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Before starting, we’ve got some other related setups articles about home office setups, take a look:
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Not sure what your hair type actually is? Here’s an easy way to find out: wash your hair, skip the products, and let it air-dry completely. Once it’s dry, take a good look at its texture, curl pattern, and thickness — that’ll tell you most of what you need to know.
Hair types are usually grouped using the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, which breaks hair down into four main categories: straight (Type 1), wavy (Type 2), curly (Type 3), and coily (Type 4). Each of these is further split into subcategories A, B, and C, depending on how tight or loose the pattern is — so, for example, you might land somewhere between a 2B and a 3A.
Understanding the Hair Type Classification System
The Andre Walker Hair Typing System
The most widely recognized method to identify hair type is the Andre Walker Hair Typing System, which categorizes hair into four main groups. This system helps you understand your natural hair texture and pattern, making it easier to choose the right products and styling techniques. Learning how to find your hair type using this system is the first step toward achieving healthier, more manageable hair.
Type 1 hair is completely straight with no curl pattern. Type 2 hair has loose waves that form an S-shape. Type 3 hair features defined curls that range from loose loops to tight corkscrews. Type 4 hair consists of tight coils, zig-zag patterns, or very dense curls. Each type is further divided into subcategories A, B, and C, with A being the loosest pattern and C being the tightest.
Why Knowing Your Hair Type Matters
Understanding your hair texture goes beyond curiosity—it’s essential for proper hair care. Different hair types have unique needs when it comes to moisture, protein, styling products, and maintenance routines. For instance, straight hair tends to get oily faster and may need more frequent washing, while coily hair is naturally drier and requires intense hydration.
When you identify hair type correctly, you can avoid common hair care mistakes like using heavy products on fine hair or insufficient moisture on curly hair. This knowledge empowers you to build a personalized routine that works with your natural texture rather than against it. If you’re looking to optimize your routine further, check out our guide on how to build a perfect hair care routine.
Step 1: Start with Clean, Product-Free Hair
Preparing Your Hair for Assessment
The first step in learning how to find your hair type is to start with a clean slate. Wash your hair with a gentle, clarifying shampoo to remove any product buildup, oils, or residues that might alter your hair’s natural behavior. Avoid using conditioner, styling products, or heat tools during this process, as they can mask your true hair texture.
This preparation is crucial because product buildup can weigh hair down, making curly hair appear straighter or fine hair appear thinner. Similarly, heavy conditioners or oils can artificially enhance or suppress your natural curl pattern. For the most accurate results, your hair should be in its most natural state possible.
The Washing Process
Use lukewarm water to wash your hair, as hot water can strip natural oils and alter texture temporarily. Apply a small amount of clarifying or gentle shampoo, focusing on your scalp, and rinse thoroughly. Skip the conditioner entirely for this assessment, even if your hair typically requires it. This might feel uncomfortable if you have dry or curly hair, but it’s necessary for accurate identification.
After washing, gently pat your hair with a microfiber towel or old cotton t-shirt to remove excess water. Avoid rubbing vigorously, as this can create frizz and disrupt your natural pattern. Let your hair air-dry completely without touching it too much, brushing it, or applying any products. This hands-off approach allows your hair to reveal its true texture and pattern.
Image Description: A step-by-step visual guide showing someone washing hair with clarifying shampoo, with text overlays indicating “no conditioner” and “air dry only.” Alt text: “How to find your hair type step 1: washing hair without products for accurate hair texture identification”
Step 2: Observe Your Hair’s Natural Drying Pattern
Watching the Drying Process
As your hair air-dries, pay close attention to how it behaves. This observation phase is critical when you’re trying to identify hair type. Does your hair dry completely straight with no bends or waves? Does it form loose S-shapes? Do distinct curls appear? Or does it create tight coils or zig-zag patterns?
Watch how your hair dries from roots to ends. Some people have multiple textures—for example, straighter roots with wavier or curlier ends. This is completely normal and often occurs due to heat damage, chemical processing, or simply natural variation. Note the predominant pattern, but also acknowledge any secondary textures.
Documenting What You See
Take photos of your hair from multiple angles as it dries: front, back, and sides. Natural lighting works best for capturing your true texture. These photos serve as a reference point, especially since it can be difficult to see the back of your head objectively. Compare the images to hair type charts available online to get a preliminary idea of your category.
Pay attention to how your hair feels as it dries. Does it feel soft and smooth, or does it feel rough and dry? Does it shrink significantly as it dries (a common characteristic of curly and coily hair)? Does it maintain volume, or does it lie flat against your scalp? These observations provide additional clues about your hair texture and porosity.
Women aged 28-55 often notice changes in their hair texture over time due to hormonal shifts, aging, or chemical treatments. If your hair type seems different than it was years ago, you’re not imagining it. Document your current texture honestly, as this is what you need to work with now. For tips on maintaining healthy hair through these changes, visit our hair care category.
Step 3: Examine Your Curl Pattern and Texture
Identifying Straight Hair (Type 1)
If your hair dries completely straight with no waves, curls, or bends, you have Type 1 hair. This hair type is further divided into three subcategories. Type 1A hair is fine, thin, and completely straight—it’s the hardest to hold a curl and tends to look oily quickly. Type 1B hair is still straight but has more body and volume, with a slightly thicker texture. Type 1C hair is straight but coarse and thick, often with a slight bend or wave that appears in humid conditions.
Straight hair reflects light beautifully, giving it a naturally shiny appearance. However, it can also look flat or limp if not styled properly. People with straight hair often struggle with holding styles and may find their hair gets greasy at the roots within a day or two of washing.
Recognizing Wavy Hair (Type 2)
Wavy hair forms loose S-shaped patterns that aren’t quite curly but aren’t straight either. Type 2A hair has loose, gentle waves that start below the ears and can be easily straightened or curled. Type 2B hair has more defined waves that start at the mid-lengths and may have some frizz. Type 2C hair features pronounced waves that start at the roots, with a thicker texture and more frizz-prone tendencies.
Wavy hair often exists in a frustrating middle ground—it’s not straight enough to be sleek and not curly enough to form defined ringlets. This hair type benefits from lightweight products that enhance waves without weighing them down. Many women with wavy hair don’t realize their true texture because they’ve been treating it like straight hair, missing out on their natural wave pattern.
Distinguishing Curly Hair (Type 3)
Curly hair forms distinct spiral or ringlet patterns. Type 3A hair has loose, large curls about the diameter of sidewalk chalk. Type 3B hair features tighter curls similar to the size of a marker or Sharpie. Type 3C hair has dense, tight corkscrew curls about the width of a pencil or straw.
Curly hair tends to be drier than straight or wavy hair because natural oils from the scalp have difficulty traveling down the curved hair shaft. This hair type requires regular moisture and benefits from leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and oils. Curly hair is also prone to frizz, especially in humid conditions, and requires gentle handling to maintain definition.
Identifying Coily Hair (Type 4)
Coily or kinky hair features tight zig-zag patterns, coils, or very dense curls. Type 4A hair has defined coils about the size of a crochet needle. Type 4B hair has less defined coils with a sharp zig-zag pattern. Type 4C hair has the tightest coil pattern with significant shrinkage—hair can appear much shorter than its actual length when dry.
Type 4 hair is the most fragile and driest hair type, requiring intensive moisture and gentle handling. This hair type experiences the most shrinkage, sometimes up to 70% of its actual length. Coily hair benefits from the LOC (Liquid-Oil-Cream) or LCO (Liquid-Cream-Oil) method for maximum moisture retention. If you’re embracing your natural coily texture, explore our gray and silver hair color ideas that work beautifully with natural textures.
Step 4: Assess Your Hair’s Thickness and Density
Understanding Hair Strand Thickness
Beyond curl pattern, you need to assess the thickness of individual hair strands. This is different from density, which refers to how many hairs you have on your scalp. To determine strand thickness, take a single strand of hair and roll it between your fingers. If you can barely feel it, you have fine hair. If you can feel it slightly, you have medium hair. If it feels thick and robust, you have coarse or thick hair.
Fine hair is delicate and prone to breakage, requiring gentle handling and lightweight products that won’t weigh it down. Medium hair is the most versatile and can handle a wider range of products and styling techniques. Coarse hair is strong and resilient but can feel rough or wiry if not properly moisturized.
Measuring Hair Density
Hair density refers to how closely packed your hair strands are on your scalp. To assess density, pull a small section of hair about one inch wide and observe how much scalp you can see. If you can easily see your scalp, you have low density. If you can see some scalp but not a lot, you have medium density. If you can barely see any scalp, you have high density.
Understanding your density helps you choose the right products and styles. Low-density hair benefits from volumizing products and shorter haircuts that create the illusion of fullness. High-density hair may need thinning or layering to reduce bulk and weight. Medium density hair is relatively easy to style and maintain.
Considering Hair Porosity
While identifying hair type, don’t forget to consider porosity—how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. To test porosity, place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water. If it floats, you have low porosity hair that resists moisture absorption. If it sinks slowly, you have medium porosity hair with balanced absorption. If it sinks quickly, you have high porosity hair that absorbs moisture easily but loses it just as fast.
Porosity affects which products work best for your hair. Low porosity hair benefits from lightweight, liquid-based products and heat to help products penetrate. High porosity hair needs heavier creams and oils to seal in moisture. Understanding porosity alongside your hair type gives you a complete picture of your hair’s needs. For more detailed information, check out our guide to avoiding common hair care mistakes.
Step 5: Consider External Factors and Hair History
Accounting for Chemical Treatments
When learning how to find your hair type, it’s essential to consider your hair’s history. Chemical treatments like coloring, bleaching, perming, or relaxing can permanently or temporarily alter your hair’s texture. If you’ve chemically straightened curly hair or added curls to straight hair, your current texture may not reflect your natural type.
Heat damage from frequent use of flat irons, curling wands, or blow dryers can also change your hair’s pattern, often making curly hair appear straighter or creating uneven textures. To determine your true hair type, you may need to wait for new growth or do a big chop to remove damaged sections. If you’re planning to color your hair, understanding your natural texture helps you choose the right approach. Browse our hair color for your skin tone guide for personalized recommendations.
Recognizing Hormonal and Age-Related Changes
Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, or due to medical conditions can alter your hair texture. Many women report their hair becoming curlier, straighter, thicker, or thinner during these transitions. Aging also affects hair—production of natural oils decreases, hair strands may become finer, and texture can change.
If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and notice your hair type seems different than it was in your 20s, this is normal. Work with your current texture rather than trying to force it back to what it was. Embrace the changes and adjust your routine accordingly. For women experiencing gray hair during this transition, our brunette hair color ideas include options for blending gray naturally.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors
Where you live affects your hair. Humid climates can make hair frizzier and enhance curl patterns, while dry climates can make hair more brittle and prone to static. Hard water can build up on hair, changing its texture and making it feel rough or dull. Chlorine from swimming pools and salt water from the ocean can also alter hair texture temporarily or cause long-term damage.
Your lifestyle matters too. If you exercise frequently and sweat a lot, you may need to wash your hair more often, which can affect moisture levels and texture. Stress, diet, and sleep all impact hair health and can influence how your hair looks and feels. Understanding these factors helps you maintain your hair’s health regardless of your type.
Caring for Your Specific Hair Type
Product Recommendations by Hair Type
Once you’ve identified your hair type, choosing the right products becomes much easier. Straight hair benefits from volumizing shampoos, lightweight conditioners, and texturizing sprays that add grip without weight. Wavy hair thrives with wave-enhancing mousses, sea salt sprays, and lightweight curl creams that define without crunch.
Curly hair needs moisturizing shampoos (or co-washes), rich conditioners, leave-in conditioners, curl creams, and gels for definition and hold. Coily hair requires intensive moisture through cream-based cleansers, deep conditioners, leave-ins, butters, and sealing oils. Always look for products free from harsh sulfates, drying alcohols, and heavy silicones that can build up.
Styling Techniques for Different Textures
Your hair type determines the best styling methods. Straight hair can handle heat styling well but may need texturizing techniques to hold styles. Wavy hair benefits from scrunching, plopping, and diffusing to enhance natural waves. Curly hair thrives with the curly girl method, finger coiling, and protective styling.
Coily hair requires gentle detangling, protective styles like braids and twists, and minimal manipulation to prevent breakage. Regardless of your type, always use heat protectant when styling with heat and embrace your natural texture as much as possible. For special occasions, explore our elegant prom hairstyles that work with various hair types, or try loose waves for prom if you have wavy or straight hair.
Maintenance Routines by Hair Type
Different hair types require different washing frequencies. Straight hair may need washing every 1-2 days due to oiliness, while wavy hair can go 2-3 days. Curly and coily hair often benefit from washing once a week or less to preserve natural oils. Adjust based on your lifestyle, activity level, and personal preference.
Deep conditioning frequency also varies. Straight and wavy hair may deep condition once a month, while curly hair benefits from weekly treatments, and coily hair may need deep conditioning 1-2 times per week. Regular trumps every 8-12 weeks are essential for all hair types to prevent split ends and maintain health. For comprehensive maintenance tips, visit our 15 hair care tips for healthy hair.
Troubleshooting Common Hair Type Confusion
When You Have Multiple Textures
Many people discover they have multiple hair textures on their head. This is completely normal and can occur for various reasons. You might have straighter hair at the crown and curlier hair at the nape, or different textures on different sections of your head. This is called having combination hair types.
To manage multiple textures, treat each section according to its needs. You might use different products on different areas or find a middle-ground routine that works reasonably well for all textures. Some people choose to cut their hair in ways that work with their dominant texture while managing the rest with styling techniques.
Dealing with Damaged or Altered Texture
If your hair has been damaged by heat, chemicals, or environmental factors, your current texture may not represent your natural type. Heat damage can make curly hair appear straight or create frizzy, undefined textures. Chemical relaxers or perms permanently alter your natural pattern until new growth comes in.
To discover your true hair type, focus on new growth at the roots, which hasn’t been damaged. Be patient as you grow out damaged sections, and consider regular trims to gradually remove altered hair. In the meantime, use reparative treatments with proteins and moisture to improve the condition of damaged sections. For product recommendations, check our guide on essential hair care products for damaged hair.
When Your Hair Type Seems to Change
It’s not uncommon for hair type to seem inconsistent. One day your waves might be defined, the next they’re frizzy and undefined. This variation is normal and can be caused by humidity, product buildup, hormonal fluctuations, or even the products you used the previous day.
To get the most accurate reading of your hair type, observe your hair over several wash cycles in different conditions. Look for the consistent pattern that appears most often. Don’t base your identification on one bad hair day or one perfect hair day—look for the overall trend. Remember that healthy hair of any type looks and behaves better than damaged hair, so focus on hair health alongside type identification.
