Types of Lips: Lip Shapes Chart and How to Identify Yours
A practical guide to the six common lip types, how to compare them without guessing from one selfie, and when to use an AI lip shape detector for a second opinion.
In this guide
Lip types chart: the 6 common lip shapes
Use this chart as a quick visual and descriptive reference. It separates outline, fullness, and width so you can avoid calling every defined mouth heart shaped or every plump mouth full lips. The goal is to name the dominant feature first, then add a secondary trait when needed.
| Lip type | Typical look | Best check | Useful for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart shaped lips | Defined cupid bow with a lower lip that usually looks softly fuller. | Check the upper peaks and lower-lip fullness. | Shape naming, liner balance, and cupid bow makeup. |
| Round lips | Soft curved outline with balanced upper and lower fullness. | Check whether volume is rounded and evenly distributed. | Soft everyday makeup and gentle contouring. |
| Oval lips | Longer corner-to-corner shape with smooth, balanced fullness. | Compare horizontal length with vertical height. | Natural balanced makeup and subtle definition. |
| Wide lips | Broad corner-to-corner span that is more obvious than height. | Look at the relaxed mouth width, not a smiling photo. | Corner control, center gloss, and smile balance. |
| Thin lips | Lower vertical height and less projection in one or both lips. | Check height and projection without overlining. | Soft overlining, satin color, and center highlight. |
| Full lips | Noticeable volume in both upper and lower lips. | Check projection and fullness before judging outline. | Clean edges, selective shine, and volume control. |
Best first pass
Start with outline first, then volume. A clear cupid's bow points toward heart shaped lips, balanced rounded volume points toward round lips, horizontal spread points toward wide lips, and strong fullness in both lips points toward full lips.
How to identify your lip type from a photo
A reliable lip type check starts with a neutral photo, not a smiling, puckered, filtered, or heavily lined image. Expression can stretch the corners, gloss can blur the cupid's bow, and side lighting can make one side look fuller than the other.
Look for the feature that dominates at normal viewing distance. If the first thing you notice is width, you may have wide lips. If the first thing is an upper V or M shape, heart shaped lips may fit better. If the first thing is equal soft volume, round or full lips may be closer.
- Check the cupid's bow: A visible dip with two upper peaks suggests heart shaped or bow-like lips. A soft or barely visible bow points more toward round, oval, thin, or full lips.
- Compare upper and lower fullness: If both lips are similarly plump, full lips or round lips may fit. If the lower lip is fuller but the upper lip has clear peaks, heart shaped lips may fit.
- Measure visual width: Wide lips extend strongly from corner to corner, even when they are not very full. Width is different from volume.
- Check vertical height: Thin lips have less vertical height and projection. Oval lips often look longer than they are tall but still balanced.
- Repeat with a second photo: If two photos disagree, trust the clearer neutral photo or use the detector as a comparison tool.
For a second opinion, upload a clear photo to the free Lip Shape Detector.
What each lip type looks like
These categories are descriptive, not medical labels. They help with makeup planning, photo comparison, and explaining your natural lip outline more clearly. When your lips fit two labels, use both, such as wide full lips or thin heart shaped lips.
Heart shaped lips
Defined cupid bow with a lower lip that usually looks softly fuller.
This label is most useful when it describes the dominant visible feature. If another feature is also strong, combine the terms instead of forcing one answer.
Read the heart shaped lips guide
Round lips
Soft curved outline with balanced upper and lower fullness.
This label is most useful when it describes the dominant visible feature. If another feature is also strong, combine the terms instead of forcing one answer.
Oval lips
Longer corner-to-corner shape with smooth, balanced fullness.
This label is most useful when it describes the dominant visible feature. If another feature is also strong, combine the terms instead of forcing one answer.
Wide lips
Broad corner-to-corner span that is more obvious than height.
This label is most useful when it describes the dominant visible feature. If another feature is also strong, combine the terms instead of forcing one answer.
Thin lips
Lower vertical height and less projection in one or both lips.
This label is most useful when it describes the dominant visible feature. If another feature is also strong, combine the terms instead of forcing one answer.
Full lips
Noticeable volume in both upper and lower lips.
This label is most useful when it describes the dominant visible feature. If another feature is also strong, combine the terms instead of forcing one answer.
Makeup fit by lip type
Lip type can help you choose liner placement, shine, and color balance. Use these notes as styling ideas, not rules. Your expression, tooth support, skin tone, and preferred finish still matter.
| Goal | Try | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Heart shaped lips | Keep the cupid bow visible and soften the lower-lip center. | Covering the bow with heavy gloss or overlining both peaks too sharply. |
| Wide lips | Add center color or gloss when you want more vertical balance. | Extending liner past already wide corners. |
| Thin lips | Use soft overlining at the center and a satin finish for dimension. | Dark flat matte color across the whole lip if you want fullness. |
| Full lips | Use clean edges and place shine selectively at the center. | Adding volume everywhere when the lips already project strongly. |
Best photo for checking lip shape
A clear photo makes the chart much more useful. Use the same conditions when comparing photos or retesting with AI, and avoid changing expression between shots.
- Face the camera: Keep the camera level with your mouth and avoid side angles.
- Relax your lips: Do not smile, pucker, press the lips together, or pull the corners wide.
- Use soft front light: Even lighting shows the cupid's bow, corners, and lower-lip fullness without harsh shadows.
- Use light makeup: Heavy liner can create a false lip shape, especially around the cupid's bow and corners.
Types of lips FAQ
Related lip shape resources
Last updated: May 31, 2026
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