Flat iron temperature guide by hair type

Flat iron temperature chart

The ranges below are typical of what tool makers publish. Individual irons and makers vary, and a given number can behave differently on different plates and designs.

Get your starting temperature →

How to find your setting

Pick your hair type from the chart and set the iron to the bottom of that range. Do one slow pass on a thin, fully dry section. If the section is smooth and stays smooth once cool, that is your setting. If waves remain, raise the temperature by a small step and try a new section.

Speed and section size matter as much as the number. Thin sections and one slow pass with tension often let you stay lower. If you find yourself making many passes at a high setting, fix the technique first; see how to use a flat iron and hair won't stay straight.

1. 1

   Identify your hair type.

2. 2

   Set the iron to the bottom of the typical range.

3. 3

   Test one thin, dry section with one slow pass.

4. 4

   Let it cool and check it.

5. 5

   Raise in small steps only if needed.

6. 6

   Remember the setting, or use an iron with heat memory.

Fixed-temperature irons: ghd

ghd stylers such as the Platinum+, Gold, Original and Chronos run at one fixed temperature of 185°C (365°F). There is no dial. ghd's position is that 365°F is an optimum styling temperature for all hair types, and its listings say the irons use sensors to keep that temperature steady across the plates.

With a fixed-heat iron you adjust results through section size and speed. Fine hair can use thinner sections and faster passes; thick hair can use thinner sections and slower passes. Wider plates such as the ghd Max or Chronos Max 2 inch cover more hair. More detail is in ghd temperature explained and our ghd flat iron guide.

Three settings: Dyson Corrale

The Dyson Corrale has three settings: 165°C (330°F), 185°C (365°F) and 210°C (410°F), per Dyson. Its flexing plates gather hair, and Dyson says that lets you style with less heat than with rigid plates. A practical start is the lowest setting for fine hair and the middle for normal hair, moving to the top only for thick or coarse hair that will not hold. How to use the Dyson Corrale covers the controls.

Adjustable irons: pro dials up to 450°F and beyond

Many professional irons have adjustable heat. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium irons go up to 450°F, and some BaBylissPRO Prima and TrueTension models list up to 465°F. T3 SinglePass irons use 9 settings, and Bio Ionic's OnePass and 10X irons list variable heat up to 450°F, according to their listings.

A high maximum is there for thick or coarse textures and for professional use. It is not a target. Most people do not need the top setting, and makers generally advise starting low. Irons with a heat memory function, such as the BaBylissPRO Digital Ultra-Thin, save your chosen setting so you do not have to set it each time.

Things that change the right temperature

Color-treated, bleached or chemically processed hair is usually more fragile; makers point these toward the lowest range. Natural, coily or very coarse hair often needs more heat or a careful blow dry first; see how to flat iron natural hair and flat irons for natural hair. Fine hair often needs less than you would expect; see flat irons for fine hair.

Always use a plate iron on dry hair with a heat protectant. If hair smokes or smells burnt, stop and check for damp hair, wet product or buildup before assuming you need more heat.

Note.Higher heat is not a fix for damp hair or thick sections. Start low, use thin sections, and check your iron's manual for its own guidance.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should a flat iron be for normal hair? Typical maker guidance is about 300 to 380°F (149 to 193°C). Start near the bottom of that range.

Is 450°F too hot for a flat iron? It is the top of the typical range, which makers aim at thick or coarse hair. Most people get results lower. Start low and step up only if needed.

What temperature is a ghd? ghd stylers run at a fixed 185°C (365°F).

How do I convert °F to °C? Subtract 32 and multiply by 5/9. For example, 365°F is about 185°C.