What's my hair type? A quick 1a–4c guide
By CurlCart · Updated October 2, 2026Hair types are usually described with a number from 1 to 4 (straight, wavy, curly, coily) and a letter from a to c (looser to tighter). The chart was popularized by stylist Andre Walker and is now the common shorthand in curl care.
How to check: wash and condition as usual, skip styling products, and let a section air-dry without touching it. Then compare the shape of the strands to the drawings below.
Most heads have more than one type, often looser at the crown and tighter underneath or at the nape. In the CurlCart quiz you can pick every type you see.
Type 1: Straight
Dries flat from root to tip, with little or no bend.
1a is fine and very straight, 1b has a little body, and 1c may have a slight bend at the ends and some frizz.
Type 2: Wavy
Dries in an S-shape that lies fairly close to the head.
2a is a loose, gentle wave. 2b has a clearer S from the mid-lengths. 2c has deeper waves that start near the root and can frizz.
Type 3: Curly
Forms loops or ringlets that often clump together.
3a curls are big and loose, 3b are springy ringlets, and 3c are tight corkscrews about the width of a pencil or straw.
Type 4: Coily
Forms tight coils or a zigzag pattern, and usually shows a lot of shrinkage (hair looks much shorter dry than stretched).
4a has small, defined S-shaped coils. 4b bends in sharp angles, like a Z. 4c is a tight zigzag with the most shrinkage and the least visible pattern.
What the number does and doesn't tell you
Your type describes the shape of your hair, not how it behaves. Two people with 3c curls can need very different products depending on how thick each strand is, how much hair they have, and how easily it takes in and holds water. If products sit on top of your hair or it dries very quickly, read what porosity tells you.
Treat the chart as a starting point. If a product made for your type doesn't work, try the products made for the type next to it.