Nail Shape & Length Guide: 12 Nail Shapes and 6 Claw Shapes
Every Donailsart set is hand-painted to order, so you choose the shape and length before we start. This guide shows all 12 nail shapes and our 6 claw shapes, how long each one is, and how to pick the right one for your hands and your day.
Nail shapes
All designs outside our Claw collection can be made in any of these 12 shapes.
| Length | Shape | Length (mm) | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short | Natural Oval | 14 | Typing, working with your hands, everyday wear, first press-on set |
| Natural Square | 14 | ||
| Short Oval | 16 | ||
| Short Square | 16 | ||
| Short Almond | 18 | ||
| Medium | Short Coffin | 20 | Most designs, work and evenings, a longer look that is still easy to live with |
| Almond | 22 | ||
| Long Coffin | 24 | ||
| Long | Long Stiletto | 27 | Statement sets, 3D and gothic designs, events and photos |
| Extra Long Oval | 28 | ||
| Extra Long Coffin | 28 | ||
| Extra Long Stiletto | 30 |
Lengths are measured from the cuticle end of the press-on to the tip and can vary slightly with your nail size.
The shapes explained
- Oval (Natural, Short, Extra Long): a soft rounded tip that follows the shape of most natural nails. The most natural-looking choice.
- Square (Natural, Short): a flat tip with straight sides. Clean and practical, and the least likely to catch on things.
- Almond (Short, regular): tapers to a soft rounded point, which makes fingers look longer and slimmer. Flattering on almost every hand.
- Coffin (Short, Long, Extra Long): tapered sides with a flat tip, also called ballerina. Gives detailed designs plenty of room.
- Stiletto (Long, Extra Long): long and pointed. The most dramatic shape, and the one most of our gothic and 3D sets are shown in.
Claw shapes
Designs in our Claw Nails collection are sculpted with a downward curve and a sharp point, like a real claw. They come in 6 claw shapes instead of the 12 above.
| Claw shape | Length (mm) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten Claws | 17 | Your first claw set, or claws you can wear to work |
| Short Claws | 21 | A clear claw look that is still easy for typing and your phone |
| Tiger Claws | 25 | A bolder, wider curve for going out |
| Cat Claws | 25 | Same length as Tiger, with a slimmer, sharper curve |
| Long Tiger Claws | 30 | Statement looks, Halloween, photoshoots |
| Long Cat Claws | 30 | Our most dramatic claw |
Sizing claws: as well as the width of each nail, measure the length of your natural nail from cuticle to tip, choose Custom size and write both in the box. A claw is sculpted to curve over the end of your real nail, so we need that length to fit it properly. Our claw nails guide explains it step by step.
How to choose
- New to press-ons? Start short or medium: Short Oval, Short Almond or Almond.
- Type or work with your hands a lot? Natural or Short Square and Natural Oval are the easiest.
- Want longer-looking fingers? Almond, Coffin or Stiletto. Tapered shapes make hands look slimmer.
- Ordering a 3D or gothic design? Go long. Sculpted pieces need room, and on short nails they are scaled down.
- Not sure between two lengths? Pick the shorter one. Press-ons always look a little longer on the hand than you expect.
Find your size
Shape is only half of the fit. To get a set that sits flat and stays on, measure the width of each nail and choose a standard size (XS to L) or Custom. Follow our nail sizing guide to measure in a few minutes.
FAQ
Which nail shape suits most hands?
Almond. It flatters almost every hand and works at short, medium or long length.
What's the difference between coffin and stiletto?
Both taper, but coffin ends in a flat tip while stiletto ends in a sharp point.
What's the difference between claw and stiletto nails?
A stiletto is straight and pointed. A claw curves downward over the fingertip, like an animal's claw.
Can I file my press-ons shorter?
Yes, you can gently shorten or soften the tips with the nail file included in every set. Changing the shape completely, for example from square to stiletto, isn't possible, so choose the shape you want when you order.
Can I order any design in any shape?
Yes, any made-to-order design can be made in any of the 12 nail shapes, and claw designs in any of the 6 claw shapes. Ready to Ship sets are already made, so each comes in one fixed shape shown on its product page.