A Complete Breakdown of Curl Hair Patterns

If you’ve ever wondered what is my curl type?, start with this: most textured hair isn’t just one category. It’s common to have multiple curl patterns on the same head—for example, looser waves at the nape and tighter coils around the crown—so aim for a “closest match,” not perfection.

Step 1: Check your pattern on soaking-wet hair. After cleansing and detangling, look at your strands while they’re sopping wet and clumped naturally. This makes the curl shape easier to see before frizz, stretching, or styling changes it.

Step 2: Find your number (1–4).

• Type 1: straight
• Type 2: wavy
• Type 3: curly
• Type 4: coily/kinky

Step 3: Choose your letter (A–C). The letters describe curl diameter: A = widest, B = medium, C = tightest.

Type 2A waves are very subtle and can easily fall flat or look almost straight once dry, especially on fine hair. Because this pattern is easily weighed down, focus on lightweight hydration and airy hold—think foam or a light mousse applied to damp hair, plus gentle scrunching and low-heat diffusing to lift the roots and keep the wave shape without making strands look limp.

Type 2B hair typically sits flatter at the crown, with more defined “S” waves showing up from the mid-lengths down. It usually holds texture better than 2A but can frizz in humidity and lose definition if styling is too heavy or too light. A balanced approach works best: a light conditioner, then a mousse or flexible-hold gel on soaking-wet hair to encourage wave clumps, followed by air-drying or diffusing with heat protectant if you use heat.

Type 2C waves are thicker, more pronounced, and often start closer to the roots, sometimes bordering on loose curls—along with being more prone to frizz and dryness. This pattern tends to respond well to slightly richer moisture (like a lightweight leave-in) paired with a stronger hold styler to lock in definition; between washes, a gentle sulfate-free cleanser or co-wash can help avoid stripping, so your waves stay smooth, defined, and less puffy.

Type 3A curls are larger, looser spirals that often look naturally shiny and bouncy, with a curl size that’s on the broader side. To style 3A successfully, apply a small amount of curl cream or a light mousse on damp hair, rake it through from roots to ends, then scrunch to encourage definition while keeping moisture in. Once product is in, try not to keep touching your hair as it dries—over-handling is one of the fastest ways to trigger a frizz “halo” and break up curl clumps.

Type 3B hair forms springy ringlets that are tighter and more elastic than 3A, and it often feels drier through the mid-lengths and ends. This curl type usually does best with stylers that combine hold and hydration—especially gels or gel-creams made with moisture-attracting ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or aloe—to help curls stay defined without getting crunchy. For many people searching “how to care for 3B curly hair,” the game-changer is applying products on very wet hair and sealing in hydration with a consistent gel cast.

Type 3C curls are tight, dense corkscrews (often closer in size to a pencil or straw) and naturally create lots of volume, but they can also frizz easily and shrink significantly as they dry. A gentle, non-stripping cleanser (or a co-wash between shampoos) can help preserve moisture so curls clump better instead of puffing out. For definition that lasts, many 3C routines work best with layering: apply a curl cream first for slip and softness, then add mousse or gel on soaking-wet hair to “set” the pattern so coils form faster and stay more uniform as they dry.

Type 4A hair features dense, springy coils with a clear “S” pattern, often about the circumference of a small crochet needle. Because this coil type thrives on moisture and definition, wash-and-go styling can work beautifully when you detangle carefully in sections, use plenty of slip (conditioner/leave-in), and apply a defining styler on soaking-wet hair to help coils clump. Keeping hair consistently hydrated—refreshing more often than looser textures—helps 4A stay soft, elastic, and less prone to tangling.

Type 4B strands are tightly packed and tend to bend at sharper angles, creating a “Z”-like pattern rather than a round ringlet. This texture is extremely versatile for shaping—twist-outs, braid-outs, bantu knots, puffs, and stretched styles can all look dramatically different depending on your technique. Since 4B can feel dry quickly, many routines focus on layering moisture (leave-in + cream/butter) and then using a sealing product to reduce moisture loss, while gentle handling and low-manipulation styling help minimize breakage.

Type 4C hair has the tightest coils and is often the most delicate, with a smaller, more compressed zigzag pattern and the greatest shrinkage (often around 75% or more). Because strands can be fragile, success usually comes from prioritizing moisture retention, careful detangling with slip, and protective or low-tension styling that reduces daily friction. Whether you wear it in a defined wash-and-go, a fluffy afro, or stretched twists, 4C is highly versatile—just remember that consistent hydration, patience during detangling, and gentle styling choices are key to maintaining length and minimizing breakage.