It is determined by a classification system that ranges from type 1 (straight) to type 4 (kinky and coily), with subtypes A, B, and C for types 2-4 based on the size and shape of the curls. For example, someone with type 3A hair would have loose, springy curls, while someone with type 4C hair would have tightly coiled hair.

Hairstylist Andre Walker started a curl typing system, which is still used today and provides a way to label hair types based on texture. It utilizes numbers 1 to 4, with one being straight hair and four being kinky texture, along with subcategories from A to C. A has the widest diameter or pattern size, and C has the smallest.

To find your curl type, first think about if your hair is wavy, curly, or kinky/coily. If you have wavy hair, you’ll be in the 2 range. Curly hair will be in the 3 range. And a kinky/coily curl pattern will fall under the 4 range. Then, you need to decide what level your curl pattern is, within wavy, curly, and coily.

The nine types range from 2A to 4C with the number referring to the curl type, such as wavy, curly, or coily or kinky, and the letter refers to how tightly wound they are—"A" being looser and "C" a tighter wave or curl (straight hair falls under type one).