Curl Types Chart (2A to 4C): Patterns, Care & How to Find Yours
A curl types chart maps hair patterns from Type 2A (loose waves) to Type 4C (tight coils). Your pattern affects product weight, hold level, drying method, and how much shrinkage you see after wash day. Use this chart to match your dry, product-light hair to a pattern family, then open the detailed guide for your type.
Quick facts
- Type 2 = S-shaped waves
- Type 3 = spirals and ringlets
- Type 4 = coils and zig-zag patterns
- Letters A → C move from looser to tighter within each family
- Pattern alone is incomplete: add porosity and density before locking a routine
- Many heads are mixed; type the zones, not one selfie strand
Curl type chart (2A to 4C)
| Type | Pattern | Typical look | Start here |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | Loose waves | Soft bend, often flat at roots | 2A wavy hair |
| 2B | Defined S-waves | Clearer wave from mid-lengths | 2B wavy hair |
| 2C | Deep waves / almost curls | Thick waves, frizz-prone | 2C wavy hair |
| 3A | Large spirals | Loose ringlets, shine-friendly | 3A curly hair |
| 3B | Springy curls | Medium corkscrews | 3B curly hair |
| 3C | Tight corkscrews | Dense, high-volume curls | 3C curly hair |
| 4A | Soft coils | Visible S-shaped coils | 4A coily hair |
| 4B | Zig-zag coils | Sharp angles, less round curl | 4B coily hair |
| 4C | Tight coils | Dense coils with high shrinkage | 4C coily hair |
This is the same map people search for as a curl pattern chart, hair curl chart, or curly hair type chart. Labels help communication. Your wash-day results still depend on porosity, density, climate, and product choice.
Type 2 wavy hair
Type 2 hair forms S-waves. It often needs lighter hold than Type 3 or 4, and heavy creams can flatten the pattern.
- 2A: loose, flat waves that straighten easily
- 2B: clearer S-waves, more frizz at the mid-lengths
- 2C: deep waves that sit next to curly on the chart
For a weekly plan after you confirm your letter, see routines like weekly routine for 2A.
Type 3 curly hair
Type 3 hair forms spirals. Clump size and spring tell you whether you are closer to 3A, 3B, or 3C.
Care usually means moisture plus a hold product that keeps clumps together through humidity. Pair your type page with humidity and curly hair if frizz spikes outdoors.
Type 4 coily hair
Type 4 hair forms coils. Shrinkage is higher, and moisture retention matters more in most routines.
If products feel wrong for your pattern, read wrong products for your curl type.
How to find your curl type
- Cleanse with a light shampoo or gentle wash.
- Skip gels, creams, and oils for this baseline.
- Detangle gently, then air dry with minimal touching.
- Compare dry clumps and spring to the chart above.
- Note crown, sides, and nape if they differ.
For a fuller walkthrough, use how to find your curl type at home. Curltine can also estimate pattern from a photo scan and fold in porosity and density so the label turns into a routine.
What curl type does not tell you
A chart answers “what shape do my strands form?” It does not answer every product question.
| Factor | Why it matters | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Porosity | Controls absorption and dryness | Hair porosity |
| Density | Changes how much product you need | Curl density |
| Climate | Changes frizz and hold needs | Dew point and curly hair |
| Ingredients | Explains limp vs dry results | Ingredients |
Two people with the same curl type can need opposite product weights. That is normal.
Care patterns by family
Waves (Type 2)
Favor lightweight mousse, foam, or light cream. Volume at the roots matters. Heavy butters often kill the wave. Clarify when buildup makes waves limp.
Curls (Type 3)
Balance leave-in moisture with gel or cream-gel hold. Apply on wet hair, encourage clumps, then dry with a diffuser or undisturbed air dry. Refresh between wash days instead of fully rewashing when you can.
Coils (Type 4)
Prioritize moisture sealing, gentle detangling, and protective styling options that reduce breakage. Leave-ins, creams, and oils are tools; match amounts to density and porosity rather than copying someone else’s jar sizes.
Common curl typing mistakes
- Typing hair that is stretched, dirty, or coated in product
- Forcing one label on a mixed pattern head
- Ignoring porosity and blaming “wrong curl type” for product fails
- Jumping to heavy Type 4 products on fine 2A/2B waves
- Changing five products at once after one chart selfie
A longer list lives in curly hair mistakes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four types of curly hair?
Hair typing usually groups patterns into Type 1 (straight), Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly), and Type 4 (coily). Within Types 2–4, letters A–C describe how tight the pattern is, from looser (A) to tighter (C).
What is a curl type chart?
A curl type chart maps wave, curl, and coil patterns from 2A to 4C so you can compare your dry, product-light hair to common pattern families. This page is that chart, with links into each type guide.
How do I find my curl type?
Wash with a light cleanser, skip heavy stylers, air dry with minimal touching, then compare clumps and spring to the 2A–4C table. Log mixed zones separately. Curltine can support this with an AI hair scan.
Is curl type the same as hair porosity?
No. Curl type is pattern shape. Porosity is moisture behavior. Density is strand count. Build routines from all three.
Can I have more than one curl type?
Yes. Mixed patterns are common. Start with your dominant pattern, then adjust by zone.
Why does my hair not match photos online?
Lighting, product, stretch, and density change how a pattern looks. Charts are reference tools. Use your dry baseline and related factors, not one viral photo.
Related guides
- Find your curl type at home
- Curly girl method basics
- Wash day routine
- Why curly hair gets frizzy
- Glycerin and curly hair
Get a routine matched to your pattern
Curltine identifies your curl pattern from a photo scan, then builds a wash-day plan around porosity, density, and weather.