Last Updated on October 19, 2022 by SulaBeauty Staff
If you’ve made up your mind to bring home a new flat iron, you might have noticed that there are so many size options to choose from!
So, which is the right flat iron size?
The size of the flat iron is one of the most crucial factors that you need to consider before buying a straightening iron. That’s because the weight and size of the straightener affect the final look you’ll achieve after straightening your hair.
Besides, you’ll need to consider your hair texture and hair length before heading to purchase a straightener. Also, not all straightening irons suit all hair types. That’s why you should be careful while picking a straightening iron.
And in this guide, we’ll tell you how to pick the right size flat iron to achieve healthy, sleek straight hair!
Does Size Really Matter?
Of course, it does matter!
Otherwise, think, why would you see flat irons of different sizes in the market. There has to be some reason, right?
Some flat irons have longer plates, while others have shorter ones. Some have wider plates, while others have narrower plates. Also, the weight of every flat iron is different.
And to identify the correct hair straightener size for your hair, you’ll need to determine your hair texture, hair length, and your purpose of buying the flat iron (do you want to use it for curling and straightening or only for straightening?).
Once you find the answers to this question, you can quickly figure out which one is right for you.
For example, if you’ve got short, chemically treated, or fragile hair, a short flat iron would be ideal for you. Alternatively, if you want to straighten long, thick curly hair, you should go for a flat iron with wider plates and comfortable gripping but less weight.
That said, have a look at the table below for a deeper understanding of which hair straightener will suit your hair.
| Plate Size | Hair Length | Hair Texture |
| 1 – 1.5 inch wide | Any Length | Fine, Thin |
| 1 – 1.25 inch wide | Short (Above Shoulder) Length | Normal/ Medium Thick/ Wavy |
| 1 – 1.5 inch wide | Medium (Shoulder) Length | Normal/ Medium Thick/ Wavy |
| 1.25 – 2 inch wide | Long (Below Shoulder) Length | Normal/ Medium Thick/ Wavy |
| 1.25 inch wide | Short (Above Shoulder) Length | Coarse, Thick, Curly |
| 1.5 – 2 inch wide | Medium (Shoulder) Length | Coarse, Thick, Curly |
| 1.5 – 3 inch wide | Long (Below Shoulder) Length | Coarse, Thick, Curly |
How Do I Know What Size Flat Iron to Buy?
Now that you know the size of straight irons available in the market let’s see how to pick the right one for your hair. Below is a detailed description of straightening irons of each size and their purpose.
Small Flat Irons
Small straightening irons are those with a plate width between 0.5 to 0.75 inches. They are tiny and best for precision. Small flat irons are recommended for short hair, men’s hair, or tight curls. Plus, you can bring them closer to your scalp without the fear of getting burnt.
Again, they are light and compact. Hence, you can carry these straighteners in your bag while traveling.
However, as the plates are narrow, you need to work on small sections.
- Great for traveling
- Best for short hair
- Recommended for tighter curls
- Slower styling
Standard Flat Irons
Standard flat irons are the most commonly chosen flat irons. They come in 1-inch wide plate sizes and suit almost every hair type and hair length. Plus, they are ideal for creating medium curls, waves, and even twists.
Besides, most brands manufacture 1-inch hair straighteners. That means you get tons of options to choose from.
- Suitable for normal or wavy hair
- Ideal for short to medium length hair
- Available in lots of variety
- Recommended for curls, waves, twists
- Not for long hair
Larger Flat Irons
Hair straighteners of plate size 1.25 inches or above are large flat irons. These straighteners can get your hair straight quicker.
Especially if you have long, thick, curly hair, you should get such straighteners. That’s because the broader plates let you work on a wide section of hair at a time. So, your hand doesn’t have to suffer for long.
However, larger straighteners have a large body and are heavier. Therefore, go for one which has a comfortable grip.
- Suitable for long hair
- Style quickly
- Best for thick, curly, coarse hair
- Heavy
Flat Iron Size Chart
Know whether or not you can you bring a flat iron on a plane
FAQ’s
What is the best size flat iron for medium-length hair?
If you have medium-length hair with medium-thickness, wavy, or normal texture the best straightening iron size would be 1 to 1.5 inches. However, if you have coarse, thick, curly medium-length hair, you can go for a flat iron with a plate size between 1 to 2 inches.
What is the best size flat iron for short hair?
For thick, curly, or coarse short hair, the right flat iron size is between 0.5 to 1.5 inches. And for wavy or normal short hair, 0.5 to 1.25 inch flat irons can be a great fit.
What is the best size flat iron to curl hair?
The right flat iron size for curling hair depends on the type of curls you want to create. For example, flat irons smaller than 1-inch are best for tight curls, whereas for loose curls, flat irons above 1-inch plate size work better.
What size flat iron for beach waves?
Beach waves are loose, tousled curls. Hence, it’s not possible to achieve such curls using hair straighteners having narrower plates. So, you need 1 to 1.5 inch wide plates flat iron for beach waves.
What size flat iron for long hair?
For long hair, it’s better to go with hair straighteners having a longer plates. That means straighteners having 1.5 to 3 inch wide plates. These straighteners let you style a wider section at a time, hence you can style your hair quickly.
What is the smallest size flat iron?
Flat irons having a plate size of lesser than an inch are categorized as small flat irons. And the smallest size straightener available in the market is of 0.5 inch.