Easiest way to know your hair type

Here’s a simple breakdown of hair types, from straight to coily, including curl pattern, texture, and key traits:

Type 1: Straight Hair

1A – Very straight, fine, soft, and flat. No wave or curl at all.

1B – Straight but with a bit more body and volume.

1C – Straight with a slight wave and coarse texture; resists curling.

Type 2: Wavy Hair

2A – Loose, stretched-out waves with little frizz. Easy to straighten or curl.

2B – More defined S-shaped waves with some frizz.

2C – Thick, coarse waves with lots of frizz and body. Often has a few loose curls.

Type 3: Curly Hair

3A – Big, soft, loopy curls (like sidewalk chalk size). Defined and shiny.

3B – Springy ringlets about the width of a marker. Can be dry and frizz-prone.

3C – Tight, corkscrew curls about the size of a pencil. Very dense and voluminous.

Type 4: Coily/Kinky Hair

4A – Small, defined S-shaped coils. Soft texture and visible curl pattern.

4B – Tighter, zig-zag pattern (more like a Z than an S). Fluffy and less defined.

4C – Very tight, densely packed curls or coils with little to no defined pattern. Shrinks a lot and is the most delicate type.

Bonus: Other Traits to Know

Porosity – How your hair absorbs moisture (low, normal, high).

Density – How many strands are on your head (thin, medium, thick).

Strand Thickness – How thick each individual strand is (fine, medium, coarse).

Most people don’t fit perfectly into one box—you might be 4B/4C or 3C in front and 4A in back. Totally normal.

The easiest way to figure out your hair type is by observing your natural hair when it’s clean, product-free, and air-dried. Here’s how to break it down simply:

1. Wash and Air Dry Your Hair

Shampoo and condition your hair.

Don’t add any products.

Let it dry naturally.

2. Check Your Curl Pattern

Hair types go from 1 (straight) to 4 (coily/kinky), with letters A–C showing how tight the pattern is:

Type 1: Straight

No bend or curl at all.

Type 2: Wavy

2A: Loose, stretched-out wave.

2B: More defined S-shape wave.

2C: Wavy with some frizz and thick strands.

Type 3: Curly

3A: Big, loose curls (like spirals).

3B: Springy ringlets.

3C: Tight corkscrew curls.

Type 4: Coily/Kinky

4A: Small, defined coils that form an S-shape when stretched.

4B: Z-shaped curls, less defined, more fluffy.

4C: Very tight, dense coils—shrinkage is real. Usually has no defined curl pattern without manipulation.

3. Also Pay Attention To:

Porosity: How well your hair absorbs moisture (low, normal, or high).

Density: How full your hair looks overall.

Strand thickness: Fine, medium, or coarse.

If you’re unsure between 4B and 4C or can’t see a curl pattern, you probably have a mix (which is totally normal), or you may need to do a twist-out or use water + leave-in to define the curl better

Here is a more explained version 

Step 1: Start Fresh

Wash your hair with just shampoo and conditioner—don’t put in any leave-ins, oils, or stylers. Let it air-dry naturally. This gives you the best look at your hair in its most natural state.

Step 2: Look at the Curl Pattern

Once your hair is dry, see how it behaves:

Is it completely straight, no wave or curl?

You’ve got Type 1 hair.

Got a bit of a wave or soft bend?

That’s Type 2. The waves can be super loose (2A) or a bit more defined and thicker (2C).

Is your hair curly like ringlets or spirals?

That’s Type 3. 3A curls are big and loose, 3B are tighter ringlets, and 3C are small, springy curls.

Is it super coily, dense, or zig-zaggy?

Welcome to the Type 4 fam.

4A has small, defined coils (you can usually see the curl shape easily).

4B has more of a Z-shape pattern and looks fluffier.

4C is super tight, with less visible curl definition, and it shrinks a lot. It's super soft and dense, but it doesn’t always form a curl unless you define it with a product or twist-out.

Step 3: Go Beyond the Curl

There’s more to your hair than curl pattern:

Porosity = how well your hair soaks up and holds moisture. (Low porosity = water sits on it; high porosity = absorbs fast but dries out quickly.)

Strand thickness = how thick each individual hair is (not how much hair you have overall).

Density = how full your hair looks on your head.

Important: Most people have more than one type.