A Guide to the Types of Jawlines (And How to Determine Yours)

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Plus, effective and natural ways to chisel and define your jaw

Co-authored by Ellen Turner and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: July 21, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Jawline Types
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• Jaw Shape Factors
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• Jawlines & Face Shapes
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• Measuring Your Jaw Angle
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• Which type of jaw is most attractive?
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• Defining Your Jaw

|Show more |Show less

A jawline is a defining feature of any face, but how are they classified? And what determines your jaw shape anyway? In this article, we’ll review the major types of jawlines and what they look like, plus share how they impact your face shape and what you can do to chisel and define your jaw shape naturally. Keep scrolling to learn more!

Jawline Types: Visual Guide

There are 8 major types of jawlines, including square, convex, heart-shaped, diamond-shaped, V-line, concave, angular, and flat. Each jaw line shape is determined by the gonial angle (the angle of the back corner of the jaw) and the extent to which the chin projects forward.

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Section 1 of 6:

Types of Jawlines

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   Square Square jawlines have a jawbone that angles upward toward the ear. It’s well-defined and often protrudes outward. The width of the jaw is typically similar to the forehead and cheekbones. It’s usually accompanied by a square, or angular chin, and is more commonly found in men.

   • Characterized by: Jawbones angle upward toward the ear.
   • Chin type: Angular
   • Face shape association: Square faces
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   Convex Convex jawlines have a more rounded (or soft) jaw than square or concave jawlines. With a convex profile, the chin can appear to be less prominent or even recede when compared with the forehead and nose. Convex jawlines are more common (and preferred) in women.

   • Characterized by: Round, soft jawline
   • Chin type: Often receding
   • Face shape association: Round, oval faces
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   Heart-shaped Heart-shaped jawlines are more prominent than other jawline types, and wider than those who have a square jawline. This, along with a defined, pointed chin, adds to the general heart shape (or kite shape) of the jawline and face. Heart-shaped jawlines are more common in women.

   • Characterized by: Prominent, wide jawline
   • Chin type: Defined, pointed chin
   • Face shape association: Heart-shaped faces
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   Diamond-shaped Diamond-shaped jawlines appear more pronounced and angular, but not overly sharp. Those with this jawline shape usually have a pointed, angular chin, adding to the diamond-shaped appearance. The chin can taper inward, which causes the jawline to be narrower than the cheekbones. Diamond-shaped jawlines are found in both men and women, but are very rare, especially in men.

   • Characterized by: Pronounced, angular jawline
   • Chin type: Pointed, angular
   • Face shape association: Diamond-shaped faces
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   V-line V-line jawlines have a slimmer, yet still defined, jaw that tapers toward the chin; the jaw angles inward to create a “v” shape. Those with this jawline usually have a sharp, pointed chin. The chin blends smoothly with the jawline more than it does for square jawlines. V-line jawlines are more common in women.

   • Characterized by: Jawline tapers to the chin in a V-shape.
   • Chin type: Sharp, pointed
   • Face shape association: Heart and oval shapes
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   Concave Concave jawlines have a noticeable and defined jawline, along with a forward-projecting outwardly curved chin (which is considered ideal in men). They typically appear alongside a prominent forehead and chin. Concave jawlines are more common (and preferable) for men.

   • Characterized by: Noticeable, defined jawline
   • Chin type: Slightly forward projecting
   • Face shape association: Rectangle or square faces
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   Angular Angular jawlines are known for their strong, defined angles and feature a prominent, sharp jawline. They have a more chiseled appearance and are accompanied by a strong, well-defined chin. Angular jawlines can appear in both men and women, but are more common (and preferable) for men. They usually appear sharper on men’s face shapes than they do in women’s face shapes.

   • Characterized by: Strong angles; a sharp, prominent jawline
   • Chin type: Strong, well-defined
   • Face shape association: Square faces
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   Flat Flat (or straight) jawlines appear as a straight line from the earlobes to the chin when in profile. Those with long, narrow faces tend to have flat jawlines. Some are also known to have a receding chin, but flat jawlines aren’t necessarily thought of as a weak jawline. Flat jawlines can appear in both men and women.

   • Characterized by: Jawline is straight from the ears to the chin.
   • Chin type: Often receding
   • Face shape association: Square, rectangular, heart, or diamond faces
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Section 2 of 6:

Factors That Define Jaw Shape

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   Gonial angle The gonial angle is the angle formed at the back of the jaw where the ramus, or vertical portion of the jaw, connects to the horizontal mandible, or lower jaw. Also known as the angle of the jaw or mandibular angle, the gonial angle describes the corner of the jawline. It’s an important factor when determining facial structure and is commonly used in fields like dentistry and cosmetic surgery. The gonial angle of the jawline is organized into 3 grades:

   • Grade A angles are almost exactly 90 degrees and form a nearly perfect square shape. They’re most common in men and are associated with having very masculine features. The A-grade angle is also extremely rare.
   • Grade B angles are not totally square, but are well-defined and have a longer ramus height. It’s thought of as a robust, masculine look and is more common (and preferred) in men.
   • Grade C angles form a rounder jawline that appears as a straight line from beneath the ears to the chin. With its more subtle angle, it creates a more rounded face shape overall. These angles typically occur on those with longer, narrower faces and softer features, and are more common in women.
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   Chin projection Chin projection describes how far forward the chin extends from the face. The Zero Meridian Line (of Gonzalez-Ulloa) is a vertical line used in facial assessment to determine chin projection and the general facial profile, and lines up with the upper lip when in profile. In an ideal profile, the point of the chin is positioned on or slightly behind the zero meridian line. The 3 grades of chin projection include:

   • Grade A: These chins project beyond the projection line of the upper lip. It’s believed to be the rarest of the chin projections and may be linked to abnormal chin growth. They’re more common in men.
   • Grade B: These chins extend to the projection line of the upper lip. The face is properly aligned and is thought to be attractive for both men and women, although Grade B chins are more commonly associated with men and appear aesthetically pleasing.
   • Grade C: The chin recedes and doesn’t reach the projection line of the upper lip. This usually occurs because the mandible and upper jaw are not properly aligned. This causes the jawline to misalign with the upper lip and appear to slope back toward the neck. Grade C chins are more common in women.
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Section 3 of 6:

How Jawlines Impact Face Shape

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   Jawlines are one factor that influence your face shape. Certain face shape types, like square, rectangular, and triangular faces, are known for a sharp, angular jawline. Others like oval, round, and oblong have softer, more rounded jawlines. Heart-shaped and diamond faces have narrow jawlines and often pointy chins. Here’s a more detailed breakdown:

   • Oblong faces have jawlines that are not as angular or prominent as the square or rectangular face shape; the jawline, forehead, and cheekbones are the same width.
   • Rectangle faces have a long, angular jawline; the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are about the same width.
   • Round faces have a rounded jawline and chin; the face width and length are very similar.
   • Square faces have a strong, angular jawline; the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw are about the same width.
   • Inverted Triangle faces have a pointed chin and delicate jawline; the forehead is the widest point of the face.
   • Heart-shaped faces have a narrow, pointy chin and jawline; they include a wider forehead and cheekbones.
   • Diamond faces have a pointed jawline and narrow chin; the forehead is narrow, and the cheekbones are prominent.
   • Triangle faces have a wider jawline that is the widest part of the face; the cheekbones are less prominent, and the forehead is smaller.
   • Oval faces usually have a slightly rounded jawline; the face is longer than it is wide.
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   Face shapes are not the same as jawline shapes. Face shapes describe the overall outline of the face, including the jawline, as well as the cheekbones and forehead. They’re judged by looking at the face in silhouette from the front. Jaw shapes, on the other hand, are determined by looking at the face in silhouette from a side profile. Jawline shapes are only one element that goes into determining face shapes, and they more specifically describe the angles for each type of jaw.
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Measure Your Gonial Angle

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   Look at your face from a side profile view. You can also have a friend measure for you, since it’s difficult to measure your jawline angles while your face is in profile. Another alternative is to take a photo of yourself while in a side profile so you can take measurements more easily.

   • You must get a direct side view of your face without any rotation, which can throw off the results.
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   Place a protractor at the intersection of your vertical and lower jawlines. You want to put the center point of the protractor directly on the gonion, or point on each side of the mandible closest to the angle of the jaw itself. To find the gonion, look for the outermost point of the jawbone, where the mandible body meets the back edge of the ramus.

   • The mandible body is the U-shaped lower portion of the lower jaw; it holds your lower set of teeth.
   • The ramus is the vertical, posterior portion of the lower jawbone on each side; it includes attachment points that are responsible for chewing.
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   Align one side of the protractor with the lower border of the mandible. Be sure that the protractor’s zero line directly aligns with this border. The lower border of the mandible is also known as the lower jaw.

   • To measure angles with a protractor, align the center point at the vertex, or intersection of the angle. Then, line up one side of the protractor with the zero-degree line on the protractor.
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   Read the angle and record the measurement. Look at the degree marking on the protractor where the other side of the angle, which is the line along the ramus, intersects the protractor’s scale. The measurement you read and record determines your gonial angle using degrees.

   • For men, the average gonial angle measurements are between 120 and 135 degrees.
   • Women can have a similar average gonial measurement of 120 to 130 degrees. Some women’s gonial angles can differ, based on a wider or more narrow jawline.
   • Gonial angle measurements are based on factors like ethnicity, age, and individual anatomy.
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Section 5 of 6:

Which type of jaw is most attractive?

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   Well-defined jaws are typically regarded as attractive. The exact shape of your jaw isn’t as important as how defined it is. Strong and chiseled jawlines (like a square or concave shape) are seen as masculine and desirable in men, while sharp and angular shapes (like a diamond) can make women seem youthful and elegant.

   • Ultimately, your jaw shape doesn’t define your overall attractiveness. It’s just one factor in your face shape and appearance.

Section 6 of 6:

Defining Your Jawline Naturally

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   Chewing gum Chewing gum regularly can be a workout for your masseter muscles, which are at the base of your lower jaw near your ear. By chewing gum for 10 minutes a day, you can improve your masseter strength and function. However, more studies are needed to see if there's really a significant effect on the definition of your jawline.

   • Curious to see what others do to get a strong jaw? Check out our forum to find out which methods work best for our readers (and which don’t).
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   Duck face Some believe that regularly making the tightened “duck face” that many do when taking a photo can improve the angles of your jawline. It’s not a proven method, but if you want to make a duck face, it can temporarily engage the orbicularis oris muscles around the mouth, but not the deeper facial muscles needed for significant tightening of the jawline.

   • To make a duck face, press your lips together in a pout while slightly sucking in your cheeks.
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   Jaw exercises You don’t need a full-body workout to help define your jawline. Instead, try doing facial exercises to target your jaw muscles and reduce the appearance of a double chin. Try the following exercises to get started:

   • Chin-ups: With your mouth closed, slowly push your lower jaw forward. Lift your lower lip until you feel a stretch in your chin and jawline. Hold the position for 10 to 15 seconds, and repeat.
   • Jawline press: Place your thumb under your chin and press upwards, while resisting with your jaw. Hold for a few seconds and repeat.
   • Neck curl-up: While lying on your back, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Slowly curl your head up while directing your chin toward your chest. Hold for a few seconds and repeat.
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   Mewing Mewing is the latest viral TikTok trend used to improve a weak jawline. To mew, simply hold your relaxed tongue against the roof of your mouth. It may not permanently alter the shape of your jawline, but it is said to temporarily lift and tighten the muscles beneath the chin. It’s become a popular method for improving the look of a jawline in photos, which means you can easily do it the next time someone snaps a photo of you. However, there's not a ton of evidence to support its long-term effects.
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   Losing weight By lowering your body fat composition, it’s possible to reveal a more pronounced jawline shape. Make changes to your diet like eating low-fat sources of protein, whole grains, and fruit and vegetables while limiting caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and processed foods. A regular exercise routine that includes both cardio-based and strength training workouts also helps burn calories and tone your body.
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   Growing a beard For men, growing and trimming your beard is a simple way to highlight your jawline. To get a more chiseled jawline, trim your beard to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) above your Adam’s apple. Extend that line beneath your jawline all the way to your ears. Avoid letting the hair on your cheeks sit above the edge of your cheekbones. Sharp edges and a short length can help your jawline become more defined without major changes.
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   Using collagen Collagen is a protein known to add structure and elasticity to the skin; it is also associated with reducing jowls, improving hydration, and supporting natural collagen production. Improving skin elasticity can affect your jawline and cause it to appear more defined, but it takes time when using techniques like microneedling (which stimulates collagen production) or taking collagen supplements, like collagen peptides.
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