The appearance of the jaw depends mainly on its facial width, the position of the mandibular angles, the length and inclination of the ramus, the slope of the mandibular body and the size and projection of the chin.
For frontal measurements, the head must be straight, without rotation and the device placed at face height. For the profile, the Frankfurt plane is the best reference: the line going approximately from the top of the ear canal to the lower edge of the orbit must be horizontal. A close-up wide-angle photo particularly distorts the width of the jaw and the projection of the chin.
1. The main landmarks of the mandible
a. Gonion, chin and pogonion
The gonion corresponds to the postero-inferior angle of the mandible, where the vertical ramus joins the mandibular body. From the front, it roughly corresponds to the lower and lateral corner of each side of the jaw.
The chin is the lowest point of the mandibular symphysis.
The pogonion is the most advanced point of the chin seen in profile.
The gnathion is located between these two landmarks: it represents approximately the most antero-inferior point of the chin.
These points are therefore not interchangeable. The chin is mainly used for height measurements, the pogonion for projection measurements and the gonion for measurements concerning mandibular angle and width.
b. Ramus and mandibular body
The mandible can be divided into two large parts visible in profile.
The ramus is the posterior part which rises from the gonion towards the temporomandibular joint.
The mandibular body starts from the gonion and moves towards the chin.
The relationship between these two parts strongly influences the general form. A long ramus places the mandibular angles lower and gives more height to the posterior part of the jaw. A long body, on the contrary, increases the anteroposterior depth of the mandible.
2. The jaw seen from the front
a. Bigonial width
The bigonial width corresponds to the distance between the two gonions:
left gonion → right gonion
It is necessary to identify the points where the jaw reaches its maximum width at its angles.
In a photograph, this measurement corresponds to the apparent width of the lower face. It therefore includes not only the bone, but also the thickness of the masseter and soft tissues.
To interpret it, it is compared to the bizygomatic width, that is to say the distance between the two most lateral points of the cheekbones:
bigonial width ÷ bizygomatic width
A zone around 0.85 to 0.92 constitutes a particularly used benchmark today, with around 0.90 as the central value.
This value has just been found quite clearly in a 2026 study of 156 famous men belonging to six different groups: the mandibular width represented approximately 90% of the zygomatic width, with remarkable stability between the groups.
At 0.90, a cheekbone width of 145 mm corresponds for example to:
145 × 0.90 = 130.5 mm bigonial width.
Below about 0.80-0.85, the lower part of the face becomes significantly narrower than the cheekbones and produces more of a triangular shape.
Around 0.85-0.92, the face retains a slight downward taper while maintaining a wide jawline.
Around 0.95-1.00, the width of the angles comes very close to that of the cheekbones and the face becomes squarer.
A study specifically devoted to the male mandibular angle also found a preference for an intergonial width very close to the zygomatic width. The two results are not really incompatible: around 0.90 corresponds to a wide jawline but still slightly narrower than the cheekbones, while 1.00 represents a particularly square version.
b. Jaw Frontal Angle
The Jaw Frontal Angle or JFA describes the slope of both sides of the jaw when viewed from the front.
To measure it, we draw on each side a line following the relatively straight part of the mandibular border, from the gonion towards the chin. We extend the two lines to their intersection and measure the angle between them.
The benchmark generally used is:
85 to 95°
with approximately 90° as central value.
A lower angle means that the two sides converge more strongly towards the chin. The jaw becomes more V-shaped.
An angle close to 90° produces moderate shrinkage.
A greater angle means the sides converge less and the lower part of the face becomes wider and squarer.
The JFA should not be confused with the gonial angle. The JFA is measured from the front between the two mandibular contours. The gonial angle is measured in profile between the ramus and the mandibular body.
c. Vertical position of the gonions
Width is not enough. You also need to look at how high the jaw angles appear.
A high gonion produces a visually short ramus. The jaw then begins to converge towards the chin quite early.
A lower gonion lengthens the vertical part of the jaw and allows the face to maintain more width down to its lower part.
In a study on the ideal shape of the male jaw, the preferred level was approximately at the corners of the mouth and should not fall significantly below the level of the lower lip.
This is the level of the angle point observed from the front, not the lowest point of the mandible.
d. Gonial flare
Gonial flare is the way the mandibular angles protrude laterally.
A mandible can have a correct width while having poorly defined gonions if the sides gradually blend into the face.
Conversely, gonions slightly flared outward create a more visible break between the ramus and the mandibular body and make the angles sharper.
Flare is a three-dimensional feature. A simple frontal photograph makes it possible to estimate it, but not to correctly measure the real lateral projection. 3D imaging or a scanner makes it possible to distinguish bony flare from the thickness of the masseters. The radiological literature specifically defines a mandibular flare angle to measure the orientation of the ramus in the frontal plane.
3. The vertical proportions of the lower part
a. Height of lower third
The lower third of the face is measured from the base of the nose to the bottom of the chin:
subnasal → chin
The subnasal corresponds to the point where the base of the nasal septum meets the upper lip.
The classic division of the face into three thirds approximately compares:
hairline → glabella
glabella → subnasal
subnasal → chin
In attractive male faces studied recently, the bottom third was on average the most prominent of the three. The 2026 study finds a general organization “lower third > upper > middle”.
In photos, an area of approximately 34-37% of the total facial height is often used for the male lower third.
A short lower third can reduce the presence of the ramus and chin. A very long lower third can, on the contrary, give an elongated appearance, especially if this length comes more from the anterior part than from the ramus.
b. Chin/upper part ratio of lower third
A frequently used measurement divides the lower third around the lip closure line.
We measure:
base of nose → lip closure line
then:
lip closure line → bottom of chin
The ratio is:
lip line → chin ÷ subnasal → lip line
The values used are generally around 2.05 to 2.55, with many male faces selected for their appearance around 2.4 to 2.8.
A ratio of approximately 2.3 means, for example, that the distance between the mouth and the bottom of the chin is 2.3 times greater than the distance between the base of the nose and the mouth.
This ratio is often called chin-to-philtrum ratio, although the name is imperfect: the measurement does not correspond only to the chin bone and also depends on the position of the lips.
4. The mandibular angle seen in profile
a. Gonial angle
The gonial angle corresponds to the angle formed between the ramus and the mandibular body.
To measure it, we draw a first line following the posterior edge of the ramus and a second following the lower edge of the mandible towards the chin. Their intersection is located at the gonion. This is also the definition used in cephalometry and on CT scans.
A smaller angle produces a tighter, squarer jawline.
A greater angle produces a more obtuse opening and a mandible that appears to descend more forward.
However, it is necessary to distinguish the bone measurement on an x-ray from the approximate measurement on a photograph.
In cephalometry, the normal values reported are particularly around 123 to 137°.
A study dedicated specifically to the aesthetics of the male jaw found a preference around 130°.
Photographic analyzes generally use a lower range, often around 112 to 123° or 115 to 125°.
These numbers should not be mixed together as if they are the exact same measurement. The bony landmarks of a teleradiograph are more precise than the lines drawn on the skin contour of a photograph.
For a profile photo, around 115 to 125° is therefore a practical benchmark. For a bone cephalometric measurement, a value close to 125 to 130° remains perfectly consistent.
b. Effect of low or high angle
A low gonial angle brings the direction of the ramus closer to that of the mandibular body and creates a more closed angle. With a long enough ramus, this produces a very square jaw.
If it becomes extremely weak, however, the jaw may appear excessively horizontal or compressed vertically.
Conversely, a high gonial angle opens the mandible. The gonion becomes less angular and the mandibular line descends further towards the chin.
Beyond approximately 130-135° on a comparable photographic measurement, this effect becomes particularly visible.
5. The general slope of the mandible
a. Mandibular Plane Angle
The Mandibular Plane Angle measures the inclination of the lower edge of the mandible in relation to the skull.
The most common version is the Frankfort Mandibular Plane Angle or FMA.
We first trace the map of Frankfurt:
porion → orbital
The porion corresponds to the upper point of the ear canal and the orbital to the lower point of the rim of the orbit.
We then trace the mandibular plane:
gonion → gnathion or chin
The angle between these two lines constitutes the FMA.
Classic cephalometric standards are around 25°, with an approximate range of 20 to 30°. A recent classification uses 22 to 28° as the mesocephalic zone, less than 22° as low-angle and more than 28° as high-angle.
For a male jaw with a rather horizontal orientation, the photographic markers used are frequently located around:
15 to 22°.
Around 15-20°, the mandibular edge remains relatively horizontal.
Around 22-28°, we get closer to the average cephalometric proportions.
Above 28-30°, the mandible becomes more inclined downward.
FMA and gonial angle are two different things. A man may have a low gonial angle but a relatively inclined mandibular plane, or the reverse.
b. Downward growth
A mandible with a strongly inclined plane has more vertical development compared to horizontal development.
Visually, the chin descends further while its forward projection may appear reduced. The mandibular edge forms a steeper slope from the gonion to the chin.
A more horizontal orientation keeps the chin more forward and creates a mandibular line closer to horizontal.
This is why the Mandibular Plane Angle often gives more information about the general direction of the jaw than the gonial angle taken alone.
6. The ramus
a. Ramus inclination
The ramus, ideally visible in profile, is relatively vertical.
To measure it, we draw a line tangential to the posterior edge of the ramus then we calculate its angle with the Frankfurt plane.
A study specifically devoted to male aesthetics found a preferred slope of:
65 to 75° compared to the Frankfurt plan.
This corresponds to approximately 15 to 25° deviation from the vertical.
The more the ramus tilts strongly backwards or forwards, the more the position of the gonion and the shape of the mandibular angle change.
b. Height of the ramus
In cephalometry, the height of the ramus can be measured between the condylion and the gonion:
condylion → gonion
The condylion corresponds to the upper point of the mandibular condyle, therefore to the articular part located near the ear.
In an ordinary photograph, the condylion is not visible. We can only estimate the apparent height between the region just under the ear and the gonion.
A long ramus places the gonion low and increases the vertical part of the jaw. A short ramus places the gonion higher.
In male subjects examined using radiographs, one study found an average Co-Go height of about 60.8 mm.
The absolute value, however, strongly depends on the general size of the face. The relationship with the length of the mandibular body is more informative.
c. Ramus-to-mandible ratio
A simplified photographic method compares the visible height of the ramus with the length of the mandibular body.
We measure approximately:
gonion height → upper part of the ramus
then:
length gonion → pogonion
The ratio is:
ramus height ÷ mandibular body length
A range of about 0.59 to 0.78 is commonly used in photographic analyses.
At around 0.60, the ramus is relatively shorter.
At around 0.70–0.75, it becomes proportionally long.
However, this figure should not be compared directly with a cephalometric Co-Go / Go-Pog measurement. In one study using the actual skeletal landmarks, male averages were about 60.75 mm for Co-Go and 69.20 mm for Go-Pg, giving a ratio of about 0.88.
The often-cited 0.59–0.78 ratio therefore comes from a simplified photographic method rather than the standard skeletal ratio.
7. Length and projection of the mandible
a. Mandibular length
The length of the mandibular body can be measured between the gonion and the pogonion:
gonion → pogonion
In cephalometry, we also encounter:
gonion → pogonion for the mandibular body
condylion → gnathion for total mandibular length.
In a radiographic study, men averaged approximately 69.2 mm in Go-Pg length and 118.6 mm in total Co-Gn length.
These absolute values have little aesthetic interest without taking into account the general size of the face.
A mandible can be long while still being set back. Forward projection therefore needs to be assessed separately.
b. Antero-posterior position
The position of the mandible can be measured with the SNB in cephalometry.
We use three points:
sella → nasion → point B
Point B is the most concave point on the front of the mandible, between the lower incisors and the chin.
The SNB angle therefore indicates the antero-posterior position of the mandible in relation to the base of the skull.
A value of around 78 to 80° is a conventional reference range. In a recent study examining values associated with the highest attractiveness ratings, the male peak was around 79.2°.
A lower SNB indicates a relatively set back mandible.
A higher SNB indicates a more projected mandible.
However, this measurement requires teleradiography and cannot be reproduced correctly on a simple photograph.
c. Chin projection
In a profile photograph, the pogonion allows you to directly observe the projection of the chin.
A receded chin creates a discontinuity between the mandibular body and the front of the face. Conversely, a sufficiently projected chin extends the direction of the mandibular body.
Studies where the mandibular position is artificially advanced or retreated generally find a preference for a position close to the normal skeletal relationship, with both strong retrognathia and strong prognathia reducing attractiveness. In one study, an SNB of 78° was the best evaluated profile.
The projection of the chin should therefore not be maximized independently of the rest of the face.
8. The shape of the chin
a. Chin height
Visible chin height can be measured from the lip closure line to the chin:
stomion → chin
This measurement is mainly interpreted alongside the chin-to-philtrum ratio described above.
In men, a relatively high chin increases the height and presence of the lower third. A short chin makes the front part of the lower face more compact.
The range of 2.05 to 2.55 for the mouth-chin/base of nose-mouth ratio provides a practical benchmark, with wide variation possible around this value.
b. Chin width
Chin width should be distinguished from jaw width.
The relatively flat or angular transverse part of the chin is measured, from one lateral edge to the other, before the outline rises towards the sides of the mandible.
There is no ratio as stable as for bigonial width.
Some references use a chin close to the width of the mouth, while others suggest a slightly narrower chin. Discussions of this measurement also show substantially different proposed values.
It is therefore preferable to keep a rule of proportion here: the male chin should be neither very narrow and pointed, nor as wide as the entire central part of the jaw.
Its shape is generally more square or slightly trapezoidal than triangular.
c. Mentolabial angle
The mentolabial angle is the angle between the lower lip and the beginning of the chin’s forward projection.
On a profile, we draw a line tangential to the lower lip then another following the front part of the chin. The angle formed around the labio-mental groove constitutes the mentolabial angle.
A study where this angle was modified from 84 to 162° found the best evaluations around:
107 to 118°.
A wider range of 108 to 130° is often used as a photographic reference.
A low angle corresponds to a deep and very marked labio-mental groove.
A high angle corresponds to a flatter transition between the lip and the chin.
9. The contour under the jaw
a. Cervico-mental angle
The sharpness of the jawline also depends on what is underneath it.
The cervico-mental angle is formed between the line under the chin and the anterior line of the neck.
We approximately trace:
chin → submandibular break point
then:
this point → anterior part of the neck
An area around 90 to 110° is generally considered sharp. Photographic references often use around 91 to 110°.
A more open angle produces a less clean transition between the chin and neck.
This characteristic strongly depends on submental fat, skin, hyoid bone position and posture. It therefore does not provide direct information on the bone quality of the mandible.
b. Definition of mandibular angle
The visibility of the gonion also depends on the thickness of the tissues covering it.
In the study devoted to the male mandibular angle, 74% of respondents considered an angle hidden by soft tissue to be less aesthetic. The preferred contour remained visible from the ear region to the chin and had a clean but not sharp curvature.
A favorable bony mandible may therefore appear much less defined when its contour is obscured by submandibular tissues.
10. The general form sought
a. From the front
From the front, a well-developed male jaw maintains a significant width up to the gonions then gradually tightens towards the chin.
Bigonial width is typically about 85-92% of bizygomatic width, with about 90% as a particularly strong central value.
The Jaw Frontal Angle is around 85 to 95°, which avoids both a strong V shape and a completely rectangular mandible.
The gonions are relatively low and remain visible laterally. The chin has enough height and width to complete the contour without becoming pointy.
b. In profile
In profile, the ramus is relatively long and close to vertical. Its posterior edge forms approximately 65 to 75° with the Frankfurt plane.
The mandibular body maintains a relatively horizontal direction. An FMA around 15 to 22° corresponds to the lower zone frequently sought for this type of jaw, while 22 to 28° represents more of the general cephalometric standard.
The gonial angle remains closed enough to create a sharp angle, without becoming excessively sharp. In photography, around 115 to 125° is a good practical benchmark. On cephalometric measurement, values around 125 to 130° are perfectly consistent.
The chin has sufficient projection to continue the mandibular body forward, without marked prognathism.
c. Throughout the face
Width, height and projection must work together.
A very wide jawline combined with a short chin can appear massive but poorly proportioned. A very low gonial angle with a short ramus does not necessarily result in a beautiful jawline. A mandible that projects too far forward can also become unbalanced if the maxilla does not follow.
The general characteristic sought is therefore a mandible that is wide from the front, fairly horizontal in profile, with a sufficiently long ramus and a sufficiently high and projected chin.
11. The main measures
a. Bigonial width
Measurement: left gonion width → right gonion ÷ left cheekbone width → right cheekbone
Benchmark: 0.85 to 0.92
Central value: approximately 0.90
Around 1.00: jawline almost as wide as the cheekbones
b. Jaw Frontal Angle
Measurement: angle between the two lines following the mandibular edge from each gonion towards the chin
Mark: 85 to 95°
Central value: approximately 90°
Below 85°: strong convergence, more V-shaped jaw
Above 95°: weak convergence, squarer jaw
c. Lower third
Measurement: subnasal height → chin ÷ total hairline height → chin × 100
Male benchmark: approximately 34 to 37%
d. Chin-to-philtrum ratio
Measurement: lip closure line height → chin ÷ subnasal height → lip closure line
Benchmark: approximately 2.05 to 2.55
Useful central value: approximately 2.3 to 2.5
e. Gonial photographic angle
Measurement: angle between the line following the posterior edge of the ramus and the line following the lower edge of the mandible towards the chin
Photographic reference: approximately 115 to 125°
Cephalometric reference value: approximately 123 to 137°
Preferred value in a male aesthetic study: approximately 130°
f. Mandibular Plane Angle
Measurement: angle between the Frankfurt plane porion → orbital and the mandibular plane gonion → gnathion
Aesthetic marker with horizontal orientation: approximately 15 to 22°
Cephalometric standard: approximately 22 to 28°, or approximately 25 ± 5°
Below 20°: low-angle
Above 28-30°: high-angle
g. Ramus inclination
Measurement: angle between the posterior edge of the ramus and the Frankfurt plane
Benchmark: approximately 65 to 75°
Equivalent: approximately 15 to 25° from the vertical
h. Ramus-to-mandible photographic ratio
Measurement: visible height of the ramus gonion → upper part of the ramus ÷ length of the mandibular body gonion → pogonion
Photographic mark: approximately 0.59 to 0.78
Useful central value: approximately 0.65 to 0.75
This measurement should not be compared directly to the Co-Go/Go-Pog cephalometric ratio.
i. Mandibular projection SNB
Measurement: sella angle → nasion → point B on teleradiography
Benchmark: approximately 78 to 80°
Maximum attractiveness value found in a recent male study: approximately 79.2°
j. Mentolabial angle
Measurement: angle between the tangent of the lower lip and the tangent of the front part of the chin
Benchmark: approximately 107 to 118°
Widest usable area: approximately 108 to 130°
k. Cervico-mental angle
Measurement: angle between the line under the chin and the front line of the neck
Benchmark: approximately 90 to 110°
12. The most useful measures
To quickly describe a jaw, the most useful parameters are bigonial width, Jaw Frontal Angle, gonial angle, Mandibular Plane Angle, ramus height, chin projection and lower third height.
A set close to:
bigonial / bizygomatic width: approximately 0.90
Jaw Frontal Angle: approximately 90°
lower third: approximately 34 to 37%
chin-to-philtrum: approximately 2.3 to 2.5
gonial photographic angle: approximately 115 to 125°
Mandibular Plane Angle: approximately 15 to 22°
inclination of the ramus: approximately 65 to 75° relative to the Frankfurt plane
photographic ramus-to-mandible: approximately 0.65 to 0.75
SNB: approximately 78 to 80°
mentolabial angle: approximately 107 to 118°
describes a relatively large, angular mandible, slightly inclined downwards, with a developed ramus and good anterior projection.
