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what type of curly hair do i have

You probably have either wavy (type 2), curly (type 3), or coily (type 4) hair, and you can figure it out by looking closely at your natural curl pattern when it’s clean, product‑free, and air‑dried.

Curl type basics

  • Hair is commonly grouped as: type 1 (straight), type 2 (wavy), type 3 (curly), and type 4 (coily/kinky).
  • Each group is split into A, B, and C, where A is looser and C is tighter in pattern.
  • Your true pattern shows best when hair is freshly washed, no heavy products, and allowed to dry naturally.

Visual test: waves, curls, or coils?

  • Wavy (Type 2, 2A–2C) : Hair forms loose “S” shapes, often flatter at the roots and bendier toward the ends.
  • Curly (Type 3, 3A–3C) : Hair forms spirals or ringlets that look like springs or corkscrews, with more volume and bounce.
  • Coily (Type 4, 4A–4C) : Very tight curls or zig‑zag “Z” patterns; hair looks dense, shrinks a lot when dry, and often feels drier.

Quick diameter check

Take a single curl and compare its size:

  • About the size of a large marker or highlighter: likely 3A.
  • Around a Sharpie or straw: likely 3B.
  • About pencil‑thin spirals: 3C or 3C/4A mix.
  • Smaller than a crochet needle, with clear coils or zig‑zags: usually 4A–4C.

Mixed patterns are normal

  • Many people have more than one pattern (for example, looser around the nape and tighter at the crown).
  • Frizz, damage, or old heat styling can blur the pattern, making curls look looser or uneven.

What you can do next

  • Wash, condition, and let your hair air‑dry with minimal product, then take clear photos from front, side, and back.
  • Compare your curls to online charts for types 2A–4C, focusing on shape (S, spiral, or Z) and tightness.
  • If you send descriptions or photos in a follow‑up, a much more specific curl type guess is possible.

TL;DR:

  • Mostly S‑shaped bends → type 2 (wavy).
  • Spiral/corkscrew curls → type 3 (curly).
  • Tight coils or zig‑zags → type 4 (coily).

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.