry with no product, and compare it to the chart below.
The system came from stylist Andre Walker and has been expanded by others since. It is a helpful shorthand, but it is not a scientific measure. Curl pattern alone also will not tell you which cut or product to use, so this guide covers the other two things that matter: thickness and density.
Hair type chart
| Type | Pattern | How it looks and behaves |
|---|---|---|
| 1A | Pin straight | Very smooth and shiny, struggles to hold a curl |
| 1B | Straight with slight body | Some movement, more volume at the roots |
| 1C | Straight with a slight bend | Some coarse strands and slight waves at the ends |
| 2A | Loose, stretched S-waves | Fine waves, easily weighed down |
| 2B | Defined S-waves | Flat roots with waves from the mid-lengths, some frizz |
| 2C | Strong S-waves | Thick waves starting near the root, prone to frizz |
| 3A | Large, loose curls | Curls about the width of a large marker, shiny |
| 3B | Springy, medium curls | Curls about the width of a finger, drier |
| 3C | Tight corkscrews | Curls about the width of a pencil, dense and prone to shrinkage |
| 4A | Tight S-coils | Soft, springy coils, the width of a crochet needle |
| 4B | Z-shaped coils | Sharp bends, less visible curl pattern, fluffy |
| 4C | Very tight, densely packed coils | Tight pattern, high shrinkage, needs moisture |
How to find your hair type
- Wash and condition your hair as usual. Avoid heavy masks or oils for this one wash.
- Do not add any styling products. Leave-in creams and gels change how the pattern looks.
- Let your hair air-dry fully, without touching it or brushing it.
- Look at it in natural light. Check the top, the sides, the underneath, and around your face, and compare each section to the chart.
Most people have at least two patterns. It is normal to have tighter curls at the nape and looser ones on top. Damaged ends may also fall straight even though the rest of your hair is curly. This is usually from heat or color, and new growth often shows your real pattern.
Thickness: how wide is each strand?
Take one strand between your fingers.
- Fine: you can barely feel it. Fine hair is easily weighed down and often lies flat.
- Medium: you can feel it a little. This is the most common.
- Coarse: it feels firm and has some texture. It is strong, and may resist color and styling.
If you are unsure, compare a strand to a piece of sewing thread. Finer than thread usually means fine hair.
Density: how many strands do you have?
Pull your hair to one side, and look at the scalp.
- Low density: the scalp is easy to see, even with hair hanging naturally.
- Medium density: you can see some scalp when you move your hair apart.
- High density: the scalp is hard to see, even when you part your hair.
Density explains why fine hair and thin hair are not the same thing. You can have many fine strands and plenty of hair, or just a few coarse strands. The right cut for each is different. See our guide to hairstyles for thin hair if you have low density.
Which cuts suit each type
Type 1 (straight). Clean lines look great, and straight hair shows off a precise cut. Blunt bobs, sleek lobs, and short crops are all strong choices. Long layers add movement, but layers show clearly, so they need to be well blended. Try our bob haircut ideas.
Type 2 (wavy). The most flexible type. Shags, curtain bangs, and shoulder-length cuts help waves form, while too much length can pull them straight. See shag haircut ideas and medium-length haircuts.
Type 3 (curly). Shape matters more than length. Layers keep curls from turning triangular, and cutting on dry hair lets a stylist see each curl. Rounded bobs and curly shags are both good options. Read more in curly hairstyles, and if you are a man with this type, see haircuts for thick, curly hair.
Type 4 (coily). Tapered shapes, rounded afros, twist-outs, and protective styles such as braids and twists all work well. Because shrinkage can be significant, length is best judged when stretched. A stylist experienced with coily hair is worth seeking out, since cutting methods can differ from those used on looser textures.
Basic care by type
- Type 1: use lightweight products, and wash as often as you need to. Oil shows up quickly.
- Type 2: use mousse or light gel for definition. Heavy creams can flatten waves.
- Type 3: use a moisturizing conditioner and a curl cream or gel. Detangle while conditioner is in your hair, and avoid brushing when dry.
- Type 4: focus on moisture and on protecting your ends. Leave-in conditioners, oils, and gentle detangling all help. Wash less often, as needed.
Curl pattern is only part of how products behave. Your hair’s porosity can also matter, as explained in our hair porosity test guide.
What your hair type won’t tell you
The chart is only a starting point. It does not tell you whether your hair is damaged or healthy, or how well it holds a style. It also says nothing about what suits your face, or what you actually want from your hair. Plus, two people with the same type can have very different results with the same products.
So use the chart to find what to try first, and not as a set of rules. If you want to narrow things down further, our free face shape detector can add another piece of the puzzle.
See what your texture can do
The same haircut can look very different on 2A and 3C hair, so a photo of someone else only goes so far. Hairover starts with a clear photo of you. Its hair analysis looks at texture, length, and density, and Style Studio lets you try hairstyles on your own face. Compare a few shapes, then take the ones you like to your stylist.
FAQ
How do I know my hair type?
Wash your hair, apply no product, and let it air-dry. Then look at the shape of the strands. Straight hair is type 1, wavy is type 2, curly is type 3, and coily is type 4. The letters A to C describe how tight the pattern is within each type.
Can you have more than one hair type?
Yes, and it is very common. Many people have looser waves at the crown and tighter curls underneath or near the nape. Use the pattern you see most often, and care for each section as needed.
Can your hair type change over time?
Yes. Hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause, aging, medication, and chemical or heat damage can all change your curl pattern. Damage in particular can make curls look looser, and this can sometimes improve with healthy growth.
Is hair type the same as hair thickness?
No. Hair type describes the shape of your strands. Thickness describes how wide each strand is, and density describes how many strands you have. Two people with type 2B hair can need very different haircuts if one has fine, sparse hair and the other has coarse, dense hair.
