Hourglass, Pear, Rectangle & More: How to Find Your Body Shape
A simple, judgment-free guide to the five most common body shapes — how to measure yourself, what each shape looks like, and how to flatter it in photos.
Your body shape is simply the relationship between three measurements: your bust or chest, your waist, and your hips. Knowing it isn’t about fitting a rule — it’s a shortcut to clothes, poses and photo edits that feel like you.
How to measure yourself
Grab a soft measuring tape and stand relaxed in front of a mirror.
- Bust / chest: measure around the fullest part, keeping the tape level.
- Waist: measure the narrowest part of your torso, usually just above your belly button.
- Hips: measure around the widest part of your hips and seat.
Write the three numbers down. Now compare them.
The five main body shapes
Hourglass
Bust and hips are about the same, with a clearly narrower waist — usually 25% or more smaller than your hips. Hourglass figures tend to look best in photos when the waist is defined, for example with a belt or a wrap dress.
Pear (triangle)
Hips are wider than your bust, often with a defined waist. Pear shapes photograph beautifully with attention drawn up to the shoulders and face.
Rectangle
Bust, waist and hips are similar. Rectangles are often described as “athletic” or “straight”. Adding a little curve at the waist in an outfit — or in an edit — creates an hourglass effect.
Inverted triangle
Shoulders and bust are wider than your hips. This shape is common in swimmers and is the classic “V-shape” many men aim for at the gym.
Apple (round)
The midsection is the fullest part, often with slimmer legs and arms. Apple shapes look great with flowing fabrics and poses that lengthen the torso.
Seeing your shape (and trying another) in a photo
A photo editor makes it easy to see how small changes affect your silhouette. In FaceBodyTune, every shape above is a one-tap preset — tap Hourglass to define your waist, or Inverted triangle to broaden your shoulders, then fine-tune the sliders.
Tip: keep edits subtle. A 5–10% change looks natural; a 30% change looks edited.
The bottom line
There’s no “best” body shape. Knowing yours helps you choose clothes, poses and edits with confidence — and makes it easier to try something new just for fun.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common body shape?
Studies of body measurements usually find the rectangle (similar bust, waist and hip measurements) is the most common, followed by pear. The “ideal” shape is the one you feel good in.
Can my body shape change?
Your bone structure stays the same, but weight changes, muscle and age can shift your proportions — so your shape can change over time.
Try it on your own photo
Free face and body edits right in your browser — plus AI tools when you want more.
Try body presets