What are the best nail shapes?

This post was sourced from submitted reader questions and posted by wikiHow Editorial Staff, based on our article: All the Different Nail Shapes to Choose From for Your Next Manicure .

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wikiHow Editorial Team

04/09/25 6:39pm

Wondering which nail shape is right for you? Here is a list of nail shapes to consider.

Striking and Bold

Stiletto: Tapers into a sharp point.
Ballerina: Tapers into a short, flat edge.
Coffin: Similar to Ballerina, but tapers into a longer, flat edge.

"Natural" and Soft

Round: "Natural" looking, rounded shape.
Oval: Similar to round, but with a more elongated shape.
Square: Corners of nail are sharp.
Squoval: Similar to square, but with rounded edges.

When choosing a nail shape, here are a few factors to consider:

Finger Length: If you have short fingers, elongated shapes with a soft taper, like almond, can help to make your fingers appear slender. Longer fingers can pull off stiletto or square nails.
Functionality: If you're someone who works with your hands, you may want a more practical shape, like round or square, so that your nails don't get in the way or break.
Style: Nails can add an elegant charm to your look or make a bold statement! Pick striking shapes, like stiletto or coffin, to stand out from the crowd. Opt for classic shapes like almond and oval for more refined nails.

What are your go-to nail shapes? Let us know in the comments below!

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Mimi D.
Nail Artist

06/11/25 12:29am

I like to pick nail shapes based on the person and their hands. I don't have one shape that's just universal for everybody, because some people may not like a round nail, while some people may not like a square nail. I typically talk to the client to figure out what they do on a daily basis and then choose their nail shape based on what would work best for their lifestyle .

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Reader Comments

Itsss Amyyyy!

04/10/25 3:17am

long nails don't go well trust me. you'd rather do medium or short length nail. don't do sharp it will hurt and poke and will cause bleeding in your nails and will pain when you remove and its hard to remove. as same as I'm goin with the rest of the advice it will happen.

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Hopedemi

06/11/25 12:32am

I have long, more slender fingers, and my favorite nail shape personally is almond shape , because I feel that it's the most complementary for my hands! It took a little experimentation before I landed on almond shape, though. Nails are something you can have a lot of fun with, so I'd encourage anyone to try out several shapes!

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