Heart Face Shape
A face where the forehead is the widest measurement, with a jawline that narrows to a smaller, sometimes pointed chin — also called an inverted triangle face.
A heart face shape has a forehead that measures noticeably wider than the jawline, often with a narrower, sometimes pointed chin. It is sometimes called an inverted triangle face for the same reason. Styling recommendations for this shape generally focus on frames and hairstyles that add width or softness at the jaw to balance the broader forehead.
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Proportion Characteristics
- Forehead is the widest of the three width measurements
- Jawline is noticeably narrower than the forehead
- Chin is often smaller or more pointed than in other shapes
- Cheekbones typically sit between the forehead and jaw in width
Understanding the Heart Face Shape
A heart face shape is identified primarily by the forehead, which measures wider than both the cheekbones and the jawline. The jaw narrows toward a chin that is often smaller or more pointed than what you would see in an oval, round, or square face. Because of this top-heavy width pattern, the heart shape is sometimes referred to as an inverted triangle face.
The relationship between forehead and jaw width is the key ratio to check. A gap of roughly 10% or more between forehead width and jawline width, with the forehead being the larger of the two, is generally what separates a heart-shaped face from an oval face with a similarly soft jaw.
Because forehead and jaw width can be affected by hairline and jaw musculature, this shape is occasionally confused with diamond, which also narrows at the jaw but has its widest point at the cheekbones instead of the forehead. Comparing all three width measurements together, rather than relying on the forehead alone, gives a more reliable classification.
As with the other face shapes discussed on this site, "heart" describes a proportion pattern used for styling purposes. It carries no medical meaning and says nothing about facial symmetry, health, or attractiveness — it is simply a way to talk about width ratios when choosing glasses, hairstyles, and necklines.
Heart Face Shape Examples
Scarlett Johansson is independently identified as heart-shaped across multiple face-shape sources. Other names sometimes listed as "heart" online, including Jennifer Lopez and Halle Berry, are classified as diamond by a majority of the sources reviewed for this guide, so they are not included here.
Styling Guide for Heart Faces
These are general hairdressing and eyewear-industry conventions for complementing your proportions, not rules you have to follow.
Glasses
Frames that are wider at the bottom, such as browline styles with a lighter lower rim, or frames without heavy detailing at the top, are commonly recommended to bring visual balance to a broader forehead. Cat-eye frames with strong upswept corners tend to add width at the top of the face, which can emphasize rather than balance the forehead.
Hairstyle
Hairstyles that add volume or width at chin level are frequently recommended, such as a chin-length bob, waves that flare out near the jaw, or a side-swept fringe that softens the forehead's width. Styles that add height or volume at the crown, like a high ponytail, tend to draw more attention to the forehead.
Earrings
Earrings that add width near the jaw, such as chandelier styles or earrings that flare out at the bottom, are commonly suggested, since they help balance the narrower chin. Small stud earrings sit close to the ear and do not add the same width at jaw level.
Necklines
Necklines that draw the eye outward at shoulder level, such as a boat neck or off-the-shoulder cut, are frequently recommended, since they create horizontal width lower down the body to balance a wider forehead. A high, narrow neckline can draw more attention upward toward the forehead.
How Heart Compares to Other Shapes
Heart vs Diamond
Both heart and diamond faces narrow toward the jaw, but the widest point differs. A heart face is widest at the forehead, while a diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, with both the forehead and jaw narrower than the cheekbone measurement.
Read the full Diamond face shape guide →Heart vs Triangle
Heart and triangle faces are proportional opposites. A heart face is widest at the forehead and narrows at the jaw, while a triangle face is widest at the jaw and narrows toward the forehead.
Read the full Triangle face shape guide →Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a face heart-shaped?
A heart face has a forehead that measures wider than both the cheekbones and the jawline, with the jaw narrowing toward a chin that is often smaller or more pointed. A forehead-to-jaw width difference of roughly 10% or more, with the forehead being wider, is the general threshold used to identify this shape.
Why is a heart face also called an inverted triangle face?
The term describes the same top-heavy width pattern: wide at the forehead, narrow at the jaw, which visually resembles a triangle standing on its point. Some sources use "heart" and "inverted triangle face" interchangeably, though "inverted triangle" is also used separately to describe a body shape with wider shoulders than hips.
What glasses work best for a heart-shaped face?
Frames that are wider at the bottom than the top, such as browline styles with a lighter lower rim, are commonly recommended to bring visual balance to a broader forehead. Cat-eye frames with strong upswept corners tend to add width at the top of the face instead.
What is the difference between a heart face and a diamond face?
Both shapes narrow toward the jaw, but the widest measurement differs. A heart face is widest at the forehead. A diamond face is widest at the cheekbones, with the forehead and jaw both narrower than the cheekbone measurement.
How common is a heart-shaped face?
Estimates vary by methodology. Anthropometric-style research places heart-shaped faces at roughly 11% of faces, the least common of the six shapes measured that way apart from diamond. Self-reported data from online face-shape tools shows a considerably higher share, around 19%. The two figures use different data collection methods and are not directly comparable.
Could my face be heart-shaped or diamond-shaped?
It is worth checking both if you are unsure. Heart and diamond faces both narrow at the jaw, which is why they get confused, but the widest point is different: heart is widest at the forehead, diamond is widest at the cheekbones. Measuring all three widths together, rather than judging from the jaw alone, is the more reliable way to tell them apart.
Explore Other Face Shapes
Oval Face
A face that is noticeably longer than it is wide, with cheekbones slightly wider than the forehead and jawline, and a gently rounded jaw.
View GuideRound Face
A face where length and cheekbone width are close to equal, with a soft, curved jawline and similar widths across the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw.
View GuideSquare Face
A face where length and cheekbone width are close to equal, with a strong, angular jawline and similar widths across the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw.
View GuideComplete Your Style Profile
Your face shape is one piece of the picture. Pair it with your body shape and color season for a complete personal style profile.