What Is Curl Pattern?

Curl Pattern is the natural shape your hair forms, classified from Type 1 (straight) through Type 4 (coily) with subcategories A, B, and C.

Understanding Curl Pattern

The curl pattern classification system categorizes hair into four main types: Type 1 (straight), Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly), and Type 4 (coily). Each type has subcategories A, B, and C indicating increasing tightness. Type 2A is a loose wave while 2C is a deep wave. Type 3A is a loose curl while 3C is a tight corkscrew. Type 4A has a visible S-pattern while 4C has tight Z-shaped coils.

Why It Matters

Knowing your curl pattern helps you find relevant techniques, products, and communities. However, curl pattern is just one factor in your hair profile. Porosity, density, thickness, and elasticity are equally important and often more useful for product selection. Many people have multiple curl patterns on their head.

How To Apply This

  1. 01Wash hair with a gentle cleanser and let it air dry without product.
  2. 02Observe the natural shape your hair forms when dry.
  3. 03Compare to the Andre Walker typing system chart (1A-4C).
  4. 04Note that different sections of your head may have different patterns.
  5. 05Use your curl pattern as a starting point, but also test porosity and density for product selection.

Put this knowledge to work

Take our quiz and get a personalized routine that applies concepts like curl pattern to your specific hair.

Get My Routine

Related Terms

Porosity

A measure of how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture, determined by the condition of the cuticle layer.

Hair Density

The number of individual hair strands per square inch on your scalp, categorized as low, medium, or high density.

Hair Elasticity

The ability of hair to stretch and return to its original length without breaking, indicating its overall health and protein balance.

Wash and Go

A styling approach where hair is washed, products are applied to wet hair, and curls are left to air dry or diffused.

Related Guides

Hair Type Guide (1A-4C)→Curly Girl Method→2C Hair Routine→

From Knowledge to Action in 2 Minutes

Now that you understand curl pattern, take our quiz to get a personalized routine that puts this knowledge to work for your specific hair type and goals.

Build My Custom Routine

Choose AI guidance

With your permission, Rituala sends relevant hair-profile and quiz answers, hair and scalp concerns, routine and product details, approximate location and climate (if provided), check-in ratings and notes, and messages you submit to Google Gemini to generate personalized guidance, product analysis, and replies.

This is optional. You can still browse products, read saved guidance, and track your routine without AI. Turn this off any time in Privacy & Data settings to stop future sharing. Revoking cannot recall data already sent.

Only share details you are comfortable sending to Google. AI can make mistakes and does not provide medical advice.

Read our Privacy Policy

Sign in first to save your permission. Your message stays here.

What Is Curl Pattern? Hair Types 1-4 Explained | Rituala