What Type of Curly Hair Do I Have?

Take this quiz to find your curl pattern!

Your hair’s got that natural curl that people would kill for, but how curly is it exactly? Is it a beachy, wavy 2A? Or a kinky, coily 4C? And what does that even mean?

Answer just a few quick questions about your hair, and we’ll tell you what type it is, plus offer care tips and product recommendations based on your specific curls.

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Questions Overview

1. Which of these best describes the shape your hair's strands?
  1. Wavy or wiggly
  2. Loopy or with ringlets
  3. Coily or corkscrewed
  4. Straight-ish
2. How easy is it to straighten you hair?
  1. It's super easy!
  2. It can be done, but it's not exactly easy.
  3. It's not easy at all, and takes a lot of effort.
  4. I don't know.
3. Where does your hair texture or curl pattern begin?
  1. It starts near the ends of my hair.
  2. I starts midway down my hair.
  3. It's textured or curly all the way up to the roots.
  4. It's a mix.
4. Pinch a single strand of hair and roll it between your fingers. What do you feel?
  1. Nothing, or barely anything.
  2. I can sort of feel it between my fingers, but not a lot.
  3. I can definitely feel the strand between my fingers.
5. Take a peek at your scalp in the mirror. Can you see the individual strands where they meet your scalp?
  1. Not really
  2. Sorta
  3. Definitely
6. What's the biggest problem you run into, out of these?
  1. It's hard for my hair to hold its shape.
  2. My hair tangles super easily.
  3. My hair is usually dry or frizzy.
7. Pull on a strand of hair, then let it go. How springy was it?
  1. Not really springy, or kind of springy.
  2. Sorta springy. There was a good amount of movement.
  3. Super springy. It jumped like a slinky!

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Styling Tips:<\/b>

Understanding Your Curl Pattern

Curls come in all shapes and sizes, and the curl-heads of the world have come up with a simple system for explaining and classifying different levels and patterns of curl. Every head of hair is different, so everyone’s needs, routines, and products are unique, but knowing your pattern can give you a head start on understanding how to care for your hair.

Note: “A” refers to hair that’s very fine. “B” refers to hair that’s semi-fine, semi-coarse. “C” refers to hair that’s very coarse.

Type 2

  • 2A curls are the beginning of real curls. They’re often mistaken for beachy waves, but with proper care, can become loose, S-shaped curls.
  • 2B curls are a little more obvious, with a more defined S-shaped pattern. 2B curls often begin partway down the length of the hair, with the area nearer to the scalp a little straighter.
  • 2C is the start of frizz territory. The curls are apparent and S-shaped all the way up to the root, with thick strands and curls that are defined but not quite ringlets.

Type 3

  • 3A hair is the start of proper ringlets, with loose rings about the same diameter as a thick piece of sidewalk chalk.
  • 3B hair has ringlets that tighten to about the diameter of a marker, like a Sharpie, and is particularly prone to frizz.
  • 3C hair ringlets get down to the diameter of a pencil.

Type 4

  • 4A hair is where ringlets become coils, about the diameter of a knitting or crochet needle, with a lot of volume.
  • 4B hair often has a distinct zig-zag pattern, and while the individual strands aren’t distinguishable at the root, they’re more apparent closer to the ends.
  • 4C hair is the densest and most voluminous, but also has the most shrinkage. When it’s well-maintained, it gives off the illusion of a puffy, luxurious cloud.


Other things to consider:

Porosity refers to how porous your hair is. High porosity hair has no trouble absorbing moisture, but struggles to retain moisture. Low porosity hair has trouble absorbing moisture, but no trouble retaining it. Use deep-conditioning products on high porosity hair, and lightweight products on low porosity hair.

Density refers to how many strands of hair you have growing out of a given area of your scalp. High-density hair has more strands per square inch, and behaves better with heavier products. Low-density hair, on the other hand, behaves better with lightweight products.

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