How to Find the Best Nail Shape for Your Hands

Beautiful and long-lasting nails with professional materials.

The world has more nail shapes than we have fingers, but we’re on hand to help you select the right angles for your nails, so you really can enjoy your perfect mani. Before we get started, take a good look at your hands. To flatter those tips, you’ll need to find the best nail tip shape for your hands by figuring out the shape of your cuticle and nail bed. Simply push back your cuticles with a cuticle stick to look at your true cuticle shape, then get started.

Short Fingers

Best nail shape for your hands: Round Nails. This nail tip shape elongates your fingers and makes them look slender. Round nails also make wide nail beds appear thinner. Start by filing and following the natural shape of the fingertip. Then, flip your hands and check the symmetry of the curve.

Wide Nail Beds And Long Nails

Best nail shape for your hands: Oval Nails. This runway favorite elongates nails in both width and length. It’s similar to an almond shape but a tad more blunt. File each side of the nail, and slightly curve your file toward the center of the nail to create an egg-like nail tip shape.

To Lengthen & Slim Fingers

Best nail shape for your hands: Almond Nails. Slender at the sides and slim at the base, this is an instantly flattering nail tip shape. File each side of the nail, and shape the tip by narrowing the free edge to create a peak.

Low Maintenance

Best nail shape for your hands: Square Nails. If you have long, narrow nail beds and like a short length, this is the shape for you. Looking for extra length? Acrylic fans rejoice, long square nails are the perfect canvas for trending shades and nail art. Achieve this nail tip shape by filing in a straight line across the free edge.

The Universal Shape

Best nail shape for your hands: Squoval Nails. It looks good on everyone! This universally flattering nail shape looks good on short and long fingers. Part-oval and part-square, this nail tip shape is super easy to maintain on short nails. Start by filing straight across, then round the corners in one long stroke, connecting the free edge together. Flip your hands towards you and adjust as needed.

Short Fingers and Long Nails

Best nail shape for your hands: Stiletto Nails. This is a shape made for long nails (we recommend with acrylics) that ends with a sharp statement point. This is like an almond shape, but more pointed. Find the center of the nail tip, then shape both sides by filing into a slight taper towards the nail tip. Next, begin shaping the tip by narrowing the free edge to create a peak.

For the Acrylic Enthusiasts

Best nail shape for your hands: Ballerina Nails or Coffin Nails. This shape requires salon maintenance. Long, slim, and squared off at the tip, this suits long, slender fingers and angled cuticles. They’re called ballerina nails (or coffin nails) as the tip resembles a pointed shoe. Looking for something with a bit more edge? Try a related shape with coffin nails, this nail tip shape is slightly more angled than ballerina nails and is less rounded when it comes to the sides of the nail.

The Influencer

Best nail shape for your hands: Lipstick Nails. Be a trendsetter! Like your favorite shade, this squared nail style slants diagonally for a seriously unique nail tip shape.