Oblong face shapes are longer than they are wide, with a forehead, cheekbones, and jawline that stay close to the same width all the way down. The right glasses break up that vertical length and add visual width. Wide, angular frames work best. Round, narrow, and rimless styles tend to stretch the face further.
Not sure if you have an oblong face? Try our free face shape finder before you shop.
Here are the four frame styles that consistently flatter oblong faces:
- Square
- Rectangular
- Wayfarer
- Oversized
| Everything We Recommend | |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | Warby Parker |
| Fastest Delivery | EyeBuyDirect |
| Biggest Selection | GlassesUSA |
| Also Great | Liingo |
| Best on a Budget | Zenni Optical |
Do You Have an Oblong Face Shape?
The defining feature of an oblong face is length. Oblong faces are longer than they are wide, but the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline stay similar in width from top to bottom. Many oblong faces also have a softly curved chin.
Oblong vs. oval: Oval faces are longer than they are wide but look more balanced and softly tapered, often narrowing toward the chin. Oblong faces have less width contrast between the forehead, cheekbones, and jawline, which creates a longer, straighter outline. If your face reads more "long and even" than "balanced and tapered," you are most likely oblong. For a deeper comparison, see our best glasses for oval faces guide.
Often-cited examples of oblong faces include Sarah Jessica Parker, Liv Tyler, and Ben Affleck.
To confirm at home, grab a soft tape measure and check four numbers: face length (hairline to chin), forehead width, cheekbone width, and jawline width. If face length is noticeably greater than the other three measurements, and those three measurements are close to each other, you have an oblong face. For a guided walkthrough, use the face shape finder.
4 Best Glasses for Oblong Faces
The goal for oblong faces is to add visual width and break up vertical length. According to Mayo Clinic Health System's frame-selection guide, oblong faces are longer than they are wide, and frames that are deeper than they are wide can make the face appear shorter. Square, rectangular, wayfarer, and oversized frames all do that work in different ways.
1. Square
Square frames sit at the top of the list for oblong faces. Their sharp corners contrast soft features and pull attention out to the sides, which adds horizontal weight to a long face.
Best Square Frames for Women
Warby Parker Chamberlain
The Chamberlain has a sturdy bridge and a clean square silhouette. It pairs well with rounded cheekbones and softer jawlines.
Best Square Frames for Men
Warby Parker Omar
Omar uses a keyhole bridge and a bold square profile that adds structure to longer faces. The sloping brow line softens the geometry just enough.
Budget Pick: EyeBuyDirect
EyeBuyDirect carries select square acetate frames under $50, and some listed prices include basic 1.5-index prescription lenses. Filter by "square" and look for matte black or tortoise for the most flexible everyday wear.
2. Rectangular
Rectangular frames work for oblong faces when they are noticeably wider than they are tall. The angular silhouette adds width across the eyes, and the strong horizontal line helps the face read more balanced.
Best Rectangular Frames for Women
Warby Parker Lonnie
Lonnie's elongated proportions and beveled lens rims give a modern take on the classic rectangle. The width across the lenses is the key feature for oblong faces.
Best Rectangular Frames for Men
Warby Parker Oliver
Oliver runs slightly slimmer than Omar but keeps the rectangular form. It is a low-key choice for office or interview settings.
Wider Selection: GlassesUSA
GlassesUSA carries designer brands including Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Tom Ford, and Prada, plus private-label-style options such as Muse and Ottoto. Filter by "rectangle" and a wider lens width (52mm and up).
3. Wayfarer
Wayfarer frames combine a wide top, straight bottom edges, and slightly extended temples. That shape adds width across the cheekbones and crops the visual length of the face. Wayfarers also stay in style year after year, so they are a safe long-term buy.
Best Wayfarer Frames for Women
Warby Parker Harris
Harris pulls from midcentury wayfarer lines but updates the proportions for a current fit. The bold top bar adds horizontal weight where oblong faces need it most.
Best Wayfarer Frames for Men
Warby Parker Conley
Conley is a browline-style wayfarer with a strong straight bar across the top. The rectangular lenses and clean lines read as classic, not trendy.
Budget Pick: Zenni Wayfarer
Zenni carries wayfarer-style frames starting under $40. Many Zenni-brand frames include basic prescription lenses, anti-scratch coating, and UV protection; readers, multifocals, and premium upgrades cost extra. The "classic wayfarer" filter on the Zenni site narrows the catalog to the wider fits that suit oblong faces.
4. Oversized
Oversized frames cover more of the face, which makes the overall length read shorter. Pick an oversized frame with thick rims and a clear angular shape, not a delicate rounded one.
Best Oversized Frames for Women
Warby Parker Esperanza
Esperanza pairs hexagonal lenses with an oversized footprint. The angular geometry keeps the frame from softening the face, while the lens height adds vertical coverage.
Best Oversized Frames for Men
Warby Parker Bas
Bas leans into bold styling with teardrop lenses, a prominent brow line, and a double brow bar. The heavy proportions read confident on a longer face.
Wider Selection: GlassesUSA Oversized Range
GlassesUSA carries oversized frames from Ray-Ban, Oakley, Persol, Tom Ford, and Prada, plus private-label-style options such as Muse and Ottoto. Some house-brand oversized frames are available under $50 during sales. Filter by "oversized" and a lens width of 54mm or larger for a true oversized fit.
Frame Styles to Avoid for Oblong Faces
Three frame styles work against an oblong face. Skip these to avoid stretching the face or shrinking visual width.
- Small round or oval frames: They emphasize length and minimize the horizontal width you want to highlight. Tiny circular frames are the worst offender.
- Narrow frames that are taller than they are wide: A tall, slim frame mirrors the vertical line of an oblong face and exaggerates it. Look for rectangles where the width clearly beats the height.
- Rimless or thin semi-rimless frames: Without a clear horizontal line across the face, the frame disappears against your features. Oblong faces benefit from frames that hold visual weight, not ones that vanish.
If you love one of these styles, choose the largest, boldest version available to minimize the effect.
Read More: Best Sunglasses for Oblong/Rectangular Face Shape
How Specific Facial Features Influence Glasses Choice
Three features on an oblong face shape the frame decision. Use them to refine the four-style framework above.
- Forehead: Oblong faces usually have a broad forehead. Wide frames with strong angles draw attention up and away from the chin, which evens out the look.
- Cheekbones: Subtle curves and soft lines balance the long vertical line. For high cheekbones, look for frames with a slight upsweep at the top corners.
- Jawline: Many oblong faces carry a square or rounded jawline. Choose frames with angular edges to mirror the jaw's structure, not delicate frames that fight it.
How to Measure Your Face Shape
You only need a soft measuring tape and a mirror. Measure these four numbers:
- Face length: Hairline to the lowest point of the chin.
- Forehead width: The widest point across the forehead.
- Cheekbone width: The widest point across the cheeks, just below the outer corner of each eye.
- Jawline width: From the tip of the chin to just below the ear, then double.
If face length is the largest number by a clear margin and the other three are close to each other, your face is oblong. For a side-by-side walkthrough with photos, use our face shape finder. Apps like Omni Calculator and Find Your Face Shape can also run the math for you from a single photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is oblong the same as rectangular? Oblong, long, and rectangular are often used similarly in style guides. In this guide, oblong or rectangular means a face that is notably longer than it is wide, with roughly similar widths at the forehead, cheeks, and jaw.
How wide should frames be for an oblong face? Frames should be at least as wide as the widest part of your face, ideally a few millimeters wider. Frames narrower than your cheekbones will add to your face's perceived length rather than balancing it.
Do oblong and oval faces wear the same frames? Not exactly. Both shapes do well with wide frames, but oval faces can handle more frame variety, including round styles. Oblong faces should stay away from round and narrow frames, which emphasize vertical length.
When to Talk to an Optician
For everyday non-prescription frames, the four-style framework above is enough to shop with confidence. If you wear a prescription, take your current eyeglass prescription with you, or upload it during online checkout. The National Eye Institute notes that after your eye doctor gives you a written prescription, you can go to an optician to pick out frames and buy your glasses. The Vision Council Foundation adds that frame choice should consider face shape, fit, comfort, style, and lifestyle, and that an optician helps you pick frames that complement your face shape and support vision correction.
If you order online, your retailer may also ask for your pupillary distance (PD). Most prescription eyewear retailers walk you through measuring PD at home in under a minute.
