40 Manicure Ideas That Are Perfect For Square Nails

Getting a manicure is one of the best self-care practices you could incorporate into your bi-weekly beauty routine. It boosts your confidence, maintains your nail health, and helps you feel like you have your life together (even if you really don't). However, getting a manicure does come with a few stressful choices that will contribute to the overall look of your nails: the color, the design, and the shape.

If you're stuck on what shape to go for, you may want to consider square nails. Yes, oval nails had their moment in 2022, but according to the pros, we'll see a shift toward square nails in 2023. Celebrity nail artist Holly Falcone told The Zoe Report, "Long nails are always going to be iconic, but I foresee shorter nails becoming more popular in 2023." She says, "In addition to a shorter nail length, the trending shape is likely to be more square or squoval," (AKA a square/oval hybrid).

And the good news is anybody can pull off square nails, especially those with "long, narrow nail beds" and who prefer a low maintenance style, according to nail brand OPI. Plus, if you can't give up your acrylics, the square shape is a perfect choice, providing plenty of space for fun and trendy designs. Once you've landed on the square nail shape, it's time to narrow in on the color and design. Need some help there, too? Here are 40 manicure ideas that are perfect for square nails.

If you prefer a natural manicure that's sophisticated and sleek, then reach for a neutral color like Paris-based nail and beauty tech @nails_by_l92 in an Instagram post. A nude color is perfect for short nail lovers, especially with a square shape. Plus, they look great for any occasion, whether a lavish wedding or a low-key coffee date. And, as if it couldn't get any better, simple nude nails can be coordinated easily with any outfit. What's not to love?

Take those nude nails to the next level with a gold celestial design, complete with colorful nail gems in the center. This nail inspo shared by @ewilson81503 on TikTok is perfect for those who love a slight sparkle, can never say no to a nail gem, and are looking for fresh ideas on how to incorporate them into the design. This manicure is especially ideal for those who tend to opt for long acrylic nails since there is plenty of space to create a few stars on each nail.

It doesn't have to be your birthday to enjoy a confetti moment. Take every colorful shade of the rainbow and incorporate them into each nail with tiny confetti-like dots, as seen in an Instagram post by nail technician @well_gel_nails_by_jayne. While this look has the confetti dots more toward the tip of the nail in an ombré fashion, you can cover the entire nail or do a reverse tip at the base of the cuticle. Nothing says fun quite like colorful dots, but if you want to tone down the rainbow look, you can opt for two or three colors for a more cohesive vibe.

Are you looking for a simple design to spice up your natural nude nails? You'll love these cherry tips! Nail care company @lightslacquer posted a TikTok video sharing a cherry tip look, and it's so simple to do yourself. All it takes is red and green nail polish, a small precision brush, and a steady hand to create a cherry at the corner tip of each nail. Top it off with a shiny clear coat of polish to lock it all in.

Just because you love a warm-toned manicure doesn't mean the colors must be in the brown color palette. Enter: forest green and sage nails with a chrome twist. UK-based nail artist @lindseysbeautylounge1 shared an Instagram photo of her neutral green square set, with a swirly design on the middle and pointer fingers for a fun touch. If you're a gold gal and prefer to reach for gold jewelry over silver, you'll love this green and gold chrome look. Top your digits off with gold rings to really complete the look.

Raise your hand if you live for a rhinestone moment. Us, too, can't stay away from the trendy nail gems, and what better way to add them to the look than in a polka dot fashion? Nail artist @mel_vivalasnails on Instagram shared this nail look that includes rhinestone polka dots on a pink nail, and we're obsessed. You can choose any base nail color you want for this look, as the focus is, of course, those rhinestone dots. Scale back the look depending on your taste, and only have one bedazzled nail if preferred.

We know that #WhiteNails are a major fan favorite, with the hashtag gathering over 432 million views on TikTok, so of course, we needed to show the trend some love. However, instead of going stark white, try a soft white shade like @janeebarbre shared in a TikTok video. Her white nail polish shade has a subtle hint of pink. Combine that with the short square shape, and you have a manicure that is soft, delicate, and pretty.

Remember when the glittery party nail on the ring finger was all the rage in the 2010s? While it's still seen on nail looks today, this manicure shared by Instagram user and nail artist @allnailss._ has a modern and classy twist — no glitter required. An all-blue look, this short square nail set has a white nail on the ring finger, with a simple blue heart to pull the entire look together. If blue isn't your favorite, feel free to exchange it for a neutral vibe of brown and nude shades.

This square-shaped manicure shared by San Diego-based nail artist @annmarie_nails_ in a TikTok video is a hybrid between a glittery French tip and solid pink nail color. Feel free to swap the pink with any color, keeping the look monochromatic with a matching glittery French tip. The glitter adds dimension to the solid pink color, giving sparkle and shine to the manicure. If you want to ditch the glitter, add a solid French tip to the look, keeping the base color and French tip shade close for a cohesive look.

When you think of abstract art, Pablo Picasso may come to mind — not nail designs. However, we're here to show you that it can be done on nails too, especially when it comes to abstract faces, as seen in @nininailstampa's abstract face nail art look. The black outlines of the abstract faces on top of a white base adds to the simplicity of the manicure, making it look extremely modern. You can also add a pop of color to the faces to provide them with that artsy and niche vibe if preferred. 

If you're familiar with today's nail trends, then you've definitely heard of Skittles nails, where each nail gets its own designated color, reminiscent of the sweet and colorful candy. You could join in on the fun and paint each nail a solid color, or go the ombré route like this nail inspo post shared by award-winning nail tech @natsnailbed_nailartisteducator on Instagram. This set includes pastel colors of orange, blue, pink, and purple to create a delicious, candy-inspired ombré look.

Nothing makes us happier than when the flowers begin to bloom in the spring. So, when we see a perfectly painted floral design on a long square nail, we can't help but get excited. Nail artist @zenluxenails posted a TikTok video of colorful springtime flower accent nails, complete with pink tips. Floral prints are a standard design in nearly every nail salon, and this simple flower has a modern edge that we love. For those with long square nails, you can cover the entire nail in a few flowers. One single flower will do for short-nailed beauties.

Many prefer to paint the entire nail one color and skip the design entirely. If that's you, you should really consider a deep chocolate brown color, as seen in a video by TikTok creator and nail artist @yodeebs, which has collected over 276,000 likes. This rich color looks gorgeous on short, square-shaped nails, providing a luxurious look. Plus, a brown nail color looks lovely on any skin tone and can complement various outfits, making it a go-to color for many.

When you want to add a pop of shine to your matte manicure, reach for gold specks. This nail look shared by @pazurki_official on Instagram shows a matte mauve square nail with a black outline and shiny gold flakes sprinkled throughout. The gold specks add the perfect amount of shimmer and shine without the need for any glitter, giving an elevated and sophisticated vibe, especially when paired with a neutral color palette. Deck those digits out in gold jewelry while you're at it!

Right next to the flower, the butterfly is a quintessential nail design that you've probably seen before. But check out how realistic the butterflies look on this manicure @nailsbymookie shared on Instagram. One single butterfly sits delicately on a few nails in this square nail set, which adds a gorgeous touch to a simple manicure. This post collected over 14,000 likes, and that's no surprise. It definitely takes a talented and steady-handed nail tech to re-create such an intricate design.

When you think of the '70s, do you think of bright colors, flowers, and retro designs? We do. Take a peek at these nails posted on Instagram by @kokonailbar_chesterfield, and tell us they don't scream '70s. We love the groovy vibe. Ideal for long square nails, the colorful retro design paired with pretty daisy flowers is a beautiful spring and summer look. Stick with the complimentary colors of bright pink and yellow, or play with other shades of your choice.

Can't land on a single nail design? No worries. With this manicure shared by @km_nailsxx on Instagram, you can pick five (or more!) little designs and put on each nail. Want cherries? Done. A yin-yang symbol? Go for it. Smiley-faced heart? Perfect. The options are endless! Especially when paired with colorful Skittles nails, the entire look is fun and perfect for those who don't take their nails too seriously. You can even incorporate animal print as one of the designs, as seen in the inspo photo. 

This is another one of those nail designs that is perfect for those who prefer a minimalistic look. Instead of leaving the nude, plain nail as is, add a tiny little neon dot at the nailbed for a fun pop of color. Take a peek at this TikTok video shared by @samanthahaste showcasing a sleek nude square manicure with a green neon dot delicately placed on each nail. Exchange that dot with any other color of your choice or even a sparkly rhinestone.

Marble manicures had a shining moment in 2022, with the hashtag #MarbleNails racking up over 340 million views on TikTok — and for good reason! Classy, shiny, dreamy, and chic, the marble nail design is oh-so-pretty. This white marble look by @nasia_nails_art_oakleigh was perfectly painted on top of short square nails, but long acrylic lovers can get the look too. The best thing about the marble nail design? It can work with any color.

If you're looking for a whimsical and ethereal nail design, then you'll love this one. This cloudy look seen in an Instagram post by @platinumglabar gives major angelic vibes, complete with tiny rhinestones in the center of small white stars. The base color is a perfect warm nude, which ties the entire look together. However, you can swap that nude out for a pale blue shade for a pop of color. We have our heads in the clouds looking at this manicure (plus all the others on this list), and we know you will too.