Facial Width-to-Height Ratio (FWHR)
FWHR is the bizygomatic width of the face divided by the upper face height — a measure of facial squareness linked to dominance perception.
Definition
Facial width-to-height ratio (FWHR) is calculated as bizygomatic width (the maximum horizontal distance between the two cheekbones) divided by upper-face height (the vertical distance from the upper lip border to the highest point of the eyelids, or in some conventions to the brow). The result is a dimensionless ratio. Higher FWHR values indicate a wider, shorter face. The metric was popularized by Carré and McCormick (2008) who linked it to aggression in male hockey players, and has since been studied in contexts ranging from CEO performance to mating preferences. Population averages run roughly 1.7-2.0, with men averaging slightly higher than women.
Why it matters
FWHR is one of the most studied sexually dimorphic facial metrics. Higher FWHR is consistently associated with perceived dominance, aggression, and threat in men, and with achievement-related outcomes in some studies. Women rate higher-FWHR men as more dominant but not always more attractive — there is a tradeoff between dominance signals (high FWHR) and trustworthiness/warmth signals (lower FWHR). FWHR is partially testosterone-mediated during puberty and is one of the few facial metrics directly studied as a behavioral predictor.
How AI measures it
The bizygomatic width is measured horizontally at the widest cheekbone points (zygion landmarks). Upper-face height is measured vertically from the upper-lip border to the brow midpoint or upper eyelid line. The ratio is computed and reported with no units. AI face-landmark systems automate both measurements from a front-facing photo with corrected head pose.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good FWHR?
For men, 1.9-2.1 is considered the dominant-attractive range. For women, 1.7-1.9 is more typical and more often rated attractive. Above 2.2 or below 1.6 are uncommon.
Can you change your FWHR?
Bone structure is fixed in adulthood, but body fat changes effective FWHR — facial fat over the cheekbones reduces apparent width while puffiness adds vertical height. Fat loss tends to increase measured FWHR.
Does FWHR predict success?
Some studies link higher FWHR to athletic aggression and CEO firm performance, but effect sizes are small and not all replications hold. Treat FWHR as a weak behavioral signal, not a destiny metric.