Is “The Golden Ratio” the Best Way to Measure Facial Attractiveness? Not Necessarily - Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery: Keith Ladner, MD (2024)

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While some may argue this to be true, there are still others who believe beauty can be measured using a mathematical equation based on the Golden Ratio. Let’s take a look at what the Golden Ratio is and whether or not it is the best way to measure facial attractiveness.

What Is the Golden Ratio?

The Golden Ratio dates back to the European Renaissance when artists and architects used an equation they referred to as the Golden Ratio. This equation helped them plan their masterpieces and determine how to set certain features.

Fast forward a few thousand years and scientists started using this formula to explain why some people are considered beautiful and others are not. There are several measurements used to make this determination.

First, the length and width of the face are measured. Once this is done, the length is divided by the width. The ideal result is considered the Golden Ratio which should equal 1.6. This means a beautiful person’s face is about 1 ½ times longer than it is wide.

Three segments of the face are also measured; from the forehead hairline to the area between the eyes, the area between the eyes to the bottom of the nose, and from the bottom of the nose to the bottom of the chin. When these measurements are taken, if the numbers are equal, a person is considered more beautiful. There was a belief that a person’s level of attractiveness was connected to the symmetry of their face; the more symmetrical, the more beautiful.

Is “The Golden Ratio” the Best Way to Measure Facial Attractiveness? Not Necessarily - Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery: Keith Ladner, MD (1)

Why the Golden Ratio May Not Be the Best Measurement of Facial Attractiveness

Despite the mathematics that went into developing the Golden Ratio, there are arguments that it is not the best measurement of facial attractiveness. While the Golden Ratio may be important to develop symmetrical structures in art and architecture, some scientists argue that it can’t be used as a measurement to determine beauty. They claim that the original inventors of the Golden Ratio never claimed that it had aesthetic qualities. This was just something that was assumed over the years.

There is an argument that everyone’s faces are different and to think that people are all going to measure up to the Golden Ratio is a bit silly. Other factors contribute to whether one person finds another beautiful. Other facial features, as well as hormones, all play a role in who we find attractive. Many people still believe in simply looking at another person, not measuring their face, to determine beauty.

While some may still rely on the Golden Ratio to determine physical beauty and the so-called “perfect face” others believe in looking at each individual. If you want information on facial plastic surgery procedures to change your look, contact Dr. Keith Ladner. Dr. Ladner is experienced in several facial plastic surgery procedures and can advise you about which ones are best for your face. Call Dr. Ladner today at(303) 253-7686 or go online to schedule a consultation.

Sources: https://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/measuring-facial-perfection-the-golden-ratio

https://www.sciencealert.com/mathematicians-argue-that-the-golden-ratio-is-not-the-formula-for-beauty

Is “The Golden Ratio” the Best Way to Measure Facial Attractiveness? Not Necessarily - Ladner Facial Plastic Surgery: Keith Ladner, MD (2024)

FAQs

What is the Golden Ratio for face attractiveness? ›

The Golden Ratio, a ratio of 1:1.618 is found in the proportions of the Egyptian pyramids, the nautilus shell, beautiful faces and the ideal body. Our eyes are attracted to objects with this ratio and find them visually appealing.

How do you measure perfect face ratio? ›

The distance from the top of the nose to the center of the lips should be around 1.618 times the distance from the center of the lips to the chin. The hairline to the upper eyelid distance is classically 1.618 times the length of the top of the upper eyebrow to the lower eyelid.

How is facial attractiveness measured? ›

First, the length and width of the face are measured. Once this is done, the length is divided by the width. The ideal result is considered the Golden Ratio which should equal 1.6. This means a beautiful person's face is about 1 ½ times longer than it is wide.

What is the Golden Ratio a measure of physical beauty? ›

Can you give a number to beauty? The answer is yes – it is roughly 1.62 and it is called the Golden Ratio of beauty! The Golden Ratio (also known as Phi, or the Fibonacci number) is the mathematical symmetry algorithm that underlies our perception of attractiveness.

Who has the highest golden ratio face? ›

According to the Golden Ratio, a scientific measure of beauty, Jodie Comer is the world's most beautiful woman. Her face closely matches ideal proportions with a score of 94.52%.

Is PinkMirror.com legit? ›

PinkMirror gave me a much more favorable rating than HowHot.io. I was flattered to earn an overall 8.8 on pinkmirror.com, accompanied by a breakdown of each of my facial features. Like howhot.io, pinkmirror.com has a disclaimer to make sure you don't beat yourself up too much over a robot's opinion of your face.

How do psychologists measure attractiveness? ›

In psychological research, the most common way in which the concept of attractiveness is measured is by asking raters to judge the physical attractiveness of people in portrait photographs or to use self-reported appearance ratings.

What celebrity has a Golden Ratio face? ›

Jodie Comer

The winner of Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study is actor Jodie Comer — our current Golden Ratio goddess whose face is 94.52% accurate to the Greek Golden Ratio.

What does the golden ratio measure? ›

The golden ratio has been used to analyze the proportions of natural objects and artificial systems such as financial markets, in some cases based on dubious fits to data. The golden ratio appears in some patterns in nature, including the spiral arrangement of leaves and other parts of vegetation.

Why is the golden ratio so beautiful? ›

The reason we love the golden ratio, he argues, is that it's easy to grasp: According to Adrian Bejan, professor of mechanical engineering at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina, the human eye is capable of interpreting an image featuring the golden ratio faster than any other....

How do you test for scientifically beautiful face? ›

Then, measure the width of your face at its widest point (which is usually at your cheekbones). 2. Next, divide the length by the width. The Golden Ratio defines the ideal result as roughly 1.6, which means a beautiful person's face is about 1 1/2 times longer than it is wide.

What celebrity has a golden ratio face? ›

Jodie Comer

The winner of Dr. Julian De Silva's 2023 study is actor Jodie Comer — our current Golden Ratio goddess whose face is 94.52% accurate to the Greek Golden Ratio.

What is the golden ratio in Korean beauty standards? ›

Korean traditional design objects show a clearly shorter ratio (1:1, 1:1.333) than the golden ratio (1:1.618).

What is the golden ratio for male attractiveness? ›

Your shoulder circumference should measure 1.618 times larger than your waist (waist circumference x 1.618). This produces the coveted V-taper that scientific research has proven to be attractive to women.

How can I improve my golden ratio face? ›

Improving Facial Proportions with Non-Surgical Dermal Fillers. Injectables are known for smoothing lines and wrinkles, but dermal fillers may also be utilized to alter sections of your face to achieve the Golden Ratio and provide a refreshed, youthful appearance for the entire face.

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