What this tool does and when to use it
This free nail shape quiz scores seven shapes (round, squoval, oval, almond, square, coffin and stiletto) against your finger length, nail bed width and length, how hard you use your hands and the look you like. You get your best shape, a runner up and a filing tip. Your answers stay in your browser.
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. It is the same balancing idea stylists use for haircuts and glasses, which our face shape finder applies to your face.
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 |
Best nail shape for your hands
| If you have | Try | Go easy on |
|---|---|---|
| Short or wide fingers | Almond, oval | Square |
| Wide nail beds | Almond, oval | Square, squoval |
| Short nail beds | Oval, almond, round | Square |
| Small hands | Oval, almond at a short to medium length | Very long stiletto |
| Long, slender fingers | Square, coffin, stiletto, squoval | Nothing, most shapes work |
| Narrow nail beds | Square, squoval, coffin | Very pointed tips |
| Busy hands or lots of typing | Round, squoval | Stiletto, coffin |
These are the same rules the finder above uses to score each shape, so the quiz and the table always agree.
Nail shapes for short nails
Short nails look neatest in round, squoval or a short oval. Round follows the curve of the fingertip and almost never breaks. Squoval keeps a clean straight tip with soft corners. A short oval or a soft almond is the quickest way to make short nails look longer, because the taper carries the eye past the fingertip. Leave square, coffin and stiletto for when you have some length, since they need a free edge to show their shape.
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.
