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Hair dryer heat settings by hair type

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Short answer

Typical guidance is low to medium heat for fine or thin hair, medium for medium hair, medium to high for rough drying thick or coarse hair and medium for styling it, low to medium with a diffuser for curly hair, and medium with low to medium airflow for coily hair. Color-treated or lightened hair usually starts one step lower. Lower the heat as hair nears dry and finish with the cool shot.

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A stylist blow-dries a woman's hair using a brush and hairdryer in a salon
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This page is for anyone staring at a row of heat buttons and wondering which one to use. It gives typical ranges by hair type, explains how heat and airflow work together, and shows what low, medium and high actually mean on a dryer that publishes temperatures. These are common stylist and manufacturer guidelines, not rules, and your own hair may prefer something different. For a quick answer, try the Heat setting guide tool; to compare dryers with fine heat control, see our best hair dryer guide.

Typical heat and airflow by hair type

Heat dries hair by warming the water so it evaporates faster. Airflow carries that moisture away. Higher airflow can make up for lower heat, which is why fast dryers can often be used on a lower heat step. Use the table as a starting point, then adjust.

CoolLowMedHigh
  • Fine
    low to medium
  • Medium
    medium
  • Thick
    medium to high
  • Curly
    low to medium
  • Coily
    medium
Cool shot

At the end of every section, for every hair type. Color-treated hair: one band lower.

Typical heat bands by hair type, from common stylist and manufacturer guidance. Typical guidance, not a rule.

  • Fine or thin

    Heat
    Low to medium
    Airflow
    Low to medium
    Notes
    Round brush for lift

  • Medium

    Heat
    Medium
    Airflow
    Medium to high
    Notes
    Most flexible

  • Thick or coarse

    Heat
    Medium to high to rough dry, medium to style
    Airflow
    High
    Notes
    Narrow concentrator helps

  • Curly

    Heat
    Low to medium
    Airflow
    Low
    Notes
    Diffuser, avoid touching

  • Coily

    Heat
    Medium
    Airflow
    Low to medium
    Notes
    Comb attachment to stretch

  • Color-treated or lightened

    Heat
    One step lower than above
    Airflow
    As above
    Notes
    Minimum low
Typical starting settings by hair type

Try the Heat setting guide →

What the settings mean in degrees

Most makers do not publish air temperatures for each step. Dyson is an exception. Dyson's technical specification sheet for the Supersonic lists high heat at 212°F (100°C), medium at 176°F (80°C), low at 140°F (60°C) and a cold shot at 82.4°F (28°C). The Supersonic Nural listing adds a Scalp protect mode that targets 130°F at the scalp. The ghd Duet Blowdry listing states a consistent 248°F for its hot air brush.

For other brands, think in positions on the dial rather than degrees. A dryer with five heat steps, like the T3 AireLuxe and Featherweight StyleMax, gives finer control than a dryer with two or three. Some listings also suggest settings: the Bio Ionic PowerDiva listing recommends low to medium airflow for fine hair, medium to high for medium hair and high for thick and curly hair.

  • Dyson Supersonic spec sheet

    Setting
    High / medium / low / cold
    Temperature
    212°F / 176°F / 140°F / 82.4°F

  • Supersonic Nural listing

    Setting
    Scalp protect target
    Temperature
    130°F at the scalp

  • ghd Duet Blowdry listing

    Setting
    Single drying temperature
    Temperature
    248°F
Published temperatures (per maker)

Rules that apply to every hair type

A few habits matter more than the exact setting. They are standard salon practice and appear in most dryer manuals.

  • Rough dry to about 80 percent first, then style section by section.
  • Keep the dryer moving; do not hold it on one spot.
  • Keep the nozzle a few inches from the hair, often about 6 in.
  • Lower the heat as hair gets close to dry.
  • Finish each section with several seconds of cool shot to set the shape.
  • Use a heat protectant if that is part of your routine.

Note.Hot nozzles and attachments can burn skin. Keep the dryer moving near the scalp and ears, and let attachments cool before touching them.

Adjusting for your hair

If hair takes very long to dry, raise airflow first, then heat. If it feels hot or looks dull and puffy after drying, drop a step. Fine hair often looks better with lower heat and a round brush for lift; see our fine hair dryer guide. Thick hair often needs high airflow to dry the inside of each section; see the thick hair dryer guide.

Curly and coily hair usually do best with low airflow so curls stay grouped. Our diffusing guide covers that technique, and hair dryer temperature explained goes deeper on how temperature and airflow interact.

Heat settings on hot air brushes and multi-stylers

Hot air brushes and multi-stylers follow the same logic as dryers, but they hold hair against a barrel for longer, so many people use one step lower than they would on a dryer. The Drybar brush listings mention three heat settings plus a cool option, and the T3 AireBrush Duo lists 5 heat and 3 speed settings. The Dyson Airwrap listings mention three heat settings and three airflow speeds, with intelligent heat control.

Start on low or medium with a brush or barrel, hold each section for a few seconds longer if it does not set, and only then raise the heat. For more on these tools, see what is a hot air brush and Airwrap temperature settings.

What the cool shot is for

The cool or cold shot button blows unheated air. Hair holds the shape it has as it cools, so a few seconds of cool air at the end of each section helps a curl or a smooth bend hold. It is not a drying setting; drying on cold alone takes much longer. Our cool shot explainer has more detail.

Read about the cool shot →

Frequently asked questions

What heat setting should I use on my hair dryer? Medium is a safe start for most hair. Go lower for fine or color-treated hair and higher only for rough drying thick hair.

Is low temperature better for hair? Lower heat is common guidance for fine and color-treated hair. It may take longer, so pair it with higher airflow if your dryer allows.

How hot is a hair dryer on high? It varies by model. Dyson's Supersonic spec sheet lists 212°F (100°C) on high. Many brands do not publish temperatures.

Do I need multiple heat settings? At least three heat steps plus a cool shot gives enough control for most people. Five or more steps help with fine-tuning.

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