Curl type quiz: what is my curl type?
Six questions about how your hair actually behaves, and you get your type from 2A to 4C with what it needs.
How the curl type chart works
The 2A to 4C system sorts hair by the shape it makes on its own. The number is the family (2 is wavy, 3 is curly, 4 is coily) and the letter is the size within it, from A (loosest) to C (tightest). Type 1 is straight hair, which is why the quiz starts at 2.
| Type | Looks like | Typical shrinkage |
|---|---|---|
| 2A to 2C | S-shaped waves, from barely-there to deep | 5 to 20% |
| 3A to 3C | Spirals and ringlets, from chalk-width to pencil-width | 25 to 50% |
| 4A to 4C | Tight coils and zigzags | 50 to 75% or more |
Why your type matters less than you think
Curl type describes the shape. It does not tell you how your hair takes in water (porosity), how many strands you have (density) or how thick each one is (width). Two people with 3B curls can need opposite products if one has fine, low-porosity hair and the other has coarse, bleached hair. Use your type as a starting point, then take the porosity quiz as well.
Most people have more than one type
It is completely normal to have 3A at the crown, 3C at the nape and a wavy section at the front. Products and techniques that suit the tightest, driest section usually work for the rest, as long as you use less of them on the looser parts.
Read next
- What’s my curl type? The 2A–4C chart, explained in plain words
- Wavy hair routine for 2A, 2B and 2C hair: lighter than you think
- 4C hair routine: moisture, low manipulation and length retention
Questions people ask
How do I know my curl type?
Wash your hair, skip styling products, and let it air-dry. Look at the shape a single clump makes: S-waves are type 2, spirals are type 3, and tight coils or zigzags are type 4. Then judge the size: wide is A, medium is B, small is C.
Can your curl type change?
Yes. Hormones, age, damage, and even a better routine can loosen or tighten curls. Many people find their "wavy" hair is actually 3A once they stop brushing it dry and using heavy products.
What is the most common curl type?
Wavy 2A to 2C is the most common textured hair type, and many people with it believe their hair is straight and frizzy.
Is 4C the same as 4B?
No. 4B has a sharp zigzag pattern you can see. 4C coils are packed so tightly that the pattern is hard to see without stretching, and it has the most shrinkage.