Which nail shape suits you?
Answer five quick questions about your nails, your hands and how much upkeep you want, and get the shape a nail tech would pick for you — with what to ask for at your next appointment.
Nail shape decides more than you would think: how long your manicure lasts, how often it chips, how much filing you do at home, and whether a design actually suits your hand. This quiz asks five questions about your nails and your daily life, and gives you the shape a nail tech would most likely put you in — plus what to say when you sit down in the chair.
The six shapes, in one line each
Round — short, curved, hardest to break. The go-to for natural nails that split or peel.
Oval — straight sides with a rounded tip. Lengthens the finger and grows out without an obvious line.
Square — flat tip, straight sides. Crisp on short nails and the easiest shape to keep even.
Squoval — square with the corners softened, so it keeps the clean line without catching on clothes.
Almond — tapered to a soft point. Elegant, flattering, and strong enough for everyday wear at medium length.
Coffin and stiletto — long, tapered shapes that usually need acrylic or hard gel, and an infill every two to three weeks.
What to do with your result
Take the shape name with you to your appointment and say it out loud — “almond, but keep the point soft” tells a tech far more than a photo does. If you file at home, work in one direction from the side of the nail toward the tip, never back and forth, and shape when the nail is dry rather than straight after a shower.
If you are between two shapes, start with the shorter, sturdier one. Going from square to almond takes one filing; going from stiletto back to round takes months of growth.
The full breakdown, with photos of each shape, is in our guide to nail shapes. For designs once you have picked one, see French tip nail ideas, almond nail ideas and nail colours for your skin tone.
