Men's face shape guide
Best haircuts for a square face
How to tell you have one, the 24 haircuts that suit it, the ones to avoid, and the beards that balance it.
How to tell you have a square face
Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are about the same width, with a strong jawline.
The rule for choosing a cut
Your jaw is an asset. Short, clean cuts show it off; some length on top softens it.
24 haircuts that suit a square face
Low taper fade
Short sides with length on top add a little height, which slims a round or square face.
Textured French crop
A short fringe shortens a long face and hides a high forehead.
Side part
A neat part with balanced volume suits almost every proportion.
Slicked back
Pulling everything back shows off a strong, even jaw.
Crew cut
Short and even, it lets a defined jaw do the work.
Buzz cut
Shows the bone structure of a square, defined face.
Curly top fade
Curls on top add height while the faded sides keep the face slim.
Afro taper
A rounded top with tapered sides balances most face shapes.
High-top fade
Tall, geometric height lengthens a round or square face.
360 waves
Close-cropped and even, it shows clean angles on a defined face.
Drop fade with sponge twists
The fade curving behind the ear slims the sides, with texture on top.
Modern mullet
Tight sides slim the face, and length at the nape balances a strong jaw.
Wolf cut
Choppy layers around the crown soften a strong or angular jaw.
Broccoli cut
Curl volume sits on top while the tight sides keep the face narrow.
Modern pompadour
Height swept back lengthens a round or square face.
Hard part comb over
Side volume and a low part balance an angular jaw.
Faux hawk
A central peak adds height and slims a round face.
Shaved head
Shows the bone structure, and it's the cleanest look for thinning hair.
Long hair
Length at the sides softens a strong jaw and fills a narrow chin.
Frohawk
A tall centre strip lengthens a round or square face.
Starter locs
Small, even locs read as neat texture on any face shape.
Long locs
Length framing the jaw softens angular faces.
Cornrows
Straight-back lines open the face and lengthen it.
Box braids
Hanging length softens a strong jaw and fills a narrow chin.
Haircuts to avoid with a square face
- Korean two-blockA soft, heavy top doesn't fit the strong angles of a square jaw.
Beard styles for a square face
Clean shaven
Shows a strong jawline and keeps an oval or heart face balanced.
Designer stubble
A shadow of hair adds definition to any jaw with almost no upkeep.
Full beard
Width and weight at the jaw fill out a narrow or pointed chin.
Van Dyke
The pointed chin and detached moustache add vertical angles.
Circle beard
A rounded outline softens a hard, square jaw.
Beardstache
A heavy moustache draws focus to the centre of the face.
Chevron moustache
Horizontal weight across the lip shortens a long face.
Faded beard
The fade up the cheeks slims the face while the chin keeps weight.
Ducktail beard
The tapered point lengthens a round or square face.
Garibaldi
Width and length fill out a narrow lower face.
Cutmaxx for iPhone and Android
Try these cuts on your own square face.
Cutmaxx confirms your face shape from one selfie and shows each cut on your photo before you see the barber.