There are infinite ways to express yourself with your nails, but to make the most of any shade choice or design, you need a solid foundation. That’s where nail shapes come into play. Not only can different nail shapes change the look of your hands, but they can also set the mood for your mani. Think about it: Even nude polish has a completely different vibe on natural, round nails than on stiletto tips.
“There are many nail shape options to choose from, starting with the classics like round, oval, almond, square, and squoval, to more extreme shapes like coffin, stiletto, and lipstick,” Thea Green, founder of Nails.Inc, tells Glamour. According to Green, most people gravitate toward the “classic” nail shapes: oval, almond, square, and squoval. Short, square nails are having a moment right now, but there’s always room to try less conventional trends, like ballerina and flare tips.
Below, you’ll find our complete guide to nail shapes, including…
- A detailed breakdown of every popular nail shape, with expert insight
- Professional nail artists’ answers to FAQs about how to find your perfect fit
- Which nail shape is best for your cuticle type?
- Which nail shape is best for your lifestyle?
- How to shape your nails
Nail shapes, at a glance
As the name suggests, round nails have a rounded tip and look great with nails of any length. They’re also easy to maintain and do yourself at home. “Rounded nails follow the natural curve of the fingertip, creating a soft and subtle shape,” Juli Russell, a manicurist and DIY nail expert for Sally Beauty, tells Glamour. “This shape is ideal for short-to-medium-length nails, and is best suited for longer fingers or those whose lifestyle involves heavy hand labor. It’s the strongest, and grows out well.”
Round nails also work best with wide nail beds and are the lowest maintenance nail shape, she says. To get them, Sally Hansen brand ambassador Hannah Lee suggests filing from one side following the natural shape of your fingertip until you have a rounded shape. Lee likes a classic French manicure on rounder nails, but the shape also looks great in deeper red shades.
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Think of an oval as an elongated round nail. “Oval nails have slightly tapered sides that end in a rounded tip, elongating the appearance of the fingers,” says Russell. Like round nails, they’re very easy to wear and maintain.
“Oval nails are filed down on the sides and have a rounded tip to create an egglike shape to the nail,” says Green. “This shape is best for people with wider nail beds as it elongates in both nail width and length. A firm favorite for all, this shape looks great with a simple swipe of polish
in a neutral shade, like the 45 Second Speedy Nude Shades.”
This one is pretty self-explanatory, as a square shape has a straight-across edge. “I find it looks best if your cuticle area is not super rounded,” says Lee. When it comes to square nails, length makes a huge difference. Square nails feature straight edges and a flat tip, giving a bold and modern appearance.
“This shape is ideal for short- and medium-length nails, and long if you’re going for a ’90s aesthetic,” says Russell. “Sharp corners can be prone to breaking, so it’s not advised if your lifestyle is heavy on hand labor. It also requires weekly reshaping as nails grow out.”
According to Green, this shape is best for those with long, narrow nail beds, and anyone who likes a low-maintenance mani.
Like the heel of a killer pair of shoes, stiletto nails have a long, pointed tip. They are daring, a popular choice with celebrities like Cardi B and Rihanna. “Stiletto nails are sharply pointed at the tip, creating a dramatic and edgy look,” Russell says. “This shape requires long nails. A statement-making nail shape. They’re high-maintenance but high fashion and great for special occasions and for wearing bold nail art.”
Lee agrees, noting that this nail shape is best with long nails and narrow nail beds. It’s especially popular with acrylics, so if you’re looking for an edgy look, this is for you, says Lee. “Since stilettos are longer and done mainly with acrylics, you want to make sure you care for them so they last long. Don’t use them as tools. Rhinestone designs are great for this shape since you have a lot of space to work with.”
Another celeb favorite? Coffin, which features angled sides and a squared-off tip to create the coffin shape. Lee recommends coffin nails for those who aren’t afraid of a bold look and says the trend looks amazing on slender fingers with acrylic nails. “Like stiletto, these require salon maintenance, so make sure to get your fills when needed,” she says. “Also, don’t use them as tools, to help them last longer.” Coffin nails look cool with any color, but a subtle ombré or matte finish adds extra edge.
“It features tapered sides and a flat, squared-off tip, suiting those with long, slender fingers with angled cuticles,” says Green. “This nail shape will require salon maintenance but provides the perfect canvas for all nail art. For a truly bold nail look, use the neon pink 45 Second Speedy Shade in Blake.”
A squoval nail shape combines two looks in one—a mix of square and oval. “It’s a perfect amalgamation of the square and oval nail shape,” says Green. “This hybrid is for
those who like the flat edge of the square but prefer the rounded corners of the oval. It’s also a
universal shape that looks good on all nails.”
To get the look, you file straight across for a square shape first, then round out the edges. “Squoval nails combine the elegance of oval shapes with the straight edges of square nails, offering a balanced and versatile look,” says Russell. “This shape is ideal for short, medium, and long nails. It offers the strength of an oval, as there are no sharp corners, but has the clean look of a square.” That said, it does require weekly reshaping as nails grow out.
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“Like oval nails, almond nails are filed down the sides and have a more tapered point, like the look of an actual almond,” says Green. “Choosing this shape will instantly give your mani a touch of glamour.” She adds that this shape works well at lengthening and creating the look of slimmer fingers.
Lee says almond nails tend to work best with longer nails. “It’s common with acrylic nails, so if you go that route, it will require salon maintenance. This shape is great if you want something chic and modern,” she says. If you have long nails, you can get the almond shape by filing each side of the nail to create a peak, then rounding it out for the pretty almond shape. Lee loves negative-space designs on this nail shape, while pastels look super ladylike.
Ballerina nails are similar to coffin nails, except the sides are a little more curved before they hit the flat tip—like a ballet dancer’s pointe shoe. “They’re best with long acrylic nails and will require salon maintenance,” says Lee. “Rhinestones or glitter gradients look great with this shape.”
“Similar to stiletto, this shape requires long nails and is also a statement shape,” says Russell.
“This is for those who want a statement trendy nail,” says celebrity manicurist and Kiss ambassador Gina Edwards. A lipstick tip has a straight-across square shape, with one angled side to create that cool lipstick shape. It has to be done with acrylics, so be prepared for upkeep if you’re after this look.
“The tip of the nail is slanted, giving the look of a lipstick bullet, providing a trendy and unique shape,” says Green. “This shape suits those who are out to make a statement.”
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Flare nails, also known as duck nails, have a very early-aughts feel—and tend to be controversial in the nail world. They’re also fairly high-maintenance, because with this shape, you really have to commit to acrylics or tips. “The tip flares out wider than the rest of the nail, so there’s no way to really get this shape unless you get them formed or used flare tips,” says Lee. “The most common designs I see are French tips with some bling.”
Which nail shape is best for your cuticle type?
“When picking a nail shape, I like to look at the shape of your cuticle area,” says Lee. “I find that if it’s more rounded, then a round or oval shape typically looks best. And if it’s wider, then a square or squoval shape may work.”
Green also recommends oval nails for anyone with wider nail beds, as they “elongate in both nail width and length.” Square and stiletto, on the other hand, are ideal for those with long, narrow nail beds.
Which nail shape is right for your lifestyle?
Which nail shape you go with depends mostly on your preference and personality, but there are a few things to keep in mind before heading to the salon or picking up a file. “Choosing the best nail shape involves considering both your personal style and daily activities,” says Russell.
For example, if you have an active lifestyle or work with your hands, Russell suggests opting for more practical shapes like round or squoval, which are less prone to breakage. “For a more glamorous look suitable for special occasions, stiletto or almond shapes can be a striking choice, but they may not be as durable.” she says. “Ultimately, the best nail shape balances aesthetics with the functionality required by your routine.”
“I would avoid extreme nail shapes if you’re conservative with nail trends,” says Edwards. “And if you’re in a labor-intensive industry with your hands, you can wear most nail shapes, but start with a shorter length, then grow into a longer nail.”
In particular, Green warns against shapes like coffin, stiletto, and lipstick if you tend to work with your hands. “These nail shapes definitely add a statement to your mani but can be harder to maintain,” she says. “With the more angular shaping, snagging of the nail is more likely to occur.”
And if you type a lot? “It is essential to choose a shape that allows comfort and functionality while typing,” says Green. “I recommend either short oval nails, short squoval nails, or short almond nails. Any of these will look sleek while avoiding the risk of breaking.”
How to shape your nails
For an in-depth guide on how to shape your nails at home, Russell suggests the following tutorial.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should I choose a nail shape?
According to Russell, choosing a nail shape ultimately comes down to three factors: lifestyle, aesthetic, and upkeep. “If you work a heavy hands-on job, opting for a shorter length and a strong shape like squoval or round is the way to go,” she says. “If you’re more of a white collar gal, medium length and oval or almond is a professional but manageable option.”
What are the best nail shapes for short nails?
If you’re opting for short nails, working with your natural shape can help you find the most flattering look. “Square and oval are the best for short nail lengths as both of them mimic the growth of your natural nails,” Russell says. Can’t choose? “Squoval is the best of the both worlds and very modern. It has a blunt, squared off edge, but rounded corners that taper naturally into the side walls,” says Russell. This hybrid shape also combines function and flair: “It gives the modern, clean aesthetic of square without the fragility of sharp corners.”
What are the benefits of oval nail shapes?
Oval nails are a classic for a reason. They’re timeless and universally flattering; the softly rounded tip “elongates the nail, giving your hands a graceful look without feeling overly trendy,” Russell says. While they may look dainty, oval nails are also ultrapractical: Russell explains that the rounded edges distribute impact evenly, so they’re less likely to catch and break than sharp-edged shapes, like stiletto or square
Oval nails are also a happy medium when it comes to length. They’re long enough to feel elevated, but not so long that they get in your way. “Oval nails strike the perfect balance between durability and elegance, making them a go-to choice for both everyday wear and more polished, professional settings,” Russell says.
What should I consider when choosing between an almond and a coffin nail shape?
Both shapes are popular for long nails, but there are some key differences to keep in mind when choosing between almond and coffin nail. The primary distinction is “how the free-edge tapers,” Russel says: “Coffin has a blunt, square edge and tapered sides. Oval or almond has a soft point.” Coffin nail shapes often result in a more modern, edgy look, whereas almond nails are known for a soft, feminine final result that can elongate your fingers. Beyond aesthetics, Russell says that nail shapes with sharp angles, like coffin, square, and stiletto, are more prone to breaking, so you might want to reinforce the shape with a builder gel base.
What is the best nail shape for long fingers?
Lots of nail shapes take elongation into consideration, so if you already have long fingers, it can be fun to use your mani to accentuate them. Almond is Russell’s favorite nail shape for long fingers: “It enhances natural elegance and adds a balanced taper without overexaggerating the length.” Coffin is another great choice: Russell says that the blunt ends can make hands look fuller, but with long fingers, they create a nice balance. If you want to lean into (or even exaggerate) your fingers’ length, she suggests a supersharp stiletto point.
What is the best nail shape for round cuticles?
“When working with round cuticles, it’s best to choose a shape that mirrors that natural curve,” Russell says. Round and oval nails with curved tips mirror the base of the nail and create “a cohesive, harmonious look.” Shapes with sharp corners, on the other hand, can throw off the balance. An almond nail can bring the best of both worlds: “Since the soft taper adds a little extra elongation while still blending seamlessly with the rounded base,” Russell says.
