Facial Thirds: What It Is & How to Determine It

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Here’s everything you need to know about facial thirds

Co-authored by Asif Pirani, MD and Jennifer Vasquez, BA, MA

Last Updated: June 17, 2026 Fact Checked

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What are facial thirds?

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The Three Zones

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Calculating Facial Thirds

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Natural Options

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Medical Options

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Facial Thirds for Men vs. Women

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Final Thoughts

Facial thirds relate to facial aesthetics and focus on balance, proportion, and symmetry. It does this by dividing your face into three zones and measuring spaces between certain features. In this guide, we talk about how the concept works. We explain what facial thirds are, how to calculate it, ways to balance facial thirds, and more.

Understanding Facial Thirds

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An illustration of a face showing the divisions of facial thirds.

Facial thirds is another way to analyze facial proportions for balance and symmetry. It segments your face into three sections, and it’s believed that equal height in each of these sections is most ideal. The three zones include:

Upper third: Hairline to brows
Middle third: Brows to nose tip
Lower third: Nose tip to chin

Section 1 of 7:

What are facial thirds?

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Facial thirds divide the face horizontally into three equal parts. These three zones include the upper face, the mid-face, and the lower face. A face is thought to be more attractive when the three segments are each equal in height. Over time, it's been applied to facial aesthetics and used to determine facial harmony. It has also served as a basis in the plastic surgery field for patients wanting to achieve more facial symmetry.^{[1]
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- The concept is often attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci who used guidelines, such as rule of thirds and rule of fifths, to create harmonious facial proportions in his art.^{[2]
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- People can have varying lengths in their facial thirds that can be perceived as asymmetrical, such as having a long lower third or short upper third.^{[3]
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- Facial thirds play a part in the Golden Ratio. While both are concepts in facial aesthetics, they use different methods to measure face symmetry. The Golden Ratio uses the ratio 1.618 to define ideal proportions. It measures your face’s length and width, as well as measures eye spacing and nose width.
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS, is a Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon who specializes in a variety of cosmetic surgeries.

Asif Pirani, MD, is a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who’s on a mission to enhance the beauty and confidence of his patients.

Alana Schober is a makeup artist with over a decade of experience in her field.

Christin Birckhead is a makeup artist who has been offering makeup and beauty consulting services for over 20 years.

Section 2 of 7:

The Three Zones

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The upper third is from your hairline to eyebrows. The position of your brows is one component that can play into your facial proportions because they frame your upper face.^{[4]
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Research source} Forehead height and hairline positioning also affect the length of this area.
The mid-face measures from your brows to the base of the nose. The tip of the nose can really define the middle zone and how well this area is balanced. The middle third also includes the eyes, so spacing between your eyes can be a factor when evaluating symmetry here.
The lower third runs from the base of your nose to the chin. Lip shape, your teeth, and bite affect how well balanced this zone is. The chin is a defining feature of the lower face and usually balances the nose.^{[5]
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Section 3 of 7:

Calculating Facial Thirds

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Measure facial thirds with an online tool. There are different kinds of facial analyzers and facial symmetry tests available online. These typically involve uploading a picture of yourself. The online calculators divide your face into three. They look at a variety of factors, like your face ratios, symmetry, and overall facial proportions. Results are usually available within minutes, and you can see what your measurements are for each segment.^{[6]
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- Results are measured in percentages. For example, if your results are 33% for each zone, then you have balanced facial thirds.
- If you have varying percentages, like 37% for your upper third, 20% for the middle third, and 43% for the lower third, this means you have a shorter mid-face. There is less space between your eyes and nose.
- This TikTok by user @dr.keonparsa explains how the horizontal third filter works, a facial analysis tool.
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Use photo editing tools to analyze your face. Hold your phone at arm’s length, and take a photo of your face. Open a photo editing app, and situate the picture on the grid. Keep your forehead aligned with the top of the grid. This can give you a clearer idea of what the distance looks like between the upper, middle, and lower sections of your face. Does your upper third look short? Or, does your lower zone look long?
- Make sure you take a front-facing photo, have a neutral expression, and even lighting.
- In this TikTok, user @l_yuhann shows how she measures her facial proportions with her phone.
A professional, like a cosmetic surgeon or an aesthetics doctor, can evaluate your overall facial proportions. They can identify spacing between features and how they relate to each other. They may also take into consideration other components, such as your complexion. They can then recommend ways to improve facial balance, if that’s what you’re looking for.^{[7]
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Section 4 of 7:

Balancing Facial Thirds Naturally

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Use makeup to balance your features. According to makeup artist Alana Schober, makeup contouring can change your face shape and give it more structure. She says to think about what features you love and want to enhance when figuring out where to apply it.^{[8]
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Alana Schober
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview} You can also use powder contouring to make your forehead smaller, says makeup artist Christin Birckhead. She says to use a mid-tone shade that has a cooler undertone and apply it to “the sides of your temple and right at your hairline.”^{[9]
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Christin Birckhead
Makeup Artist

Expert Interview}
- If you want to make your eyes look further apart, makeup artist Cordelia Frost says to “highlight or use a lighter color at the inner corner” of your eyes to brighten and open them up.^{[10]
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  Cordelia Frost
  Makeup Artist
  
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Choose a flattering hairstyle. Getting a haircut or styling your hair in a way that complements your features can create the illusion of more facial balance. For example, bangs can cover a long upper third where your forehead may be more prominent. If your forehead is short, choose a style that creates volume at your crown. Cutting side bands or parting your hair off to the side can also help conceal facial asymmetry.^{[11]
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- Learn more about finding a haircut that flatters your face shape.
Orthodontist and mewing expert Dr. Mike Mew says mewing is when you suck your tongue up onto the roof of your mouth to keep it closed.^{[12]
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Expert Source

Dr. Mike Mew
Orthodontist and Mewing Expert

Expert Interview} It may help improve balance among your facial thirds because it defines your jawline and changes your face shape. Aesthetics & self-improvement coach Rorz says, “Mewing has been proven to improve the facial structure overall.” He says to mew correctly, place the front and back of your tongue on the roof of your mouth without applying force. He noticed that when he did this daily, it improved his side profile and facial structure.^{[13]
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Rorz
Aesthetics & Self-Improvement Coach

Expert Interview}
Attractiveness isn’t just determined by how symmetrical your face is. The health of your skin matters, too. Healthy, glowing skin can make you feel and look attractive. Sun damage, pigmentation, and texture can affect the state of your skin. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wash your face with a gentle facial cleanser, and drink lots of water to keep your skin hydrated.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source

Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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Section 5 of 7:

Balancing Facial Thirds Medically

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Dermal Fillers Dermal fillers are injectable treatments that typically contain hyaluronic acid. Besides smoothing fine lines, they can also increase fullness in your lips, cheeks, chin, under-eye hollows, and jawline. Depending on where you want the injections, it can restore volume to certain areas of your face and even out disproportionate features.^{[15]
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US Food and Drug Administration
U.S. government agency responsible for promoting public health

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- Certified Plastic Surgeon Asif Pirani, MD, says dermal filler can be used to improve symmetry if one side of your cheek is higher than the other or if your brows aren’t even.^{[16]
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  Asif Pirani, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
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A chemical peel is a skincare treatment that removes the top layers of skin by applying a chemical solution. The skin that grows after is smoother and more radiant. The skin-resurfacing treatment can give you a revitalizing look that can add to your facial balance.^{[17]
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Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic surgery involves more invasive procedures. For instance, a brow or upper lid lift can help with asymmetry in your upper face. Cheek implants or rhinoplasty are procedures to consider if you want to focus on your mid-face. Chin implants and facelifts can address issues in your lower third.^{[18]
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- Dr. Pirani explains that “surgical rhinoplasty can address a lot of asymmetries,” but to keep in mind that perfect symmetry is not realistic. It’s more about using surgery to improve certain features, he adds.^{[19]
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  Asif Pirani, MD
  Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
  
  Expert Interview}

Section 6 of 7:

Facial Thirds for Men vs. Women

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While generally having three zones of equal height is considered desirable, facial thirds may be more applicable to females. This is because smaller faces and features are typically associated with women, so balance is sought out more.^{[20]
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Research source} For example, a dominant lower third can be attractive on a man because stronger jawlines and chins are characteristic of males.^{[21]
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Section 7 of 7:

Do you have to improve facial proportions?

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Don’t feel pressured to balance your facial thirds. According to Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS, it’s natural to have some degree of asymmetry and this is what adds to your unique beauty.^{[22]
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Expert Source

Yuly Gorodisky, DO, FACOS
Board Certified Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Expert Interview} Dr. Pirani cautions against trying to achieve perfect facial symmetry. He says no one has a symmetrical face and that studies have shown that “perfect symmetry is seen as abnormal to the brain.”^{[23]
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Expert Source

Asif Pirani, MD
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon

Expert Interview}
- Instead, embrace your facial features and know that you don’t have to attain perfectly symmetrical facial thirds to be considered attractive.