A triangle face, also called a pear-shaped face, is widest at the jaw and narrows toward the forehead. It is one of the less common face shapes. The strong lower face gives a grounded, solid look, and the right styling adds width up top for balance.
What Is a Triangle Face Shape?
A triangle face is the reverse of a heart face. The jaw is broad and strong, the cheekbones are a little narrower, and the forehead is the narrowest part. If you trace the outline, the sides lean outward as they move down the face.
You may hear this shape called "pear" or "base-down triangle." The jaw often has visible corners, and the cheeks can look full near the jawline. Weight changes can make the lower face look fuller, so it helps to judge your bone structure from the jaw corners rather than the cheeks.
Triangle faces can look similar to square faces. The difference is the forehead. A square face has a forehead about as wide as the jaw, while a triangle face has a clearly narrower forehead.
Key Traits of a Triangle Face
Look for most of these signs together. One trait on its own is not enough to decide your face shape.
- Wide jaw. The jaw is the broadest part of the face.
- Narrow forehead. The forehead measures clearly less than the jaw.
- Outward-leaning sides. The outline widens steadily from temples to jaw.
- Strong jaw corners. Many triangle faces have defined angles below the ears.
- Full lower cheeks. The cheeks often carry volume near the jaw rather than high up.
How to Tell If You Have a Triangle Face
You can check your face shape at home with a soft measuring tape and a mirror. It takes about five minutes.
Tie your hair back
Make sure your temples and hairline are fully visible.
Measure your forehead
Measure across the widest point of your forehead, from temple to temple.
Measure your jaw
Measure across your jaw from corner to corner, just below the ears.
Compare the numbers
If your jaw is wider than your forehead by a clear margin, you likely have a triangle face.
Check the overall outline
In a straight-on photo, the face should look like it widens as it goes down.
Triangle vs Square Face Shape
These two shapes are easy to mix up. Here is the quickest way to tell them apart.
Triangle
A triangle face has a jaw that is clearly wider than the forehead.
Square
A square face has a forehead and jaw of about equal width, with straight sides.
If your forehead and jaw look the same width, compare with our square face shape guide.
What Is an Inverted Triangle Face Shape?
An inverted triangle face, sometimes called an upside down triangle face, is the opposite of a triangle face. The forehead and temples are the widest part, the cheekbones are a little narrower, and the face tapers to a narrow, often pointed chin.
Most stylists treat the inverted triangle as a close cousin of the heart face shape. The main difference is the hairline. A heart face usually has a rounded hairline, often with a widow's peak, while an inverted triangle has a straighter, more angular forehead and sharper lines overall. Our detector groups both under heart, because the measurements and the style advice are almost the same.
If your forehead is wider than your jaw, the style tips on this page work in reverse. You will want volume at the chin and jaw instead of at the crown. Read our heart face shape guide for cuts and frames that suit you.
Triangle vs Inverted Triangle Face Shape
The two shapes are mirror images, so the quickest test is to compare your forehead with your jaw.
| Feature | Triangle face | Inverted triangle face |
|---|---|---|
| Widest part | Jawline | Forehead and temples |
| Narrowest part | Forehead | Chin |
| Chin | Broad, often square | Narrow and pointed |
| Other names | Pear, base-down triangle | Upside down triangle, close to heart |
| Styling goal | Add width at the top | Add width at the bottom |
| Best hairstyles | Crown volume, side-swept bangs | Chin-length bobs, waves from the jaw down |
| Best glasses | Browline and cat-eye frames | Bottom-heavy, rimless or aviator frames |
Not sure which one you are? Pull your hair back, take a straight-on selfie and look at the outline. If it widens as it goes down, you are a triangle. If it narrows as it goes down, you are an inverted triangle.
Best Hairstyles for a Triangle Face
The right haircut works with your outline, not against it. These styles are reliable starting points to discuss with your stylist or barber.
For women
- Volume at the crown and temples Lift and width at the top balance a broader jaw.
- Layered shoulder-length cut Layers that start above the jaw add width up top and fall softly past the jawline.
- Side-swept bangs A sweeping fringe adds width across a narrow forehead.
- Pixie with height A short cut with volume on top shifts focus upward.
- Soft waves from the cheekbones Waves that start high add width where the face is narrowest.
For men
- Full, textured top Volume and width on top balance a strong jaw.
- Side part with fuller sides Keep a little length at the temples instead of a tight fade.
- Messy fringe A textured fringe widens the forehead area.
- Medium-length swept-back hair Length on top and at the sides adds width above the cheekbones.
Hairstyles to avoid with a triangle face
- Tight, high fades that remove width at the temples and exaggerate the jaw.
- Chin-length bobs that end at the jaw and add width there.
- Flat, slicked-down hair on top, which makes the forehead look narrower.
Best Glasses for a Triangle Face
A simple rule guides most eyeglass frame choices: pick frames that contrast with your face shape, and make sure they are about as wide as the widest part of your face.
- Browline frames A strong upper rim adds width at the top of the face.
- Cat-eye frames Upswept edges draw attention up and out.
- Wide, top-heavy frames Frames with detail or color along the top balance a broad jaw.
- Semi-rimless frames Frames with a solid top and open bottom shift the weight upward.
Frames to avoid
- Narrow or small frames, which make the forehead look even narrower.
- Bottom-heavy frames that add weight near the jaw.
Beard Styles for a Triangle Face
Facial hair can reshape the lower half of your face in a way no haircut can. Use it to add width, length or definition where you want it.
- Short stubble Keeps the jaw clean and avoids adding width at the bottom.
- Goatee Hair focused on the chin narrows the lower face.
- Short beard with tight sides Keep the cheeks short and let the chin be slightly longer.
- Wide, full beards with bulky sides, which add even more width at the jaw.
Makeup and Contouring Tips
Contouring adds shadow to areas you want to recede, and highlighting brings areas forward. For a triangle face, focus on these steps:
- Contour along the jaw corners to soften width at the bottom.
- Highlight the forehead and the tops of the cheekbones to bring width and light up top.
- Place blush high on the cheekbones and sweep it toward the temples.
- Fuller, slightly longer brows add width across the upper face.
Earrings, Hats and Necklines
- Stud earrings and short drops keep attention near the cheekbones. Skip wide, chunky earrings at jaw level.
- Hats with wide brims or volume add width at the top.
- Statement tops and wide necklines balance a strong jaw.
Celebrities With a Triangle Face Shape
Celebrities sometimes described as having a triangle face include Kelly Osbourne and Minnie Driver. This shape is less common, so you will see fewer famous examples.
Triangle Face Shape FAQs
What is a triangle face shape?
It is a face that is widest at the jaw and narrowest at the forehead. It is also called a pear-shaped face.
Is triangle the same as pear face shape?
Yes. "Triangle," "pear" and "base-down triangle" all describe a face with a wide jaw and narrow forehead.
What hairstyles suit a triangle face?
Styles that add volume and width at the crown and temples, such as layered cuts, side-swept bangs and textured tops. Avoid tight fades and bobs that end at the jaw.
What glasses suit a triangle face?
Top-heavy frames like browlines and cat-eyes. They add width to the upper face and balance the jaw.
How common is the triangle face shape?
It is one of the less common shapes. Many people who first think they are triangle turn out to be square or round with fuller lower cheeks, which is why measuring the jaw corners helps.
What is the difference between a triangle and an inverted triangle face shape?
A triangle face is widest at the jaw and narrowest at the forehead. An inverted triangle face is the opposite: widest at the forehead and narrowing to a pointed chin. The inverted triangle is very close to the heart face shape.
Final Thoughts
A triangle face carries strength in the jaw, and good styling simply moves some of the visual weight upward. Volume at the crown, side-swept bangs, browline or cat-eye glasses and a trim beard all help create balance from top to bottom.
Want a second opinion? Upload a selfie to our AI face shape detector to compare your forehead and jaw widths precisely.
