What kind of nose do I have? Nose shapes from the side, front and below

What kind of nose do I have is a question you can answer with two photos and the checklist below. Noses are described by the line of the bridge from the side, the width of the bridge and nostrils from the front, and the angle of the tip. Most noses mix several traits, so the names are descriptions, not boxes. This guide covers the common nose shapes and the limits of labeling yours.

What kind of nose do I have from the side?

Take a side photo with your head level, from a few feet away, so the camera does not enlarge the nose. Follow the bridge from between the eyes to the tip. A straight nose runs in a nearly even line. A nose with a bump partway down the bridge is often called Roman or aquiline, and a tip that curves down past the nostrils is called hooked. A scooped line that dips in the middle and lifts at the tip is concave, and a short, upturned tip is often called a snub or button nose.

A small head tilt changes the line, so retake the photo if the chin is up or down. The perfect side profile tool shows how the nose sits against the forehead and lips, and the photo guide explains the setup.

What kind of nose do I have from the front?

From the front, check three things: the width of the bridge, the width of the tip and the spacing of the nostrils. A narrow nose has a bridge that looks thin and a tip that is not wider than it. A wide nose has a broader bridge or tip, and flared nostrils show wider openings at the base. A bulbous tip looks rounder and larger than the bridge above it.

Look at straightness too. Many people have a nose that leans slightly to one side, and the asymmetrical face guide explains why this is common. Lighting can exaggerate it, so use even light and a neutral expression.

Common types of noses and what they are called

Names for types of noses vary by author, but these are the ones people use most:

• Straight: an even bridge with no bump or dip.
• Roman or aquiline: a bump on the bridge and a tip that points slightly down.
• Hooked: a pronounced downward curve at the tip.
• Snub or button: short with an upturned tip.
• Concave: a dip in the bridge with the tip lifted.
• Wide or broad: a wider bridge and nostrils.
• Bulbous: a rounded, larger tip.
• Narrow: a slim bridge and tip.

Some labels come from old, now discredited ideas linking noses to character or worth. Treat them as descriptions of outline only. They say nothing about a person.

The view from below and the angle of the tip

Tilt the phone below the chin to see the base: the nostril shape, the center wall between them and how far the tip points. Nostrils can be round, oval or teardrop shaped, and one side often looks different from the other. This view exaggerates everything, so use it for a rough check, not a judgment.

The angle between the nose and the upper lip, called the nasolabial angle, decides whether the tip looks lifted or drooping in profile. It changes with the lip and the smile, since a broad smile pulls the tip down. For this reason, look at the nose with a relaxed mouth.

What kind of nose do I have, and what does it mean for glasses and breathing?

The shape of the bridge affects where glasses sit. A low, wide bridge can let frames slide down, and a high bridge may need frames with adjustable pads. The glasses for face shape guide covers frame width and fit.

Outline and breathing are separate. A crooked bridge, a blocked side or trouble breathing through the nose may come from a deviated septum or another medical issue, and a doctor can check it. A photo cannot tell you about airflow. Surgery should be discussed only with a qualified professional, and nothing here is a reason to change a nose you are comfortable with.

What kind of nose do I have and how to make the most of it

Light and angle change the nose more than most people expect. A slightly higher camera shortens it, a low camera enlarges the tip, and flat front light hides the bridge while soft side light shows it. Makeup can contour the sides of the bridge or soften the tip with a lighter shade, and these effects wash off. Brows, hairstyle and glasses also shift how much the nose stands out, and the different types of lips guide covers the feature right below it.

Nose shapes in perspective

A nose is one feature in a whole face, and people usually notice expression and proportion before any single feature. A PSL rating describes one photo, and its notes should not decide how you feel about your face. If you find yourself checking your nose in photos often, take a break and talk to someone you trust or a health professional.

What kind of nose do I have: FAQ

What are the main nose shapes?

Straight, Roman or aquiline, hooked, snub or button, concave, wide, bulbous and narrow. Many noses combine traits.

How do I find out what kind of nose I have?

Take a level side photo and a straight front photo from a few feet away in even light, then compare the bridge, tip and nostrils with the list above.

Is there an ideal nose shape?

No. Fashion and culture change, and many noses are common, healthy and well liked. Be careful with charts that claim a perfect nose.

Can the camera change my nose shape?

Yes. A close or low camera enlarges the nose, so shoot from a few feet away at eye level.

Do nose shapes show ancestry or personality?

Ancestry does influence average nose shape, but people within any group vary widely, so a nose cannot tell you someone's background. Claims linking noses to personality are discredited; the names describe outlines only.

When should I see a doctor about my nose?

If you have trouble breathing, a recent change in shape, pain or bleeding. A professional can assess it; a photo cannot.