Different Types of Nail Shapes: A Guide

Beauty is all about experimenting, whether it’s with your hair, makeup, nails, or all of the above. If you want to spruce up your nails, outside of playing with the latest nail design trends and hot new polish colors, you can try out different nail shapes.

Many people are familiar with the standard round and square shapes of nails, but there are a handful of others that are super fun and deserve your attention. If you’re tired of your usual look, it’s time to familiarize yourself with different shapes of nails available to you.

“Different looks can be sexy depending on the occasion,” LeChat Nails educator Syreeta Aaron tells PS. “If you’re going on vacation, simple is sexy, so go with a very short, natural, square, rounded shape. You don’t want anything too high-maintenance when you’re on the go — a broken tip isn’t sexy.”

Types of Nail Shapes

Aaron notes classic nail shapes, like almond, can stand out while still looking very subtle and natural, while the coffin nail shape is a bit edgier and bold. While picking nail shapes can be fun, the process can be a little stressful. What you choose ultimately determines the look and vibe of your manicure, and there’s something out there for everyone. Don’t pay attention to or feel self-conscious about your finger size, but instead focus on the details of your mani, like the nail-polish color.

If you’re looking for options, consider this your nail shape guide. Keep reading to see examples of almond, ballerina, oval, coffin, round, square, lipstick, and more nail shapes.