Your Ultimate Guide To The 12 Best Nail Shapes – And How To Choose The Best One For You

Few things feel as satisfying as a fresh manicure. Whether you're painting your nails at home or heading to the salon, we love any excuse for some creativity and pampering in one. One element, however, often proves itself to be more than just a little overwhelming - choosing a nail shape. We're completely spoilt for choice - and that's even before getting down to the business of picking a nail colour. Searches are currently up for 'how to shape nails' and 'what nail shape is best for me?', so if you're one of the people furiously Googling something similar, we've constructed the ultimate guide to help.

Now, the decision about what nail shape to choose is complex. There are a whole host of new nail shapes to choose from that have emerged from celebrity and influencer nail trends alike. What nail shape, for example, goes best with the light blush colour of the trend for pink nails? And who could forget tortoiseshell nails and the everlasting appeal for milky nails? Then there's the question of what nail shape is best for your natural nail and finger shape? The list goes on and on. Thankfully, we reached out to leading experts in the field for everything you need to know...

Meet The Experts

How do you know which nail shape suits you?

According to the experts, it's best to go with what feels natural. Tina S points out, 'it is recommended to follow the natural shape of the cuticle line and the fingernails to have the best final look'.

Huber-Millet agrees, 'the best way to determine your most natural-looking nail shape is by considering the contours and proportions of your own unique hands and nails. It's about finding the balance between what feels comfortable and what compliments the natural look of your hands.'

Why is nail shape so important?

It's a surprisingly significant factor to consider when opting for a new nail set. So much so, Davis says, 'Choosing the right nail shape is important as this will significantly impact the final look of your nails. Chasing the wrong shape can make your fingers look longer, shorter or wider than the client would like.'

In fact, Diogo goes so far as to say that 'The right shape is the key to a perfect manicure, it has to complement the hand'. For example, if you have long nail beds, a shorter nail length can still look effortlessly chic. However, if you have shorter nail beds, you will probably want to keep a little bit of length to nail the perfect manicure.

Huber-Millet adds, 'Selecting the right nail shape is key to feeling confident. It's the first step in enhancing your nail designs and can completely alter the overall aesthetic of your hands, whether you're going for a bold statement or more understated and elegance.'

What are the different nail shapes?

Experts agree on six major nail shape categories you can opt for: oval, almond, square, squoval, coffin (also known as ballerina), stiletto (or pointed nails) and, of course, round. But there are more out there the deeper you dig. Confused? We've broken down each style so you can find the one that suits you best. Whether you have long fingers or your digits are short, we have you covered.

Oval Nails

Davis describes these as 'slightly tapered sidewalls where the free edge curves to meet the sidewalls but is longer than a short, round nail. They are best suited to clients with wide palms and short fingers or any client with wide nail beds.'

Overview: A classic look that doesn't need much to look good. Wear if: you have small hands or long to medium nail beds.  Best with: matte polish in earthy tones, browns, green, grey and other warm shades.

Round Nails

This classic shape 'follows the natural curve of the fingertip. This shape is perfect for those who prefer a softer, more natural look,' according to Huber-Millet. Davis adds, round nails feature 'straight sidewalls and a curved free edge to meet the sidewalls, this mimics the natural nail shape and is best suited for clients with long palms and short fingers'.

Overview: A chic classic that looks the most natural. Wear if: you have short and wide nails, and want to keep things simple and understated. Best with: classic reds and creamy pastels.

Almond Nails

Arguably the most popular nail shape of 2024, according to Davis, almond nails have 'tapered sidewalls with a soft pointed free edge. This shape is best suited to clients with wide palms and short fingers.'

Huber-Millet adds, 'almond-shaped nails are stunning and perfect for those who love an elegant, feminine look. Like an almond, this shape is slim at the tip, tapered in on the sides and becomes wider towards the base of the nail.'

Overview: Meet the most popular and trendy nail shape of the year, according to the experts. Wear if: you have long nails or you have wide palms and short fingers and want the illusion of longer fingers Best with: pastel shades vibrant colours or neutrals.

Square Nails

'A square nail shape is a timeless classic that never goes out of style. It’s characterised by its straight edges and angular corners - it's a perfect choice for anyone looking for a chic, yet simple look, says Huber-Millet.

Overview: a timeless classic that never goes out of style. Wear if: you have mid to long nails. Best with: classic and bold looks with vibrant colours and geometric patterns.

Squoval Nails

The hybrid nail, this shape combines both square and oval into one. Tina S defines it as 'part oval and part square with straight tips and curved edges, and is best suited to long fingers with slim hands. For polish stick to dark or light shades in nude or pastel.' It's a popular pick for short styles, too, she adds.

Overview: classic, natural, suits all. Wear if: if your nail beds are wide and long. Best with: geometric nail art, as well as dark or light polish in nude or pastels.

Coffin Nails

Coffin or ballerina nail shape is a popular style that has gained traction in recent years. 'This long, tapered shape is characterised by its flat tip, which resembles the silhouette of a coffin. Celebrities and fashion icons are often seen sporting this trend - it's an excellent option for anyone who wants to add some drama to their nails,' says Huber-Millet.

Overview: chic, glamorous, high-maintenance. Wear if: you suit square or squoval shapes and have narrow and long nail beds. Best with: tidy and unchipped acrylic nail shapes with pale polish colours.

Stiletto Nails

Think of these as 'tapered sidewalls with a sharp pointed free edge,' says Davis. 'This shape is best suited to clients with small palms and long fingers.' They are dramatic, sharp ended and certainly allow for a host of experimental nail art.

Overview: drama-filled, striking and high-maintainence. Wear if: you suit almond shapes and have have narrow, long nail beds and hands. Best with: experimental and fun approaches to colour, art, and texture.

Duck Nails

Characterised by chunky acrylic extensions and bulky, fanned out tips, which resemble the shape of a ducks foot, the duck manicure is one for those who love nostalgia, all that is extra and anything to do with the Y2K trend.

Overview: Great for making a statement and if you flirt with creative chaos. Wear if: you have short nail beds and suit square shapes. Best with: fun and flashy prints, textures and prints, add some gems while you're at it, too.

Lipstick Nails

A newer style of nail shape, this trend sees nails filed into the shape of lipstick, thanks to the slanted bullet-shaped tip. It is totally unconventional, original and nothing like the classics, which gives you more of a reason to play around with style.

Overview: Perhaps the most unconventional of nail shapes. Wear if: you have medium-to-long nail lengths to perfect that slanted edge. Best with: outlandish prints, logos and patterns, but you could certainly opt for a more classic style to juxtapose the shape, as seen below.

Edge Nails

These are certainly an extreme form of nail shaping and perhaps the most daring. They are three dimensional and involve forming a 'point' or raised edge which runs down the length of the nails bed to resonate a mountain ridge.

Overview: A wacky and daring style. Wear if: you have medium-to-long nail lengths and hands (and are used to carrying out daily activities with super-long nails!). Best with: creative and experimental colours and designs.

Arrow Head Nails

While this shape bears some of the soft qualities of the almond nail and shares similarities with stiletto nails, as far as the sharp points are concerned, arrow head nails are shorter in length and feature more dramatic angles to create that tip.

Overview: A great alternative to stiletto for those who want a shorter style. Wear if: you have small hands and short nail beds. Best with: Pretty much all styles and colours, though bold patterns work very well, as do fun textures located near the tip.

Natural Nails

Yes, the shape of your natural nails is a shape within itself, and is perfect if you want a low maintenance, understated look. As Tina S previously states, when deciding the best shape for you, follow the natural shape of the cuticle line and the fingernails to determine your most naturally flattering shape.

Overview: low maintenance and low-key. Wear if: you want to prioritise the health of your nail. Best with: soft and muted tones and styles of art that will really let your natural nail shine through.

What is the classiest nail shape?

According to Huber-Millet the classiest nail shape of all is round or square. 'A square nail shape is a timeless classic that never goes out of style,' it's a great pick for those who love a chic and simple style. 'A round nail shape is another classic look, this shape follows the natural curve of the fingertip. This shape is perfect for those who prefer a softer, more natural look,' she adds.

What nail shapes are trending now?

All experts agree almond nails are the go-to shape of the year. 'Almond nails are one of the most popular shapes at the moment and will become increasingly popular throughout 2024, this look creates the illusion of long slimmer fingers and adds a touch of elegance to the hands. If you love a little nail art, this shape is perfect as it creates an elegant canvas for a variety of looks from French to minimal accents. Short looks in square nails and natural rounded are really having a moment too right now - this look is just so chic and stylish,' says Huber-Millet.

Main Image: Instagram @@moruz.dana, @matejanova, and @dinadidit_

Sameeha Shaikh is Grazia UK's Beauty Writer, working across all categories to bring you insights on the latest trends, industry news and the products you need to know about, viral or not (most probably viral).