Whether you’re embracing your natural texture or looking for the perfect routine, understanding your hair type is the first step to loving your locks. From silky straight strands to springy coils, each hair type has its own pattern, porosity, and personality.
This 115 hair types chart texture guide will walk you through the full spectrum — from 1A to 4C — and everything in between, including porosity levels, density types, and common characteristics. Get ready to decode your hair and give it the care it truly deserves!

🔢 Hair Types 101: The Classification System
The Andre Walker Hair Typing System is the most widely used method to categorize hair textures. It’s divided into four main categories:
Type 1 – Straight
Type 2 – Wavy
Type 3 – Curly
Type 4 – Coily/Kinky
Each type is further broken down into subtypes A, B, and C, based on the tightness of the curl or wave.
🔹 Type 1 – Straight Hair
Straight hair tends to be shiny, smooth, and naturally oily. It lacks curl but varies in thickness.
Type 1A (Pin-Straight & Fine)
Silky, baby-fine strands
Very soft with no curl at all
Hard to hold styles or volume
Type 1B (Straight with Volume)
Medium texture
Slight body near roots
Can hold curls better than 1A
Type 1C (Straight but Coarse)
Coarse, thick strands
Prone to frizz
Often mistaken for wavy
🔹 Type 2 – Wavy Hair
Type 2 hair has a noticeable S-shape pattern, offering natural volume and texture.
Type 2A (Loose Waves)
Fine and soft waves
Easily straightened
Low frizz potential
Type 2B (Defined Waves)
Medium thickness
Waves start mid-shaft
More prone to frizz
Type 2C (Thick & Wavy)
Coarse with thicker S-waves
Higher frizz and volume
May include slight curls at ends
🔹 Type 3 – Curly Hair
Type 3 curls form ringlets and spirals with bounce and body.
Type 3A (Loose Curls)
Big, defined curls
Fine to medium texture
Can be prone to dryness
Type 3B (Tighter Curls)
Springy, voluminous spirals
Medium to coarse strands
High shrinkage factor
Type 3C (Dense Corkscrews)
Tight, pencil-sized curls
Very dense and voluminous
Prone to tangling and frizz
🔹 Type 4 – Coily or Kinky Hair
Type 4 hair is tightly coiled and packed with texture. It’s rich, voluminous, and prone to dryness.
Type 4A (Soft Coils)
Defined coils
Springy S-curl pattern
Moisture-loving hair
Type 4B (Z-Pattern Coils)
Fluffy, zig-zag curls
Shrinks significantly
Often needs rich moisture
Type 4C (Tightest Texture)
Very tight zig-zags
Minimal definition without styling
Most fragile texture
💧 Porosity: How Your Hair Absorbs Moisture
Porosity affects how your hair absorbs and retains water.
Low Porosity
Cuticles are tightly packed
Water sits on top of hair
Needs heat to absorb moisture
Medium Porosity
Balanced absorption
Responds well to products
Ideal for most routines
High Porosity
Cuticles are open or damaged
Absorbs moisture fast
Loses hydration quickly
📏 Hair Density: How Much Hair You Have
Density refers to the number of hair strands on your scalp.
Low Density
Scalp is easily visible
Lightweight products work best
Avoid heavy oils
Medium Density
Moderate scalp coverage
Easy to style and manage
Versatile with most products
High Density
Thick head of hair
Can handle heavier products
Takes longer to dry
🌬️ Hair Texture: The Thickness of Each Strand
Texture is about the diameter of your individual strands.
Fine Hair
Delicate and light
Easily weighed down
Needs volume boosters
Medium Hair
Stronger strands
Most common type
Holds styles well
Coarse Hair
Thick and strong
Resists heat and chemicals
Can feel wiry
🌿 Natural Hair Characteristics by Type
Here’s how each category behaves in the real world:
Type 1: Naturally oily, needs volume
Type 2: Easily frizzy, craves definition
Type 3: Shrinks and tangles, needs hydration
Type 4: Most fragile, thrives with moisture & care
🧴 Product Guide by Hair Type
Type 1 (Straight)
Volumizing mousse
Dry shampoo
Lightweight serums
Type 2 (Wavy)
Curl cream
Anti-frizz spray
Sea salt texturizer
Type 3 (Curly)
Leave-in conditioner
Curl defining gel
Co-wash cleanser
Type 4 (Coily)
Deep conditioner
Shea butter creams
Hair oils
🔁 Hair Typing Chart Summary (Cheat Sheet)
| Type | Subtype | Texture | Curl Pattern | Product Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A | Fine | Straight | None | Volume |
| 1B | Medium | Straight | Slight bend | Lightweight |
| 1C | Coarse | Straight | Frizz-prone | Frizz control |
| 2A | Fine | Wavy | Loose S | Light cream |
| 2B | Medium | Wavy | Defined S | Moisture balance |
| 2C | Coarse | Wavy | Tight S | Anti-frizz + curl cream |
| 3A | Fine | Curly | Loose ringlets | Leave-in + gel |
| 3B | Medium | Curly | Corkscrews | Curl cream |
| 3C | Coarse | Curly | Dense spirals | Moisturizing oils |
| 4A | Fine/Medium | Coily | S-pattern | Deep hydration |
| 4B | Medium | Coily | Z-pattern | Heavy butters |
| 4C | Coarse | Coily | Tight zig-zags | Heavy oils + TLC |
✨ Final Thoughts: Celebrate Your Crown
Your hair isn’t just a type — it’s your crown, your personality, your legacy. Whether you’re 2A with soft beachy waves or 4C with tight, beautiful coils, understanding your hair texture helps you treat it right, style it better, and most importantly — love it more.
So next time you’re browsing products or scrolling for style inspo, come back to this hair type texture guide and give your hair the customized care it deserves.

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