Your curl type is the natural shape your hair forms when it dries with no product and no heat. To find it, wash your hair, let it air dry fully, then look closely at the shape each section makes. Straight hair with no bend is Type 1. Loose S shaped bends are Type 2 (wavy). Defined spirals and ringlets are Type 3 (curly). Tight coils and zig zags are Type 4 (coily). Each type is then split into A, B and C, where A is the loosest and C is the tightest within that group. Knowing your type makes buying hair extensions far easier, because you can match your texture instead of guessing.
In this guide:
- What curl type actually means
- How to find your curl type at home
- The curl type chart, from 2A to 4C
- Type 2 hair: 2A, 2B and 2C
- Type 3 hair: 3A, 3B and 3C
- Type 4 hair: 4A, 4B and 4C
- WAVE texture names, decoded
- How to match your curl type to extensions
- Curl type FAQs
What does curl type actually mean?
Curl type is a simple way of describing the shape of your hair. The most widely used system runs from Type 1 to Type 4. Type 1 is straight, Type 2 is wavy, Type 3 is curly and Type 4 is coily. Within each number there are three letters, A, B and C, that describe how tight the pattern is. So 2A is a soft, barely there wave, while 2C is a strong, defined wave that is almost a curl.
It matters for one honest reason: most people are not one single type. You might be 2C at the back and 3A around your face. That is completely normal. When you buy extensions, you are really trying to match the texture you have most of, so your own hair and the extensions move together and blend without a visible line.
How to find your curl type at home
You do not need a salon appointment or any special tools. You just need clean hair and a mirror. Here is the reliable way to do it:
- Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo and skip any heavy conditioner or styling product. Product weighs the hair down and hides its natural shape.
- Let your hair air dry completely. Do not brush it, scrunch it or use a dryer, as all of these change the pattern.
- Once it is fully dry, look at a small section from the side. Notice whether it stays straight, forms an S shape, spirals into a ringlet, or coils tightly.
- Match that shape to the chart below. Look at the back of your head too, as it is often curlier than the top.
- If you sit between two types, go with the pattern you see across most of your head.
One quick note. Curl type is about the shape of your curl, not the thickness of each strand. Thickness is a separate thing called hair density, and you can have fine strands with a tight curl, or thick strands with a soft wave.
Defined, springy ringlets like these sit in the Type 3 curly family.
The curl type chart, from straight to coily
Here is the full curl type chart in one place. Find the shape that matches most of your head, then use the curl code to match your hair extensions.
| Curl code | What it looks like | Closest WAVE texture |
|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | Straight, no bend at all | Straight or Kinky Straight |
| 2A hair | A loose, tousled S that starts low down | Water Wave |
| 2B hair | A clearer S shape with more body | Water Wave |
| 2C hair | A thick, defined wave with the first hint of a spiral | Body Wave or Deep Wave |
| 3A hair | Large, loose ringlets about the width of a wine cork | Deep Wave |
| 3B hair | Springy curls about the width of a marker pen | Spanish Curly |
| 3C hair | Tight, packed corkscrews with lots of volume | Burmese Curly |
| 4A hair | Small, springy, well defined coils | Kinky Curly |
| 4B hair | Sharp zig zag bends rather than round curls | Kinky Curly |
| 4C hair | The tightest pattern, little visible definition until stretched | Kinky Curly |
Type 1: Straight
No natural curl or wave. The hair falls straight from root to tip and tends to look glossy because oils travel down the strand easily. If you want length or thickness here, the goal is a smooth, sleek match.
Type 2 hair: 2A, 2B and 2C
Type 2 is wavy hair, a soft S shape that usually starts around eye level rather than at the root. It is one of the most common UK textures.
2A hair
2A hair is the loosest wave there is. It reads as almost straight when brushed and forms a gentle, tousled S when left to dry naturally. It goes flat easily and loses its shape under heavy product. A Water Wave texture blends with it without adding bulk.
2B hair
2B hair holds a clearer S shape with more body through the mid lengths, and tends to sit flatter at the crown. It frizzes more readily than 2A. Water Wave is still the closest match.
2C hair
2C hair is the strongest wave in the Type 2 family: thick, well defined, and starting to spiral in places. Many people with 2C hair think they are Type 3 and buy curls that are too tight to blend. Body Wave or Deep Wave is the honest match, and the 2C to 3A crossover is our single most popular texture.
Type 3 hair: 3A, 3B and 3C
Type 3 is curly hair, with clear, springy ringlets rather than waves. It loves moisture and it shows a bad texture match instantly, which is why curl for curl matching matters most here.
3A hair
3A hair forms large, loose ringlets roughly the width of a wine cork, with a lot of shine and movement. Deep Wave sits closest to it.
3B hair
3B hair is springier and tighter, about the width of a marker pen, with more volume and more shrinkage than 3A. Spanish Curly is the match. This is one of the hardest textures to buy for on the high street, because most brands only sell steam-set curls that drop out after a few washes.
3C hair
3C hair is tight, densely packed corkscrews, about the width of a pencil, with serious volume. Burmese Curly is the match.
Type 4 hair: 4A, 4B and 4C
Type 4 is coily hair, the tightest patterns with the most volume and the most shrinkage. It is also the texture served worst by mainstream extension brands, which is exactly why WAVE stocks genuine kinky curly rather than pressed straight hair.
4A hair
4A hair forms small, springy, well defined coils about the width of a crochet needle. It holds its shape well when moisturised.
4B hair
4B hair bends in sharp zig zags rather than rounded curls, with less visible definition and more shrinkage. Length is often far greater than it appears.
4C hair
4C hair is the tightest pattern of all, with very little visible curl definition until it is stretched, and shrinkage of up to 75%. It needs a genuine kinky curly match rather than a curled straight texture, which will never sit right against it.
WAVE texture names, decoded
We rebuilt our range around real curl patterns, so every set of WAVE hair is labelled by texture and curl code. That means you are not translating vague words like "wavy" into a product. You are matching your curl type straight to ours. Here is how our texture names line up with the chart:
- Kinky Straight pairs with straight and blow dried Type 4 hair that is worn smooth.
- Body Wave and Water Wave pair with Type 2 waves, roughly 2A to 2C.
- Deep Wave pairs with the 2C to 3A crossover, our most popular texture.
- Spanish Curly pairs with Type 3 curls, around 3A to 3B.
- Burmese Curly pairs with tighter 3B to 3C curls.
- Kinky Curly pairs with Type 4 coils.
Every texture above is available across every fitting method in our curly hair extensions range, in all 60 shades.
Left: Water Wave (Type 2). Right: Deep Wave (2C to 3A), our best selling texture.
Recommended for soft, everyday waves
WAVE Clip-In Hair Extensions
The easiest way to try your texture with no commitment, ideal if you are Type 2 or a loose Type 3.
From £229.99 Shop clip-ins →
How to match your curl type to the right extensions
Once you know your type, matching is simple. Follow three rules and your hair will blend without a giveaway line.
- Match your texture, not just your colour. A perfect colour match still looks off if straight extensions sit under wavy hair. Start with the curl pattern, then choose the shade.
- When in doubt, go one step curlier. Extensions relax slightly with washing and wear, and your own curl can shrink up next to them. A marginally tighter match ages better than a looser one.
- Think about how you wear it day to day. If you always straighten your hair, a smoother texture is fine. If you wear your natural curl, match it as closely as you can.
Not sure which attachment method suits you? Clip-ins are the easy, damage free starting point. For something you wear every day, nano bonds are tiny, discreet and kind to your own hair, while flat wefts and tape-ins add thickness fast. Whichever method you pick, browse it in your texture in our curly hair extensions collection.
Recommended for defined Type 3 curls
WAVE Nano Bond Hair Extensions
Curl for curl matches in Deep Wave, Spanish Curly and Burmese Curly, fitted strand by strand for a natural blend.
From £161.99 Shop nano bonds →
Recommended for Type 4 coils and kinky curly texture
WAVE Curly Hair Extensions
Our full curly range, from Spanish Curly through to true kinky curly coils, so Type 3 and Type 4 hair finally has a real match.
From £161.99 Shop curly hair extensions →
Why your curl type matters more than you think
Getting your curl type right is the difference between extensions that disappear into your hair and extensions that announce themselves. When the texture matches, your own hair and the added hair curl together, hold styles together and grow out together. When it does not, you get a straight panel under a curly top, or curls that will not sit next to your smoother lengths. Colour matters, but texture is what makes the blend believable, especially for curly and coily hair.
Curl type FAQs
How do I find my curl type?
Wash your hair, let it air dry with no product or heat, then look at the shape it forms. Straight is Type 1, an S shape is Type 2, spirals are Type 3 and tight coils are Type 4. Check the back of your head too, as it is often curlier than the top.
What is 2C hair?
2C hair is the strongest wave in the Type 2 family: thick, well defined, and beginning to spiral in places. It is the most commonly mistyped texture, because many people with 2C hair assume they are Type 3 and buy curls that are too tight to blend.
What is 3B hair?
3B hair forms springy, well defined curls roughly the width of a marker pen, with more volume and more shrinkage than 3A. It needs a genuine curl pattern to blend, not straight hair that has been curled.
What is 4C hair?
4C hair is the tightest curl pattern, made up of very small coils and zig zags with little visible definition until stretched. It can shrink by up to 75% of its true length, and it needs a real kinky curly texture to match.
What is the difference between 2C and 3A hair?
2C is the strongest wave in the Type 2 family, a thick, defined S shape. 3A is the loosest curl in the Type 3 family, forming a clear spiral about the width of a wine cork. Many people sit right between the two, which is why our Deep Wave texture is so popular.
Can I have more than one curl type?
Yes, and most people do. It is common to be curlier at the back and looser around the face. When choosing extensions, match the pattern you have across most of your head.
Does my curl type change over time?
It can. Hormones, age, heat damage and some medications can loosen or tighten your natural pattern. It is worth rechecking your type every so often, especially before buying new hair.
How do I match extensions to my curl type?
Match the curl pattern first, then the colour. If you are between two textures, choose the slightly curlier one, as it wears in better. Use our texture names as a guide, or send us a photo and we will help you match.
Ready to find your match? Now you know your curl type, the hard part is done. Explore textures from soft waves to tight coils across our curly hair extensions and full collection, or message the WAVE team with a photo of your hair and we will help you match your texture and shade.
