A Guide To Finding The Perfect Curling Iron Size
Everything you need to know before investing in the tool that can give you the curls of your dreams.
Madison DufourBarber & Cosmetologist 
Madison Dufour is a licensed and practicing barber and cosmetologist with 10 years of experience, as well as an entrepreneur running several hair businesses, including MadisonD Barbering and The Exquisite Find Hair Blog. After working behin... more
arshiya syedaBA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Experience: 7 yearsArshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articl... more
ramona sinhaMA (English Literature) Experience: 11 yearsRamona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more
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There is no doubt that the secret to great curls is the technique but having the right curler is equally important. So, we have put together a detailed curling iron size guide just for you. You do not need to figure out different barrel sizes from youtube tutorials. You do not have to waste your precious time in trial and error to get those coveted bouncy curls. Say goodbye to flat curls or kinks in your carefully styled hair. Choosing the right curling wand can put to rest most of your hair styling woes. Keep reading this article to find a suitable curler for your hair.
In This Article
Relationship Between Barrel Size, Hairstyle, And Hair Length
Before you learn how to curl hair with a curling iron, it is important to choose an appropriate curling iron barrel according to your hair length and the hairstyle you want. Let’s make this task a bit easier for you by explaining the relationship between the barrel size and your hair length and hairstyle.
- Relationship Between Barrel Size And Hair Length
Remember this one simple rule: the barrel size of your curling iron needs to be proportional to your hair length. This means you require small-sized barrels (¾”,½”, ⅜”, ⅝”, and so on) for short hair and large-sized barrels (1.25”,1.5”, 1.75”, 2”, and so on) for long hair. Both small and large barrels are suitable for shoulder-length or medium-length hair. A 1” barrel is also suitable for any length of hair, be it short, medium, or long.
- Relationship Between Barrel Size And Hairstyle
You need to use barrels of specific sizes to do different hairstyles. Hair tightness is related to the hair curling iron sizes. Large barrels are used to create wavy hairstyles, while small curling iron wands with small barrels are used for bouncy curls. The optimum barrel size for beachy waves is anywhere between 0.75” to 2”. For soft waves, the ideal barrel sizes are 1.5” to 1.75”. Loose waves can be obtained with 1” to 2” barrels, while big waves require a barrel that is 1.75” to 2” wide. The optimum barrel size for ringlet/spiral curls is somewhere around ⅜” to ½”. Go for 1” to 1.25” barrel sizes for tight curls, 0.75” to 1.5” for big bouncy curls, 1.25” to 1.5” for big curls, and 1.25” to 2” for loose curls. You also need to keep your hair type in mind and set the correct temperature to style your hair in the best way possible.
Fun FactTo get a clearer picture of the barrel sizes that are most commonly available on the market and what kind of hairstyles they are good for, check out the next section!
Curling Iron Size Guide
- 3/8 Inch
This barrel size is best for curling fine hair. It is also mostly recommended for styling thin, short, or medium-length hair. If you want spiral, kinky, or bouncy curls, you should add a curling iron of this barrel size to your hair routine. It works great on thin and curly tresses, adding more volume to the hair. It is also great for hair crimping and styling hair flyaways. However, styling straight hair with this barrel may take a lot of time.
- 1/2 Inch
Do you have short hair? Then, you should probably opt for this barrel size to create ringlet or tight curls. Long tresses won’t be able to hold this kind of curls for a long time, and thick locks do not go well with tight curls. Therefore, this barrel size is ideal for obtaining tight, ringlet, or spiral curls on thin, short, or bobbed hair. They add more volume to your hair.
- 5/8 Inch
This barrel size is perfect for creating springy spiral curls on thin, medium, or shoulder-length hair. It is popularly recommended for styling straight hair. This barrel size also helps in adding volume to your hair, and it works great on naturally curly tresses.
- 3/4 Inch
If you want those perfect vintage curls, you need to use a curling iron with this barrel size. It can be used on thin or thick hair and is highly recommended for shoulder-length hair. This barrel size is the right choice for acquiring loose, polished, vintage, or corkscrew curls. It works great on straight hair as well as naturally curly locks.
Fun Fact- 1 Inch
Considered as the king among all curling irons, this barrel size is appropriate for all hair lengths and for creating almost all types of curls. It is neither too small nor too large. Besides tight curls, this barrel size is also perfect for attaining messy beachy waves and glamorous full-bodied waves.
- 1 1/4 Inches
This barrel size is recommended to be used on long, medium, or shoulder-length hair. It can be used to create almost all types of curls and waves. However, this curling iron barrel does not add volume to your hair.
- 1 1/2 Inches
As larger barrels create bigger curls, this barrel size is best suited for styling long and thick hair. It is not only great for creating bouncy curls, but also for loose, beachy, voluminous waves.
- 1 3/4 Inches
Usually rare and difficult to find in the market, this barrel size is worth having if you want to style your long hair in loose, soft waves. Interestingly, it is also the only barrel size that works incredibly well on short hair to add volume and create soft curls.
- 2 Inches
A 2-inch curling iron is widely known as ‘The Bumper’. this barrel size is the perfect choice for longer hair lengths. Be it loose waves, beachy waves, or defined waves, this curling iron barrel can do it all. It also adds a little volume to straight hair.
While these hair styling tools may help you achieve the perfect hairdo of your dreams, it is essential that you apply appropriate hair heat protection to prevent breakage. When the hair temperature rises, it damages the structural proteins of your strands. This damage may differ according to hair thickness and hair porosity. Continued use may alter hair texture and hair elasticity. Thus, it is important to use proper protective serums and sprays prior. Alternatively, you can also use hair accessories such as hair rollers or follow simple hair styling techniques like hair twisting and hair braiding to achieve desirable waves and curls without damaging your strands with heat.
Curling irons and wands are popular hair styling tools, but did you know that they have distinct differences? Let’s take a look at them in the next section!
Curling Iron Vs. Wand
Curling irons have a clamp that holds the hair in place while you twist it around the heated barrel. This feature makes them ideal for achieving uniform curls, and you can work on a variety of hair lengths. The downside is that you may leave clamp marks on the hair in the process.
Wands, on the other hand, are clampless, allowing for more versatility in creating different curl sizes and styles. They provide a more natural look but can be challenging for beginners to use. Wands are often favored for their ability to produce beachy waves and tousled curls.
Ultimately, the choice between a curling iron and wand depends on your curling preference, hair type, and styling skills.
Infographic: Top 5 Curling Iron Sizes To Style Your Hair
Selecting the best curling iron size that suits your hair type and length takes a lot of work. With many options available in the market, it is a great deal confusing to select the best one for you. Check out the infographic below to choose the best curling iron that suits your hair type.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The key to achieving a great hairstyle using a curling iron is to know the different sizes it comes in and how these sizes affect your hairstyles. Maybe earlier you once tried curling your hair. You wanted perfect ringlets, but you ended up with looser curls. This could have been because you used a curling iron in the wrong barrel size. There are nine different barrel sizes you need to be aware of. With this curling iron size guide, you know exactly which iron to use for your hair type, length, and the hairstyle you want to achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard size of a curling iron?
The standard curling iron comes in the size of 1 ¼ inches. But it may vary depending on the different hair lengths.
Should I use a 1 or 1.25-inch curling iron?
It depends on the type of curls you want. The 1-inch barrel will give you tighter curls than the 1.25-inch barrel. If you have short to medium-length hair, use the 1-inch barrel curling iron. If you have shoulder-length or longer hair, use the 1.25-inch curling iron.
What is the most common size of curling iron?
1-inch barrel curling irons are the most commonly found size and suitable for almost all hair lengths and types.
What size curling iron is best for fine hair?
A curling iron with less than a 1.5-inch barrel works well for fine hair. The bigger sizes may pull down the hair.
What size curling iron is best for naturally curly hair?
Other than the 1-inch barrel iron, a 3/8-inch iron works well with natural curls. It adds definition to unruly curls and is good for detailed waving.
Key Takeaways
- Your hair length and texture help determine the right curling iron barrel for you.
- While small-sized barrels create bouncy curls, large-sized barrels are best for creating wavy hairstyles.
- While 3/8 and 1/2 inch curling irons are suitable for styling thin and short hair, 5/8 and 3/4 inch are suitable for styling medium and shoulder-length hair
- A 1-inch curling iron is ideal for all hair types and lengths to create different types of curls like tight curls or full-bodied waves.
Learn how to choose the right curling iron size for your hair type and get the perfect curls every time. Watch the video below to know more.
