Hair Wellness Lab
Hair Type
Hair Type Quiz
Discover your curl pattern, crown profile, and what your textured hair genuinely needs.
Whether you're newly natural or deep into your hair journey, a clear understanding of your hair type — alongside your porosity and density — is the foundation of a routine that actually works.
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The Basics
What Your Hair Type Actually Tells You
Hair type describes the shape your hair naturally forms — the curl, coil, or wave pattern that emerges when your hair is clean and free of product. It's determined by the shape of your hair follicle: the more oval the follicle, the tighter the coil.
Knowing your hair type helps you understand how your hair moves, shrinks, holds moisture, and responds to manipulation — which shapes decisions from detangling methods to styling choices to how often you need to moisture seal.
But hair type is a starting point, not the full story. Porosity, density, and strand thickness all shape your routine just as much. The Crown Health Quiz and Crown Texture Scan are designed to assess all of these together.
Curl Families
The Four Hair Type Families
Type 1 · 1a · 1b · 1c
Straight
No natural curl pattern. Ranges from completely flat (1a) to straight with light volume and bend at the ends (1c). Tends to be oilier at the scalp and may resist holding curl styles.
Type 2 · 2a · 2b · 2c
Wavy
Loose S-wave pattern that lies close to the head. 2a is subtle and fine; 2c has a more defined wave with some frizz. Balances between curly and straight care — benefits from lightweight moisture.
Type 3 · 3a · 3b · 3c
Curly
Defined spiral curls ranging from loose springy loops (3a) to tight corkscrew curls (3c). Prone to frizz and dryness at the ends. Benefits from moisture-rich routines and curl-defining techniques.
Type 4 · 4a · 4b · 4c
Coily
The tightest curl family, ranging from defined soft coils (4a) to tight Z-bends (4b) to dense zigzag patterns with significant shrinkage (4c). Naturally dry and benefits most from moisture-first routines and protective care.
Inside Type 4
Understanding 4a, 4b, and 4c Hair
Type 4 hair spans a wide range. The three subcategories share an emphasis on moisture but have meaningfully different coil patterns, shrinkage levels, and care needs.
4a
Soft defined coils
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S-shaped coil pattern with visible curl structure
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Moderate-to-high shrinkage
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Responds well to the LOC or LCO method
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Regular deep conditioning supports definition
4b
Z-pattern coils
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Tight Z-bend with less visible curl clumping
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High shrinkage — 50 to 70 percent
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Thrives with heavier butters and creams
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Low-manipulation styles help retain length
4c
Tight zigzag coils
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The densest coil pattern with up to 80 percent shrinkage
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Requires the most consistent moisture maintenance
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Sealing oils and butters are essential for length retention
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Most vulnerable to breakage without protective care
Beyond the Label
Why Texture Alone Is Not the Full Story
Two people with 4c hair can have completely different experiences with the same product. One might get moisture that lasts three days. The other might feel dry by the next morning. Their curl patterns are identical — but their porosity, density, and crown health status are different.
Hair type gives you the shape. The full crown profile gives you the strategy.
Porosity
How easily moisture enters and exits your strand. This determines which products absorb, which sit on top, and how often you need to re-moisturize.
Density
How many strands you have per square inch. High density hair may need to be sectioned for deep conditioning. Fine density hair can be overwhelmed by heavy products.
Strand Thickness
Fine strands are more easily weighed down by heavy butters and oils. Coarse strands may need richer moisture to penetrate the shaft effectively.
Crown Health Score
Hair Wellness Lab's holistic measure of your routine quality, moisture consistency, breakage signals, and overall crown wellness over time.
Hair Wellness Lab
Discover Your Crown Profile
Know Your Type. Know Your Crown.
The Crown Texture Scan identifies your hair type, texture, and key crown characteristics — so your routine is built on insight, not guesswork.
Know Your Crown
Common Questions
Hair Type — Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hair type and why does it matter?
Your hair type describes the natural shape of your curl or coil pattern. It matters because it influences how your hair holds moisture, responds to products, shrinks when dry, and behaves under manipulation. Knowing your hair type helps you make better decisions — from how you detangle to which ingredients to prioritize.
What are the different natural hair types?
Hair is broadly categorized into four families: Type 1 (straight), Type 2 (wavy), Type 3 (curly), and Type 4 (coily). Each family has subcategories — for example, Type 4 includes 4a (soft defined coils), 4b (tight Z-pattern bends), and 4c (dense zigzag coils with significant shrinkage). Textured and natural hair typically falls in the Type 3–4 range.
What is the difference between 4a, 4b, and 4c hair?
4a hair has a defined S-shaped coil pattern. 4b has tight Z-shaped bends with less visible curl definition. 4c is the densest coil pattern with significant shrinkage and less obvious clumping. All three benefit from moisture-rich routines, but they absorb and release moisture differently — making porosity just as important as curl pattern.
How do I find my hair type?
Wash your hair without product and let it air dry fully. Your natural pattern without any product interference is your hair type. For a more complete picture — including density, porosity, and crown health — a structured quiz like the Crown Health Quiz accounts for all of these dimensions together.
Can I have more than one hair type?
Yes, and this is common. Many people have a dominant pattern — say, 4b — with areas of 4a at the nape or 4c at the crown. A good routine works with your dominant pattern and adapts for the variation. The Crown Texture Scan helps identify your mix across sections.
Is hair type the same as hair texture?
They are related but not identical. Hair type refers to your curl or coil pattern. Hair texture refers to strand thickness — fine, medium, or coarse. Two people with the same hair type (say, 4c) can have very different strand textures, which affects how their hair responds to products and how much moisture it can hold.
Does hair type alone tell me everything I need to know about my hair?
No — and this is one of the most important things to understand. Hair type is a starting point, not the full picture. Your porosity tells you how moisture enters and exits your strand. Your density tells you how much hair you have. Your crown health score reflects how well your overall routine is supporting your hair over time. All of these work together.
Explore More
Continue Your Crown Wellness Journey
Crown Texture Scan
Get a detailed texture analysis with personalized crown insights.
Hair Porosity Test
Discover whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity.
Crown Health Quiz
Discover your Crown Health Score and get a full personalized routine.
Hair Breakage Calculator
Understand your breakage risk and get targeted prevention guidance.
Hair Knowledge Library
Curated education on porosity, ingredients, moisture, and crown wellness.
Crown Lab Membership
Unlock the full Hair Wellness Lab suite of premium crown tools.
Hair Wellness Lab provides educational hair wellness guidance based on your profile and available data. Content on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. View full disclaimer.