Topic
Hair types and plate sizes
Plate width and temperature range decide how a straightener suits fine, thick, curly or long hair. Width is quoted in millimetres, sometimes in inches.
- Narrow
- about 20 mm (0.8 in)
- Wide
- about 38 mm (1.5 in)
Narrow plates of around 20 mm reach close to the root and suit short hair, fringes and curling with a straightener. Standard plates of about 25 mm are the all-rounders. Wide plates of 38 mm and more cover long, thick hair in fewer passes.
Makers usually suggest lower settings for fine hair and higher settings for thick or coarse hair. We quote the ranges each maker states, not our own recommendations.
Guides on this topic
- How to curl short hair with tongs or a wandHow to curl short hair: choosing a 13 to 25 mm barrel, tongs or wand, small sections, flat wraps, keeping heat off the scalp and styling bobs and pixies.How-to
- How to curl long hair so it holdsHow to curl long hair so curls hold: barrel sizes for long lengths, sectioning, wrapping without overlap, pinning curls to set and finishing without dropping them.How-to
- Do you need heat protection spray with straighteners?Do you need heat protection spray with straighteners and curling wands? What heat protectants do, how to apply them on wet or dry hair, and common mistakes.Guide
- Do straighteners damage hair?Do straighteners damage hair? How heat affects hair, why temperature and passes matter more than brand, heat protection, plate quality and cutting the risk.Guide
- What temperature should straighteners be?What temperature should straighteners be set to? Maker temperature ranges in °C and °F by hair type, why ghd fixes 185 °C, and Dyson Corrale and Airstrait settings.Guide
- Straightener plate widths explainedStraightener plate widths explained: narrow, standard and wide plates in mm and inches, and how width changes styling speed, root control and curling.Guide
- How to use straighteners on short hairHow to use straighteners on short hair: narrow plates, small sections, keeping clear of the scalp and bending the ends for sleek bobs and pixie cuts.How-to
Buying guides on this topic
- Best straighteners for curly and afro hairStraighteners for curly, coily and afro hair from ghd, Faszin, Dyson, L'Oréal, Shark and Cloud Nine compared on plates, heat, wet styling and combs.Buying guide
- Best straighteners for fine hairStraighteners for fine hair from Cloud Nine, Faszin, ghd, L'Oréal and Dyson compared on temperature range, number of settings, plates and auto shut-off.Buying guide
- Best straighteners for thick hairStraighteners for thick or long hair from ghd, Faszin, Shark, L'Oréal and Cloud Nine compared on plate size, maximum temperature, heat up and weight.Buying guide