At a glance
- Term
- Bigonial width
- Area
- Face geometry
- Measurable from a selfie
- Yes: the horizontal distance between the two jaw angles
- Evidence
- Established
- Related
- Bizygomatic width, Gonial angle, Face shape, Jawline definition
What the measurement describes
The distance across your jaw corners describes width, while the corners themselves mark its endpoints. Start by finding those points on either side, then consider the horizontal span between them.
That span becomes more useful beside bizygomatic width, the width across your cheekbones. A jaw-to-cheekbone comparison puts lower-face width in context. Jaw width alone doesn't make the full distinction between a square, round, heart or diamond outline.
How to measure bigonial width from a selfie
Use a selfie in which you can identify both jaw corners. You're measuring the horizontal distance between those landmarks, so first check that you're choosing the intended endpoints.
- Find the jaw angle on each side of your face.
- Measure the horizontal distance between those points.
- Compare that span with cheekbone width in the same image.
If either corner is unclear, don't force a precise reading. Keep the distinction between a number taken from a photo and a fixed measurement of your face.
What established evidence means here
Evidence status: established. Bigonial width names a defined measurement in face geometry, with specific landmarks at either end.
That status doesn't make every selfie reading equally dependable. The common mistake is treating a number from a single photo as a fixed personal fact. Check where the measurement starts and ends before deciding what the result means. The glossary explains related terms you may encounter.
How to use the result
Use the result to describe proportions when exploring your closest face-shape category. The free face-shape finder reads length-to-width and jaw-to-cheekbone ratios on your device and names the closest prototype.
Keep width separate from gonial angle, which describes the angle at the jaw corner. They answer different questions: how far apart the corners sit, and how each corner turns.
Questions people ask
- Can you measure bigonial width from a selfie?
- Yes. Measure the horizontal distance between the jaw angles on either side, provided you can identify both corners.
- Does bigonial width tell you your face shape?
- It helps when you compare it with cheekbone width. The relationship is more useful for describing your outline than jaw width alone.
- Is bigonial width the same as gonial angle?
- No. Bigonial width measures the distance between your jaw corners; gonial angle describes the angle at a corner.
Written from the measurements and ingredient facts on this site, then checked for the usual mistakes. Not medical advice.
Related pages
The closest pages in this section, picked by topic rather than by date.
- Bizygomatic width meaning: the distance across your cheekbonesLearn bizygomatic width meaning, how cheekbone width relates to face shape, and what a selfie can measure without fixing your face to a labe
- Gonial angle meaning and how to measure itUnderstand gonial angle meaning, where to measure it in a profile or three-quarter selfie, and why a photo reading isn't a fixed fact about
- jawline definition meaning: What a selfie can measureUnderstand jawline definition meaning, what edge contrast and corner angle show in a selfie, and why lighting limits what a photo tells you.
- face shape meaning: what your outline describesLearn the face shape meaning, how length and width guide six styling labels, what a selfie can measure, and how to use your result without r
- A guide to brow ridge meaningUnderstand brow ridge meaning, why a front-facing selfie can't measure its projection, and what established evidence says about changing it.
- buccal fat meaning: What it is and what photos can't showLearn the buccal fat meaning, why cheek fullness can't measure this fat pad, and what permanent removal may mean for your appearance later.
- Canthal tilt meaning: what your eye-corner angle tells youLearn the canthal tilt meaning, how to measure eye-corner angles in a selfie, and why a photo result isn't a fixed fact about your face.
- A guide to cheekbones meaningLearn cheekbones meaning, how cheek width compares with your jaw and forehead, and why one selfie cannot give a fixed measurement of your fa
- Chin projection meaning: reading your side profileUnderstand chin projection meaning, why a front selfie can't measure it, and how to read profile measurements without treating them as fixed