How to choose a nail shape for your hands
The most flattering nail shape balances the proportions of your hands. Tapered shapes like almond and oval draw the eye up and make short fingers and wide nail beds look longer and slimmer. Straight edged shapes like square and coffin look sharpest on long, slender fingers and narrow nail beds. Your lifestyle matters just as much: if you type all day or work with your hands, shorter, rounder shapes will save you from constant chips and breaks.
Nail shapes at a glance
| Shape | Best for | Upkeep |
|---|---|---|
| Round | Short nail beds, busy hands, natural look | Very low |
| Squoval | Almost everyone, especially short to medium length | Low |
| Oval | Short fingers and wide nail beds | Low |
| Almond | Lengthening any hand, classic or bold styles | Medium |
| Square | Long, slim fingers and narrow nail beds | Medium |
| Coffin or ballerina | Long nails and nail art | High |
| Stiletto | Long fingers and dramatic looks | Very high |
How to measure your nail beds and fingers
Look at your nail beds, the pink part of the nail. If they are about as wide as they are long, they are average. If they are noticeably wider than long, they are wide, and if they are long and slim, they are narrow. For finger length, compare your middle finger with the length of your palm: short fingers are clearly shorter than the palm, and long fingers are about the same length or longer.
Shaping your nails at home
Always file dry nails, since wet nails are soft and split easily. Use a fine grit file, and work from the outer edge toward the center in one direction rather than sawing back and forth. Shape the sides first, then the tip, and check both hands from above to keep them matching. For design ideas in your new shape, browse our almond nail designs, chrome nail art and modern nail art guide, and work out what to tip your nail tech with the salon tip calculator.