Facial Structure Types Explained: Bones, Shapes & Features
Facial structure is the framework of bone and soft tissue that gives your face its shape: the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw, the length of your face, the angle of your jaw and the projection of your cheekbones, nose and chin. It's usually described through face shape (oval, round, square and so on) plus individual features like jawline, cheekbones and chin.
The layers of facial structure
- Bone: the skull sets the widths and angles: forehead, cheekbones (zygomatic arches), jaw (mandible) and chin.
- Muscle and fat: soft tissue fills out the cheeks and jaw and changes with weight and age.
- Skin: elasticity changes how defined your structure looks.
Facial structure types
By face shape
The most common way to describe facial structure is face shape: oval, round, square, oblong, rectangle, heart, diamond, triangle, inverted triangle or pear.
By jawline
Jawline types include square, rounded, V-shaped, pointed, wide and narrow. Use the jawline analyzer to measure yours.
By cheekbones
- High cheekbones sit close to the eyes and create a hollow below. Common in diamond and heart faces.
- Low or flat cheekbones sit lower with less projection, common in round faces.
Read what face shape has high cheekbones.
By proportions
Artists use the rule of thirds and fifths to describe proportions, and many people are curious about the golden ratio.
Can facial structure change?
Bone structure is stable in adulthood, but weight, aging, orthodontics and posture all change how it looks. See does losing weight change your face shape? and does Invisalign change your face?
Frequently asked questions
What is face structure?
The bone and soft-tissue framework that sets the width, length and angles of your face.
How do I know my facial structure?
Start with your face shape, then look at your jawline, cheekbones and proportions. Our detector measures these from a photo.
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