Hair Type Quiz
What's your hair type? Find out in 60 seconds
Answer 5 quick questions to find your hair type (1–4).
What are the 4 hair types?
The type system (popularised by stylist Andre Walker) sorts hair by its natural pattern. Your pattern is decided by the shape of your hair follicle: round follicles grow straight strands, oval grow waves, and flatter follicles grow curls and coils. Knowing your number ends the guessing game — products, drying methods, and styles all map to type.
Type 1 — Straight
No bend from root to tip. Shines easily (the flat surface reflects light), gets oily fastest of all types, and resists holding a curl. Needs lightweight products that won't drag it flat.
Type 2 — Wavy
A loose S-pattern that can be styled straight or pushed curlier. Waves flatten under heavy creams and break up if brushed dry — scrunching light product into damp hair is the move.
Type 3 — Curly
Defined springs and ringlets with real volume. Curly hair runs dry because scalp oil can't travel down the spiral — moisture and hands-off drying are everything.
Type 4 — Coily
Tight coils and zig-zags with dramatic shrinkage — hair can be twice as long as it looks. The most fragile type: every bend is a potential break point, so gentle detangling and layered moisture are non-negotiable.
How to test your hair type at home
The air-dry test beats every chart: wash your hair, apply nothing, and don't touch it until fully dry. The pattern you see is your true type. For a complete picture, pair your type with your porosity (how your hair absorbs moisture) and your exact curl pattern — together they decide your ideal routine.
Why hair type matters for styling
Most "bad hair" is just a type mismatch: heavy butters on Type 1, rough towels on Type 2, brushing out Type 3, skipping leave-in on Type 4. In our Online Hairstyling Course for Teens, Ksenia teaches washing, drying, and styling matched to each type — built for girls 11–17, $15 with lifetime access.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 4 hair types?
Type 1 is straight, Type 2 is wavy, Type 3 is curly, and Type 4 is coily. Each type also has subtypes (A–C) based on how tight the pattern is. The quiz above tells you your main type from how your hair actually behaves — no chart-squinting required.
How do I know my hair type without a quiz?
Wash your hair, skip all product, and let it air-dry untouched. Straight strands with no bend are Type 1, a loose S-shape is Type 2, springy ringlets are Type 3, and tight coils or zig-zags are Type 4. The air-dry test is the single most reliable at-home check.
Can my hair type change?
Your pattern is set by genetics, but hormones (especially during your teen years), heat damage, and length can shift how it looks. Many girls discover waves or curls they never knew they had once they stop heat-styling for a few weeks.
Can I have two hair types at once?
Yes — most people do. It's normal to have looser waves at the crown and tighter curls underneath. Care for the curliest sections your hair has, and the rest will look great too.