There are seven nail shapes in regular use: almond, oval, squoval, square, round, coffin (ballerina) and stiletto. The right one for you is decided by three things — the width of your nail bed, the length of your fingers, and what your hands do all day. The finder below asks those three questions and gives you a shape, a length, and the reason behind both.

The seven nail shapes, and who each one suits

Almond

Tapered sides that curve to a soft, rounded point. Almond is the most forgiving shape on the list: the taper narrows a wide nail bed and the point adds visual length to a short finger, so it flatters more hands than anything else. It is also the shape most people mean when they say they want their hands to look longer. Almond sets →

Oval

Almond's gentler sibling — the same taper, but the tip is rounded rather than pointed. Oval does the same lengthening work with less drama and far less catching, which makes it the better pick if you like the almond effect but work with your hands. It is the classic salon shape for a reason. Our oval sets sit in the Almond edit.

Squoval (round square)

A square tip with the corners filed off. Squoval is the most durable shape you can wear at a normal length, because there are no sharp corners to catch and lever the nail off. If you have a narrow nail bed, the flat tip gives back width that a taper takes away. Squoval sets sit in the Square edit.

Square

Straight sides, flat tip, sharp corners. Square reads modern and graphic, and it is the shape that shows off a French tip or a colour block best. It suits long fingers and narrow beds; on short fingers it can shorten the hand further, so keep the length down if that is you. Square sets →

Round

Follows the natural curve of your fingertip and stops. The shortest, most practical shape on the list, and the one that survives a keyboard, a gym and a toddler. If you have never worn press-ons before, round is where to start. Round sets →

Coffin (ballerina)

Tapered sides like almond, then cut flat across the tip. Coffin needs length to read correctly — the taper has to have somewhere to go — so it works best at medium or long. It is the shape most associated with nail art, because the flat tip gives an artist the most usable surface. Coffin sets →

Stiletto

A long, sharp taper to a point. The most dramatic shape and the least practical: it is an event shape, a photo shape, a going-out shape. Short fingers gain the most from it. Expect to adapt how you use your hands. Stiletto sets →

How to pick a length

Shape decides how your hand reads. Length decides whether you will still be wearing the set on day four.

• Short — the tip sits at or just past your fingertip. Nothing you do during the day will change. This is the only length that survives a hands-on job without adjustment.
• Medium — roughly a quarter-inch past the fingertip. You will notice it on a keyboard for about a day, then stop noticing. This is where most people land.
• Long — half an inch or more. You will change how you pick things up, open cans and use your phone. Worth it for an event; a real adjustment for a fortnight.

One rule that saves regret: if you are wearing a shape for the first time, go one length shorter than the photo you liked. The shape is the part you are testing.

Common questions

What is the best nail shape for short fingers?

Almond, oval or stiletto. All three taper, and a taper draws the eye along the finger rather than across it, which makes the whole hand read longer. Avoid a wide square at length — the flat tip cuts the line off.

What nail shape suits wide nail beds?

Almond and oval. The taper pulls the visual width in toward the centre of the nail. Square and squoval do the opposite, so they suit narrow beds better.

Which nail shape lasts the longest?

Round and squoval, at a short length. Almost every press-on that comes off early is levered off by a corner catching on fabric, a pocket or a car door. Shapes without sharp corners have less to catch, and shorter nails have less leverage.

What is the difference between coffin and ballerina nails?

Nothing — they are two names for the same shape. Tapered sides, flat tip. "Ballerina" comes from the resemblance to a pointe shoe.

Can I file a press-on into a different shape?

You can take a shape down but not add to it. A square can become a squoval or a round; an almond can become an oval. Going the other way is not possible, so if you are between two shapes, buy the squarer one and file toward the tapered one.

Does the shape change what size I need?

No. Sizing is set by the width of your nail bed, which does not change with shape. Our size guide covers how to measure.

Every set is handmade with gel in our SoHo studio, in all the shapes above. Browse the full range →