Oblong face shape (long face)

Clearly longer than wide with fairly parallel sides — the forehead, cheekbones and jaw are all at similar widths, just stretched vertically.

In one line: Face length ÷ width is above about 1.6, with the forehead, cheekbones and jaw at similar widths and minimal tapering.

How to tell

The length-to-width ratio is the largest of any shape — typically 1.6 or higher.
The sides of the face run roughly parallel rather than tapering to a point.
The midface often runs long, and the hairline can sit high.
The jaw may be rounded or square; the length is what defines the shape.

Check it yourself with a tape measure

Measure L (hairline to chin) and W (across the cheekbones).
Oblong if L ÷ W is above roughly 1.6.
Then compare F, W and J: if all three are within a few percent of each other, the sides are parallel and the shape is oblong.
If the cheekbones are clearly the widest and the face tapers, check oval or diamond instead.

Prefer not to measure? The face shape detector makes the same comparisons from a photo, inside your browser — your photo is never uploaded.

On the numbers above: the ratios quoted here describe tape-measure measurements — hairline to chin for length, and the widest points for the three widths. The photo tool derives its ratios from facial landmarks, which is a slightly different quantity, and its numbers typically sit a little lower than the ranges quoted here. Neither is wrong; they are two ways of drawing the same outline, and the measurement basis is stated so you can compare like with like.

Hairstyles

Works with oblong

Side volume — width at the temples and jaw balances the vertical length.
Bangs, including a full fringe, which shorten the visual length of the face.
Layers that add width rather than height.

Works against it

Long, straight, layerless hair, which draws the eye downwards.
Height at the crown — it lengthens a face that is already long.
A centre part with no volume, which emphasises the vertical axis.

Glasses frames

Frames that balance

Deep frames with a substantial lens height, which cover more of the midface.
Wide rectangular frames with decorative or contrasting temples, which add width.
Oversized frames — this is the one shape where oversized genuinely helps.

Frames that repeat the geometry

Small, narrow frames that leave the face looking longer by comparison.
Short, shallow lenses.

Beard

A full, wide beard adds width to the lower third — this is the most effective single change for an oblong face.
Keep it wide at the sides rather than long at the chin.
Avoid a long pointed beard: it extends the length you are trying to break up.

Easily confused with

Oval

Both can be longer than wide, but oval tapers through the cheekbones and has a ratio closer to 1.5. Oblong keeps parallel sides and runs above 1.6.

Square

Square shares the parallel sides but is compact: its length-to-width ratio is near 1.0 rather than above 1.6.

FAQ

Is an oblong face the same as a rectangular face?

Yes — rectangular and oblong are used interchangeably, and both refer to a face that is long with fairly parallel sides. Some charts list it as "long".

Can bangs make a long face look shorter?

Yes. A fringe covers the top of the face and moves the visual starting point of the face down, which reduces the apparent length. Side volume does the complementary job by adding width.

Other shapes

Measure yours

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