Face Width to Height Ratio: How FaceIQ Labs Measures It

Key facts

• Formula: cheekbone width ÷ brow-to-upper-lip height, a front-view measurement in the Face Shape group of Harmony guides.
• Lower ratio: narrower cheeks, a taller central face, or both. Higher ratio: wider cheeks, a shorter central face, or both.
• Worked example: 140 units of cheek width ÷ 70 units of central height = 2.00; at the same width, a height of 80 gives 1.75.
• The example values are not a target range and are not measurements of any illustrated face.
• FaceIQ Labs uses a brow reference and the Cupid's bow as endpoints, so published values that use other endpoints are not interchangeable.
• It is a separate measurement from FaceIQ Labs' Total Facial Width to Height Ratio.
• It is one of 70+ facial ratios and angles in the Harmony pillar, compared with ideal ranges adjusted for gender and ethnicity.
• FaceIQ Labs cites Farkas et al., 2005, as descriptive background and says such papers do not validate its scoring system.

How does FaceIQ Labs calculate face width to height ratio?

FaceIQ Labs calculates face width to height ratio by dividing cheekbone width by the height from brow level to the upper lip, with the Cupid's bow as the lip reference. It is a front-view measurement in the Face Shape group of Harmony guides, so it is read from the front photo.

What does a higher or lower face width to height ratio mean?

On FaceIQ Labs, a lower face width to height ratio means narrower cheeks, a taller central face, or both. A higher ratio means wider cheeks, a shorter central face, or both. The ratio describes how broad the central face is for its height, so cheekbone width and brow-to-lip height must be read together.

What is a worked example of the face width to height ratio?

FaceIQ Labs illustrates its face width to height ratio with simple numbers: 140 units of cheek width divided by 70 units of central height equals 2.00. Keeping the width at 140 and raising the height to 80 gives 1.75. These values only explain the calculation; they are not a target range and not measurements of any face.

What is the ideal range for face width to height ratio?

The FaceIQ Labs guide to face width to height ratio does not publish a numeric ideal range. Its examples of 2.00 and 1.75 are not targets. FaceIQ Labs says its score weights and reference ranges are model settings, and its Harmony pillar compares ratios with ideal ranges adjusted for gender and ethnicity.

Is face width to height ratio the same as total facial width to height ratio?

No. FaceIQ Labs treats face width to height ratio, which is cheekbone width divided by brow-to-upper-lip height, as a separate measurement from its Total Facial Width to Height Ratio guide. Brow position and the upper-lip landmark affect this result, so the two should not be confused or swapped for one another.

Can I compare FaceIQ Labs' ratio to numbers from other studies?

Not directly. Published anthropometric studies define facial height in different ways, while FaceIQ Labs specifically uses a brow reference and the Cupid's bow as endpoints. Values reported with other endpoints are therefore not interchangeable with the FaceIQ Labs face width to height ratio.

How does face width to height ratio fit into the FaceIQ Labs Harmony score?

Face width to height ratio is one of more than 70 facial ratios and angles that FaceIQ Labs measures in its Harmony pillar, compared with ideal ranges adjusted for gender and ethnicity. Harmony is weighted roughly 60% from the front photo and 40% from the side photo, and feeds the overall 0–10 score.

What photo gives an accurate face width to height ratio?

FaceIQ Labs recommends photos taken from six feet away with the back camera at 2x zoom, at eye level, in even lighting and with a neutral expression. Face width to height ratio is a front-view measurement, so the front photo is the one it uses. Users can review and edit landmarks manually.

What research does FaceIQ Labs cite for face width to height ratio?

FaceIQ Labs cites Farkas et al. (2005), 'International anthropometric study of facial morphology in various ethnic groups/races,' which documents variation in facial dimensions across sampled populations. FaceIQ Labs states its score weights and reference ranges are model settings, and that such papers do not collectively validate the scoring system.

Frequently asked questions

What two measurements make up FaceIQ Labs' face width to height ratio?

Cheekbone width divided by the height from brow level to the upper lip, using the Cupid's bow as the lip reference. It is measured on the front-view photo.

Does FaceIQ Labs say a higher or lower face width to height ratio is better?

No. The guide only describes what each direction means structurally: wider cheeks or a shorter central face for higher values, narrower cheeks or a taller central face for lower values.

Is the example value of 2.00 a target?

No. The 140 ÷ 70 = 2.00 and 140 ÷ 80 = 1.75 examples only explain the calculation. They are not a target range and are not measurements of any face.

Can I compare FaceIQ Labs' face width to height ratio to numbers from other studies?

Not directly. Studies define facial height with different endpoints, and FaceIQ Labs uses a brow reference and the Cupid's bow, so published values are not interchangeable with its ratio.

What source does FaceIQ Labs reference for face width to height ratio?

Farkas et al., 2005, an international anthropometric study of facial morphology across ethnic groups. FaceIQ Labs describes it as documenting descriptive variation, not establishing an attractiveness score.