Oblong Face Shape
A face with the highest length-to-width ratio of the seven shapes, similar to oval but longer, with a straighter cheek line and consistent width from forehead to jaw.
An oblong face shape, sometimes called a rectangle face, has the highest length-to-width ratio of the seven shapes covered here. It resembles an oval face but is longer relative to its width, with a straighter line down the cheeks and fairly consistent width across the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw. Styling advice generally focuses on adding visual width to balance the face's length.
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Proportion Characteristics
- Highest length-to-width ratio among the seven shapes (roughly 1.6 or higher)
- Forehead, cheekbone, and jawline widths are fairly consistent with each other
- Cheek line runs straighter and longer than on an oval face
- Jaw may be softly rounded or have a slight angle, without a strong point
Understanding the Oblong Face Shape
An oblong face shape, also called a rectangle face, is identified by having the highest length-to-width ratio among the seven shapes covered here, generally around 1.6 or higher. It shares the relatively even forehead-to-jaw width pattern of a round or square face, but is meaningfully longer in proportion to that width.
Where oval and oblong are sometimes confused, the distinguishing detail is the length-to-width ratio and the straightness of the cheek line. An oblong face tends to run straighter along the sides for a longer stretch before narrowing at the jaw, compared to an oval face's more tapered curve.
Because this shape depends on comparing four measurements rather than spotting one obvious feature, it is more easily identified through measurement than through a quick visual check, which is part of why a measurement-based approach can be more reliable here than eyeballing a mirror.
It is worth noting directly: the celebrity examples for oblong faces circulating online are not well cross-verified. Two commonly cited lists for this shape do not overlap on a single name, which suggests the examples are unreliable rather than confirmed. Because of that, this guide does not include celebrity examples for oblong faces — the proportion characteristics above are a more dependable way to check this shape than comparing yourself to a public figure.
If you are deciding between oblong and oval, focus on the length-to-width ratio rather than the overall impression of the face. A ratio at or above roughly 1.6 points to oblong; anything meaningfully lower, even with a similar soft jaw and straight cheek line, is more likely oval.
Styling Guide for Oblong Faces
These are general hairdressing and eyewear-industry conventions for complementing your proportions, not rules you have to follow.
Glasses
Wide or oversized frames, and frames with strong horizontal lines such as browline or rectangular styles with decorative temples, are commonly recommended, since horizontal width can visually balance a longer face. Narrow, small frames tend to emphasize length rather than offsetting it.
Hairstyle
Styles that add width at the sides, such as a blunt cut with volume, waves, or a fringe with a side sweep, are frequently recommended, since horizontal fullness balances the face's length. Very long, straight, center-parted styles with no width tend to emphasize length further.
Earrings
Wider or clustered earring styles, such as button earrings or short, rounded drops, are commonly suggested, since they add width without extending length further. Long, thin, vertical earrings tend to elongate the face even more.
Necklines
Necklines that create horizontal width, such as a boat neck, off-the-shoulder style, or a wide scoop, are frequently recommended, since they draw the eye outward and balance a longer face. A high, narrow neckline can add to the sense of length.
How Oblong Compares to Other Shapes
Oblong vs Oval
Oblong and oval faces share a similar overall proportion pattern, but oblong has a notably higher length-to-width ratio. An oblong face runs longer and straighter along the cheeks, while an oval face curves inward sooner.
Read the full Oval face shape guide →Oblong vs Square
Both shapes can have fairly consistent forehead, cheekbone, and jaw widths, but a square face has a length-to-width ratio close to 1:1, while an oblong face is notably longer relative to its width.
Read the full Square face shape guide →Frequently Asked Questions
What is an oblong face shape?
An oblong face, also called a rectangle face, has the highest length-to-width ratio among the common face-shape categories, generally around 1.6 or higher. The forehead, cheekbones, and jawline are fairly consistent in width, and the cheek line runs straighter and longer than an oval face.
Is oblong the same as rectangle face shape?
Yes, "oblong" and "rectangle" are used interchangeably to describe the same proportion pattern: a long face with fairly even width from forehead to jaw and a straighter cheek line compared to an oval face.
What glasses suit an oblong face?
Wide or oversized frames, and styles with strong horizontal lines such as browline frames or rectangular frames with decorative temples, are commonly recommended, since horizontal width helps visually balance a longer face. Small, narrow frames tend to emphasize length instead.
How do I tell an oblong face from an oval face?
Both shapes have a similar overall pattern, but an oblong face has a notably higher length-to-width ratio and a straighter line down the cheeks. An oval face is shorter relative to its width and curves inward sooner toward the jaw.
How common is an oblong face shape?
Estimates vary widely by methodology. Anthropometric-style research places oblong faces at roughly 14% of faces, while self-reported data from online face-shape tools shows a much smaller share, around 3%. Because these come from different data collection methods, neither figure should be treated as a precise, universal number.
How do I tell an oblong face from a square face?
Both can have fairly consistent width from forehead to jaw and a straighter cheek line, so it is easy to mix them up at a glance. The length-to-width ratio is what separates them: square sits close to a 1:1 ratio, while oblong runs notably longer, generally 1.6 or higher. If you are unsure, the face length measurement relative to your cheekbone width is the number to check first. Double-checking that your face length was measured straight down from hairline to chin, without tilting the tape, is worth doing before comparing the ratio, since a tilted measurement can inflate the number and push a square face into oblong-looking territory.
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.