Triangle Face Shape
A face where the jawline is the widest measurement, equal to or wider than the cheekbones, with a narrower forehead — the visual opposite of a heart-shaped face.
A triangle face shape has a jawline that measures as wide as or wider than the cheekbones, with the forehead as the narrowest of the three width measurements. It is the visual opposite of a heart-shaped face, which is widest at the forehead. Styling advice for this shape generally focuses on adding visual width near the forehead to bring the proportions into balance.
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Proportion Characteristics
- Jawline is the widest of the three width measurements, equal to or wider than the cheekbones
- Forehead is narrower than both the cheekbones and the jawline
- Face widens gradually from forehead to jaw rather than narrowing
- Jaw is often the most defined feature on the face
Understanding the Triangle Face Shape
A triangle face shape is identified by a jawline that measures as wide as, or wider than, the cheekbones, combined with a forehead that is the narrowest of the three width measurements. Reading down the face, the width increases rather than decreases, which is the reverse of the heart shape's pattern.
This shape is included as a seventh category alongside the more commonly cited six (oval, round, square, heart, diamond, oblong) because it appears frequently enough in comparative face-shape classification tools to warrant its own profile, even though some simplified systems fold it into the square or diamond categories instead.
Because triangle and heart are proportional opposites, comparing forehead width to jaw width directly is the most reliable way to distinguish this shape from the others. If your jaw measurement matches or exceeds your cheekbone measurement, and your forehead is clearly the narrowest of the three, triangle is the more accurate classification than square or diamond.
As with the other shapes covered on this site, "triangle" is a styling and hairdressing term describing a proportion pattern, not a medical classification. Reliable, cross-verified celebrity examples for this specific shape were not available across the sources reviewed for this guide, so none are listed here — the proportion characteristics above are the most dependable way to check this shape.
Styling Guide for Triangle Faces
These are general hairdressing and eyewear-industry conventions for complementing your proportions, not rules you have to follow.
Glasses
Frames with detailing at the top, such as cat-eye or browline styles with a bold upper line, are commonly recommended, since they add visual width near the forehead to balance a wider jaw. Bottom-heavy frames or styles without any detailing at the brow line tend to leave the width imbalance unaddressed.
Hairstyle
Styles with volume or width at the crown and temples, such as a fringe with side volume or layers that build height near the forehead, are frequently recommended, since they help balance a wider jawline. Styles that add width at chin level, such as a blunt bob, can emphasize the jaw further.
Earrings
Earrings that sit close to the face and taper narrower toward the bottom, such as small studs or short drops, are commonly suggested, since wide, jaw-level earrings can add further width to an already-defined jawline.
Necklines
Necklines that draw attention upward, such as a boat neck that widens at the shoulders or a scoop neck, are frequently recommended, since they shift visual weight toward the upper body and away from the jawline.
How Triangle Compares to Other Shapes
Triangle vs Heart
Triangle and heart faces are proportional opposites. A triangle face is widest at the jaw and narrows toward the forehead, while a heart face is widest at the forehead and narrows toward the jaw.
Read the full Heart face shape guide →Triangle vs Square
Both shapes can have a strong, defined jawline, but a square face has forehead, cheekbone, and jaw widths that are all similar, while a triangle face has a jawline that is clearly wider than the forehead.
Read the full Square face shape guide →Frequently Asked Questions
What is a triangle face shape?
A triangle face has a jawline that measures as wide as, or wider than, the cheekbones, with the forehead as the narrowest of the three width measurements. The face widens gradually from forehead to jaw, which is the opposite pattern of a heart-shaped face.
Is triangle face shape the same as heart face shape?
No, they are proportional opposites. A triangle face is widest at the jaw and narrows toward the forehead. A heart face is widest at the forehead and narrows toward the jaw. They are sometimes confused because both involve a clear width difference between the top and bottom of the face, just in reverse directions.
What glasses work best for a triangle face?
Frames with detailing at the top, such as cat-eye or browline styles with a bold upper line, are commonly recommended, since they add visual width near the forehead to help balance a wider jaw.
Why isn't triangle always included in face shape lists?
Many simplified face-shape systems use only five or six categories and fold triangle-shaped faces into square or diamond instead of giving them a separate category. This guide includes triangle as a seventh shape because the jaw-wider-than-forehead pattern is distinct enough, and common enough in comparative classification tools, to describe on its own.
What hairstyles suit a triangle face?
Styles with volume or width at the crown and temples, such as a side-swept fringe or layers that build height near the forehead, are commonly recommended, since they help balance a wider jawline. Chin-length, blunt styles can add further width at the jaw instead.
How do I know if I have a triangle face and not a square face?
Both can have a strong, defined jawline, so they are sometimes confused. The distinguishing measurement is the forehead: a square face has forehead, cheekbone, and jaw widths that are all similar, while a triangle face has a jawline that is clearly wider than the forehead, with the forehead as the narrowest of the three measurements. Measuring your forehead width on its own, separately from the cheekbone and jaw, and comparing it directly to your jaw measurement is the fastest way to settle the question.
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.