David Kibbe’s image identity system sorts people by the lines of their bodies and faces, from the sharp, elongated “yang” of the Dramatic to the soft, rounded “yin” of the Romantic. Your face is only part of the picture, but it is a useful part. This tool measures your facial lines from a photo and tells you which of Kibbe’s five families they lean towards.
Free · No sign-up · Runs on your device
Upload a front-facing photo. We read the lines of your face (sharp or soft, long or short, fine or full) and match them to a Kibbe type.
- Your photo stays on your device. It is analysed in your browser and never uploaded to us or anyone else.
- Nothing is saved. Close the page or press "Remove my photo" and it is gone.
- Open-source models. Your browser downloads the model files once; see how our photo tools work.
What The Tool Reads
| Line | What we measure | Yang (sharp) end | Yin (soft) end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone lines | The angle of your jaw | Sharp, angular jaw | Soft, rounded jaw |
| Vertical line | Face length compared with width | Long, narrow face | Short or wide face |
| Feature fullness | Lip height and eye size compared with face width | Fine, narrow features | Full lips, large eyes |
Each measure is compared with typical adult values. Sharp, long lines with finer features push you towards the yang families; soft, compact lines with fuller features push you towards yin.
The Five Kibbe Families
| Family | Overall impression | Style direction |
|---|---|---|
| Dramatic | Sharp, long, angular | Bold, sleek, elongated shapes |
| Natural | Broad, blunt, relaxed | Unstructured shapes, texture, ease |
| Classic | Balanced and moderate | Tailored, symmetrical, refined |
| Gamine | Compact mix of sharp and soft | Crisp, cropped, playful contrast |
| Romantic | Soft, rounded, lush | Curves, soft fabrics, delicate detail |
In his 1987 book Metamorphosis, Kibbe described 13 types within these families, such as Soft Dramatic or Flamboyant Natural. His later work places more weight on the whole body’s lines and height than on the face.
Why A Face Photo Is Not Enough
Kibbe types depend heavily on your height, the width of your shoulders, the length of your limbs and how your body carries weight, none of which a face photo shows. Two people with similar faces can belong to different families because of their frames. So treat this result as one clue. For a fuller answer, combine it with our Kibbe body type quiz, which asks about your body lines too.
Putting Your Result To Use
- Yang-leaning faces often look striking in clean necklines, strong shoulders, geometric earrings and bold, simple make-up.
- Yin-leaning faces are often flattered by softer necklines, rounded or draped details and blended make-up.
- Balanced faces suit moderate, polished styling with neither extreme dominating.
Whatever your result, Kibbe’s own advice was about honouring your natural lines rather than changing them.
Tips For Better Results
- Use a straight-on photo with a neutral expression; smiling widens the mouth and lifts the cheeks.
- Pull your hair back so your jawline is visible.
- Take the photo from arm’s length or further to avoid lens distortion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this tool tell my exact Kibbe type?
No. It reads facial lines only and points to a family. Your full type depends on your body as well.
Is Kibbe scientific?
Kibbe’s system is a styling framework developed by a stylist, not a scientific model. Many people still find it a helpful way to think about clothes.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. The analysis runs entirely in your browser.
Related Tools
Try the Kibbe body type quiz, the face shape detector or all photo tools.
For styling inspiration only. Kibbe types are a fashion framework, and this tool reads your face, not your whole body.