Face Shapes
Oblong Face Shape
An oblong face shape (also called a rectangle face shape) is noticeably longer than it is wide, with the forehead, cheekbones, and jaw all similar in width and a relatively straight cheek line. It's less common than oval but still a frequently reported shape. Not sure which is yours? Our face shape detector can tell you from a single photo.
Oblong vs. rectangle: same shape, different names
"Oblong" and "rectangle" describe the same face shape: length clearly greater than width, with similar forehead, cheek, and jaw widths. Where sources draw a distinction, it's usually about jaw softness: an oblong face tends to have a slightly softer, more rounded jaw and chin, while a "rectangle" face has a more angular jaw with straighter, more parallel sides. This page covers both under one canonical shape, since the underlying ratios are identical.
What defines an oblong face shape?
- Length vs. width: Length is significantly greater than width, more pronounced than in an oval face.
- Widest point: No dramatic difference between forehead, cheekbones, and jaw. They read as similar in width.
- Forehead: Tall and straight rather than curved.
- Jaw and chin: Straight to softly squared; can be more angular in the "rectangle" variant.
- Cheek line: Runs relatively straight down the sides of the face rather than curving or tapering.
The defining giveaway versus an oval face is the degree of length: an oblong face is noticeably longer than wide, not just moderately so, and it lacks oval's clear cheekbone taper.
How to tell if you have an oblong face
Measure with a soft tape:
- Forehead width: the widest point, roughly midway between eyebrows and hairline.
- Cheekbone width, straight across from the top of one cheekbone to the other.
- Jawline width, from below one ear to the chin tip, doubled.
- Face length, center of the hairline to the bottom of the chin.
If your face length is clearly, noticeably greater than your width (more than in a typical oval) and your forehead, cheeks, and jaw come out similar in width with straight-ish sides, you likely have an oblong face (1-800 Contacts measurement guide). Average two measurements per dimension for accuracy.
For an instant read, detect your face shape from a photo →
Oblong face shape celebrities
Women often cited as oblong/rectangle: Sarah Jessica Parker and Liv Tyler are frequently referenced for their elongated face shape and similar forehead-to-jaw width.
Men often cited as oblong/rectangle: Ben Affleck and Adam Levine are commonly pointed to for a long face with a straight jawline.
These are widely published attributions used for illustration, not exact measurements.
Best hairstyles for an oblong face
The goal is to add width and reduce the perception of extra length or height.
For women: Styles with width at the temples (waves, a lob with body, or curled bangs) visually shorten the face. Side-swept or full bangs cut across the forehead to reduce apparent length; avoid very long, straight, center-parted styles that add further length.
For men: Styles with width at the sides rather than height on top work best, think a textured crop with fullness above the ears rather than a tall pompadour. A fringe or short bangs can also shorten the forehead visually.
Full guide with images: best hairstyles for an oblong face →
Best glasses for an oblong face
The core principle is to add horizontal width and break up the face's length.
- Wide rectangular or oversized square frames that extend slightly beyond the face's widest point add a strong horizontal line.
- Frames with decorative or thicker upper rims add visual width at the top of the face.
- For the softer "rectangle" jaw variant, round or oval frames can add helpful curve contrast.
Avoid narrow, small frames. They emphasize length rather than counteracting it. Full details: best glasses for an oblong face →
Styling tips for an oblong face
For women: Blush applied horizontally across the cheeks (rather than swept upward) helps visually widen the face; horizontal or hoop earrings add width at the jaw. Avoid heavy vertical contouring.
For men: A fuller beard, especially with width at the cheeks and a squared-off (not pointed) chin, adds visual width to a long face. Horizontal-framed glasses or sunglasses reinforce the same effect.
Oblong vs. other face shapes
Oblong vs. oval: Both are longer than wide, but oblong is noticeably longer with straighter, more similar-width forehead/cheeks/jaw, while oval has a clearer cheekbone taper and a more moderate length-to-width ratio.
Oblong vs. square: Oblong is clearly longer than wide; square keeps length close to width. Both can share a straighter jawline.
See all seven on the face shapes pillar page →, or compare with: oval, round, square, heart, diamond, triangle.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Is an oblong face shape attractive?
Yes: an elongated face shape is often associated with an elegant, striking look, and attractiveness studies consistently point to symmetry, averageness, and sexual dimorphism as bigger factors than face shape itself (2011 facial attractiveness review). Every face shape, oblong included, can be styled beautifully.
Is an oblong face shape rare?
It's less frequently reported than oval in AI-scan datasets, though exact prevalence varies by study and dataset; treat any single percentage as indicative, since these figures typically come from self-selected tool users rather than a random population sample.
What hairstyle suits an oblong face shape best?
Styles that add width at the sides (waves, a fuller lob, or bangs that shorten the forehead) tend to work best because they counterbalance the face's length. See the full oblong hairstyle guide for specific cuts.
Are oblong and rectangle face shapes really the same?
Yes. They describe the same underlying ratios (length clearly greater than width, similar forehead/cheek/jaw widths). Where a distinction is drawn, it's about jaw softness, with "rectangle" implying a slightly more angular jaw, but both are treated as one shape here.
How do I know if my face is oblong or oval?
Compare how much longer your face is than it is wide, and check whether your cheekbones taper noticeably to the jaw. A pronounced length difference with little cheekbone taper points to oblong; a moderate length difference with clear cheekbone taper points to oval.