Straightener plate widths explained

The three plate widths

Widths are approximate and makers measure differently. Check the listing for your exact model, and use our barrel and plate size converter to switch between mm and inches.

How width changes styling

Speed. A wider plate grips a bigger section, so you need fewer sections on long, thick hair. ghd says its Max wide-plate model styles in about half the time of its regular stylers because the plates are around 70% larger.

Root control. Narrow and standard plates can get closer to the scalp, which matters for short hair and for smoothing the roots of curly hair. Some newer wide models, such as the ghd Chronos Max, use close-edge plates to help with this.

Curling. Twisting a straightener to make curls is much easier with a narrow or standard plate and a rounded body. Wide plates are bulky to rotate. If curling matters, see our best straighteners for curling guide.

ghd wide straightener vs normal

ghd's regular stylers, such as the Gold, Platinum+ and Chronos, have standard-width plates. Older models such as the ghd Original are often listed with plates of about 24 mm. ghd's wide versions are the Max and the Chronos Max. ghd describes the Max's plates as around 70% larger than its regular stylers, and the Chronos Max's as 85% larger than the Gold's.

All of them hold the same 185 °C styling temperature, so the choice is about your hair, not heat. Choose the wide plate for long, thick or curly hair you mainly want straight. Choose the standard plate if your hair is shoulder-length or shorter, or you like to curl and wave as well as straighten. Our ghd straighteners compared guide covers all the current models.

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Extra-wide plates

Some brands go wider still. Faszin, for example, sells a straightener with 42 mm plates. Extra-wide plates make the most sense for very long, very thick hair where time is the main concern. They are heavier in the hand and are not designed for curls. See our best straighteners for thick hair guide for wide-plate options.

Which width should you choose?

Plate material matters too. Ceramic and titanium plates feel different in use; see ceramic vs titanium plates.

• Short hair or a fringe: narrow to standard
• Shoulder-length, fine or medium hair: standard
• Long, thick hair you want sleek: wide
• Curly or afro hair: standard for root control, or wide for speed on length
• You curl as often as you straighten: standard with a rounded body

Other things that matter as much as width

Plate length changes how much hair you cover too. Longer plates help on long hair, while shorter plates are easier to manoeuvre around the face. Floating plates, which sit on springs, keep even pressure on the hair as it passes through, so a wider plate does not mean uneven contact. Most premium stylers, including ghd's range, use floating ceramic plates.

The body shape matters for curling. A rounded outer shell lets you twist the straightener without leaving a crease, which is why ghd describes the Platinum+ as having a rounder barrel. A boxy body with sharp edges is better kept for straightening.

Finally, think about who else uses the styler. A standard plate is the safest choice for a shared straightener, because it handles short and long hair reasonably well. If you are buying as a present and do not know the person's hair well, a standard width is the sensible pick; our best straightener gift sets guide may help.

Frequently asked questions

Is a wide plate straightener better? Only for long or thick hair. It saves time there, but it is harder to use near the roots and to curl with.

What plate width are ghd straighteners? Most ghd stylers have standard-width plates. The Max and Chronos Max are ghd's wide-plate models.

Can you curl hair with wide plate straighteners? You can make loose bends and waves, but tight curls are much easier with standard or narrow plates.

What width is best for short hair? Narrow to standard plates, around 20 to 25 mm, get closer to the roots and are easier to handle.