Six common shapes
Most shapes are variations on two ideas: a flat tip or a curved one. Flat tips look crisp and suit shorter nails. Curved tips make fingers look longer but need some length to hold the curve. Start with a shape close to your natural nail and change it gradually over a few weeks.
Square
Short, wide nail beds and people who type a lot.
File straight across the top, then soften the two corners with one or two light strokes.
Squoval
Most nails, and anyone unsure where to start.
File straight across, then round each corner a little more than a square.
Round
Short nails and nails that tend to snag.
Follow the curve of your fingertip so the tip mirrors the cuticle line.
Oval
Medium length, and fingers you want to look longer.
Keep the sides straight, then file the tip into an egg-shaped curve.
Almond
Longer nails with some strength at the sides.
Taper both sides toward the center and keep a soft, rounded point.
Coffin
Long nails only, since the narrow flat tip needs length.
Taper the sides like almond, then file the point flat across the top.
How to file without damage
- File dry nails. Wet nails are softer and can bend or peel under the file.
- Hold the file slightly under the tip, angled up a little, so you shape the edge without thinning the top.
- Work from each side toward the center in smooth strokes. A back-and-forth sawing motion can rough up the edge.
- Check the shape from above and from the side every few strokes, and compare each nail with the one next to it.
- Finish with one or two light passes along the top of the edge to remove any rough bits.
Choosing a length
Short nails are easier to keep even, chip less, and suit busy hands. Longer nails give designs more room but break more easily, especially at the corners. A practical rule many people use is to keep all ten nails the same length, so the shortest nail sets the length for the rest. If one breaks, file the others down a little to match, or wait for it to grow.
Matching shape to design
| Shape | Designs that tend to suit it |
|---|---|
| Square and squoval | French tips, stripes and color blocks with straight lines |
| Round | Half moons, single colors and small dots |
| Oval and almond | Gradients, dots and designs that follow the curve of the tip |
| Coffin | Bold single colors and stripes that run from base to tip |
If your nails split or peel
Thin, splitting nails often do better short, with rounded corners that are less likely to catch. File gently, keep them dry when you can, and wear gloves for long jobs in water. If nails keep splitting, crumbling or changing shape, it is worth asking a doctor, since nail changes can have many causes. The nail hygiene page lists signs that are worth showing to a doctor.
Which shape is strongest?
Shapes that keep the sides wide and the corners soft, such as squoval and round, are less likely to snap than tapered shapes. Tapered shapes like almond and coffin remove nail at the sides, which leaves less to support the tip.
Can I change shape in one session?
You can file a square into a round in one go. Going from round to square, or growing a pointed shape, takes length you may not have yet. Move one step at a time.