Comprehensive Guide to Different Butt Shapes: Identify Yours

If there’s one part of the body that’s been celebrated, revered and sought-after in the 2010s and 2020s, it’d have to be the butt! But have you ever stopped to think about the different butt types, and which category yours falls into? With so much attention given to booty shape in pop culture, fashion, and fitness, we considered it time to break down the various types and celebrate their unique beauty - so let’s dive in!
What is a Butt Type?
Generally speaking, a "butt type" refers to the general shape and contour of your buttocks when viewed from behind. While there are a wide range of individual differences, certain patterns or "types" do exist, and these are not only determined by the amount of fat or muscle in the area but also the structure of the pelvis, hip bones, and the way your body distributes fat. It's worth noting that categorizing different butt shapes is just for fun and to get to know your body better - every booty shape is perfect in its uniqueness!
Can You Change Butt Shape?
Now, the burning question: can you really change the shape of your butt? In terms of bone structure, the answer is a definitive no. Your skeletal makeup determines the foundational shape of your pelvis and hips. However, the gluteal muscles are some of the largest and most adaptable muscles in the body, so while you can't transform an H shaped butt into an O or A shape completely, you can certainly influence the appearance of your buttocks through targeted exercise.
Certain underwear can help too; ladies’ thongs can give your butt a more lifted appearance, while minimizing underwear can give your derriere a smoother appearance.
Different Butt Shapes
H Shaped Butt
The H-shaped butt, also commonly referred to as the "square shaped butt," has hips and pelvis of nearly the same width, leading to a relatively straight profile from the waist to the top of the buttocks. The fat is distributed evenly, and there isn't a pronounced curve at the sides; this shape can give a more athletic appearance due to the straight lines it presents.
A Shaped Butt
The A-shaped butt, also known as the pear-shaped booty, tends to be wider at the bottom, where the hips meet the thighs, than at the top. This can give the appearance of an 'A' where the legs come together at the base of the butt. It's a common shape, especially in women, and often becomes more pronounced with age, as fat tends to accumulate in the lower part of the buttocks.
V Shaped Butt
The V shape is characteristic of individuals whose pelvis is wider than their hip bones and outer buttocks, and the line of the outer buttocks slopes inward as you move from the hips down to the thighs. This shape is more common in older women, especially after menopause, due to the shifting fat storage patterns and decreasing estrogen levels which often result in fat storage moving from the buttocks to the abdomen.
O Shaped Butt
O-shaped, or round, butts are almost circular in appearance and full from the top to the bottom of the buttocks, and this type is often referred to as the “bubble” butt, due to its fuller and more voluminous shape. The fat distribution tends to be even with an O shaped butt, but more generous than the H-shaped butt. The O shaped butt also tends to stand out, often being the target of many workout routines designed to enhance or maintain its rounded appearance.
Heart Shaped Booty
A favorite among many, the heart-shaped booty is somewhat a combination of the A and O shapes: it’s full and round at the bottom, with a wide base that narrows as it reaches the waist, creating an inverted heart shape. It's a shape that's often associated with youth due to the way fat is distributed, with more volume towards the bottom of the butt and less up top.
Square Shaped Butt
Not to be confused entirely with the H shaped butt, the square shaped butt is characterized by the same width from the waist to the hips. However, the difference lies in the distribution of fat which can sometimes give a more "boxed" appearance to the buttocks. A square shaped butt, while in part genetic, can also develop through consistent athleticism and weight lifting.
What Does a Normal Butt Look Like?
So, with all these classifications, what does a normal butt look like? The answer is simple - all of them! Each and every booty shape, from the heart shaped booty to the square shaped butt, is completely normal, and the beauty of human diversity ensures that we all have unique shapes and sizes. So whether you're trying to identify your butt shape chart for fun or out of curiosity, always remember that your individuality is what makes you special. No shape is better or worse than another, and beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.
How to Change Butt Shape
While you can’t change your butt shape entirely, regular workouts focused on the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus can help lift and round out the butt, while squats, lunges, and deadlifts are known for enhancing the gluteal muscles. Additionally, reducing body fat through a combination of diet and exercise can also alter the appearance, but it's important to approach such changes with health and balance in mind.
Also, as we mentioned earlier, don’t forget the role of underwear in shaping your booty - if you’ve ever wondered “why do women wear thongs?”, note that the extra boost around the glutes is one popular reason.
But remember, your worth isn't determined by the shape of your butt or any other body part. While it's perfectly fine to have body goals, it's crucial to approach them from a place of self-love and not from a sense of inadequacy - each butt shape is unique and beautiful in its own right.