Hair Texture Guide: 3A to 4C Curls & Coils

Use curl type as a description, not a diagnosis

The 3A–4C system can help describe the visible shape of curls and coils, but it does not tell you everything about what your hair needs. Porosity, strand thickness, density, scalp condition, chemical history, climate, and styling habits matter too.

Type 3: Curly

3A: larger, looser spirals that may flatten easily with heavy products. 3B: springier ringlets with more volume and shrinkage. 3C: tighter corkscrew curls with high density and more shrinkage.

Type 4: Coily

4A: small, defined S-shaped coils. 4B: tighter bends and zig-zag patterns with less visible ringlet definition. 4C: very tight coils and bends that may show strong shrinkage and can appear less defined without styling.

Your head can contain more than one pattern

Mixed textures are common. The crown, temples, nape, and front hairline may behave differently, so treat the hair by what each area actually needs rather than forcing one label onto the whole head.

What matters more than the letter-number

Pay attention to how quickly your hair absorbs and loses water, how easily it tangles, how much product weighs it down, whether the scalp is comfortable, and how the hair responds to cleansing, conditioning, heat, and manipulation.