Scores & facial analysis

# Facial harmony & facial ratios

Individual guides to every facial measurement, with illustrations, worked examples and research.

Harmony describes how facial dimensions relate to one another. Explore 71 individual guides with landmark illustrations, worked examples, and the origins and research behind each measurement.

> Start with the relationship
> 
> A ratio compares two dimensions; an angle compares directions. A single value can change because either part changes. These guides help you read the geometry within the whole face.

## What is facial harmony?

A harmonious face is one where no proportion pulls attention to itself. The forehead, midface and lower face are in balance; the eyes are spaced to suit the width of the face; the nose, lips and chin line up in profile. The individual features do not need to be remarkable. What matters is how they relate to each other, which is why harmony is measured with ratios and angles rather than sizes.

## Why it isn't the golden ratio

The “golden ratio mask”, a grid built on 1.618 that supposedly fits every beautiful face, makes a good illustration and a poor measurement. Studies that test it against real ratings find that attractive faces do not converge on 1.618; they fall inside ranges that differ from one feature to the next, between men and women, and across ethnic groups. Research instead finds consistent preferences for proportions close to the population average, for symmetry, and for clear sex-typical features. So each measurement is compared with its own range, adjusted for gender and ethnicity.

## The proportions that matter most

### Facial thirds

Hairline to brow, brow to the base of the nose, and nose to chin. Roughly equal thirds read as balanced; a long lower third makes a face look heavy at the bottom, a short one can make the chin look weak.

### Facial fifths and eye spacing

A balanced face is about five eye-widths across, with one eye-width between the eyes. Eyes set too close or too far apart are among the most noticeable deviations, because the eye area is where people look first.

### Midface and face shape

The midface ratio (the distance between the pupils against the height from the pupils to the upper lip) and the face width-to-height ratio describe whether a face reads as compact or long. A compact midface is one of the most consistent features of faces rated as attractive.

### Jaw, chin and profile lines

From the front, jaw width relative to the cheekbones sets the outline of the lower face. From the side, the gonial angle, mandibular plane and chin projection decide whether the jawline reads as defined or recessed, and reference lines from orthodontics (Ricketts' E-line, the S-line, Burstone and Holdaway lines) judge lip position. See the full list in [Facial analysis](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/facial-analysis), or compare real faces in the [celebrity harmony rankings](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/celebs-wiki/harmony).

## Every measurement, explained

33 front-view and 33 side-view measurements contribute to Harmony. Five additional guides explain supporting measurements with no Harmony score weight. All tutorials are available to read.

Find a measurement

71 guides

### Front · Facial Thirds

- [Top Third](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/top-third): The height of the forehead as a percentage of the full face.
- [Middle Third](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/middle-third): The vertical space from the brow level to the bottom of the nose, relative to the full face.
- [Lower Third](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lower-third): The height from the bottom of the nose to the bottom of the chin as a share of face height.

### Front · Face Shape

- [Face Width to Height Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/face-width-to-height-ratio): Cheekbone width divided by the height from brow level to the upper lip.
- [Total Facial Width to Height Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/total-facial-width-to-height-ratio): The full face height compared with cheekbone width. Despite the report label, the calculation is height divided by width.
- [Midface Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/midface-ratio): Pupil spacing divided by the vertical distance from pupil level to the upper lip.
- [Bitemporal Width](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/bitemporal-width): Temple width as a percentage of cheekbone width.
- [Cheekbone Height](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/cheekbone-height): The height of the cheekbone-width landmarks within the pupil-to-upper-lip region.

### Front · Eyes

- [Eye Separation Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/eye-separation-ratio): Distance between the pupil centers as a percentage of cheekbone width.
- [Eye Aspect Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/eye-aspect-ratio): The width of the visible eye opening divided by its height, averaged across both eyes.
- [One Eye Apart Test](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/one-eye-apart-test): The gap between the inner eye corners compared with the average eye-region width.
- [Lateral Canthal Tilt](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lateral-canthal-tilt): The upward or downward slope from the inner eye corner to the outer eye corner.
- [Eyebrow Tilt](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/eyebrow-tilt): The slope from the inner brow to its arch region, averaged across both brows.
- [Eyebrow Low-Setness](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/eyebrow-low-setedness): The gap from pupil level to the inner-brow level, scaled by eye-opening height.
- [Brow Thickness](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/brow-thickness): Supporting measurement · Vertical brow thickness compared with a horizontal brow-to-outer-hood span.
- [Brow Length to Face Width Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/brow-length-to-face-width-ratio): The combined horizontal spans of both brows divided by cheekbone width.
- [Upper Eyelid Exposure](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/upper-eyelid-exposure): Supporting measurement · Visible upper-lid height relative to the eye-opening height, averaged across both eyes.

### Front · Nose

- [Nose Tip Position](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nose-tip-position): The vertical offset of the nose-bottom landmark from the nasal-base landmark in the front photo.
- [Intercanthal-Nasal Width Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/intercanthal-nasal-width-ratio): Nose-base width divided by the gap between the inner eye corners.
- [Nose Bridge to Nose Width](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nose-bridge-to-nose-width): Nose-base width compared with bridge width. The calculation divides the base by the bridge.
- [Ipsilateral Alar Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/ipsilateral-alar-angle): An angle relating the two outer eyelid-hood endpoints to the nose-bottom landmark.
- [Midface–Jaw Angle Difference](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/deviation-of-iaa-ipsilateral-alar-angle-jfa-jaw-frontal-angle): The absolute difference between the eye–nose triangle angle and the frontal jaw angle.

### Front · Mouth

- [Lip Thickness](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lip-thickness): Supporting measurement · The combined vertical height of the lips as a percentage of the lower face height.
- [Lower Lip to Upper Lip Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lower-lip-to-upper-lip-ratio): The visible height of the lower lip compared with the upper lip.
- [Cupid's Bow Depth](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/cupid-s-bow-depth): The vertical drop from the marked upper-lip peak to the central dip of the Cupid’s bow.
- [Mouth-to-Nose Width Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/mouth-width-to-nose-width-ratio): The horizontal mouth width compared with nose-base width.
- [Interpupillary-Mouth Width Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/interpupillary-mouth-width-ratio): Mouth width divided by pupil spacing, despite the order in the report label.
- [Mouth Corner Position](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/mouth-corner-position): Average vertical position of the mouth corners relative to the central mouth seam.
- [Chin-to-Philtrum Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/chin-to-philtrum-ratio): The span below the lower lip compared with the span between the nose base and upper lip.

### Front · Jaw

- [Jaw Frontal Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/jaw-frontal-angle): The angle relationship between the left and right lower jaw borders seen from the front.
- [Jaw Slope](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/jaw-slope): The angle where the cheek-to-jaw-side line meets the lower jaw border, averaged across both sides.
- [Bigonial Width](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/bigonial-width): Width across the upper jaw-angle landmarks as a percentage of cheekbone width.
- [Lower Third Proportion](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lower-third-proportion): The upper portion of the lower third, from nose bottom to mouth seam, relative to the whole lower third.

### Front · Ears

- [Ear Protrusion Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/ear-protrusion-ratio): The average horizontal extension of the ears beyond the cheek landmarks, relative to face width.
- [Ear Protrusion Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/ear-protrusion-angle): A front-photo angle between the outer ear and a vertical reference through each cheek.

### Front · Neck

- [Neck Width](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/neck-width): Neck width relative to jaw-angle width.

### Side · Upper Third

- [Browridge Inclination Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/browridge-inclination-angle): The inclination of the forehead’s hairline-to-glabella line relative to vertical.
- [Nasofrontal Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasofrontal-angle): The angle at the nasal root where the forehead meets the upper nose.
- [Upper Forehead Slope](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/upper-forehead-slope): The difference in direction between two lines from the brow prominence to the upper forehead.
- [Brow Bossing Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/brow-bossing-angle): Supporting measurement · The angle from vertical at the nasal root to the brow prominence.

### Side · Facial Profile

- [Facial Convexity (Nasion)](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/facial-convexity-nasion): The profile relationship of the nasal root, nose base and soft-tissue chin.
- [Facial Convexity (Glabella)](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/facial-convexity-glabella): The profile relationship from brow prominence through nose base to chin.
- [Total Facial Convexity](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/total-facial-convexity): The angle from brow prominence through the nose tip to the chin.
- [Facial Depth to Height Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/facial-depth-to-height-ratio): Ear-to-nose-base distance compared with nasal-root-to-chin-fold distance.
- [Orbital Vector](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/orbital-vector): The horizontal position of the lower orbital reference relative to the front of the eye.
- [Interior Midface Projection Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/interior-midface-projection-angle): The direction from the nasal-wing base to the lateral eyelid endpoint, measured against horizontal.
- [Z Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/z-angle): The angle between a chin-to-upper-lip line and the Frankfort reference direction.
- [Anterior Facial Depth](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/anterior-facial-depth): The angle at the nasal-wing base between the ear reference and the lower eyelid.
- [Eye Protrusion](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/eye-protrusion): Supporting measurement · The horizontal position of the corneal apex relative to the lower-eyelid landmark.

### Side · Nose

- [Nasal Projection](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasal-projection): How far the nose tip extends in front of the nasal wing, relative to a constructed nose length.
- [Nasal Tip Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasal-tip-angle): The angle at the nose tip between the points just above and below it.
- [Nose Tip Rotation Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nose-tip-rotation-angle): The direction of the nose underside relative to the Frankfort reference.
- [Nasolabial Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasolabial-angle): The angle between the underside of the nose and the upper lip at the nose base.
- [Nasofacial Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasofacial-angle): The angle at the nasal root between the nose-tip direction and the chin direction.
- [Nasomental Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasomental-angle): The angle at the nose tip between the nasal-root line and the chin line.
- [Nasal Width-to-Height Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/nasal-w-to-h-ratio): Side-view horizontal nose reach relative to the vertical distance from eye front to nose tip.
- [Frankfort-tip Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/frankfort-tip-angle): The direction from the nose base to the tip relative to the Frankfort plane.

### Side · Lips

- [Lower Lip S-Line Position](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lower-lip-s-line-position): The lower lip’s signed distance from a line running from nose-base/tip midpoint to soft-tissue chin.
- [Upper Lip S-Line Position](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/upper-lip-s-line-position): The upper lip’s signed distance from a line running from nose-base/tip midpoint to soft-tissue chin.
- [Lower Lip E-Line Position](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lower-lip-e-line-position): The lower lip’s signed distance from a line running from nose tip to soft-tissue chin.
- [Upper Lip E-Line Position](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/upper-lip-e-line-position): The upper lip’s signed distance from a line running from nose tip to soft-tissue chin.
- [Lower Lip Burstone Line](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/lower-lip-burstone-line): The lower lip’s signed distance from a line running from nose base to soft-tissue chin.
- [Upper Lip Burstone Line](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/upper-lip-burstone-line): The upper lip’s signed distance from a line running from nose base to soft-tissue chin.
- [Holdaway H Line](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/holdaway-h-line): The lower lip’s distance from the line joining the upper lip and soft-tissue chin.
- [Mentolabial Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/mentolabial-angle): The angle in the fold between the lower lip and the chin.

### Side · Jaw

- [Gonial Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/gonial-angle): The angle between the ascending jaw-side direction and the lower mandibular border.
- [Mandibular Plane Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/mandibular-plane-angle): The inclination of the lower jaw border relative to horizontal in the oriented photo.
- [Ramus to Mandible Ratio](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/ramus-to-mandible-ratio): Constructed jaw-side length relative to constructed lower-border length.
- [Gonion-to-Mouth Line](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/gonion-to-mouth-line): The vertical difference between the constructed jaw corner and the mouth corner.
- [Chin Position Relative to the Frankfort Plane](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/recession-relative-to-frankfort-plane): The horizontal position of the chin’s most forward point relative to the nasal root in the oriented photo.

### Side · Neck

- [Submental Cervical Angle](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony/submental-cervical-angle): The angle where the under-chin contour meets the front of the neck.

## How a ratio is scored

Each scored measurement has a reference range, a scoring curve and a weight. The result detail shows the settings that apply to your analysis. Values outside the reference range receive scores according to that curve. Read [Understanding your scores](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/scores) for how individual scores combine.

Some measurements draw on classical artistic proportions; others come from clinical profile analysis or FaceIQ’s own adaptations. The guides identify that distinction and link to relevant studies. A published facial measurement does not by itself validate an attractiveness score or its exact range.

## Read the drawing before the number

- **Check the landmarks.** Open a ratio in your report and compare its lines with the tutorial. If a point is misplaced, see [checking your landmarks](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/accuracy).
- **Check the order of division.** Height ÷ width and width ÷ height move in opposite directions. Each guide spells out the calculation used in the app.
- **Keep the photo consistent.** Expression, camera distance and head orientation affect measurements. See [taking the right photos](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/photos).
- **Read millimeters as estimates.** The app assumes a 190 mm face height to scale the photograph. This does not supply a calibrated physical measurement.

## Common questions

**What does facial harmony mean?**

Facial harmony is how well the proportions of your face fit together: the balance of the facial thirds, the spacing of the eyes, the relationship between the nose, lips and chin, and the shape of your side profile. A harmonious face has no single proportion that stands out as too large or too small.

**Is facial harmony the same as the golden ratio?**

No. The idea that beautiful faces follow 1.618 everywhere has not held up in research. Attractive faces fall within ranges for each proportion, and those ranges differ by feature, gender and ethnicity. Harmony scoring uses those measured ranges instead of a single number.

**Can you improve facial harmony?**

Partly. Bone proportions change only with orthodontics or surgery, but soft tissue changes a lot: losing excess body fat sharpens the jaw and chin measurements, a hairstyle can rebalance a tall forehead, and brow shape changes how the eye area reads. Fillers and other treatments can adjust some profile measurements.

**What is a good harmony score?**

5 out of 10 is average. A 6 to 6.5 is good to very good, a 7 is roughly 1 in 18 people, and 8 or higher is exceptional; only about one in twenty of the 450+ celebrities we have analysed reaches it.

Still need help with harmony?

Send us a message and a person will get back to you.

[Contact support](https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/contact)

---

Source: https://www.faceiqlabs.com/support/harmony · FaceIQ Labs overview for AI assistants: https://www.faceiqlabs.com/llms.txt
