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The Hair Type Chart: Curl Patterns 1 Through 4 Explained

The 1-through-4 hair type chart is a popular shorthand for describing curl pattern, useful for finding products and techniques that suit your hair, even though it is not a strict scientific classification.

Type 1: Straight hair

Type 1 hair has no natural curl pattern at all. It tends to be the most naturally reflective of the hair types since light travels down the strand with the fewest bends, and it typically gets oily faster because scalp oil can travel down the shaft more easily.

Type 2: Wavy hair (2A, 2B, 2C)

Type 2 hair forms a loose "S" shape, ranging from barely-there waves (2A) to more defined, frizz-prone waves (2C). It generally sits between straight and curly in how much product and definition it needs.

Type 3: Curly hair (3A, 3B, 3C)

Type 3 hair forms springy loops, ranging from loose, well-defined curls (3A) to tight, densely packed corkscrew curls (3C). This hair type is typically more prone to dryness and frizz than straighter types, since natural oils have a harder time traveling down a curved strand.

Type 4: Coily hair (4A, 4B, 4C)

Type 4 hair forms a tight, compact curl or zigzag pattern, ranging from a defined "S" coil (4A) to a very tight zigzag with little visible curl definition (4C). This type tends to shrink the most from its stretched length and is generally the most prone to dryness.

The A/B/C letters describe how tight the curl is within a number

Within each numbered type, the letters A, B, and C generally indicate progressively tighter, smaller curls, though many people's hair combines more than one subtype in different sections of the head.

Popularized by a hairstylist, not developed as a scientific standard

The numbered system was popularized by hairstylist Andre Walker in the 1990s, with the A/B/C subdivisions widely adopted and expanded afterward within online natural-hair communities. It is a useful shorthand for shopping and styling, not a clinical or dermatological classification.

Why the chart is useful despite being informal

Product lines, styling techniques, and online communities are often organized around these type numbers, which makes the chart a practical shorthand for finding relevant advice and products, even though hair on a single head frequently spans more than one type or subtype.

Curl pattern is not the same as porosity or density

Curl type describes the shape of the strand; porosity describes how easily the hair shaft absorbs and retains moisture, and density describes how many strands grow per area of scalp. Two people can share the same curl type and still need very different products because their porosity or density differs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hair have more than one type?

Yes, this is extremely common. Many people have hair that shifts between two adjacent types or subtypes across different parts of the head, especially near the crown, nape, or edges.

Does hair type ever change?

It can. Hormonal changes, pregnancy, aging, and chemical or heat damage can all shift how a person's natural curl pattern behaves over time, even though the underlying follicle shape that produces the pattern changes more slowly.

Is a higher type number "better" or "curlier is healthier"?

No, the numbers describe pattern, not health or quality. Every type from straight to tightly coiled can be healthy or damaged depending on care, and the chart is not intended as a ranking.