Eyes

Canthal tilt: what it is, how to measure it, what changes it

Canthal tilt, or canthal inclination, is the angle between the inner and outer corners of your eye. It's positive when the outer corner sits higher (an almond-shaped look) and negative when it sits lower. It depends mostly on bone and eyelids, not on exercises. 👁️

Updated November 7, 2026 · By Julien Rayes · Version française

Definition

Canthal tilt is the angle between a horizontal line and the line connecting the inner corner of the eye (medial canthus) to the outer corner (lateral canthus).

• Positive: the outer corner is higher than the inner corner. This is the most common case, often linked to an "almond" look.
• Neutral: both corners are at the same height.
• Negative: the outer corner is lower, which can make you look tired or sad.

How to measure it

You need a straight, front-facing photo, with your head level and your eyes looking straight ahead. Draw a line between the two corners of the eye and measure its angle against the horizontal. A slightly tilted head throws the measurement off completely, and it's the most common mistake on social media.

The GlowUpTogether scan finds the corners of your eyes on your photo and calculates the angle automatically, along with the rest of the eye area (spacing, shape, eyebrows).

Does canthal tilt really matter?

It plays a part in the overall impression of your eyes, but it's only one factor among many. Well-shaped eyebrows, softer dark circles, and rested skin change how your eyes look more than a few degrees of angle.

What changes how the angle looks

• Eyebrows: lifting or shaping the tail of the brow visually raises the outer corner.
• Sleep, alcohol, and salt: puffiness and dark circles pull the gaze downward.
• Makeup: a line of eyeliner extended upward.
• ⚠️ Minimally invasive options, such as a little botulinum toxin to lift the tail of the brow, are to be discussed with a qualified doctor. GlowUpTogether never recommends surgery.

What our measurements show

Across 78 adult faces, the eye angle has a median of +2.8°: +3.6° in women, +1.7° in men. Only 2 of the 78 faces have a negative angle.

None reaches 7°, the value often called "ideal" on looksmaxxing forums. A positive angle of a few degrees is the common case. 📏

Measured on November 3, 2026 by the GlowUpTogether engine on 78 compliant front-facing photos (out of 102) from the Face Research Lab London Set (DeBruine and Jones, CC BY 4.0 license): 34 women and 44 men, median age 25. Method and limits (in French).

Frequently asked questions

What is a good canthal tilt?

A slightly positive angle of a few degrees is the most common and the most often rated attractive. A neutral angle isn't a flaw.

Does canthal tilt change with age?

Yes. The skin and tissues around the eye loosen over the years, which can lower the outer corner slightly.

Can you change your canthal tilt naturally?

Bone doesn't change, but eyebrows, rest, and makeup clearly change the angle people perceive.