Curling iron temperature guide

Typical curling iron temperatures by hair type

These bands come from typical published maker guidance. Start at the bottom of your band and go up one step only if curls drop after cooling. Celsius is rounded from C = (F - 32) x 5/9.

Why curling often runs a little lower than straightening

A flat iron glides along the hair, so any one spot only touches the plates for a moment. A curling iron or wand holds the hair still against the barrel for several seconds while the curl sets. More contact time means the same result can often come from a slightly lower setting.

Hair around the face and at the ends is often finer than the rest, so many people use a lower setting there, or shorten the hold time. If you are styling a mix of textures, set the dial for the finest part and use thinner sections on thicker areas rather than raising the heat for the whole head.

Temperature for fine hair

Fine hair usually curls quickly and can be sensitive to heat, so makers commonly point to the lowest band. Start around 250 to 300 F (121 to 149 C), use 1 inch sections, and hold for only a few seconds. If curls fall out, try a smaller barrel or thinner sections before going hotter. See curling irons for fine hair for tools with lower settings.

Curling irons for fine hair →

Temperature for thick or coarse hair

Thick and coarse hair takes longer to heat through, so makers commonly list higher bands, up to about 450 F (232 C). Even here, start at the lower end and use thinner sections. Thinner sections often solve a curl that will not set without needing the top setting. Our curling irons for thick hair guide focuses on tools with higher settings and longer barrels.

Fixed and preset temperature tools

Some tools do not show degrees. ghd lists its Curve and Chronos Curve tools at a fixed 365 F (185 C). That sits in the normal band, and you control the result with section size and hold time; see ghd temperature explained. T3 curling irons such as the SinglePass Curl X, CurlWrap and Curl ID list 9 heat settings, and the Curl ID listing describes HeatID, which suggests a setting from your hair texture, color and treatment inputs. Check the manual to see which setting matches which temperature.

For flat irons, Dyson lists the Corrale with three settings of 330, 365 and 410 F (165, 185 and 210 C), and many professional irons such as the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium line go up to 450 F. For straightening heat, see the flat iron temperature guide.

• ghd Curve and Chronos Curve: fixed 365 F (185 C) per ghd
• T3 SinglePass Curl X, CurlWrap, Curl ID: 9 settings per listings
• Check the manual for the degrees each setting represents

Habits makers commonly recommend

Use the tool on clean, dry hair. Start low. Keep sections even. Do not hold hair on the barrel longer than the curl needs. Let curls cool before you touch them, which helps them hold without extra heat. Clean the barrel when cool so product build-up does not cause uneven heating. If curls still will not hold, read hair won't hold a curl. For what heat does to hair in general, see does a flat iron damage hair.

How to tell if your setting is right

The right setting is the lowest one that gives a curl that still holds once it has cooled. Test on one section at the back before doing the whole head. Curl it, let it cool fully, then check it after a few minutes.

If the curl is soft and drops while it cools, try a thinner section or a slightly longer hold first, then one step hotter. If the curl holds well, try the next step down on your next styling day to see whether it still works. Signs to stop and lower the heat include a burning smell, steam from dry hair or hair that feels rough after styling; read hair smells burnt after flat iron for more on what those signs mean.

1. 1

   Pick the bottom of your typical band.

2. 2

   Curl one test section at the back.

3. 3

   Let it cool fully and check the hold.

4. 4

   Adjust section size or hold time before heat.

5. 5

   Raise one step only if needed, then note the setting for next time.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should a curling iron be? It depends on hair type. Typical maker guidance is 250 to 300 F for fine hair, 300 to 380 F for normal hair and 380 to 450 F for thick or coarse hair. Start low and raise only if needed.

What temperature should I curl fine hair at? Start around 250 to 300 F (121 to 149 C) with short hold times and thin sections.

Is 400 degrees too hot for a curling iron? 400 F (204 C) falls within the typical band makers give for thick or coarse hair. For fine or normal hair it is above the usual range, so start lower.

What temperature is a ghd curling wand? ghd lists its Curve tools at a fixed 365 F (185 C).