The Triangle Face Shape (Pear), Explained
Try glasses, hats and earrings for a triangle face on your photo
- Your features: Jaw is the widest part, forehead the narrowest (sometimes called pear).
- Best for: Volume up top: crown lift, side-swept bangs, browline or cat-eye frames.
- Avoid: Jaw-length bobs, slicked-back or tight sides, bottom-heavy frames.
What is a triangle face shape?
Triangle (pear) faces are broadest at the jaw and narrow toward the forehead.
A triangle face—sometimes called a pear face—has a jaw that is wider than the cheekbones and forehead, so the face narrows toward the top. Styling adds volume at the forehead and temples and softens the jaw.
Triangle faces can be mistaken for square ones. The face shape detector checks whether your jaw is wider than your forehead, and the face shape quiz asks about your jaw and temples.
How to tell if your face is triangle
Jaw wider than cheekbones, cheekbones wider than forehead.
- Jaw is the widest part of the face
- Forehead is the narrowest part
- Cheekbones sit between the two in width
- Jawline is strong and often angular
Triangle vs similar shapes
Heart flipped upside down; square with a narrower top.
| Compared with | Difference |
|---|---|
| Square | Square's forehead and jaw are about the same width. |
| Heart | Heart is the opposite: forehead widest, chin narrow. |
| Round | Round is widest at the cheeks with a soft jaw. |
Best hairstyles for a triangle face
Add width high, at the temples and crown, to match the jaw.
Women
Lift at the crown and layers that end below the chin.
| Style | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Volume at the crown and temples | Balances the wider jaw. |
| Side-swept bangs | Widen the forehead visually. |
| Layered cuts ending below the chin | Avoid ending at the jaw. |
| Pixie with volume on top | Draws attention up. |
Men
Fuller sides and some height balance a broad jaw.
| Style | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Textured top with fuller sides | Width up high. |
| Quiff | Volume on top balances the jaw. |
| Longer, swept styles | Avoid very tight sides. |
| Side part | Adds breadth to the forehead. |
Styles to approach with care
Anything that ends at, or exposes, the jaw makes it dominate.
Jaw-length bobs, slicked-back styles and very tight sides with a flat top—they make the jaw dominate.
Best glasses for a triangle face
Weight on the top rim widens the brow line.
| Frame | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Browline / clubmaster | Weight on top widens the brow line. |
| Cat-eye | Lifts and widens the upper face. |
| Semi-rimless with a strong top | Same effect, lighter look. |
Frames to approach with care: Bottom-heavy or narrow frames that emphasize the jaw.
For a triangle face, frames that are a little stronger along the top rim and reach out to your temples widen the brow line. Keep the top edge level with your brows and avoid heavy lower rims, which add weight near the jaw.
Beard styles for a triangle face
Short and rounded keeps the lower face from getting wider.
Keep the beard short at the jaw and sides; a light stubble or short, rounded beard avoids adding more width at the bottom.
Makeup for a triangle face
Shade the jaw corners, brighten the forehead.
Makeup for triangle face shapes softens a wide jaw and adds width at the forehead. Contour the outer jaw and jaw corners, highlight the forehead and temples, place blush high toward the temples, and fill brows so they are full and slightly extended.
| Area | Placement | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Outer jaw and jaw corners | From below the ear along the jaw to the corner, blended down | Softens the widest point |
| Under the cheekbones | Short line, angled up | Lifts |
| Forehead | Skip | You want width here |
| Chin | Optional light touch at the sides | Narrows the lower face |
Place blush high on the cheekbones and sweep it up toward the temples. A touch of blush on the temples and outer forehead ties the colour to the upper face.
If you only do one step, fill the brows; on a triangle face it is the fastest way to add width.
In-depth triangle face guides
More detail on each category below.
- Hairstyles for a triangle face: cuts with crown volume and layers that end below the chin.
- Glasses for a triangle face: browline and cat-eye frames, plus fit at a narrow forehead.
- Beard styles for a triangle face: short, rounded beards that keep the jaw from getting wider.
It's a guide, not a rule
A strong jaw reads confident; balance it only if you like.
A jaw that is wider than the forehead can come with a long or short face and soft or angular corners, so triangle faces vary. Use these tips as a first draft and adjust for your hair texture, features and style.
Find your face shape first
Triangle or square? The detector compares forehead to jaw.
Triangle or square? The free face shape detector compares your forehead width with your jaw. It runs privately in your browser.
Other face shapes: Oval · Round · Square · Heart · Diamond · Oblong
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for triangle faces.
How do I know if I have a triangle face shape?
A triangle face—sometimes called a pear face—has a jaw that is wider than the cheekbones and forehead, so the face narrows toward the top. Check whether your jaw is the widest part of your face and your forehead the narrowest; the free face shape detector can compare these widths for you.
What hairstyles suit a triangle face?
For women: volume at the crown and temples, side-swept bangs, layered cuts ending below the chin. For men: textured top with fuller sides, quiff, longer, swept styles.
What glasses suit a triangle face?
Browline / clubmaster, Cat-eye, Semi-rimless with a strong top frames work well. Avoid bottom-heavy or narrow frames that emphasize the jaw.
What beard suits a triangle face?
Keep the beard short at the jaw and sides; a light stubble or short, rounded beard avoids adding more width at the bottom.
What is the difference between triangle and square face shapes?
Square's forehead and jaw are about the same width.
What suits a triangle face(estimate)
Hairstyles
- Volume at the crown and temples — Width up top balances a wide jaw.
- Side-swept fringe — Adds visual width to a narrow forehead.
- Layered cut ending above or below the jaw — Avoiding fullness right at the jaw keeps the lower face from looking wider.
Avoid
- Blunt cut ending at the jaw — A heavy line at the widest point emphasises the jaw.
Glasses frames
- Browline frames — A strong top line widens the forehead area.
- Cat-eye frames — Upswept corners draw attention upward.
- Top-heavy or bold-top-rim frames — Weight at the top balances a wider jaw.
Avoid
- Bottom-heavy frames — Extra weight at the lower rim adds width near the jaw.
Earrings
- Studs — Keep attention near the upper face without widening the jaw.
- Short drops ending above the jaw — Adds interest without reaching the widest point.
- Climber or ear-cuff styles — Detail up the ear draws the eye upward.
Avoid
- Wide chandelier earrings — A wide base at jaw level makes the jaw look wider.
Necklines
- V-neck — A narrowing line draws the eye down and away from jaw width.
- Scoop neck — A curve softens a strong jaw.
- Off-the-shoulder or wide neckline — Width at the shoulders balances a wide jaw.
Avoid
- High crew or choker neckline — A tight line right under the jaw highlights its width.