Curly Hair Types Chart: How to Find Your Curl Pattern

“Your curl type is determined by the shape of the follicle that your hair grows out of from your scalp. The flatter or more oval shaped the follicle, the curlier your hair; while the more circular the cross-section, the straighter your hair. Your curl pattern is also identified by the shape that the strands of hair make, whether they kink, curve, or wind around themselves into spirals,” says hairstylist Vernon François.

Most textured gals have more than one type of pattern on their head, “so you may have a combination of, say, kinky, coily, wavy, and curly” adds François. To identify your curl shape and pattern (or patterns), “it’s best determined while your hair is sopping wet,” explains Anthony Dickey, the curl wizard behind the Hair Rules salon and brand. 1s are straight, 2s are wavy, 3s are curly, and 4s are coily.

The sub-classifications of A to C are based on the width or diameter of your wave, curl, or coil pattern. As have a wider pattern size, Bs medium, and Cs the smallest of the three. “The real beauty of identifying your hair type is that you’re better at understanding how to care for your texture so you can have more versatility,” says Dickey.