Type 1: Straight
Straight hair with no natural curl. Subtypes differ by strand thickness and body, from fine and flat (1A) to coarse and resistant (1C).
Hair Type Chart: All 12 Types
The hair type chart organizes hair into 4 families and 12 types: type 1 (1A, 1B, 1C) is straight, type 2 (2A, 2B, 2C) is wavy, type 3 (3A, 3B, 3C) is curly, and type 4 (4A, 4B, 4C) is coily. Each step adds curl. Here is the full chart and how to read it.
Type 2: Wavy
Wavy hair that forms S-shaped bends, sitting between straight and curly. Subtypes go from loose waves (2A) to strong waves with some curl (2C).
Type 3: Curly
Curly hair that forms defined spirals and ringlets. Subtypes go from large loose curls (3A) to tight corkscrews (3C), measured by curl width.
Type 4: Coily
Coily hair that forms tight coils, springs and zigzags with high shrinkage. Subtypes go from springy coils (4A) to a tightly packed Z-pattern (4C).
How Do You Read the Hair Type Chart?
The chart has two dimensions: the number and the letter. The number (1 to 4) is the family, set by the overall pattern: straight, wavy, curly or coily. The letter (a, b, c) is the subtype within that family, set by how tight or pronounced the pattern is, with a being the loosest and c the tightest. So 2A is the loosest wave and 4C the tightest coil. Reading the chart is just combining the two: find your family first, then your subtype.
How Do You Find Your Type on the Chart?
Start with the family, then narrow to the subtype. The most reliable method is to wash your hair, apply nothing, and let it air dry without touching it: the shape it takes reveals your family. From there, the defining clue depends on the family: strand thickness for type 1, wave strength for type 2, curl width for type 3, and coil shape and shrinkage for type 4. The free quiz walks through each of these signals and returns your exact type, which is faster than self-diagnosing from the chart alone.
Can You Have More Than One Hair Type?
Yes, and most people do. It is common to have two or even three patterns on one head, for example looser curls at the crown and tighter curls underneath. The usual convention is to name your hair by the dominant type while noting the others, because the dominant pattern drives most of your routine. If your hair is clearly mixed, type the section that makes up the majority, then adjust care zone by zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the 12 hair types?
- 1A, 1B, 1C (straight), 2A, 2B, 2C (wavy), 3A, 3B, 3C (curly) and 4A, 4B, 4C (coily). The number is the family and the letter is how tight the pattern is within it.
- What is the hair type chart based on?
- Curl pattern. The number reflects the overall shape from straight to coily, and the letter reflects how loose or tight that shape is, from a to c.
- What is the rarest hair type?
- Type 1A, completely straight fine hair with no bend at all, is often described as the least common, though no pattern is truly rare across the whole population. Coverage varies a lot by region and ancestry.
- Can my hair type change?
- Your base pattern is mostly set, but it can shift with hormones, age, pregnancy, medication and heat or chemical damage. Damage can loosen a curl pattern, and it sometimes returns once the damaged hair grows out.
- How do I find my exact type?
- Take the free quiz: it identifies your family, then your subtype, from how your hair behaves. It is quicker and more reliable than guessing from the chart on your own.