While nail polish alone is a wonderful way to change up your nails, once you've gained a bit of length (either naturally or through extensions), you can start playing with shape. And if you want something sharp and angular, square nails are a great option.
"Square nails are flat at the top with straight sharp corners," says nail artist Sonia Sanchez. Unlike coffin nails, they don't taper in at the sides, which gives you a bigger canvas to showcase your chosen color and design.
20 Ballerina Nails to Inspire Your Next Manicure
Heather Reynosa, director of global education design at OPI, explains that there are some looks that really complement the shape. "As a personal rule, I like to pair graphic shapes like square nails with softer, rounded designs to balance the aesthetic," says Reynosa. However, "nail art is so personal, there really are no rules as far as what kind of art should be worn on this type of nail."
Meet the expert
- Sonia Sanchez is a nail artist and brand ambassador for Après Nail.
- Heather Reynosa is the director of global education design at OPI.
- Sharon Ladokun is a nail artist and brand ambassador for Après Nail.
Whether you're a square nail stan or trying them out for the first time, we've got 35 square nail designs ahead to help guide your future manicures.
01of 35
Glossy Tips
“I used my most favorite dark chocolate brown gel color Osiris ($15), from the Après Nail French Manicure Gel Cairo Set,” says Sanchez. “I used this shade as a matte base and topped it off with Après Nail’s Non-Wipe Glossy Top Gelcoat to create a glossy French tip. This square nail design looks so chic and classy.”
02of 35
Winter Twilight
“I used the Après Nail’s September Gel Couleur Set - 9-5 Chic to create the look,” says nail artist Sharon Ladokun. “This nail look features Gel-X Sculpted Square Extra Long Tips for those who love the extra length!”
03of 35
Fall Daisies
Florals are super gorgeous for fall when done in warm colors like this burgundy. The flowers are on a milky white background to keep the look airy.
04of 35
Short French
French manicures are usually super soft, as the shape of the tip mimics the arc of a rounded nail. As such, doing a French tip on a square nail adds an unexpected element.
05of 35
Medium French
The previous look showcased a French manicure on a short square nail, and this one utilizes the design on medium nails. The added length allows for an elongated tip and an overall softer look.
06of 35
Tropical Tips
“I used Après Nail’s Gel-X Square Long Tips along with Color Extend Gel Bottle Edition in Insatiable to encapsulate a variety of dried florals,” says Sanchez.
07of 35
3D Sculpt
This black French tip design uses thick gel to create an abstract, 3D design on top of the nail. It adds mesmerizing texture while still remaining sleek and modern.
Black French Tips Are the "It" Manicure for Winter — Try One of These 25 Ideas
08of 35
XL Square
These XL square nails aren't for the faint of heart. The length adds a ton of drama that's offset by a simple design featuring baby blue tips with a neon green squiggly accent.
09of 35
Two-Tone Tips
White French tips paired with green polka dots make for a fun combination that's reminiscent of tennis. The look was left pretty sheer so that you can see the full natural nail under the tips.
10of 35
Green on Green
A green, crocodile skin-like pattern was used to make airy tips punctuated by thick squiggles dancing across each nail. The look is bold, but not over the top.
11of 35
Honey Pot
Orange and yellow blobs add a trippy effect to these tips. The colors are accented with a gold and crystal emblem to add some sparkle.
12of 35
Black French
These black French tips are long and sleek. Although French tips are a classic look, the length, color, and shape of this nail make them cooly subversive.
13of 35
Pistachio Green
These pistachio green tips are accented with white dots to create a bright and playful look. The colors lend a bit of softness to the graphic square shape.
14of 35
Arizona Sky
Bright orange French tips are accented by a hot pink line to create a design the nail artist likened to the Arizona sky.
15of 35
Cubist Tips
This design takes the traditional French tip and deconstructs it using two bold tones in a funky, Cubism-inspired design.
16of 35
Mix and Match Tips
These fun mix-and-match tips feature cow print, a smiley face, clouds in the sky, a Playboy bunny, and cherries. Because square nails are so wide, there's room for lots of color and play on the tips.
17of 35
Line Art
A milky base is the perfect canvas for this minimalist line art. Each nail features a different abstract face.
Milky Nails Are a Modern Update to the Timeless, Neutral Manicure
18of 35
Disney Chic
If you want Disney nails that don't scream Disney, you can do a French tip with delicate Mickey Mouse ears on one nail. The tips are outlined with glitter for added sparkle.
19of 35
Dainty Hearts
Heart shapes create floating tips on these Aprés Sculpted Square Short ($17) gel-x tips. The polishes used are Cloud Nine ($15), Pirouette Pout ($15), Hey Miss ($15), Berry Special ($15), and Just Chili Out ($15)
20of 35
Pink Patchwork
Perfect for Halloween, these hot pink patchwork nails are a ton of fun. Mixing solid nails with tips and other designs keeps the look fresh.
21of 35
Nails That Sing
Inspired by the Bad Bunny song "La Corriente," these nails are insanely fun. One hand features black French tips with song lyrics, while the other takes imagery from the album artwork.
22of 35
Pumpkin Spice
Three shades from the Aprés French manicure line — Pharaohom*ones ($15), Osiris ($15), and Chai Your Best ($15) — serve as the base of this look with its mattified base and glossy etched tips.
23of 35
Baby Pink
These pastel pink mix-and-match nails are perfect for Valentine's Day, or anytime you're feeling sweet. They feature polka dots, stripes, and hearts atop two pale blush polishes, one opaque and one jelly.
24of 35
Groovy Browns
Brown, cream, and beige polishes are used to create this groovy look, which is topped off with swirls, flowers, and smiley faces.
25of 35
Chocolate Swirl
A pretty chocolate brown was swirled onto this milky nude base. The shapes are thick, but because the nail is long and wide, they don't overwhelm the look.
26of 35
Heart Frenchies
Dress up traditional French tips with red hearts. The high-gloss finish on these nails makes the look extra eye-catching.
27of 35
Baby Blues
Baby blue French tips are a fun and pretty take on the classic look. They're outlined with a thin line of silver glitter to add a little pop.
28of 35
Brown French and Florals
Adding simple florals is an easy way to make any design more interesting. This look shows white flowers on top of a rich brown French tip.
29of 35
Unicorn Chrome
Instead of using a color with coverage so the tips blend with the natural nail, this look features a wash of iridescent chrome. The base of the nail is accented with unicorny pastels for extra whimsy.
30of 35
Blinged Out
Although this look is done in a nude shade, shimmery adornments make it super fun. A few of the nails are covered in little pearlescent beads while a single one gets a row of rhinestones.
31of 35
Pumpkin Tips
Perfect for fall, these nails feature a sharp tip painted with a warm and rich pumpkin orange hue.
32of 35
Birthday Butterflies
A design crafter for the wearer's 23rd birthday, this look features clouds, butterflies, and, of course, the number 23, all atop a pink jelly base.
33of 35
Candy Hearts
Candy hearts served as inspiration for this pretty V-day look. The colors of the candy are mimicked in the tips — some solid and some made entirely of hearts.
34of 35
Cable-Knit Tips
3D gel was used to create these cozy matte cable-knit nails. Each nail is in a different warm, neutral shade.
35of 35
Agate
These square nails look like a hunk of black-and-white agate crystal. Done with just two polishes and gold leaf, this manicure is easier than you think to recreate.