For the indecisive, having many different nail shapes can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand (forgive the pun), it can be an easy way to elongate your fingers or elevate whatever intricate you want to wear. But how does one possibly make a final decision on a shape without living in regret?
For that, you need all the facts laid out in front of you. Consider this the ultimate guide to every nail shape. The list isn’t as overwhelming as one might think. Celebrity nail artist says the most common shapes include the classics: round, square, oval, and almond. After those, you’ll find some sort of variation that mixes two classic shapes into one, such as the squoval, or longer nails that lend themselves to intricate designs like the stiletto or ballerina.
A few new designs are also emerging and gracing our social feeds with their abstract shapes and cuts. But regardless of what nail shape you settle on, the good news is you can pretty much wear whatever art or color you please.
“I don’t really let the shape determine the design as I feel it’s more of a personal preference,” says , celebrity nail artist and Tweezerman Pro Artist. “Whatever the design though, I do like to create looks that help to make the nail appear longer and more narrow to add a bit of elegance and softness to the hands.”
And to file your own nails into your desired shape, you’ll need a couple of tools. Falcone says to look for to shape the nail. To smooth the edges, she recommends something that has at least 220 grit, like our personal pick: the . Bachik likes his , which comes with a dual-sided file, buffer, and a fingernail clipper for when you need to trim.
Expressing your creativity on your nails can go beyond the intricate art or bold shade you decide to paint on. As it turns out, your nail shape can be that small tweak to elevate your mani to the next level. Below, Falcone and Bachik break down the 10 most common ones to help guide you. Be sure to bookmark this for your next nail appointment.
Square
According to Falcone, a is not tapered at the sides and has a flat tip. She says square nails are one of the more durable shapes and can benefit those who need their hands to perform daily tasks.
To achieve the square shape, Bachik recommends holding your nail file at a 90-degree angle at the tip of your nail and filing straight across to get that sharp flat edge. For the sides, he says to hold your hail file straight and file up and down along each side.
Round
Aptly named, a round nail shape is a nail that has a rounded tip. Bachik explains that the tip is shaped like a half circle that is more rounded than a squoval nail (more on that later) and not as narrow as an oval shape (more on this too down below). He likes to recommend a round, square, or squoval shape nail for those whose nail beds appear flatter or nails that tend to crack at the sides; he explains that these shapes leave a lower arch and can help maintain the strength of your natural nail.
Falcone adds that it makes for a durable option for those who prefer shorter nails. To get this shape, she says to file along the contour of the natural nail tip. Bachik says you’ll want to hold your file at about a 45-degree angle, filing from side to center to get that rounded shape. Once you achieve that curve, repeat on the other side of the nail.
Squoval
While the word “squoval” leads you to believe we’d be dealing with a nail shape that is half square and half oval, Bachik says that it is actually more of a mashup between a square- and round-shaped nail. Falcone adds that it consists of slightly tapered sides with rounded corners and a flat tip. She says you can apply the same filing technique you’d use with a round nail, just be sure to file the tip straight across to get a straighter edge. She recommends opting for this shape for simple manis with a single shade.
Bachik uses this as his go-to for enhancing a natural nail shape and says it’s ideal for anyone with an active lifestyle who prefers short nails. “It is a strong, but chic look,” he adds.
Oval
The shape of an oval nail can be likened to that of an egg, says Bachik. “The nails need to be slightly longer and the shape will be a bit narrower than a round nail as you get toward the tip,” he explains. “[It’s] an untapered shape with a rounded tip, like a longer round shape,” adds Falcone. “File the sides without tapering at the tip, and then file the tip round to mimic the [shape of the] cuticle.”
Because it has a longer length compared to a rounded or squoval shape, both experts say you can opt for more artistic choices in your nail designs. Falcone says it’s the perfect shape to accentuate the classic .
Almond
As the name suggests, an almond-shaped nail has a tip shaped like the narrow side of the popular nut. Slightly longer like an oval nail shape, it starts to get slimmer the closer you are to the tip without it being too pointy. “This is a flattering shape on anyone and probably the most popular,” says Falcone. “This for the most part is my favorite shape for nails overall,” adds Bachik. “It creates an elegant, elongated feel to fingers and has been the go-to shape of supermodels and celebrities.”
The best way to achieve this is to file nails at an angle (about 25 degrees) so you get that tapered shape near the top of the nail. Opt for classic designs like the French tip to accentuate the tip.
Stiletto
Long nail enthusiasts know the stiletto nail well. As Falcone describes it, it has a more severe taper at the top, making the tip very narrow and pointy. “The stiletto nail shape has become super popular over the years due to its dramatic shape,” adds Bachik. “Perfect if you like a little [attitude].”
He recommends holding your nail file at a near-flat angle to get a smooth under edge as you file your way to the tip to get that long point. But word to the wise: Falcone says that this can be a tricky nail to live with as the sharp point is more prone to breakage. “I wouldn’t suggest it to anyone with a very hands-on lifestyle,” she says.
Ballerina
Ballerina nails (which can also be considered coffin nails), are long with a square tip, like the pointer shoe. Falcone says that the sides are filed to a narrow taper with the tip filed straight across for a flat edge. “It benefits anyone who wants [to wear it],” she says. “Again since it is more tapered like [a stiletto nail], it is more prone to breakage.”
“This is a beautiful shape,” adds Bachik. “[It] has become, in my opinion, the modern almond nail.”
Edge
An edge nail is a sharp pointy nail that forms a ridge right at the center of the nail. Lipstick
Falcone says that a lipstick nail is a long nail where the tip is dramatically filed at a diagonal, very much like the shape of a brand-new . A quick scroll through your explore page and you’ll see many people opt for abstract geometric designs to accentuate those sharp corners.
Flare
For major drama, flare nails are especially eye-catching. They gradually expand out to the tip so that the edges fans out. While these may not be everyone’s go-to shape just yet, experts predict that might change soon. “I haven’t seen any of these lately, but I wouldn’t be surprised [if I did],” she says of the shape, which is jokingly referred to as “duck nails.” She adds, “Anything goes.”
