A square face has a strong, angular jaw, a broad forehead and a width that's about the same as its length. It's a striking face shape, and plenty of people would love to have it. The best glasses for a square face don't hide those angles. They balance them with curves and soft lines, so your jaw looks defined instead of heavy.
This guide walks you through how to confirm your face shape, the frame shapes that work best, the ones to approach carefully, how to size frames, which colors help, and specific picks for men and women.
How to tell if your face is square
Pull your hair back, stand in good light and look straight into a mirror. Then compare the width of your forehead, cheekbones and jaw.
Your face is probably square if:
- Your forehead, cheekbones and jaw are all about the same width
- Your jawline is defined, with noticeable corners below your ears
- Your face is about as long as it is wide
- Your chin is fairly flat rather than pointed or rounded
If your face is noticeably longer than it is wide but still has a square jaw, you may have a rectangle (or oblong) face. The same advice applies, with one change: choose frames with a bit more lens height to break up the length.
If your jaw is soft and rounded, look at the round face guide or the oval face guide instead. Our face shape guide compares them all.
The rule: contrast your angles
The basic idea behind choosing glasses for any face shape is contrast. A frame that repeats the shape of your face exaggerates it. A frame that contrasts with it creates balance. For a square face, that means:
- Curves instead of corners
- Thinner rims rather than thick, blocky ones
- Lens height to draw attention up toward your eyes
- Upswept details that lead the eye away from your jaw
The best frame shapes for a square face
Round frames: the classic match
Round lenses are the textbook choice for a square face. The curves soften a strong jaw without hiding it, and the contrast looks intentional and stylish. Round frames work for men and women, in plastic or metal. Try Amicable or Beneath. Shop round frames.
Oval frames: softer and more understated
If perfectly round feels too retro, oval frames give you the same softening effect in a quieter shape. They're a good everyday choice, especially for work. About is a popular pick. Shop oval frames.
Cat-eye frames: lift the eye
Cat-eye frames sweep up at the outer corners. That upward line draws attention toward your cheekbones and away from your jaw, which is exactly what a square face benefits from. Look for cat-eyes with rounded lower rims rather than sharp, angular ones. After and Aimee work especially well. Shop cat-eye frames.
Aviators: curves with attitude
The teardrop shape of an aviator is wider at the top and curves in at the bottom. It softens the jaw and adds a relaxed, confident look. Aviators are a strong choice for men with square faces.
Thin metal frames: light and refined
Fine metal frames add curves without adding bulk. They keep the focus on your eyes and let your bone structure show. Arthur is a good round metal option. Shop metal frames.
What to approach carefully
Boxy, sharp-cornered frames
Square frames with hard corners repeat the angles of your face. The result can look harsh. If you love the look, you don't have to give it up. Choose a rectangle frame with rounded corners and a thinner rim instead of a thick, blocky square.
Frames narrower than your face
A narrow frame makes the jaw look wider by comparison. Aim for frames as wide as your face at the temples, or very slightly wider.
Short, shallow lenses
Very slim lenses emphasize width. A little more lens height balances a square face better.
Heavy bottom rims
Thick lower rims draw attention down toward the jaw. Frames with a stronger top line, or a rimless or thin lower edge, lift the eye instead.
Size and fit tips
- Width: match the width of your face at the temples. The frame shouldn't be noticeably narrower than your face.
- Lens height: choose lenses with some height. They break up the width of a square face.
- Bridge: the frame should rest on your nose, not on your cheeks. Make sure it doesn't lift when you smile.
- Temples: the arms should run straight back without pressing into the sides of your head.
- Copy what fits: find the three numbers inside the temple arm of glasses you already like, such as 52□18-140, and match the lens width within 2 mm. Here's what the numbers on your glasses mean and how to find your glasses size.
Colors that work on a square face
Color changes how strong a frame looks. Darker, solid frames read as bolder. Lighter and warmer frames read as softer.
- Tortoise, brown and champagne: warm and soft. They play down the jaw and flatter most skin tones.
- Clear and crystal: keep the look light and modern without adding visual weight.
- Gold and rose gold metals: warm, refined and gentle on a strong face.
- Black: works fine, especially in a round or oval shape. Avoid pairing a heavy black frame with a sharp, boxy shape.
- Two-tone frames: a darker top and lighter bottom lift the eye upward.
Picks for men and women
For men with square faces
Round metal frames, aviators and softer rectangles are the strongest choices. Tortoise and gunmetal are easy colors to wear. If you want a bolder plastic frame, choose one with rounded corners. Browse men's glasses.
For women with square faces
Cat-eye, round and oval frames all flatter a square jaw. Crystal, champagne and warm tortoise colors keep the look soft. Browse women's glasses.
Frequently asked questions
What shape glasses are best for a square face?
Round, oval and cat-eye frames are the best fits. Their curves balance the angles of a square jaw. Aviators and thin metal frames are good options too.
Can I wear square glasses with a square face?
You can, but choose carefully. Pick a frame with rounded corners, a thinner rim and a little extra lens height so it doesn't repeat your face shape exactly.
Do rectangle glasses suit a square face?
Soft rectangles with rounded corners can work, especially if they're as wide as your face. Sharp, thick, boxy rectangles are harder to wear.
Are big glasses good for a square face?
Frames with taller lenses tend to flatter a square face. Just make sure they're not much wider than your face, or they'll exaggerate its width.
Find your frames
Everyday frames at Fast Eyeglasses are $79 with single vision prescription lenses included, with free shipping to Michigan, Oregon, Montana and Delaware. Most pairs are made in one business day. Shop round glasses, oval glasses, women's glasses or men's glasses.
